Lois, I think it just varies on the policies of each State. Also when they died is a factor. When did he die? Some states also have a 50 year rule on releasing death certs. to other than direct family members. For instance, my ggrandfather died in TN in 1950 and they would not release his cause of death on the cert. Funny, though my grandmother died in 1941 in NJ and they did have her cause of death on the cert.(coronary occlusion) due to....My other ggrandfathers death cert from NYC, 1949, did not have a cause but said it was contained in a confidential medical report filed w/ the dept. of Health. Hope this doesn't confuse matters...Did you try finding an obit in a newspaper? Paul