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5. Unexpected death - reporting to the coroner

The coroner is a doctor or lawyer responsible for investigating deaths. In any of the following circumstances the doctor may report the death to the coroner:

Also as noted above, if the doctor treating the deceased had not seen him or her either after the death or within 14 days before the death, the death must also be reported to the coroner.

The coroner is likely to be the only person to certify the cause of death under the above circumstances.

6. Unexpected death - coroner's post-mortem

The coroner may arrange for a post-mortem examination of the body to determine the cause of death if not known. The consent of relatives is not needed but they are entitled to be represented at the examination. When relatives have told the coroner they wish to be represented the coroner will, if at all practicable, tell them when and where the examination will be.

If the post-mortem shows that death was due to natural causes, the coroner may issue a notification known as the Pink Form (Form 100), which gives the cause of death so that the death can be registered. The coroner usually sends the form direct to the Registrar of Deaths but may give it to you to deliver.

7. Unexpected death - inquest

An inquest is an enquiry into the medical cause and circumstances of a death. It is held in public, sometimes with a jury. It is up to the coroner how to organise the enquiry in a way which best serves the public interest and the interests of the relatives.

The coroner will hold an inquest if the death was:

The coroner may give you an Order for Burial (form 101) so that the funeral can take place.

This may be done before the inquest is completed, provided the body is not required for further examination.

The coroner will also send a Certificate After Inquest (form 99 [rev]), stating the cause of death, to the Registrar of Deaths. This allows the death to be registered.

8. Stillborn babies

If a baby is stillborn (born dead after 24 weeks of pregnancy) you will be given a Medical Certificate of Stillbirth signed by the midwife or doctor, which should be given to the Registrar of Deaths.

If no doctor or midwife was present and no doctor or midwife examined the body, you will not be given a Medical Certificate of Stillbirth. You must however sign a form (form 35) which the Registrar of Deaths will give to you when you go to register the death.

If a baby is stillborn before 24 weeks of pregnancy it is treated as a “non-viable foetus”. You will be given a form by the midwife or doctor recording the details of the non-viable foetus.

You do not however need to register the death of a non-viable foetus with the Registrar of Deaths; no other paperwork is involved.

Islamic perspective

In Islam a foetus is defined as a morsel of flesh/blood/water if less than 120 days (17 weeks) inside a mother's womb. It becomes human after 120 days (17 weeks or more).

A birth given after 120 days (17 weeks) of pregnancy that is stillborn must be given a name.

If it is difficult to determine the sex of the child then a neutral name suitable for both boys and girls must be given.

Both a foetus and stillborn must be buried. It is important that you do this promptly, especially for “non-viable foetuses”, because if you do not then the hospital will make arrangements for disposal/burial in a multi-faith mass grave and your baby will be denied a Muslim burial.

Appendix A includes a table that explains the requirements regarding the funeral of a foetus and stillborn.

9. Organ donations

In Islam, there are different schools of thought regarding organ donation. Consult the learned scholars (Ulamã) you are happy with and act according to their ruling.

10. Summary of paperwork needed for burial

	Doctor/Coroner gives:	Registrar gives:
Expected death and Unexpected death not referred to Coroner	Formal Notice and Medical Certificate on Cause of Death	Certificate for Burial (known as the Green Form)
Unexpected death referred to Coroner	Form 100 (Pink Form) or Form 101, Order for Burial	Certificate for Burial (known as the Green Form) if Form 100 given. Nothing further needed for burial if Form 101 given
Stillborn below 24th week of pregnancy	Form giving details of stillbirth	Nothing further needed for burial
Stillborn in the 24th or higher week of pregnancy	Medical Certificate of Stillbirth	Certificate of Registration of Stillbirth

The paperwork needed for burial is shown in bold above.

Details on the registration process for burial are given below.