What is included in a death certificate?

The correct choice emphasizes the primary purpose of a death certificate, which is to document vital statistics that pertain to an individual's life and death. This includes information such as the deceased's name, date of birth, date of death, cause of death, and other relevant data that is essential for legal and statistical purposes.

This documentation is crucial for the government to keep accurate records of mortality and for the family to handle estate matters, insurance claims, and other legal processes following a death. The death certificate serves as an official record that verifies the occurrence of death and is necessary for various administrative needs.

Other choices refer to aspects that are not part of what a death certificate includes. For instance, instructions for funeral services and details about the burial site are more related to funeral arrangements rather than the official record of death. Additionally, consents for cremation are specific agreements that pertain to the method of disposition but are not recorded in the death certificate itself. Thus, vital statistics related to both life and death remain the core and essential contents of a death certificate.