What is a "Certificate of Death"?

A "Certificate of Death" is indeed a legal document that officially states the cause of death along with relevant personal information about the deceased, such as their name, date of birth, date of death, and other vital statistics. This document serves multiple important functions; it is used for legal purposes, such as settling estates, claiming life insurance, and providing necessary information for public health records.

In contrast, an informal record of death does not carry the same legal weight and is not recognized as a formal document in legal contexts. A document required only for cremation is misleading because the Certificate of Death is necessary for various forms of disposition, not just cremation. Lastly, a receipt for funeral services pertains to the financial aspect of the arrangements made for the deceased and does not convey information regarding the cause or details of death. Thus, the definition provided in the correct answer encapsulates the vital role that the Certificate of Death plays in legal and administrative processes following a person's death.