The time and date of death should be as accurate as possible.
It is not necessarily defined by when the doctor examined the body.
The Medical Certificate of Causes of Death requires "Date of death as stated to me."
Thus the certifying practitioner should take into consideration the evidence of family or bystanders regarding the time of death.
It is important to differentiate 2 separate issues:
1. Verification of death refers to whether the person is dead.
Registered nurses, enrolled nurses and ambulance paramedics can confirm that death has occurred.
- see the Ministry of Health Guidelines (page 1)
2. Causes of death is documented on a death certificate
- usually this is issued by a doctor, nurse practitioner or Coroner