cremation certificate

Last reviewed 01/2018

There are two Cremation Certificates:

• Cremation 4 - Medical Certificate
• Cremation 5 - Confirmatory Medical Certificate

Those who can sign form Cremation 4 - Medical Certificate

• regulation 17 of the Cremation Regulations requires the medical certificate (form Cremation 4) to be completed by a registered medical practitioner with a licence to practise with the General Medical Council. This includes those who hold a provisional or temporary registration with the General Medical Council

Those who can sign form Cremation 5 - Confirmatory Medical Certificate

• regulation 17 of the Cremation Regulations also provides for the confirmatory medical certificate (form Cremation 5) to be completed by a fully registered medical practitioner of at least 5 years' standing. This means a registered medical practitioner who has been fully registered under the Medical Act 1983 for at least 5 years and who has held a licence to practise for at least 5 years within the meaning of the Medical Act 1983 (see more details in notes below)

Notes:

• At least five years standing, as interpreted by the GMC and Home Office, means as follows:
  • a) For UK graduates, five year post qualification registration with GMC including pre registration year.
  • b) For European Community graduates, pre or full registration with GMC and five years post qualification, includes time spent in other EC countries.
  • c) For all other medical graduates, five years registered with GMC, including preregistration year.

Reference:

• Huntingdon NHS Primary Care Trust (2005). Policy for death verification and certification, cremation formas and coroners referrals
• Ministry of Justince.The Cremation (England and Wales) Regulations 2008.