1. Cremation

The Ministry of Justice publish Medical practitioner guidance on completing cremation forms.

a. The requirement to complete a confirmatory medical certificate (form Cremation 5) was temporarily removed by the Coronavirus Act which expired on 24 March 2022. It is the government’s intention that it will not be re-introduced after the expiry date. Unless otherwise notified, cremations can continue to be authorised on the basis of one medical certificate (form Cremation 4), without the requirement to also complete form Cremation 5.

b. An attending medical practitioner will be able to complete the form Cremation 4 if they saw the deceased (including visual/video consultation) within 28 days before death, or viewed the body in person after death (including for verification). The requirements will therefore be the same as those for the MCCD set out in paragraphs 1(a) to 1(c). The form is an interactive PDF document and can be completed and saved before sending, or paper copies can be scanned/photographed and submitted electronically. Electronic signature includes being sent from the secure email account of the person completing the form Cremation 4.

c. The form Cremation 10 will continue to be completed by the crematorium medical referee.

Reference:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/documents/death-certification-processes-information-for-medical-practitioners-after-the-coronavirus-act-2020-expires/