Why Death Certificates Are Needed
Larry Moore • July 9, 2025
Why Death Certificates Are Needed
At Moore Funeral Home, we understand that the passing of a loved one brings not only emotional pain but also practical responsibilities. One of the first and most important documents you’ll need is the death certificate—an official record that plays a key role in settling legal and financial matters.
Many families aren’t sure why a death certificate is needed or how many they should request. Here’s a helpful guide, including how the process works in Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee—the three states we’re honored to serve—along with current costs.
What Is a Death Certificate?
A death certificate is a government-issued document that records essential details about a person's death—including the full name, date and place of death, cause of death, and other identifying information. Funeral homes like ours help complete and file the necessary paperwork on your behalf.
Why Are Death Certificates Important?
- Legal Proof of Death: A certified death certificate is required to close financial accounts, file insurance claims, transfer property, and settle the estate.
- Life Insurance and Benefits: Insurance companies, Social Security, pensions, and veteran benefits all require official proof of death to process claims and survivor benefits.
- Estate and Probate Proceedings: Executors need certified copies to begin probate court filings, transfer titles, and handle other estate matters.
- Finalizing Affairs: Utilities, credit cards, and subscriptions often require a death certificate to close accounts and avoid unnecessary charges or fraud.
How Many Certified Copies Do You Need?
We typically recommend 3 to 5 certified copies; however, your specific needs may vary depending on your loved one’s financial and legal situation.
You’ll need certified (not photocopied) versions for:
- Life insurance
- Bank accounts
- Property deeds and titles
- Social Security and VA benefits
- Pensions or retirement plans
State-by-State Information and Costs
Georgia:
- Filed with: Georgia Department of Public Health, Vital Records
- Processing Time: Usually 7–10 business days
- Who Can Request: Immediate family or legal representatives
- Cost:
- $25 for the first certified copy
- $5 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
- Note: Additional copies can be ordered later through the Dade County Probate Office or online through the Georgia State Office of Vital Records
Alabama:
- Filed with: Alabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics
- Processing Time: Typically 7–10 business days
- Who Can Request: Next of kin or individuals with legal interest
- Cost:
- $15 for the first certified copy
- $6 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
- Note: Requests can be made through the state, local county health departments, or online vendors.
Tennessee:
- Filed with: Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
- Processing Time: Usually 10–14 business days
- Who Can Request: Immediate family or authorized legal agents
- Cost:
- $15 per certified copy (no discount for additional copies)
- Reminder: In Tennessee, even additional copies cost the full $15 each, so we recommend ordering enough up front to avoid multiple transactions.
How Moore Funeral Home Helps
Whether your loved one passed in Georgia, Alabama, or Tennessee, we:
- File the death certificate with the appropriate state agency
- Help you determine how many certified copies to request
- Assist in ordering additional copies if needed
- Guide you through what agencies and institutions to notify
- Notify Life Insurance Companies and submit death claim documents
Our goal is to lift the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on what matters most—honoring your loved one.
Need Help or Have Questions?
The process can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. Our caring team at Moore Funeral Home is here to guide you every step of the way.
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This year marks a milestone for Moore Funeral Home — 80 years of serving families in our community. As we reflect on our history, it’s impossible not to think of the people who shaped this place into what it is today. For me, that story begins with my dad, Larry Moore. In celebration of our 80th year, we placed a bronze plaque outside of our chapel naming it the Larry Moore Memorial Chapel in his honor and memory. This is more than a name — it’s a tribute to his vision, his hard work, and his deep commitment to the families of our community. In 2011, when a tornado destroyed our original chapel, Dad saw an opportunity not just to rebuild, but to build better. At a time when many funeral homes were downsizing to cut costs, he chose to do the opposite — creating a spacious, beautiful chapel designed to bring comfort and dignity to every service held here. He wanted families to have a special place to honor their loved ones, and he made sure they did. Dad also had a knack for noticing details that made a difference. At the old funeral home, built years earlier by his brother Ronnie Moore, he often joked (though he meant it) that the chapel was on the “wrong side” of the building. When services began, the family and casket had to be escorted through the lobby, past guests waiting there. He promised that if he ever rebuilt, things would be different. When the new chapel was constructed after the tornado, it was exactly the way he envisioned it — on the other end of the building, with a thoughtful layout that allowed families to enter the chapel privately and without distraction. The Larry Moore Memorial Chapel is a space built with love, foresight, and respect — qualities that defined my dad’s life and his work. We will dedicate the chapel during our One Moore Ride Cruise-In on Saturday, October 18, 2025. I hope you’ll join us as we celebrate Dad’s legacy, this special milestone in our history, and the community we are so proud to serve. For me, this chapel will always be a reminder of Dad’s belief that families deserve the best we can give them — and I’m honored to have his name on the place where so many lives are remembered.
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Why We Love What We Do at Moore Funeral Home
At Moore Funeral Home, we understand that saying goodbye is as deeply personal as it is profound. We find that families often find comfort and closure in seeing their loved one at peace, and we do everything we can to create a meaningful and healing experience. But there are moments—sacred, sobering moments—when our professional duty calls us to recommend a closed casket. This is never a suggestion we make lightly. We know this suggestion may feel abrupt or even painful. As funeral directors, we are not only stewards of the deceased but caretakers of the living. We carry both roles with reverence and responsibility. When a loss involves traumatic injury, illness, or circumstances that compromise the peaceful image we wish to preserve, a closed casket may be the most compassionate course. Our team grieves alongside you. We understand the instinct to want one final look, one last moment. But when the visual reality may cause shock, distress, or even lasting emotional harm, we must gently intervene. Our goal is not to deny closure, but to protect it—by helping families remember their loved ones as they were in life, rather than as they appeared in death. Our highest calling is not just to prepare a body, but to preserve the peace of those left behind.
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This morning, during my run before work, I started mentally listing the tasks ahead—vacuum the parlors, clean the bathrooms, print memorial folders, and more. But as I ran, my thoughts drifted beyond my daily checklist. I found myself reflecting on how much funeral services have evolved over the years. This year marks 80 years of Moore Funeral Home serving our community, and yesterday was a perfect example of how things have changed. In one service, the speaker—unable to travel from Texas—delivered his message via Zoom. At the same time, we conducted a large funeral at a church in Higdon which was live-streamed, allowing hundreds of people to participate from the comfort of their homes. I can’t help but wonder what my great-grandfather would think. When he founded Moore Funeral Home in 1945 , he likely never imagined technology playing such a role in how we honor and remember our loved ones. Yet, while funeral services continue to evolve, one thing has remained constant—our commitment to serving families with compassion, dignity, and respect. As we celebrate 80 years, I’m incredibly grateful for the past and excited for the future. Thank you for trusting us to walk alongside you during life’s most difficult moments. It is our honor to continue this tradition of care for generations to come.
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