A Death Certificate is a document issued by a government department, in Ireland, this is the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages 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 Notification Form, so that the funeral can proceed. After the funeral, the family will need to register the death with the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages after which the actual Death Certificate will be issued.