If there is a trade call, who is responsible for filing the death certificate?

The responsibility for filing the death certificate lies with the funeral director who first assumes custody of the deceased. This is established in Iowa law, which mandates that the person in custody of the body is tasked with ensuring that the death certificate is properly completed and filed with the appropriate authorities.

In situations involving a trade call, this typically means that a funeral home must coordinate the transfer of remains when a service is rendered for another funeral home. Regardless of the original funeral home's involvement, once a funeral director from the receiving funeral home takes custody, that individual is responsible for fulfilling the legal duties associated with the deceased, which includes the filing of the death certificate.

The family of the deceased, while they may be involved in the process and will provide necessary information, does not have the legal obligation to file the death certificate. Similarly, the primary funeral home, depending on the context of custody, may not have the responsibility unless it is the one to assume custody first. The hospital, on the other hand, may provide information or assist in the process, but it is not the entity responsible for filing the certificate, as they are typically focused on medical records rather than funeral arrangements.