Medical Examiner & Registering A Death
What a Medical Examiner does, and how to register a death.
For advice on this, or for any further information, please call us on 01246 823355.
The Medical Examiner
When someone dies, part of the process involves ensuring that the cause of death is accurate and properly recorded. This is where the Medical Examiner plays an important role.
A Medical Examiner is a senior, independent doctor who reviews deaths that are not referred to the Coroner. Their role is to provide oversight, answer questions, and ensure transparency for families.
Reviewing the Cause of Death
The Medical Examiner:
· Reviews the medical records
· Checks the proposed cause of death written by the attending doctor
· Ensures the cause of death is accurate and clear
· Confirms that the death does not need to be referred to the Coroner
This additional review helps ensure that the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) is completed correctly.
Speaking with the Family
One of the most important parts of the Medical Examiner’s role is speaking with the next of kin or representative.
During this conversation, they will:
· Explain the cause of death in plain, understandable language
· Answer any questions you may have
· Ask if you have any concerns about the care the person received
This conversation gives families an opportunity to raise concerns or seek clarification before the death is registered.
Registering the death
In most cases, a death must be registered within five days from speaking with the Medical Examiner.
You will need:
· The deceased person’s full name, date and place of birth
· Their last address
· Their occupation
· Details of a surviving spouse or civil partner (if applicable)
The registrar will issue:
· A Certificate for Burial or Cremation (often called the “green form”)
· Certified copies of the death certificate (you may need several for banks and legal matters)
We can guide you through this process and advise how many copies you may need.
Our local registry offices are as follows:
Chesterfield: Chesterfield Town Hall, Chesterfield, S40 1LP – 01629 533110
Sheffield: Town Hall, Pinstone Street, Sheffield, S1 2HH – 01442 039427
Mansfield: County House – Chesterfield Road South, Mansfield, NG19 7DN – 0300 500 8080
Where to find us
We are available over the phone, 24 hours a day. Simply call us on 01246823355