Logo
Through four generations we have been committed to creating meaningful services for the families of the Lancaster area.
Call 24 hours: (717) 394-4097
  • Home
  • Obituaries
  • About Us
    • Our History
    • Our Staff
    • Our Locations
      • Orange Street
        • Our Newly Renovated Orange St. Location
      • Marietta Avenue
    • Virtual Tour
    • Why Choose Us?
    • In the News
      • Final steps: A Look Inside a Funeral Home (2004)
      • Gen-Yers Prepare to Lead Their Family Owned Businesses (2010)
      • To Dust We Return (but implants live on) 2011
      • Website Press Release 2011
  • Pre-Planning
    • Benefits of Pre-Planning
    • Download Pre-Arrangement Form
    • Pre-Arrangement Form (Online)
  • Services
    • Burial
      • Burial Package Options
    • Cremation
      • Cremation Package Options
    • Meaningful and Personal Services
    • Aftercare
  • Products
    • Urns
    • Caskets
    • Memorial Folders/Prayer Cards
    • Memorial Tribute Videos
    • Veteran Related Products
    • Livestream
  • Useful Info
    • Questions & Answers
    • Local Resource Guide
      • Local Hotel Accommodations
      • Local Restaurants
    • Ordering Additional Death Certificates
    • Social Security Benefits
    • Tips On Giving A Funeral Eulogy
    • Transporting Cremated Remains
    • Veterans Benefits
    • Funeral & Cremation Resource Kit
    • Aftercare/Grief Support
    • Covid 19
      • Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021
  • Blue Christmas
  • Contact
    • Get Directions
You are here: Home / Blog / “How many certified death certificates do I need and who all needs them?”

“How many certified death certificates do I need and who all needs them?”

DeBordSnyder.com Blog

May, 2017

This is one of the most common questions that we are asked at DeBord Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory. It is often followed up with statements like “Well, Mom hadn’t worked for years” or “We can just make copies, right?”

The difficulty with answering this question is that the answer varies with each individual. First of all, Death certificates say very clearly on the top

WARNING: It is illegal to duplicate this copy by Photostat or Photograph. 

So, when making your funeral plans, either for yourself or a loved one, keep a few things in mind:

If the individual received any government benefits like Social Security or Veterans Benefits, you will probably need a copy for each government agency.

Also, if the individual had bank accounts with different banks or safety deposit boxes, each bank will most likely require a certified death certificate. With that in mind, any bonds, treasury bills and retirement accounts will also need a death certificate in order to be closed.

Certified death certificates are required to alter title of ownership for real estate and all registered motor vehicles.

Insurance accounts (home, auto, life, etc) will also require death certificates in order to process claims or change accounts into another name.

You will want to have additional death certificates available for your attorney, credit card companies (if they are self insured) and the post office to set up mail forwarding to the next of kin.

Be sure to keep a death certificate to submit to the IRS and to the state with the individual’s final tax return.

Finally, you may want to keep a few death certificates for any additional or unexpected needs that may arise.

One last note, for 90 days after the date of death, DeBord Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory is able to obtain additional copies for you from the local registrar for $6 each. After 90 days, additional copies can only be ordered through Vital Records which charge $9 per copy.

 https://www.vitalchek.com/vital-records/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-vital-records.

As you can see, there is no “one size fits all” answer to this question. Each individual has their own requirements.  Our caring staff at DeBord Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory is here to help you answer this question and any others that you may have.

When searching for a trusted, community-based funeral home in Lancaster PA, you can rely on DeBord Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory.  Contact us today. (717) 394-4097.

  1. Lily Johnson says

    October 11, 2019 at 2:23 am

    The death certificate is crucial to close the deceased one’s estate and affairs and update their status with the government and financial institutions. Unfortunately, the close relatives and spouses of decadents often have a great deal of legal responsibility to register the death of their loved one. And yes, thanks for sharing a piece of helpful information!

    Reply
  2. Fatimatu lbrahim says

    February 5, 2020 at 4:41 am

    My father died so many years ago and I need death certificate, he die in the house. How can I get death certificate

    Reply
  3. Ms. Judy A. Williams says

    August 15, 2020 at 6:06 am

    Your info was not only useful to me and others; I know but also very, very helpful with straight answers and facts .
    Very easy to understand, “PLAIN TALK.”
    Thank you so kindly.
    Ms. Williams

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Inmemory

Wayne Robert Gundy

Wayne Robert Gundy, 83, of Lancaster, passed away on March 24, 2023 at Lancaster General ... Read complete obituary here.

Alma C. Becker

Alma C. Becker was called home by her Savior and Lord on March 24, 2023 at Lancaster ... Read complete obituary here.

Beverly L. Ryan

Beverly L. Ryan, 83, of Lancaster, passed away on March 25, 2023 at Conestoga View.  ... Read complete obituary here.

Marjorie G. White

Marjorie G. White, 93, of Lancaster, passed away on March 23, 2023 at Abbeyville Nursing ... Read complete obituary here.

Sheryl L. Kresge

Sheryl L. Kresge, 68 of Lititz passed away on March 20, 2023 at Hospice & Community ... Read complete obituary here.

View More »

Download our FREE Resource Kit

Lancaster-Funeral-Cremation-Resource-Kit

Proud Members Of:

Lancaster funeral homes

Directions

Orange Street Location

Lancaster, PA & Area Weather

141 East Orange Street, PA 17602
March 27, 2023, 10:28 pm
Mostly cloudy
Mostly cloudy
45°F
sunrise: 6:57 am
sunset: 7:24 pm
 
Marietta Avenue Location

Connect With Us Online

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Accepted Payment Methods

Click Here to Download Our Forms

downloadforms1
DeBord-Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, 141 East Orange Street, Lancaster, PA,17602, - Phone: (717) 394-4097 Email: info@debordsnyder.com
2024 Marietta Avenue, Lancaster, PA,17603, - Phone: (717) 394-4097 Email: info@debordsnyder.com

Copyright © 2023 DeBord-Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory , All rights reserved.

Contact | Directions | Obituaries | Site Map | Lancaster Cremation | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Website by FRM Websites