Information for Families

The certification of a death is an electronic process utilizing the Wisconsin State Vital Records system. The death certificate is completed in two sections. The medical portion is completed either by our office if we accept jurisdiction, or by the deceased’s physician; the other portion is completed by the funeral home. Once the death certificate is complete, it is filed with the state vital records office and the local register of deeds.

The funeral home can assist you with obtaining copies of death certificates. You may also contact the register of deeds directly to order copies. You can contact the Waukesha County Register of Deeds by phone at 262-548-7863 or via email vitalrecords@waukeshacounty.gov

Sometimes cause of death cannot be immediately determined after an autopsy; this is not uncommon. This means additional information is required to make the determination. In these cases, we sign the death certificate with cause of death as "pending" to allow time to gather the additional information needed. We will contact the next of kin to provide cause of death once the necessary testing and analysis is complete. We will also update the death certificate with the final cause and manner of death information at that time.

The time it takes to determine cause and manner of death can vary. Every person is different, every death is different. Therefore, every death investigation is different.

Following the autopsy, toxicology studies will be ordered. Other laboratory studies will also be ordered if needed. These tests are completed outside of our office by private labs. Laboratory specimen processing takes more time when someone has died. Laboratory reports will be sent to our office after the tests are complete.

To determine cause and manner of death, the forensic pathologist will review information from a variety of sources. This process is similar to putting together a puzzle.

The pieces of the puzzle may include medical records, death investigation observations, law enforcement reports, autopsy findings and laboratory results. First, the puzzle pieces need to be received, then they need to be assessed.  Finally, they are analyzed and put together to determine the final cause and manner of death.

This process is completed as quickly and efficiently as possible. We appreciate the patience of families and friends as we work to provide accurate and complete answers.

Yes. "Pending" as cause or manner of death implies that additional studies are necessary, such as drug testing, microscopic tissue examination, etc. A death certificate, even a pending certificate, is a legal document which serves as proof that the named individual has been pronounced deceased.