All deaths must have a death certificate.
All cremations must have a death certificate AND a cremation certificate
- except stillbirths (see STILLBIRTHS)
There are 3 options:
1. THE CORONER CAN ISSUE A DEATH CERTIFICATE
If the whanau wish to have a cremation, the Coroner can issue an interim Coroner Permission to Cremate (Form C) rather than have to wait for a final determination of causes of death weeks or months later.
2. MEDICAL CERTIFICATE OF CAUSES OF FETAL AND NEONATAL DEATH
Form HP4721
Completed if the deceased was a stillbirth (died in utero before being born) or for any baby who dies within 28 days of being delivered.
3. MEDICAL CERTIFICATE OF CAUSES OF DEATH
Form HP4720
Completed for all other deaths (i.e. the majority of deaths).
From 31 January 2018 this can be written by a Nurse Practitioner or a doctor.
As of 2018, death and cremation certificates can be completed online: link