death certificate

noun

: an official document that gives information about a person's death (such as when and how the death happened)

Examples of death certificate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Jurors revisited testimony from Dr. Cynthia Harris, who detailed her decision to issue Neely's death certificate following an autopsy and a review of bystander video and investigative findings. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024

Reilly said her father’s death certificate lists his old war injury as having contributed to his death because doctors see a connection between amputation and certain heart ailments. —Christy Gutowski, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2024

No autopsy was performed and a death certificate obtained by PEOPLE showed that his remains, which appear to be in the possession of K.C., were cremated on Aug. 30. —Liza Esquibias, People.com, 23 Nov. 2024

McVie sadly passed away in November 2022, her death caused by an ischemic stroke, with cancer listed as a secondary cause, according to her death certificate. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024

Legal Definition

death certificate

noun

: a document setting forth information (as age, occupation, and place of birth) relating to a dead person and including a doctor's certification of the cause of death

Note: Death certificates are issued by a particular public official, as a city or town clerk. A death certificate is required to document a person's death for certain purposes, as to file an estate tax return or to probate an estate.