×
Two Together: Save £100!
Save £100 when you purchase two funeral plans together. Call us for more details.
Two Together: Save £100!
Save £100 when you purchase two funeral plans together. Call us for more details.
9 minute read
Amidst the grief and emotions that come with losing a loved one, many formalities need our attention. One of these is knowing how to get a medical certificate of death. This important document is officially known as the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) and is an essential part of registering the death of a loved one and beginning their funeral arrangements. This article will help you understand this document and the process involved in receiving one.
The MCCD is the official documentation of a person’s death and is completed by a doctor or medical examiner. This certificate states the place, time and cause of death as well as other important details such as the name and age of the person who has passed.
In England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, the rules for issuing an MCCD may vary slightly. However, in all regions, the MCCD can only be completed by a registered medical professional who has attended to the person in their lifetime.
The MCCD is a necessary stepping stone to receiving the death certificate and formally registering the death of your loved one. These steps are important for different practical matters after a person has passed such as settling the deceased’s estate.
Additionally, every individual’s MCCD plays an important role as the basis for mortality statistics and is essential for public health records. It is a key part of the data that helps experts monitor health trends and can even contribute to public health policies.
When dealing with the passing of a loved one, two key documents play a crucial role: MCCD and the Death Certificate. While these have similar names, they have different purposes and we are here to help clarify when and why they are needed.
A qualified medical practitioner issues the MCCD and outlines the medical reason(s) behind a person’s death. The document will have a standardised format across jurisdictions. It will include the primary cause of death and any contributing diagnosed diseases or conditions, typically written in formal medical terminology. It is the first document you will need to acquire after a loved one passes away, and it is essential for registering the death with the local registrar.
Your local registrar will receive the MCCD from the medical professional that completed it. You can then set up a meeting to register the death. Usually, this must be done within five days in England and Wales, and eight days in Scotland, however, this can depend on the availability of your registry office.
During this meeting, you will receive the death certificate. This is a legal document that officially confirms the death and contains information such as the full name of the deceased, their date of birth, and the date and place of death.
The death certificate is a legal requirement for estate settlement. You will need it to handle administrative tasks following a death, such as notifying financial institutions, closing bank accounts, settling insurance claims, and dealing with any assets.
In the UK, the registrar will also issue the certificate required for burial or cremation. This is often referred to as the “green form” and is a necessary document to proceed with funeral arrangements.
As legal documentation when handling a death, both certificates are quite similar. But, they do play different roles. While the MCCD is a medical certificate that records the official cause of death, a death certificate is a document that provides legal proof of death.
For further guidance on what to do when someone dies and the forms and paperwork involved, the UK government website has useful, step-by-step advice.
Now you are aware of why the MCCD is important, you may be wondering “How do I get a medical certificate of death?” Depending on your circumstances, this may be a medical professional who once cared for your loved one or another authority. Let’s look at different professionals’ roles in this process.
A physician certifies the cause of death. In most cases, this is usually your loved one’s GP or a hospital doctor if they had spent their final days in care. They may refer to the medical history of the person who has passed or they may know their patient well enough to establish their cause of death.
If the medical practitioner is confident about the cause of death and there are no suspicious circumstances, they can issue the MCCD relatively quickly, allowing the death to be registered and funeral arrangements to proceed.
On September 9th 2024, there were some changes to the death registration process. These new regulations state that a medical examiner is now needed to certify the MCCD. They will scrutinise the document and a person’s medical record and act as a verification of the cause of death.
The medical examiner also advocates for the family of the person who has passed by opening up a discussion and allowing loved ones to raise any concerns they have. If the cause of death is accepted, the medical examiner will then sign a declaration and send the MCCD to the registrar.
If a doctor is unsure about the cause of death or there are suspicious circumstances, the case must be referred to a coroner (or a procurator fiscal in Scotland). A coroner investigates unexpected deaths via an investigation.
They will examine the person who has passed and any medical records before determining if further tests or a post-mortem is necessary. This may include sending samples to a pathology laboratory. Once the investigation has been completed, a conclusive cause of death can be given and the MCCD will be completed.
When a person dies, a healthcare professional must formally confirm their death. This may be done by a qualified staff member, nurse or doctor in a hospital, hospice, or care home. A GP may handle this step if a person passes away at home.
The cause of death will then need to be recorded using a MCCD. This may be done by the same medical professional who verified the death or another qualified person. If the medical professional completing the MCCD is unsure about the exact cause of death, a coroner may be asked to investigate.
If a coroner’s investigation is necessary, they may conduct a post-mortem or an autopsy to confirm the exact cause of death. The process may delay funeral arrangements, but an interim death certificate can be issued to allow some necessary steps, such as probate, to proceed.
Once the medical professional has completed the MCCD, the certificate will be sent directly to the local registration office that files death records. You can then book an appointment with the registrar’s office to register the death and receive their death certificate. In some cases, the MCCD may be handed to the family, although this is uncommon. If you do have the MCCD, bring it to your appointment with the registrar.
When someone close to us passes away, the next of kin has a legal responsibility to arrange the care for the body. This typically involves some kind of funeral, like a cremation or burial, which you will need to arrange with a cemetery or crematorium.
Funeral services are just as unique as the life they honour, from elaborate ceremonies or personal memorials to simple, unattended cremations. In some cases, you may know what kind of final farewell your loved one wanted as they have a prepaid funeral plan. This can be a very meaningful gift as the costs associated with the funeral are settled ahead of time and there are fewer decisions for you and the family to make.
However, if no plan is in place, you will need to choose the funeral details yourself. While some people choose to have a DIY funeral where they manage the planning process on their own, many will seek out funeral service providers for help during such a challenging time.
A funeral service provider can offer support and expertise while organising a funeral. There are many options out there, so you may want to do some research to find the right service and company for you.
Examine the provider’s websites or give them a call to find out more about where their services are located and how much different aspects will cost. You may want to find a provider that has previous experience in managing paperwork and documentation as this can make your experience much easier. You can also take a look at Trustpilot to see how previous clients have rated their customer service.
At Aura, we understand that when a loved one passes, you want their funeral to be handled with care and respect. Our team is here to help you through every step, from collecting your loved one in a private ambulance to transporting them to the crematorium.
Our team makes all of our funeral arrangements of compassionate experts known as the Aura Angels. When you organise a funeral with Aura, our team is available to assist as much or as little as you need and can guide you through administrative tasks and necessary steps.
Aura’s direct cremation service is simple and private, but if you’d like to attend, we can help you arrange a small, meaningful ceremony to say your final goodbyes. This intimate gathering, though stripped back from traditional services, offers a quiet, personal space to honour your loved one. Additionally, AtaLoss has some useful information on bereavement benefits and Cruse offers bereavement support for those experiencing grief.
