Impossible to get Official Death Certificate from CA for life insurance benefit

So a life-long friend passed away a couple years ago, and she had no close family. I had helped her out financially over the last 20+ years, even cosigned for her on various things she could not have otherwise qualified for by herself. I was notified months after her death that she had listed me as a beneficiary on her life insurance policy. I was unaware of it, but I am not surprised she did this given our long friendship and me helping her out over the years. It’s not a huge amount, but a few thousand.

The issue is that the insurance company will not release the funds to me without an official death certificate from California. Her death is readily accessible public record info but still they refuse. The state of California will only release an unofficial death certificate to third parties, they will only release an official copy to family/next-of-kin or funeral director (have no idea who that was as I was not invited to funeral).

Seem to be stuck at a standstill as CA requirements do not let a friend (even if named on insurance) to recover an official copy they are demanding. This feels like the insurance company is just being impossible so they dont have to pay out the benefit. Any suggestions??

submitted by /u/Eggplant-666
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