How Many Death Certificates Do You Need (How Many Death Certificates To Order)

In the first days after a loss, most families discover a strange contrast: your heart is trying to absorb what happened, while your phone and inbox keep asking for documentation. Somewhere between calling relatives and choosing a service time, a practical question arrives that can feel oddly urgent: how many death certificates do you need—and how many is “enough” to avoid delays later?

If you are reading this while you are grieving, it may help to hear one steady truth up front: there is no perfect number that fits every family. The right number is simply the number that lets you handle the estate, benefits, and accounts without having to reorder in the middle of an already exhausting season. The goal is not to overbuy paperwork. The goal is to buy yourself breathing room.

Why certified death certificates get requested so often

A death certificate is the government-issued legal record of a death, and many organizations require a certified copy—an official copy with a seal—before they will transfer assets, close accounts, or release benefits. USA.gov explains that certified copies are commonly needed for tasks like notifying government agencies, closing or transferring bank accounts, and claiming life insurance or pensions, while a photocopy may be enough for simpler cancellations (like subscriptions) depending on the organization’s policy.

That distinction matters because families often assume, reasonably, that one certified copy can be photocopied as needed. In practice, many institutions will not accept photocopies for legal and financial transactions. That is why ordering several certified copies early—usually through the funeral home or directly from vital records—can prevent a second wave of delays months later.

A practical range: how many death certificates to order for most families

Most families are not asking this question because they want to be “efficient.” They are asking because they want to stop repeating the same painful phone calls. A practical range shows up consistently in trusted guidance: AARP recommends getting five to 10 original death certificates because financial institutions and others often need to see them before they can proceed. Legal guidance for executors also commonly suggests ordering around a dozen certified copies so you are not forced into later reorders when proof is required for multiple assets and claims; for example, AllLaw recommends “about a dozen” for most people and notes that photocopies typically won’t be accepted for official use.

So what does that mean in plain language? For many families, the sweet spot is 10–12 certified copies. For a simpler estate, 5–7 may be enough. For a complex estate—multiple properties, several financial institutions, formal probate, business interests, or multiple insurance policies—15 or more can be realistic.

If you want a calm way to estimate how many death certificates to order, imagine each certificate as a “ticket” that unlocks one major process. Start by counting the processes that are likely to require their own proof of death (or will keep a copy on file), and then add a small buffer for surprises. The buffer matters because families often discover an old life insurance policy, a retirement account from a past employer, or a vehicle title that needs to be updated only after they begin gathering statements.

When you may need more than you expect

There are a few common patterns that increase the number of certified copies you’ll use. You may need additional certificates if your loved one had accounts spread across multiple banks, if there are several separate life insurance policies, if you expect probate, or if there are titled assets (like a home or vehicle) that must be transferred through formal channels. Every institution has its own process, and some return certified copies while others keep them; you can reduce waste by asking, “Will you return the certificate after verification?” before you send one.

Where to get death certificates and what to do if you need more later

In many cases, the easiest route is to request certified copies through the funeral home handling arrangements. If you need to order on your own—or if you are ordering additional copies later—start with the state where the death occurred. USA.gov recommends contacting the state vital records office to learn how to order online, by mail, or in person, as well as costs and eligibility requirements. If you are unsure which office applies, the CDC’s Where to Write for Vital Records directory links to state and territory information.

Costs vary by location and quantity. As a general range, AllLaw notes that many places charge roughly $5 to $30 per certificate. It is often simpler—and sometimes less expensive—to order several at once rather than placing multiple separate requests over time.

If the death occurred outside the United States and you need U.S. documentation, USA.gov explains that the U.S. embassy or consulate may issue a Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRDA), and families can receive certified copies at the time of death and order more later through the Department of State.

How death certificates connect to modern cremation and funeral planning

On paper, death certificates and memorial decisions seem like separate worlds—one is administrative and one is deeply personal. In real life, they happen side by side. You may be ordering certificates at the same time you are choosing between burial and cremation, deciding whether to hold a service now or later, and trying to answer the quiet question that follows so many cremations: what to do with ashes.

Many families are navigating these choices because cremation has become the majority disposition in the U.S. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the U.S. cremation rate is projected to be 63.4% in 2025 (with burial projected at 31.6%). The Cremation Association of North America reports a 61.8% U.S. cremation rate in 2024 and projects continued growth. Those numbers do not reduce grief, but they explain why so many families are searching for practical, gentle guidance on urns, keepsakes, and home memorials.

This is where funeral planning becomes less about “making decisions” and more about protecting your future self. Ordering the right number of certificates is one kind of protection. Creating a simple plan for ashes—home, scattering, burial, or sharing—is another.

Choosing cremation urns for ashes without second-guessing every detail

If your loved one is being cremated, there is often a short gap between the service decisions and the moment you are handed a container. Some families already know what they want. Others need time. Either is normal.

One helpful approach is to separate “the permanent memorial” from “the safe holding step.” Many crematories provide a temporary container. That can give you the gift of time, allowing you to choose a permanent urn later when you are thinking more clearly. When you are ready to browse, begin with a collection that lets you compare styles and materials without rushing. Funeral.com’s cremation urns for ashes collection is organized to make that early comparison feel simpler, not heavier.

Families often worry about making a mistake: choosing the wrong size, choosing a material that doesn’t fit the plan, or choosing something that looks right online but feels wrong at home. If you want a calm framework, Funeral.com’s Journal guide on how to choose a cremation urn walks through the decisions in the order that reduces surprises—destination first (home, cemetery, niche, scattering), then material, then capacity.

Sharing ashes: small cremation urns and keepsake urns

Families rarely talk about this ahead of time, but it’s extremely common: more than one person wants a tangible connection. Sometimes adult children live in different states. Sometimes siblings share responsibility and want to share remembrance. Sometimes one person wants an urn at home and another wants scattering.

This is where small cremation urns and keepsake urns can help a family honor different needs without turning the urn into a source of tension. A small urn is often used to hold a meaningful portion of ashes for a second household or a private memorial, while a keepsake urn is designed for a very small symbolic amount. If you are planning to divide ashes thoughtfully, Funeral.com’s small cremation urns collection is a practical place to start, and the keepsake urns collection is ideal when you want something truly compact for sharing among relatives.

These options also pair well with ceremonies. For example, some families scatter most ashes in a meaningful location and keep a small portion at home. The emotional benefit is simple: you can honor the ceremony and still keep a steady point of connection for the months that follow.

Cremation jewelry and cremation necklaces for everyday closeness

For some people, the most comforting memorial is not something on a shelf. It is something you can carry. cremation jewelry can hold a tiny portion of ashes in a wearable form—often a pendant, charm, or ring. A piece of cremation necklaces jewelry may look like everyday jewelry to others while holding private meaning for the person wearing it.

If you are exploring this option, Funeral.com’s cremation jewelry collection and cremation necklaces collection let you compare styles designed specifically for ashes. For a clear explanation of how these pieces work, who they are best for, and what families should know before filling them, Funeral.com’s guide Cremation Jewelry 101 is a helpful companion.

Keeping ashes at home: what families worry about and what helps

If you are considering keeping ashes at home, you are in very good company. Memorialization habits have shifted with cremation’s rise, and families are increasingly choosing home as at least a temporary place of care. The National Funeral Directors Association reports that among people who would prefer cremation for themselves, 37.1% would prefer their remains kept in an urn at home. That is not a fringe choice; it is a common modern pattern.

Most worries about ashes at home are not about health—they are about protection, privacy, children, pets, and the fear of an accidental spill. Practical steps help: choose a stable location, prioritize a secure closure, and consider whether the urn should be displayed or stored in a more protected space until the household is ready. For a calm, detailed walkthrough, Funeral.com’s Keeping Ashes at Home guide focuses on real-life safety and household logistics without judgment.

Pet urns for ashes: honoring a companion with the same care

Pet grief can be immediate and physical—your home feels different because your routine is different. If your family is choosing cremation for a pet, you may find the same question rising again: what is the right memorial, and how do we choose something that feels like love?

Funeral.com offers dedicated options for pet urns designed specifically for companion animals. The pet urns for ashes collection includes a wide range of pet cremation urns in different sizes and styles. If you want something decorative that captures likeness, the pet figurine cremation urns collection is built around that memorial style. And if multiple family members want a portion, the pet keepsake cremation urns collection supports sharing without conflict.

For families who want guidance before choosing, Funeral.com’s Journal article Pet Urns for Ashes walks through sizing, materials, and personalization with the gentleness pet loss deserves.

Water burial and sea ceremonies: what to know before the day

Some families feel drawn to the ocean or a lake because water held meaning for their loved one. A water burial ceremony can involve a biodegradable urn designed to dissolve, or a controlled scattering ceremony that releases ashes without introducing non-biodegradable materials into the environment. If you are considering a water ceremony, it helps to separate emotion (the place that matters) from logistics (what is permitted and what will happen in the moment).

In U.S. ocean waters, federal rules apply. The Legal Information Institute (Cornell Law School) summarizes the federal regulation that cremated remains must be buried at sea no closer than three nautical miles from land, and burials conducted under the general permit must be reported within 30 days. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also clarifies that the general permit authorizes burial at sea of human remains only and that pet or non-human remains cannot be mixed with cremated human remains for an authorized burial at sea.

If you want a practical guide to biodegradable options and what families can expect from the experience, Funeral.com’s Journal article Biodegradable Ocean & Water Burial Urns explains how different designs work and how to plan the day with fewer unknowns.

Cost questions are part of care, not something to feel guilty about

After a death, costs can feel like an intrusion. But cost planning is often a form of protection for the surviving family. If you are asking how much does cremation cost, you are not being “cold.” You are trying to make sustainable choices.

According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the national median cost of a funeral with viewing and cremation in 2023 was $6,280 (and $8,300 for a funeral with viewing and burial). That national median is not a quote for every provider, but it is a helpful benchmark for understanding the scale of expenses. For a clearer look at the line items families often see, Funeral.com’s Cremation Cost Breakdown guide walks through what the total can include and where families sometimes find ways to reduce costs.

Bringing it all together: a steady way to handle paperwork and memorial decisions

When everything is happening at once, it can help to treat these tasks as two parallel tracks. Track one is documentation: certified death certificates, notifications, benefits, banking, and titles. Track two is remembrance: service decisions, where ashes will go, and which keepsakes (if any) will matter to the people who loved them most.

If you want a simple starting point for the documentation track, begin by ordering a reasonable number of certificates (often 10–12) and building a single folder—physical or digital—where every call, claim number, and password reset note gets recorded. For broader funeral planning guidance that helps families decide what comes first and what can wait, Funeral.com’s First 48 Hours Checklist and How to Preplan a Funeral are steady resources.

And when you reach the point where memorial choices feel possible again, remember that you do not have to decide everything immediately. Many families begin with a secure, respectful temporary container, then choose permanent cremation urns, small cremation urns, keepsake urns, cremation jewelry, or pet urns later—when the decision can be made with clarity instead of pressure.