Changes to Medical Certificate of Cause of Death form and cremation forms
March 31, 2022
Following the expiration of the Coronavirus legislation on 25Â March 2022, some changes have been retained on a permanent basis but all other processes will now need to revert back to previous practice (prior to Coronavirus Act 2020).
Please note the following changes to the way Medical Certificate of Cause of Death(MCCDs) and cremation forms are issued:
- Only a medical practitioner who has attended the deceased for their last illness and can state the cause of death to the best of their knowledge and belief will be allowed to complete a MCCD.
- The attending medical practitioner would need to have seen the deceased up to 28 days before death (prior to Coronavirus Act this was 14 days but now remains at 28 days) or viewed the body in person after death.
- The requirement to complete a confirmatory medical certificate (form Cremation 5) was temporarily removed by the Coronavirus Act. It is the government’s intention that it will not be re-introduced after the expiry date.
- An attending medical practitioner will be able to complete the form Cremation 4 if they saw the deceased (including visual/video consultation) within 28 days before death, or viewed the body in person after death (including for verification).
Further guidance and updated information about the easements can be accessed via the following links:
http://myconnect.swbh.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MCCD-flowchart-2022.pdf?x18714