67Use the cause of death associated with the ICD code as you work with the death certificate. You can enter the text of the cause of death in your genealogy database. If your database program allows for the addition of a field or a new fact type, you may also want to begin entering ICD codes. At the least, you can enter it in the notes of the individual as a reference.

You may also want to use the ICD codes to help standardize the causes of death throughout a family line. You can then be more precise and consistent in your documentation. You may want to compile a medical pedigree chart or other report to highlight your family health history.