What key information must the death certificate document about the deceased?

The correct answer emphasizes that the death certificate must document essential information regarding the deceased, specifically the cause of death and the date of death. These details are crucial for legal, medical, and historical records. The cause of death provides information on how the individual died, which can impact family medical histories, public health data, and even the investigation of potential health trends or dangers within a community. The date of death is vital for legal purposes, such as settling estates, life insurance claims, and initiating the probate process, as well as for statistical purposes in public health reporting.

While other options may reflect information that is often handled in the context of funerals or burial, they are not mandatory components of a death certificate itself. Arrangements for the funeral, the deceased's weight, and the funeral home's name, while relevant in the context of the burial or memorial process, do not belong on the official death certificate as they do not pertain directly to the medical or legal identification of the cause and timing of the individual’s death.