In the name of Allāh, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Medical certificate (MCCD)

This information is primarily for those living in the U.K. (in particular England & Wales)

 

3. MEDICAL CERTIFICATE OF CAUSE OF DEATH (MCCD) 

  1. It is the statutory duty of the medical doctor who was in medical attendance of the deceased in his last illness to issue a medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD), whether or not he can identify the cause of death. In practice, medical doctors will not issue MCCD unless they are sure of the cause of death. 

The 14 day rule is misunderstood by many doctors thinking that he is unable to issue a MCCD unless he has attended to the deceased in the last 14 days or that it is necessary to report the death to the coroner if he has not attended to the deceased in the last 14 days before issuing a MCCD. The 14 day rule imposes on the registrar a duty to report to the coroner any death where it appears that the medical doctor who has issued a MCCD has either not seen the deceased within 14 days before death or seen the body after death (Regulation 41 of the Registration of Births and Deaths Regulations, 1987). The coroner will instruct the registrar whether or not to accept the MCCD for registration. 

  1. After having completed the MCCD the doctor is obliged to deliver to a “qualified informant” notice that a certificate has been issued.  

  1. The doctor completing the MCCD is legally responsible for the delivery of the MCCD to the registrar either personally, by post or through a relative acting as the agent. 

 

Death certification (MCCD) in England and Wales is under review. The government's open consultation for these reforms closes on 15th June 2016 @ 2345Hrs.

 

Covid-19 Pandemic (April 2020) info for UK only

Due to the need to certify more deaths than usual in the forthcoming months the legislation regarding completion of Medical Certificate of Death (MCCD) has been temporarily changed to allow a registered medical practitioner who has not seen the patient to complete the MCCD.

A "video consultation" (e.g. via Skype) can now be accepted for purposes of being seen within 28 days of the death.