Death Abroad, Missing Persons, and Disaster
What if the body cannot be recovered?
Short answer
A death certificate can still be issued in California if death can be legally established through a court proceeding. The presumption of death process allows the estate to be probated and insurance to be claimed even without a body. Consult a probate…
What this usually means
A death certificate can still be issued in California if death can be legally established through a court proceeding. The presumption of death process allows the estate to be probated and insurance to be claimed even without a body. Consult a probate attorney.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county phone numbers for coroner, vital records, and local offices.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.