Who has the authority to generate proof of death certificates?

The correct answer indicates that the funeral establishment contracted by the purchaser has the authority to generate proof of death certificates. This is because, in Ontario, when a death occurs, the funeral director plays a fundamental role in the process of creating a death certificate.

The funeral establishment is responsible for preparing the necessary documentation, which includes filing the death registration and issuing the death certificate. They are authorized to complete and sign the medical portion of the death registration if the cause of death is established, thereby facilitating the official declaration of death as recognized by the state.

Other entities listed do have specific roles in the death management process. For instance, the coroner may be involved in cases of unexplained or suspicious deaths, but they do not solely control the issuance of death certificates. The local health department is concerned with public health records and may maintain records of deaths but does not generate death certificates themselves. The deceased's legal representative, while able to handle affairs related to the estate and may request death certificates, cannot independently generate them without the involvement of a funeral establishment. Thus, the role of the funeral establishment is central to this function in the context of Ontario's funeral service regulations.