Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 45, November 8, 2024
Section 64-32-7 - Death Registration7.1. Acceptance of Incomplete Death Certificate. 7.1.a. If all the information necessary to complete a death certificate is not available within the time prescribed for filing of the certificate, the funeral director or person acting in that capacity shall file the certificate with all information that is available and satisfactorily account for all the items that are omitted. In all cases the medical certification must be provided by the person responsible for the certification. If the cause of death is unknown or pending investigation, the cause of death shall be shown in those terms on the certificate. The person providing the medical certification of cause of death also shall authorize the final disposition of the body7.1.b. The funeral director or person acting in that capacity shall file a supplemental report providing the personal information omitted from the original certificate with the State Registrar as soon as possible, but in all cases within 30 days of the date the death occurred.7.1.c. The certifier responsible for providing the medical information shall file a supplemental report providing the medical information omitted from the original certificate with the State Registrar within 30 days of the date the death occurred. If extended time is needed to get information, the certifier shall notify the State Registrar. The State Registrar may provide for an extension not to exceed 60 days or as necessary in cases in which the certifier is a State Medical Examiner or his or her designee or county medical examiner or county coroner.7.1.d. The State Registrar may direct that a supplemental report be made a part of the existing death certificate. The reports shall be considered an amendment and the death certificate shall be marked "Amended."7.2. Hospital or Institution Shall Assist in Preparation of Certificate. 7.2.a. When a death occurs in a hospital or other institution and the death is not under the jurisdiction of the State Medical Examiner or his or her designee or the county medical examiner or county coroner, the person in charge of the institution, or his or her designated representative, shall initiate the preparation of the death certificate by: 7.2.a.1. Placing the full name of the decedent and the date, time, and place of death on the death certificate and obtaining from the attending physician placed in charge of the decedent's care at the time of death or another certifier as specified in W. Va. Code § 16-5-19(c)(1) the medical certification of the cause of death; or7.2.a.2. If the attending physician placed in charge of the decedent's care is not the pronouncing physician, placing the full name of the decedent and the date, time, and place of death on the death certificate, providing the name of the attending physician placed in charge of the decedent's care to the funeral director or person acting in that capacity. The hospital or institution shall obtain the pronouncing physician's or other pronouncing licensed health professional's attestation when the attending physician placed in charge of the decedent's care or another certifier as specified in W. Va. Code § 16-5-19(c)(1) is absent; and7.2.a.3. Presenting the partially completed death certificate to the funeral director or person acting in that capacity.