The death certificate, also known as a certificate of death or postmortem examination certificate, is an essential document that confirms the death and cause of death of a deceased person. Without this document, neither a death certificate can be issued nor a burial can take place.
What is a death certificate?
A death certificate is an official document issued by a physician after a person’s death. It contains the deceased person’s personal data as well as information about the manner and cause of death. Issuance requires a thorough examination of the deceased, known as a post-mortem examination, during which all relevant details are documented.
When is a death certificate required?
In Germany, a death certificate must be issued in every case of death. Only after this formal confirmation can the death certificate be issued by the registry office and the funeral arranged by a funeral home.
Special regulations for stillborn children
Special regulations apply to children who die before or shortly after birth. According to the burial law, children with a birth weight of less than 500 grams are not recognized as persons and do not receive a death certificate. However, at the parents’ request, they can be buried like other deceased persons.
Who issues the death certificate?
The death certificate may only be issued by doctors. These can be:
– General practitioners: In the event of death at home, the general practitioner performs the post-mortem examination and issues the death certificate.
– On-call doctors: If the family doctor is not available, a doctor from the on-call medical service can be requested by calling 116 117.
– Emergency physicians: They can also issue a death certificate. However, due to time constraints, often only a preliminary certificate is issued, which must be supplemented by a full post-mortem examination by another physician.
Structure of the death certificate
The death certificate consists of two parts:
1. Non-confidential section:
– Personal Data of the Deceased Person (name, Gender, Date of Birth and Death, Address).
– Details of the cause of death:
– Natural death: e.g., due to old age or illness.
– Unnatural death: e.g., through accident, suicide, or external influence.
– Unexplained death: When the cause of death cannot be clearly determined.
– Identification details and information about the last treating physician.
2. Confidential section:
– Confirmed Signs of Death (e.g., Rigor Mortis, Lividity, Decomposition).
– Detailed Information on the Cause of Death (e.g., Heart Attack, Stroke, Skull Fracture).
– Written explanation of the cause of death by the doctor.
Costs for the death certificate
The fees for the post-mortem examination and the issuance of the death certificate are based on the German fee schedule for physicians (GOÄ). Depending on travel expenses, the total costs range from €103 to €265. These costs are not covered by health insurance, as their obligation to provide benefits ends with death. The costs are usually borne by the surviving relatives, often through the funeral home.
Forwarding of the death certificate
The two parts of the death certificate are handed over to different authorities:
– The non-confidential part goes to the funeral home and is forwarded to the registry office to issue the death certificate.
The confidential portion of the death certificate is forwarded to the public health department, the state statistical office, or, in the case of cremation, to the crematorium, depending on the state’s burial law. “In cases of unexplained or unnatural deaths, the death certificate is first sent to the forensic medicine department and then to the public prosecutor’s office,” explains lawyer István Cocron.
Procedure in case of unexplained or unnatural death
If the cause of death is unclear or unnatural, the doctor informs the police or public prosecutor’s office. The deceased is then taken to the forensic medicine department for an autopsy. Only after this can further action be decided.
Conclusion
The death certificate is an essential document for handling a death. Besides determining the manner and cause of death, it is a prerequisite for issuing the death certificate and arranging a funeral. “Issuing it requires medical expertise and meticulous documentation to meet the requirements of the relevant legal regulations,” says attorney Cocron.
