In cases where a death is presumed to have occurred but the body cannot be located, what is needed to prepare a certificate of death?

In situations where a death has been presumed but the body is not available for examination, a court order is essential to prepare a certificate of death. This process acknowledges the legal recognition of the death despite the absence of physical remains. The court order typically stems from a legal proceeding determining that the individual is deceased, which allows for formal documentation of the death.

This requirement emphasizes the judicial system's role in confirming death declarations when evidence is lacking, ensuring that all legal protocols are followed. Other options, such as witness statements, medical examiner reports, or an attending physician's statement, do not fulfill the legal necessity for a court’s involvement in these specific circumstances, as they rely on physical evidence, which is not present when the body cannot be located.