death certificate

death (deth),

n 1. the cessation of life; the stoppage of life beyond the possibility of resuscitation.
n 2. the cause or occasion of loss of life.
n 3. the total absence of activity in the brain and central nervous system, the cardiovascular system, and the respiratory system as observed and declared by a physician or other legally authorized agent.

death, brain,

n in addition to the generally accepted definition of death, some states, either by statute or court decision, have added a “brain death” definition to the law, applicable when there has been an irreversible cessation of brain function.

death certificate,

n the signed affidavit that life has ceased, giving the time, place, and cause of death. It is required by law to be filed in the proper local or regional geopolitical office.

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death certificate

Health statistics A document in which a certifying physician formally states, to the best of his/her knowledge, the immediate, intermediate, and underlying cause(s) of death. Cf Unnatural death.