After someone passes away, a medical examiner will review the cause of death to ensure it is accurate. This examiner will be a senior doctor who was not involved in the care of the deceased.
The medical examiner’s office will then reach out to you to:
Explain the cause of death
Answer any questions you may have about the cause or the healthcare the person received prior to their passing
Speaking with the medical examiner is entirely voluntary, and you are not obligated to do so.
How to Register the Death
You will be contacted by the medical examiner’s office when it is time to register the death.
The death must be registered within 5 days of being notified (or within 8 days in Scotland). This time frame includes weekends and bank holidays.
After Registering the Death
Once the death is registered, you will receive a certificate for burial or cremation, commonly referred to as the ‘green form.’
This certificate must be provided to your funeral director, crematorium, or burial authority before the funeral can take place.