Who is responsible for filing the death certificate in Missouri?

In Missouri, the responsibility for filing the death certificate primarily falls on the funeral director. This is because funeral directors are trained to handle various legal and administrative tasks that arise after a death occurs, including the preparation and filing of death certificates. When a person dies, the funeral director is typically the one who manages the funeral arrangements and coordinates with the necessary agencies, ensuring that all required documentation is completed accurately and submitted on time.

The funeral director must obtain the necessary information from the physician or medical examiner regarding the cause of death to accurately complete the certificate. Once the death certificate is filled out, the funeral director is also responsible for filing it with the local vital records office or health department in the jurisdiction where the death occurred. This process is crucial as the death certificate serves as an official record of the death and is often needed for legal, financial, and administrative purposes.

Other parties mentioned, such as the family or the local health department, do not typically have the direct responsibility of filing the death certificate. The coroner's office may be involved in determining the cause of death in specific circumstances, but the actual filing is carried out by the funeral director.