Death certificates
Can I get a death certificate before the funeral?
Short answer
The certificate must be filed before disposition (burial or cremation). You can order certified copies as soon as it is registered with the county — you do not need to wait for the funeral service.
What this usually means
The certificate must be filed before disposition (burial or cremation). You can order certified copies as soon as it is registered with the county — you do not need to wait for the funeral service.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county help for coroner contacts, vital records, cost tools, and paperwork.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.