Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS)
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services has developed and implemented an electronic death registration system (EDRS) to register death records electronically to the appropriate County Registrar or the State Vital Records Office using current computer technology. The intent of electronic registration of death records is to significantly reduce the overall time and effort it takes to register deaths and provide quicker access to death data and certified certificates.
On January 1, 2006, Vital Records initiated the registration of death records electronically. Death records can now be filed:
Tutorials
(Open in a NEW browser window)
(Best viewed at 1024 x 768 resolution)Listings of Participating Providers
- Drop-to-Paper: The funeral director or clerk enters the death information into EDRS, produces a paper document from the system and then has the certifier complete the medical portion of the paper record. This process allows the system to electronically notify the funeral home if the information entered matches what the Social Security Administration (SSA) has on file. After the funeral home completes the record, a file is sent to SSA that allows SSA to change benefit status. This eliminates the need for the funeral home to submit to SSA the 721 form. Funeral homes can also print cremation permits and applications for certified copies from the system with the information pre-populated.
- Fully Electronic: Both the funeral home and certifier are EDRS participants. Both parties enter information into EDRS and the certifier electronically signs the record. This process allows the system to electronically notify the funeral home if the information entered matches what the Social Security Administration (SSA) has on file. After the funeral home completes the record, a file is sent to SSA that allows SSA to change benefit status. This eliminates the need for the funeral home to submit the 721 form to SSA. Funeral homes can also print out cremation permits from the system or if the respective county attorney is also an EDRS participant, the permit can be electronically signed and the funeral home can print out the signed cremation permit. If the certifier preferred method of contact is by fax, the funeral home can print out a pre-populated fax sheet. A pre-populated application for certified copies can also be printed. If corrections or amendments are done, no strike throughs are necessary. However, with the many edits on the system, corrections and amendments have been reduced.
A tutorial module for physicians and county attorneys (coroners) is available at the above links, which will demonstrate how simply these sections can be completed.
A list of funeral directors, physicians, county attorneys and county coroners currently linked to the EDRS system is available as well.
If you are interested in learning more about Electronic Registration of death records, please call Vital Records at (402) 471-0919 or e-mail VRRS@dhhs.ne.gov.
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