COLUMBIA, SC (AP) -
South Carolina will require funeral directors and coroners to file all death certificates in the state electronically by the start of September.
The Department of Health and Environmental Control says the practice will save money and allow families to get the documents to confirm a loved one's death quicker for life insurance and other purposes.
DHEC says a number of coroners and funeral directors already use the agency's electronic filing system, which was implemented in 2005.
The only exceptions are for funeral directors who file less than 12 death certificates per year, or someone who serves as an unpaid funeral director for family or a friend.
DHEC says it will offer training to anyone who needs it for the new system.
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