Cremation Forms

Question 1

Can the person making the application for cremation see the cremation form?

Answer 1

Yes

Question 2

Describe the 2 parts of the cremation form and who can fill them out and what they should do?

Answer 2

• Cremation 4 - filled out by the doctor taking care of the patient.
• Cremation 5
  
  • An independent doctor who has held a full GMC licence for more than 5 years.
  • The doctor discusses the case with the doctor in Crem 4 & also views the body.
  • The doctor cannot be either a work colleague of the doctor in cremation 4 and cannot be a relative of the deceased. (The 2 doctors must be independent of one another - not in the same team or same GP surgery)
• A fee is payable to each doctor.

Question 3

A 44-year-old man dies at home of a HIV-related illness. His next-of-kin was his mother who was not aware of his HIV infection. He had asked the doctors who had treated him not to disclose this to his family. When completing the cremation form what is the most appropriate action?

• Do not disclose HIV infection on cremation form but only list contributory illnesses e.g. Pneumocystis pneumonia
• Do not disclose HIV infection on cremation form but provide a confidential report to the medical referee on a separate piece of paper
• Record his illness as a ‘CD4 disorder’
• Disclose HIV infection

Advise his family not to view the cremation forms

Answer 3

Do not disclose HIV infection on cremation form but provide a confidential report to the medical referee on a separate piece of paper.

Patient confidentiality should be maintained. If someone dies of an illness they do not want their family to know, you can speak to the coroner and they will usually have you provide a confidential report to the medical referee on a separate paper to the cremation form/death certificate.

Question 4

Who is Cremation 1 filled out by?

Answer 4

It is filled out by the next of kin.