Georgia State Board of Funeral Service Practice Exam

Which professional is responsible for completing and filing the death certificate?

1. Health Officer

2. Medical Examiner

3. Funeral Director

4. Registrar

The correct answer is: Funeral Director

The funeral director is responsible for completing and filing the death certificate because they are often the first point of contact following a person's death. They work closely with the family of the deceased and coordinate with medical professionals to gather the necessary information required for the document. The funeral director also ensures adherence to local and state regulations regarding death certification, including obtaining the information needed, accurately filling out the certificate, and ensuring it is filed with the appropriate authorities. In this context, while medical examiners may conduct investigations and determine causes of death, their role does not typically involve the direct filing process, which is under the purview of the funeral director. The health officer and registrar have separate responsibilities in the context of public health and record-keeping but do not directly handle the completion of the death certificate in the same capacity as a funeral director.