Death Certification

• Verification vs. Certification:
  • A doctor or suitably qualified personnel (e.g., nurse practitioner) may verify a death, but only a doctor can certify a death.
  • Recent guidance states that the last doctor to see the patient during their final illness does not necessarily need to complete the death certification (to be confirmed).
• Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death (MCCD):
  • This must be completed by a doctor before a death can be officially registered.
  • Some cases require coroner notification, e.g., occupational causes of death.
• Key Considerations for Completing the MCCD:
  • Old Age Can be listed as 1A, but only if the patient is at least 80 years old and meets specific criteria. Its use is discouraged.
  • Natural Causes: Not an acceptable cause of death. o Organ Failure: Must specify the underlying disease or condition (e.g., Liver Failure → Hepatitis C as the cause).
  • Abbreviations: These should be avoided, except for widely accepted terms like HIV and AIDS.
• Registration Process:
  • The family takes the MCCD to the local registrar’s office.
  • If the registrar determines no need to report the death to the coroner, they issue:
    • A burial or cremation certificate.
    • A certification of registration of death (for social security purposes).
    • Copies of the death certificate (used for banks, insurance claims, etc.).

For burials outside England, additional documentation may be required.