Who files the certificate of death if the last attending physician is not available?

The correct choice for who files the certificate of death when the last attending physician is unavailable is the funeral director. In Washington State, the funeral director assumes the responsibility of filing the death certificate in cases where the last attending physician cannot be located or is otherwise unable to fulfill this duty. This process ensures that the legal and regulatory requirements for documenting a death are met efficiently, allowing for timely completion of funeral arrangements and other necessary proceedings.

The funeral director typically obtains necessary information from the next of kin or other authorized individuals, ensuring that all relevant details are accurately recorded on the certificate. By stepping in when the physician is not available, the funeral director plays a critical role in upholding the legal process surrounding death documentation.

Other options, such as the registrar of vital statistics, the medical examiner, or the next of kin, do have roles in the death certification process, but they do not directly file the certificate of death in the absence of the last attending physician.