In the UK, as of September 2024, a medical examiner independently reviews all non-coroner deaths to confirm the cause of death and discuss it with the family before the death can be registered.

Who is a medical examiner and what do they do?

Medical examiners (MEs) are senior registered doctors with extensive experience in clinical practice. They are specially trained in the legal and clinical aspects of death certification, ensuring that every case is handled with the utmost care and sensitivity. The MEs are supported by medical examiner officers (MEOs), who assist with the process.

The Medical Examiner Process

• Notification: After a death has occurred, the GP or hospital Dr’s send the details of the passing and proposed cause of death to the medical examiner.
• Independent Review: A senior NHS doctor who did not care for the person reviews their medical records and the proposed cause of death.
• Family Contact: A medical examiner or officer contacts the next of kin to explain the cause of death, answer questions, and listen to any concerns.
• Certification: Once agreed, the medical examiner signs the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD).
• Coroner Referral: If the cause of death is unclear, sudden, or raises concerns, the medical examiner refers the case to the coroner instead.

Once these steps have been completed, the Medical Examiner will sign the medical certificate issued by the attending doctor and send it directly to the Registrar of Births and Deaths in the relevant county.

UK law dictates that the death of a person must be registered within 5 days of the medical examiner confirming the cause of death. This is usually at the Registry Office closest to the place of death. A relative or the executor of the will should register the death, other people are permitted if a close relative is not available: a person who was present at death, a co-occupant of the house or a hospital official.

Please be aware that many Registry Offices require you to make an appointment.

Once you have registered the death, we can handle all the arrangements for you.

What to take with you to the Registry Office

The medical certificate cause of death (MCCD) will already be at the registry office.

If possible, you should take the following documents. They are not absolutely essential, so please don’t worry if you do not have them all.

• Birth certificate

• NHS card (also called the medical card)

• Driving licence
• Council tax bill
• Marriage or civil partnership certificate (if applicable)
• If possible, please take the National Insurance number of the deceased and the National Insurance number of a surviving spouse or civil partner.
• Passport
• Proof of address (e.g. utility bill)

When you see the registrar, they will require the following information about the deceased:

• Date and place of the death
• The address of the person
• Their full names (including the maiden name of a married woman). Any former married names or other names by which the deceased was known can also be recorded.
• Where and when they were born (the town or county is sufficient if the exact address is not known). Only the country of origin is required for people born outside the United Kingdom. The country is recorded according to its current name if this is different from how it was known at the date of birth.
• Their occupation
• Details of their wife or husband or civil partner
• Whether they had any government pension or other benefits

While it is not essential, you should also take supporting documents that show your name and address (e.g. a utility bill) but you can still register a death without them.

The registration process will take approximately 30 minutes. If a full Tell Us Once service is offered the appointment may be extended by about 15 minutes.

Once the death is registered, the registrar will issue a certificate to authorise burial or cremation. This form is also known as a ‘green form’. We will need this certificate to be passed to us so that the funeral arrangements can be finalised.

If your loved one held a valid a pre-paid funeral plan or a will, then the funeral will be planned according to their wishes. If no prior arrangements have been made then we will arrange a funeral planning consultation with the next of kin. This can be at your own convenience in your home or our office in Cardigan.

At Colin Phillips and Daughters, we will work with you and advise you by contacting an overseas funeral director and the British Consulate or Embassy to organise the necessary documentation and transport of the deceased to the UK.