Transparency
Sources &
Methodology.
MORTL prefers statutes, court rules, and official agencies for legal requirements. Statistics use original research, government data, or clearly identified industry studies. This page documents the source set, what each source supports, and the review cadence.
Last reviewed: August 1, 2026
How this content is made
Stephanie Werner edits and fact-checks every page before it ships. Claims get sources, sources get clickable links, and an automated check re-tests every external link weekly. Anything that touches suicide follows the AFSP and WHO safe messaging guidelines and carries 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. No clinician currently reviews MORTL content.
If a page ever names a clinical reviewer, that person actually reviewed it. We welcome feedback on any page: email feedback@mortl.com and we'll fix what you caught and credit you.
Source standards
Legal requirements come from statutes, court materials, and official agencies whenever available. Statistics use original research, government data, or clearly identified industry studies. Credible secondary reporting may support events or context, and it’s labeled through the citation attached to the story.
Commercial relationships disclosure
MORTL may earn revenue through featured listings in our provider directory, sponsored content, employer benefit partnerships, reader subscriptions, and other commercial arrangements. Any sponsored or featured content is clearly labeled as such. Our editorial content is produced independently.
Commercial relationships don’t influence factual accuracy or editorial conclusions. Nothing on this site constitutes legal, financial, or medical advice.
How often we check it
Death law changes all the time. We go back through the state guides on a schedule, and again whenever a legislature changes something, and we roll the federal tax figures every tax year. Every change that matters lands in that state’s change log and on /updates.
Corrections policy
Errors are corrected promptly and noted at the top of the affected page. Email corrections to feedback@mortl.com. Wrong legal information causes real harm, so we fix it fast.
federal law
Federal Law & Regulation
Federal agencies, statutes, regulations, and guidance MORTL commonly cites for estate planning, end-of-life care, and death administration in the United States.
Estate tax exemptions, gift tax rules, step-up in basis, inherited IRA rules, and federal tax treatment of inherited assets.
How often we check it
Annually (tax year updates)
The FTC Funeral Rule requires funeral providers to give itemized price lists and prohibits deceptive practices. MORTL cites this rule when covering consumer rights at funeral homes.
How often we check it
As amended
Survivor benefits, lump-sum death payment ($255), reporting a death to Social Security, and benefit continuation rules.
How often we check it
Annually
Medicare hospice benefit, Medicaid estate recovery rules, and coverage for end-of-life care.
How often we check it
Annually
Burial benefits for veterans, national cemetery eligibility, and survivor benefit programs.
How often we check it
As updated
HIPAA rules governing access to a deceased person's medical records and what family members can obtain.
How often we check it
As amended
state law
State Statutes & Vital Records
MORTL maintains state-specific legal data for all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Each guide cites the official statutes, court materials, vital-records offices, and other government sources used for that jurisdiction.
Official state vital records offices for death certificate procedures, fees, ordering timelines, and authorized requestor rules.
How often we check it
Annually per state
State probate codes governing intestate succession, probate thresholds, simplified procedures, and executor duties. MORTL cites the specific statute section for each state.
How often we check it
Annually per state
Model probate legislation adopted (in whole or part) by many states. Used as the baseline for comparing state probate rules.
How often we check it
As amended
State bar association resources on estate planning, probate, and elder law. Used to verify attorney referral standards and legal procedure accuracy.
How often we check it
As updated
A state-by-state starting point for advance directive resources. MORTL links each guide to an official state source where available because form authority and requirements vary by state.
How often we check it
Annually per state
industry data
Industry Research & Statistics
Statistical data and research from the primary industry bodies and government agencies we rely on across death care, healthcare, and financial planning.
Cremation and burial report, funeral cost surveys, and industry statistics. The NFDA is the primary source for funeral cost data in the United States. Its General Price List Study runs every two years, and the 2023 edition is still the most recent one published.
How often we check it
Each study release (GPL study is biennial)
National death statistics, leading causes of death, life expectancy data, and mortality trends from the National Center for Health Statistics.
How often we check it
Annually
Annual survey of U.S. adults on will completion rates, estate planning attitudes, and barriers to planning. In the 2025 survey, 24% of respondents reported having a will.
How often we check it
Annually (survey release)
Healthcare policy research including hospice utilization, end-of-life care spending, and Medicare/Medicaid data.
How often we check it
As published
Research on family caregiving, estate planning attitudes among older adults, and end-of-life planning surveys.
How often we check it
As published
Research on childhood grief, talking to children about death, and age-appropriate grief support.
How often we check it
As published
digital legacy
Digital Legacy & Technology
Sources covering digital estate planning, social media after death, and technology-specific end-of-life considerations.
Official Meta policy on memorializing accounts, legacy contacts, and account removal after death.
How often we check it
As updated
Google's official policy and tools for managing accounts after death, including data download and account deletion.
How often we check it
As updated
Apple's Digital Legacy feature for designating legacy contacts who can access iCloud data after death.
How often we check it
As updated
Model legislation, adopted in most states, governing fiduciary access to digital assets. Primary legal source for digital estate planning guidance. The enacted text varies by state.
How often we check it
As amended; state adoption tracked annually
medical clinical
Medical & Clinical Sources
Clinical and medical sources for hospice care, palliative care, and end-of-life medical decision-making.
Hospice and palliative care guidance from the National Alliance for Care at Home (formerly NHPCO): eligibility, advance care planning, and end-of-life care.
How often we check it
Annually
Legal resources on advance directives, healthcare decision-making, and elder law.
How often we check it
As published
State-by-state tracking of medical aid in dying (MAID) laws, eligibility criteria, and legislative updates.
How often we check it
As legislation changes
Found an error?
Death law changes constantly. If you find outdated information, a broken source link, or a factual error on any MORTL page, please tell us. We correct errors promptly and credit the person who caught it.
Submit a Correction →Or view our full Editorial Policy →