certificate of death

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certificate of death" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or official contexts to refer to a document that officially records a person's death. Example: "To settle the estate, we need to obtain a certified copy of the certificate of death."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

And then the trip home with a certificate of death.

The New York Times

K: State of Colorado Certificate of Death: Rebecca Gonzales.

Columbia University

L: State of Colorado Certificate of Death: Katheryn Gonzales.

Columbia University

M: State of Colorado Certificate of Death: Leslie Gonzales.

Columbia University

Next day the two returned with a doctor, who wrote out a certificate of death, and, taking turns with a shovel they found leaning against the cabin, the three of them dug a grave in the yard, and there lies Robert Grainier.

The New Yorker

The Mayor of Munchkin City is quite implausibly rotund; the Coroner sings out the Witch of the East's Certificate of Death ("And she's not only merely dead, she's really most sincerely dead") while wearing a hat with an absurdly scroll-like brim; the quiffs of the Lollipop Kids, who appear to have arrived in Oz by way of Bash Street and Dead End, stand up more stiffly than Tintin's.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Still others waited for orderlies to bring them certificates of death.

The New York Times

The dates and causes (from death certificates) of death were obtained for all the participants.

BMC Public Health

We received the death certificate — cause of death unknown — less than two weeks later.

The Washington Post

Because death certificate cause of death can be inaccurate, RCTs frequently use review committees to assign an underlying cause of death.

Contemporary Clinical Trials

Data quality on causes of death is greater when obtained from hospital charts in comparison when obtained via death certificates of deaths occurring outside the hospital context, in which the nature of the cause of death can often be questionable.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When requesting a "certificate of death", specify the number of copies needed as different institutions may require original certified copies.

Common error

Avoid using "certificate of death" when you specifically need to state the reason someone died. "Certificate of death" is the official document, while cause of death refers to the medical reason for the passing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certificate of death" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It refers to a specific legal document. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "certificate of death" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote an official document verifying a person's death. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not extremely frequent, the phrase appears in various contexts including news, science, and academic writing. It is essential to distinguish it from "cause of death", which refers to the medical reason for someone's demise. When using "certificate of death", remember that it is a formal term used in legal and administrative contexts. Alternatives include "certification of death" and "proof of death", offering slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certification of death

Formal synonym with slight emphasis on the process of certifying.

proof of death

Focuses on the aspect of providing evidence of someone's death.

official death record

Emphasizes the official nature and recording of the death.

confirmation of death

Highlights the act of verifying that a death has occurred.

death documentation

A general term referring to any documents related to a death.

legal death certificate

Specifies that the certificate holds legal validity and standing.

declaration of death

Highlights the act of formally announcing the death.

death notice

Focuses on the announcement of the death, often public.

record of mortality

A broader term referring to any recorded instance of death.

deceased's certificate

Indicates a certificate pertaining to a deceased person.

FAQs

What is the purpose of a "certificate of death"?

A "certificate of death" is an official legal document that confirms and records the death of an individual. It's used for various legal and administrative purposes, such as settling estates, claiming insurance benefits, and arranging funeral services.

Where can I obtain a "certificate of death"?

You can typically obtain a "certificate of death" from the vital records office in the state or county where the death occurred. Funeral homes often assist families in obtaining copies of the death certificate as well.

What information is included on a "certificate of death"?

A "certificate of death" usually includes the deceased's name, date and place of death, date and place of birth, cause of death, marital status, occupation, and information about their parents. It also includes information about the medical certifier and the funeral director.

What can I say instead of "certificate of death"?

Alternatives for "certificate of death" include "certification of death", "proof of death", or "official death record", depending on the context.