03/22/2006

Funeral Directors Flock to EDRS

Ohio Department of Health

Since the Ohio Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics began offering the Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS); funeral directors have registered in record numbers. The states made the EDRS system available in July 2005 and since than almost 300 funeral directors have signed on. The system is completely voluntary for funeral directors to use and most county coroners currently use the system for their cases.

Several other states have introduced electronic death systems but have not had the great response that has come from Ohio funeral directors. This is a great compliment to Ohio funeral directors who show their willingness and commitment to their profession to move forward technologically.

As Ohio moves to enhance the electronic death registration process for the future, a newly designed EDRS system will be developed for implementation in 2007. This new system will offer additional functionality that should assist funeral directors, coroners and physicians in completing the death certificate more easily.

To register for the current EDRS system, please go to the internet and enter the following URL : http://odhgateway.odh.oh.us . This will get you to the login screen for EDRS. You can then enter the Username: funeral and Password: director-0. This will get you into the system where you will click on the EDRS Pilot line. Once in the system, it will ask you for your first name, middle name/initial (only enter this if it is on your license, DO NOT ENTER A (.) PERIOD AFTER YOUR INITIAL), last name, the last 4 digits of your social security number, your date of birth, your license number (if you have an embalmers license you WILL use that number without the "A" and a valid e-mail address. Once this information is confirmed, you will receive an e-mail that will contain your username and computer assigned password; as well as important documents for you to print. The first time you use the system, you will be required to change your password to something you will always remember. Should you need help during this process, feel free to contact our field service unit at 614-644-0156.