Ok, this may be a little odd, but I need to find out how to look up the cause of death of a person. The parent of a child-hood friend (I fell out of touch with her and her family) died a month ago and I would like to know how. The "ex" friend of mine is kind of a liar and has been saying for years that her mom had cancer, but when I looked up the obituary for her mother (I didn't believe that her mom even died because she's lied about so much stuff) it didn't say what the cause was....I feel really bad about all of this, but I need to know, I can't trust the friend and I can't really get a hold of the family ya know? Please help me out...
2007-09-18 03:46:44 · 5 answers · asked by Shoe 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Friends
Many people don't want such details listed in obituaries, and will, instead, list something like, "In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the so-and-such charity", where that charity probably played a part in that person's life (e.g., library, museum, scholarship, etc) or death (e.g., cancer, heart failure, diabetes, etc).
I don't know what your friend has to gain by lying, or, for that matter, why the cause of death is of such import to you. When I was in elementary school, a friend's mother passed away. It didn't matter to me what she died of; all I knew was that my friend was in pain, and I did what little I could to visit him at his home and, if not cheer him up, at least make him realize he had someone to lean on (I was a pretty savvy kid, back then!).
From a stranger's point-of-view, you're being not just a little bit selfish and nosey in your curiosity. Let it go. If you care at all about the family and your childhood friend, then send a condolence card, express your sympathy, and/or offer to lend a hand (you didn't say whether you still live near your childhood friend, or are out-of-state, or whatever), even if only to let them bend your ear (even if only on the phone). Odds are that the cause of death will come out during the course of conversation (the bereaved know to expect such questions), but, that shouldn't matter to you. Okay?
2007-09-18 04:40:09 · answer #1 · answered by skaizun 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry - but you legally can't.
I am a licensed funeral director - so trust me on this one...I know.
You cannot obtain a copy of the death certificate unless you are (and can prove) that you are a blood relative - BUT, with the Federal Rights of Privacy Act - if you are not the very next of kin (husband, child) then you will not be allowed access to it.
The only way around that would be if you have some sort of financial claim - at which point you (and your attorney) would be required to file in Court for access to the death certificate.
IF you figure out a way to get around the laws (lying about who you are and such) and it is discovered, it is considered a felony.
Honestly though...what difference does it make how she died? Even if your "ex-friend" lied about the cause? What would you do if you found out she died of a heart attack instead? Call the ex-friend up and say "Ha-Ha I know your Mom didn't die of cancer"?
2007-09-18 04:16:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
find out the number to the vital of ststistics is in your state and that is the department where you can get the copy of such death certificates, marriage licenses and birth certificates.they will as for the name of the person and date of death if you know it and some info. so make sure you know everything about this person before you CALL
2007-09-18 03:56:43 · answer #3 · answered by jpoveda2000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The County Clerks office will have the information. You can even order it online of you'd like.
2007-09-18 03:50:56 · answer #4 · answered by Prohibition Rose 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can look this up by finding the death certificate. this should be in the national archives but you might have to pay a small fee
2007-09-18 03:51:21 · answer #5 · answered by Sarah Styles 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋