The Death Certificate.

A Death Certificate is a document issued by a government department; in Ireland this is the Registrar of Births, Marriages and Death; and it is a vital document to the bereaved family when it comes to applying for  pensions or in matters of probate.  

People are often surprised when the Death Certificate is not issued exactly at the point of bereavement.

When a person passes away, a medical doctor who knew the deceased will sign a Death Registration Certificate, so that the funeral can proceed.   Your Funeral Director can liaise with the Doctor on your behalf, if you wish.  After the funeral, the family will need to register the death with the Registrar of Birth, Marriages & Death, after which the actual Death Certificate will be issued.