Regulations adopted in the New Jersey Register (8:2A-1.1 et seq.) on December 20, 1993 require that certification of death certificates showing the medical cause of death may be issued only to individuals related to the decedent as follows: 1. Executor, Administrator of the estate, or authorized representative of the deceased person; or 2. Surviving spouse or caretaking partner; or 3. If there is no spouse or caretaking partner, then by another authorized member of the immediate family. (Immediate family means direct descendants/ascendants. Cousins, nieces/nephews, aunts/uncles are NOT direct descendants.); or 4. A parent, guardian, or other individual authorized under state law to act in behalf of a minor. Please note that if there is a surviving spouse (not a former spouse), other authorized members of the family must obtain written consent from the surviving spouse before the cause of death can be issued. However, if only the manner of death (e.g., natural, homicide, suicide, accidental) is needed, permission is not required. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Malcolm Schalick Sharp http://sharp.rootsweb.com -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-