Releasing a dead body from hospital: authorisation form

DH, with partners, has developed a form to help hospitals have a more consistent, quality-controlled, and timely process to release bodies. We want to know what you think of the form.

This form encourages good practice. There is no legal requirement for hospitals to see the registrar’s Certificate for Burial and Cremation (the ‘Green Form’) before agreeing to release a body. Having this requirement can lead to delays with funeral arrangements and can cause unnecessary distress to the bereaved.