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Death Certificate

Asked Jun 18, 2011, 07:14 AM — 15 Answers

Need some help here, My second cousin recently passed away but we were very close when I was young, took me fishing, football, did everything a father should for his son. I was asked to start to arrange everything for his funeral has his daughter is out of the country for the next few days and doesn't know he's died yet (she knew before she went on holiday he probably wouldn't be here but didn't want to be disturbed) her unmarried mother asked me to start proceedings. So to get the cause of death forms and his belongings from the hospital and arrange for death certificate I made appointments and when asked I said he was my stepfather, to make things easier as we wern't sure I would be able to do all this as his second cousin. It now reads on his death certificate registered by his step son, his ex partner now thinks his daughter won't be happy with this (I bit my tongue and didn't mention I thought his daughter should be here to do it!). So my first question is, can this be changed on his death certificate and am I likely to get done for purjury? Thanks, Jason.

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15 Answers

J_9 Posts: 37,059, Reputation: 25665

Expert

#2

Jun 18, 2011, 07:27 AM

Hello Jason,

First let me say that I am very sorry for your loss and I would like to help you in any way I can. To do this, I have to break your post up, you see, feelings don't matter when it comes to the legal system. So, let me see if I have this right. Please correct me if I am mistaken, okay?

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Originally Posted by W0RRIED1

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My second cousin recently passed away but we were very close when I was young, took me fishing, football, did everything a father should for his son.

Legally it doesn't matter how close you were.

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Originally Posted by W0RRIED1

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I was asked to start to arrange everything for his funeral

Who asked you to make the arrangements?

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Originally Posted by W0RRIED1

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doesn't know he's died yet (she knew before she went on holiday he probably wouldn't be here but didn't want to be disturbed)

I don't mean to sound harsh, but the above is not really important, legally.

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Originally Posted by W0RRIED1

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her unmarried mother asked me to start proceedings.

How is the unmarried mother related to the second cousin who passed away?

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Originally Posted by W0RRIED1

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So to get the cause of death forms and his belongings from the hospital and arrange for death certificate I made appointments and when asked I said he was my stepfather, to make things easier as we wern't sure I would be able to do all this as his second cousin.

This was a lie correct?

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Originally Posted by W0RRIED1

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It now reads on his death certificate registered by his step son, his ex partner now thinks his daughter won't be happy with this (I bit my tongue and didn't mention I thought his daughter should be here to do it!). So my first question is, can this be changed on his death certificate and am I likely to get done for purjury? Thanks, Jason.

It isn't perjury, as perjury is lying when you are under oath, such as in a court of law when you put your hand on the bible and swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. However, it is falsifying a legal document.

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JudyKayTee Posts: 45,397, Reputation: 23548

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#3

Jun 18, 2011, 07:30 AM

What happens next depends on how upset the family is, whether they want to take action, whether they want to report the lie to the authorities. I believe you lied on a document intended to be filed with the authorities, and that is a crime.

You are obviously upset with his daughter and her mother (I fail to see the reason behind posting that the mother is unmarried - your disapproval is very obvious) which makes me question family dynamics and everyone's position in this death.

You need to speak with the Funeral Director about the death certificate. As it happens my late husband's had the wrong date of death (I know, how can that happen) and the Funeral Director was able to contact the authorities and get it corrected. They would not listen to me. Of course, there was no criminal intent behind the error in my case.

Quite frankly, if his daughter feels about you the way you feel about her, I see problems ahead.

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W0RRIED1 Posts: 8, Reputation: 10

Junior Member

#4

Jun 18, 2011, 07:34 AM

Ok, where to start, because he had a daughter I wasn't sure if I would be able to start proceedings.
His daughter mother asked me to start proceedings, his ex-partner.
She is his ex.
Yes it was a lie and his ex wants to rectify this on his death certificate.

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J_9 Posts: 37,059, Reputation: 25665

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#5

Jun 18, 2011, 07:38 AM

Did he have a Power of Attorney? If not, it typically falls in the hands of the next of kin.

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JudyKayTee Posts: 45,397, Reputation: 23548

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#6

Jun 18, 2011, 07:40 AM

My feeling still is that you misrepresented yourself and your relationship on a legal document. That is a crime.

If you want it corrected contact the Funeral Director - I found that to be the fast/easy way to get a correction made.

Death Certificates CAN be accessed. You will be listed as the stepson for all eternity. It's incorrect information, to put it kindly.

Get it straightened out.

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W0RRIED1 Posts: 8, Reputation: 10

Junior Member

#7

Jun 18, 2011, 07:43 AM

Comment on JudyKayTee's post

Quote:

Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

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What happens next depends on how upset the family is, whether they want to take action, whether they want to report the lie to the authorities. I believe you lied on a document intended to be filed with the authorities, and that is a crime.

You are obviously upset with his daughter and her mother (I fail to see the reason behind posting that the mother is unmarried - your disapproval is very obvious) which makes me question family dynamics and everyone's position in this death.

You need to speak with the Funeral Director about the death certificate. As it happens my late husband's had the wrong date of death (I know, how can that happen) and the Funeral Director was able to contact the authorities and get it corrected. They would not listen to me. Of course, there was no criminal intent behind the error in my case.

Quite frankly, if his daughter feels about you the way you feel about her, I see problems ahead.

Hi Judy, if her mum had been married to him I would have expected her to get more involved, that's why I mentioned she was unmarried, sit was her that asked me to start proceedings, knowing we were very close and its her that won't let her daughter know yet because she didn't want to be disturbed no matter what. We get on ok but she thinks her daughter won't be happy about this and will want it changed. I'm a little bitter her daughter wasn't at his death by choice and therfor isn't involved with thngs as I feel I'm doing things that she should be doing.

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W0RRIED1 Posts: 8, Reputation: 10

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#8

Jun 18, 2011, 07:46 AM

Comment on J_9's post

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Originally Posted by J_9

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Did he have a Power of Attorney? If not, it typically falls in the hands of the next of kin.

Next of kin is out of the country and unaware he has died yet.

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W0RRIED1 Posts: 8, Reputation: 10

Junior Member

#9

Jun 18, 2011, 07:48 AM

Thanks Judy, I appreciate your honesty and directness. Just didn't know this could be done and what the implications are for me.

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JudyKayTee Posts: 45,397, Reputation: 23548

Uber Member

#10

Jun 18, 2011, 08:21 AM

I see a problem if/when the estate is probated. You are now listed as a person who COULD be entitled to inherit or who, minimally, has to be notified of the Estate when, in fact, you are NOT entitled and are NOT a stepchild.

You need to get it corrected - as I keep saying, contact the Funeral Director. At best, he/she will take care of it. If not, he/she can refer you to the proper authority.

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