Guidance

Changes to the death certification process

How the death certification process in England and Wales will change from 9 September 2024, including the introduction of medical examiners.

• From: Department of Health and Social Care
• Published: 26 May 2016
• Last updated: 14 August 2024
  Show all updates

  1. 14 August 2024

     Added independent healthcare providers to the list of groups that will need to prepare for the reforms. Updated the section on the medical examiner role: the MCCD will be sent to the registrar by the medical examiner rather than the attending practitioner. In the section on the medical certificate of cause of death, added further information about maternal deaths: the new MCCD will include 2 new questions about the pregnancy status of the deceased. Added information about distribution of the new MCCD. Replaced the implementation plan and timetable with a new section on guidance that will be published for use from 9 September 2024. In the annex, added more information about secondary legislation that will come into force on 9 September 2024.

  2. 22 May 2024

     This page has been updated to reflect that regulations were laid before Parliament on 15 April 2024, which will introduce the statutory medical examiner system from 9 September 2024. The timetable has been updated to set out the actions DHSC will take between April and September, including distribution of the new paper medical certificate of cause of death. In the annex under 'secondary legislation', a link to the Cremation, Coroners and Notification of Deaths (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 has also been added.

  3. 14 December 2023

     The overview has been updated throughout to reflect the publication of draft regulations on the introduction of medical examiners and changes to the medical certificate of cause of death.

  4. 26 May 2016

     First published.

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

An overview of the death certification reforms

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Details

This is an overview of the changes to the process of death certification in England and Wales planned from 9 September 2024.

The purpose of this guidance is to help those involved in the death management system to understand and prepare for the reforms. This includes:

• NHS and social care organisations
• local government
• bereavement services
• the funeral industry
• professional and regulatory bodies
• religious or faith groups
• coroner services
• registration services
• healthcare professionals
• independent healthcare providers