This project description was last updated February 1997. Among other uses, these data are used to monitor certain aspects of public health, such as mortality rates associated with specific diseases. Hard copies of these data are available back to 1909. Variables collected on death certificates include name, sex, date of death, date of birth, place of death, residence address, occupation, industry, race, education, funeral home information, cause of death, tobacco use, autopsy performed, and injury information. The primary use for the data is to issue certified copies of death certificates.
Staff also analyze data annually to analyze demographics and leading causes of death.
Some summary death data are also made available on the Wyoming Health Department home page. Death data are linked with birth certificate data to determine infant mortality. All data are provided by the funeral director except for the cause of death information which is completed by the attending physician. The funeral director files the form with the local registrar, who copies it and sends it to the Office of Vital Records. Responsibility for the collection and maintenance of the death certificate data resides with the Office of Vital Records within the Wyoming Health Department.