Staff Report
Published July 9, 2012

South Carolina law will soon require that all death certificates be filed electronically with the state Department of Health and Environmental Control, the agency announced Monday.

The state’s funeral directors, coroners and medical certifiers must comply with the new law starting Sept. 1, according to Catherine Templeton, state registrar and director for DHEC.

“Many funeral directors and medical certifiers have been successful filing death certificates electronically since the system was implemented in 2005. This has resulted in more timely filing and improved the quality of death records, which is good for families,” Templeton said.

“There will be an exemption for those who file fewer than 12 death certificates per year, or an individual who serves as an unpaid funeral director for a deceased family member or friend,” Templeton said. “These records may continue to be filed using a paper death certificate.”

Templeton said the S.C. General Assembly passed the law mandating electronic filing with the strong support of the S.C. Funeral Directors Association. DHEC provided information and assistance during the legislative process as requested.

Funeral directors or physicians not currently using DHEC’s electronic system to file death certificates can request training by calling 803-898-3630.