N.J. Stat. § 26:6-10: Unavailability of attending physician, advanced practice nurse.

In case the physician or the advanced practice nurse who last attended the deceased is unavailable, so that a certificate of death cannot be obtained from the physician or nurse in time for burial or removal:

a. the designated covering physician shall have the primary responsibility, after examining the dead body, and being satisfied that death did not result from some unlawful means, to issue a death certificate; and

b. in the absence of the designated covering physician, any other physician, after examining the dead body, and being satisfied that death did not result from some unlawful means, may issue a death certificate.

amended 2003, c.221, s.8; 2015, c.38, s.2.