12VAC5-550-380: Responsibility of the hospital or institution

When a patient shall die in a hospital or institution, and the death is not under the jurisdiction of the medical examiner, the person in charge of such institution, or his designated representative, shall where feasible and where the cause of death is known, aid in the preparation of the death certificate as follows:

1. Place the full name of the deceased on the death certificate form and obtain from the attending physician the medical certification of cause of death.

2. If authorized in writing by the attending physician, the person in charge, or his designated representative, may prepare the medical certification of cause of death in cases where all pertinent aspects of the medical history are a part of the official hospital records and the death is due to natural causes. The signature shall be that of a physician.

3. Present the partially completed death certificate identified by the name and the complete medical certification to the funeral service licensee.

4. In a case of long-term residence by a patient in a state institution, a death certificate including personal particulars of the deceased may be prepared for presentation to the funeral service licensee.