Where a body is to be disposed by cremation it is necessary to complete an additional set of certificates. The doctor who has attended the deceased must complete Cremation Form B, which carries questions similar to those on the death certificate itself. In this respect 'unrelated' means that the doctor completing Form C should not be, for example, a partner of the first doctor. Final approval for cremation to take place must be given by the medical referee, who provides the third signature on the cremation forms. The role of the medical referee 22.
Medical referees are often retired doctors who act for the crematorium on a part-time basis.
Their appointment is authorised by the Home Secretary. The referee is required to satisfy himself that the application has been made by an executor or by the nearest surviving relative. He is then requested to examine Cremation Form B, signed by the doctor who is the primary certifier of death, and Form C, signed by the second doctor. Should he consider it necessary, the medical referee may initiate inquiries with either doctor or with any other person, He may request access to other information, such as medical records or hospital case notes. Where he is not satisfied the medical referee may report the case to the coroner or ask, on his own account, for a post mortem.