The Medical Examiner System and changes to death certification in England and Wales in September 2024
Registered medical practitioner will propose a cause of death which will be independently scrutinised by a medical examiner. After reviewing relevant medical records. The medical examiner or ME will offer the bereaved an opportunity to ask questions and raise concerns.
Once the registered medical practitioner and the ME has made their declarations and the cause of death is finalised, and if there is no requirement to notify the coroner, the medical certificate of cause of death or MCCD is sent to the registrar's office. Death should be registered within 5 days of this notification. The informant who provides the information regarding the deceased to the registrar is simultaneously notified so that they can contact the registrar office to make an appointment to register the death.
Death Registration Process
Where requested, the registrar shall produce one or more certified copies of the entry of death, also known as the death certificate, for the person registering the death to purchase. The registrar will also issue a certificate of burial or cremation to facilitate the funeral arrangements. They will also pass on medical information provided by the registered medical practitioner in relation to implants such as pacemakers.
Wherever possible, a close relative should register the death. If no relative is available then the person making the funeral arrangements May register. The person registering the death is known as the informant. Yes
