I don't have great knowledge of certificates but on some that I have the 'certified xx years' indicates how long the person had suffered from the ailment. If this person was in their old age they could have been 'generally decaying' for some time? Cheers, Patsy - New Zealand. >I have just received a death certificate for my ggggrandmother Margaret >Goodall and cause of death is given as: > general decay 21 years certified. > Does anyone know what that would mean please. > Judy in sunny Perth > >