For expected deaths, with no involvement from the Coroner, it is our policy to have the legal paperwork completed within 24 hours of the death occurring; subject to weekends and bank holidays.
Depending on the circumstances of the death the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) is normally issued by either one of the following people:
Usually the doctors who have been treating the patient will issue the MCCD. Occasionally the doctor may have to discuss the cause of death with the Coroner, which may result in a slight delay in the issuing of the certificate.
In certain situations the patient's General Practitioner (GP) will issue the MCCD, which will need to be collected from their surgery. This only happens after a death has been discussed with the Coroner and when there are no hospital doctors available to sign a certificate.
If the death has been referred to the Coroner, because the doctor cannot issue a MCCD or the death meets the criteria to discuss the death with the Coroner, then the death can not be registered until the Coroner's Office has conducted their enquiries and the Register Office has received authority from the Coroner to do so. The Coroner will take on the responsibility for the issuing of the certificate. A Coroner's officer will contact the nominated next of kin or appropriate person to advise them regarding the procedures.
Information on how and where to collect a death certificate.
Depending on the circumstances of the death the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) is normally issued by one of the following people:
The Hospital Doctor
Doctors who have been treating the patient will issue the MCCD after discussion with the Medical Examiner. Occasionally, the doctor may have to discuss the cause of death with the Coroner, which may result in a slight delay in the issuing of the certificate.
The General Practitioner
In certain situations the patient's General Practitioner (GP) will issue the MCCD, and you will need to contact their surgery regarding the paperwork. This only happens after a death has been discussed with the Coroner and when there are no hospital doctors available to sign a certificate.
The Coroner
If the death has been referred to the Coroner, because the doctor cannot issue a MCCD or the death meets the criteria to discuss the death with the Coroner, then the death can not be registered until the Coroner's Office has conducted their enquiries and the Register Office has received authority from the Coroner to do so. The Coroner will take on the responsibility for the issuing of the certificate. A Coroner's officer will contact the nominated next of kin or appropriate person to advise them regarding the procedures.
As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic you do not need to attend the hospital to collect the MCCD as this will be sent
electronically to the Liverpool Register Office. You will still need to contact the appropriate office for advice as to when this will happen and what to do next:
The Royal Liverpool Hospital - 0151 706 3805
When you telephone the Bereavement Office at the Royal Liverpool Hospital or the General Office at Broadgreen Hospital, you will be asked to leave your name and contact telephone number. Before the paperwork is completed you will be contacted by the Medical Examiner as part of the death certification scrutiny process.
Broadgreen Hospital - 0151 282 6266
The Bereavement Services Team consists of a small group of staff who have chosen to dedicate their careers to the provision of high quality care for the deceased and the bereaved.
In 2009 the Bereavement Services Team received the Trust's, Team of the Year Quality Award for the continuous provision of a high quality service.
We are here to help you in whatever way we can, so please feel free to get in touch with us.
Bereavement