Family unable to bury veteran because they can't get signed death certificate

RIALTO, Calif. (FOX 11) - A grieving family in Rialto just wants to bury their father, a Marine Corps veteran but red tape over a signature is preventing a proper burial.

"From what I'm being told, the primary care physician does not want to sign the death certificate because he was afraid that we were going to sue him for malpractice or wrongful death," said Esther Garcia, the daughter of the former Marine.

Gilbert Hernandez, 67, passed away on Jan. 12, 2019 from an apparent heart attack. He had been battling a number of health issues.

The primary care physician at a Rialto medical clinic Hernandez had been going to also passed away recently and no other doctor will sign off on Hernandez's death -- a requirement for a funeral -- since they say he hadn't been a patient there for more than eight months.

The hospital won't release any information about Hernandez due to privacy laws, and the Coroner's Office says it's not their case, yet.

The family has filed a complaint with the California Medical Board hoping public pressure can move things along.

For now, Hernandez's remains are at a mortuary in Rialto.