If the cause and/or manner of death of my loved one is “pending”, how can I initiate getting my financial affairs in order (insurance, Social Security, etc…)?
If further information is needed by an insurance company or others in order to settle estates or other business matters, the Medical Examiner’s Office will work directly with those entities to answer any concerns. Additionally, we can provide you with a “Verification of Death” letter if proof of death is all that is needed. If you continue to experience problems with your insurance company regarding a “pending” death certificate, please contact us and we will do our best to help move along the process. While the cause of death may be clearly evident at the time of autopsy or shortly thereafter from the follow-up studies, the manner of death may require additional consultation. The circumstances of the death are paramount in deciding whether the manner of death is homicide, accident, suicide, or natural. Inquiries into the law enforcement and medical communities and gathering of their reports important for manner of death determination takes additional time.
