Certifying Cause of Death in Family Practice

ABSTRACT

The Certificate of Cause of Death (CCOD) is an important legal document. The statutory duty of completing the CCOD is imposed upon a licensed medical practitioner by the Registration of Births and Deaths Act. The family physician is often in the best position to certify the cause of death when the death occurs in the community. Medical practitioners are permitted to issue CCODs ONLY when the cause of death is known and natural and if the deceased is not in statutory care. Deaths that are reportable to the Coroner include deaths from unnatural causes, iatrogenic events, or if circumstances surrounding the death are unknown or suspicious. Proper certification of cause of death is essential to avoid problems with the authorities and added grief to the family of the deceased. However, with better understanding of the process of completing the CCOD, the family physician can more confidently perform this duty and render a final professional service to their patients.