🕊️ Why Death Certificates Can Take Time And Why Patience Matters
When a loved one passes away, families are faced with many immediate decisions and emotional challenges. One of the most common questions we receive at Marcom Harvey Funeral Care is, “Why is it taking so long to get the death certificate?”
It’s an important question and one that deserves a clear, compassionate answer.
💡 Understanding the Process
The death certificate is a legal document issued by the state that requires several steps and multiple professionals to complete before it can be filed and certified. It’s not something the funeral home alone controls.
Here’s a breakdown of what happens behind the scenes:
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Medical Certification:
Before a death certificate can be issued, the attending physician, medical examiner, or coroner must complete their section listing the cause and manner of death. This step can take time, especially if:
• The cause of death is unclear or under investigation.
• Toxicology, autopsy, or lab results are pending.
• The physician is out of office or has multiple patients to certify. -
Funeral Home Submission:
Once the medical section is complete, the funeral home enters personal information such as name, address, date of birth, parents’ names, and submits the document electronically to the state’s vital records system.
Errors or missing information can cause additional delays, as the system will not accept incomplete entries. -
State Vital Records Processing:
After submission, the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records reviews and verifies the information. The office processes thousands of certificates weekly, and depending on workload, staffing, and holidays, it can take anywhere from several days to a few weeks for the certificate to be fully certified and available for printing.
⏳ Common Reasons for Delays
• Awaiting medical examiner or physician signature
• Pending cause of death determination
• Errors or corrections requested by the state
• High volume periods such as during flu season or extreme weather events
• Paperwork submitted to the wrong county or department
🕯️ Why It’s Important to Be Patient
We understand how stressful it can be waiting on this document. The death certificate is required for many legal and financial matters including insurance claims, banking, property transfers, and closing accounts.
However, the funeral home’s role is to assist and facilitate, not to control the pace of external agencies or physicians. At Marcom Harvey Funeral Care, we diligently follow up on all pending certificates, but sometimes the process simply takes time.
Patience during this period allows the medical and state officials to ensure accuracy which protects families in the long run.
❤️ Our Promise to You
We know that waiting can be difficult, especially while grieving. Please know that our staff stays in regular contact with the certifying physician and the state vital records office to help move the process forward as quickly as possible.
Your loved one’s record is important to us and we will notify you the moment the death certificates are ready for pickup or mailing.
🌿 In Closing
Delays do not mean something is wrong. They often mean professionals are doing their due diligence. Our goal is to make sure every step of the process is handled with accuracy, care, and respect.
If you ever have questions or concerns about the status of your loved one’s death certificate, we encourage you to reach out. We’re here to help guide you every step of the way.
Contact us with any questions at 816.763.9100 or send us an email at kcfuneralcare@gmail.com
Marcom-Harvey Funeral Care
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