ATLANTA, Ga. (InvestigateTV) — When someone dies, the process of closing out their life sometimes falls on grieving family members or friends. But without a death certificate, carrying out their final wishes and settling their estate becomes nearly impossible and often causes further grief.
A death certificate serves as legal proof someone has passed. It is needed to claim insurance benefits, close bank accounts, access government programs like Social Security and transfer property.
Roberta Gardner, who lives just outside Atlanta, said she was unable to properly grieve or handle essential legal matters because of a holdup involving her mother’s death certificate.
The two-month delay
Gardner said her mom, Nancy Young, was her greatest supporter. They had been working on a puzzle together, but since mom’s death on March 11, 2025, the project sat still…