What essential information must be included in a death certificate?

The correct answer highlights the core details that must be present on a death certificate, which primarily includes the decedent's name, date of death, and cause of death. These elements are crucial because they provide accurate identification of the individual who has passed away, document the time of death for legal and statistical purposes, and clarify the medical aspect regarding the reason for death. This information is critical not just for record-keeping but also for the processing of benefits, insurance claims, and legal matters that may arise following a death.

While the other options contain relevant information that can be included in the death certificate, they are not categorized as essential components in the same way. For instance, while social security numbers and place of birth may assist in identifying an individual, they are not as fundamental as the name, date, and cause of death. Similarly, marital status and next of kin details, although important for personal records and family notifications, do not constitute the basic evidence of death. The attending physician's information is also valuable, primarily for validation purposes, but it does not serve as the foundational elements of the document. Thus, the death certificate is primarily defined by its ability to specify who has died, when, and why, making those three details essential.