Wisconsin · 72 counties
When someone dies in Wisconsin
Two things matter first: getting certified death certificates, and, if money is short, reaching the burial assistance program in the county where the death happened. Pick your county below for exact contacts.
The paperwork
Death certificates in Wisconsin
Certified copies come from the Wisconsin county Register of Deeds offices, the Milwaukee or West Allis city health offices, or the Wisconsin Vital Records Office (official site).
Wisconsin gives you a lot of counters: 72 county Register of Deeds offices plus the Milwaukee and West Allis city health offices all provide vital records services, and any of them is usually faster than mailing the state. You can also order through the state Vital Records Office or through VitalChek at 877-885-2981, which charges its own fee on top. Fees change, so confirm the current amount with the office you plan to use before you send payment.
Planning ahead
Nobody has died yet? Set up a power of attorney
If someone you love is aging or ill, the cheapest protection your family can get is a power of attorney, and it must happen while they can still sign. We cover Wisconsin's exact rules and official forms.
Wisconsin power of attorney rulesIf money is tight
Statewide burial assistance
WFCAP is a state program run by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services that helps pay funeral, cemetery, and cremation costs for eligible low income or Medicaid enrolled decedents when the estate, family, or other resources cannot cover the full amount. Families should discuss WFCAP with their funeral, cemetery, or crematory provider before signing an agreement, since it is the funeral home or provider, not the family, who submits the application to the state on the family's behalf. The program is a payer of last resort, meaning other funding sources like burial insurance or estate assets must be used first.
Pick your county
Wisconsin counties (72)
Adams CountyAshland CountyBarron CountyBayfield CountyBrown CountyBuffalo CountyBurnett CountyCalumet CountyChippewa CountyClark CountyColumbia CountyCrawford CountyDane CountyDodge CountyDoor CountyDouglas CountyDunn CountyEau Claire CountyFlorence CountyFond du Lac CountyForest CountyGrant CountyGreen CountyGreen Lake CountyIowa CountyIron CountyJackson CountyJefferson CountyJuneau CountyKenosha CountyKewaunee CountyLa Crosse CountyLafayette CountyLanglade CountyLincoln CountyManitowoc CountyMarathon CountyMarinette CountyMarquette CountyMenominee CountyMilwaukee CountyMonroe CountyOconto CountyOneida CountyOutagamie CountyOzaukee CountyPepin CountyPierce CountyPolk CountyPortage CountyPrice CountyRacine CountyRichland CountyRock CountyRusk CountySauk CountySawyer CountyShawano CountySheboygan CountySt. Croix CountyTaylor CountyTrempealeau CountyVernon CountyVilas CountyWalworth CountyWashburn CountyWashington CountyWaukesha CountyWaupaca CountyWaushara CountyWinnebago CountyWood County