Electronic Death Certificates

How the process works

  1. Medical Certifier calls the 24/7 dedicated death certificate data entry support line: Main number External 617 - 919 - 6375 ( Internal46375) to notify administrative team of death.

    1. If the Medical Examiner is accepting the case (medical certifier should have discussed case with Medical Examiner prior to calling administrative tea

      1. Medical certifier will answer basic questions asked by the PER over the telephone for  local documentation. No further action is necessary for the death certificate process.

    2. If the Medical Examiner is not accepting the case

      1. Medical Certifier informs Patient Experience Representative (PER) of death and informs PER of any time sensitivity due to religious practices of patient/family.

      2. PER provides medical certifier with fax number to fax completed Death Certificate Medical Certifier Worksheet. (Depending on the time of day, the PER will ask for this form to be faxed to Admitting or the ED. Please do not fax until the PER provides the correct fax number.)

      3. Per obtains medical certifier’s fax number which will be used to fax final attestation to medical certifier for review and signature.

      4. NOTE: In order to prevent unnecessary delays which may impact the funeral home’s ability to pick up the body or obtain a burial permit, it is important for the medical certifier to remain available to review, sign and return the attestation to the PER.

  2. Medical certifier completes and signs the Death Certificate Medical Certifier Worksheets (attached) and faxes to PER using the fax number provided by the PER. NOTE: PER enters data EXACTLY as documented on the worksheet. Please be sure information is accurate.

  3. PER enters data from worksheet into VIP-EDRS and prints Death Certificate Attestation.

  4. PER faxes Death Certificate Attestation to medical certifier to review for accuracy

    1. If data is correct:

      1. Medical certifier signs Death Certificate Attestation and faxes to PER. PER uploads attestation in VIP-EDRS and confirms with medical certifier when complete.

    2. If data is not correct:

      1. Call per at 617-919-6375 (internal 46375) for data correction. Depending on extent of error corrections required, the PER may be able to take the corrections over the phone or may need the medical certifier to return the Death Certificate Attestation via fax with corrections written neatly on the attestation

      2. PER enters corrections in VIP-EDRS and faxes new Death Certificate Attestation form to medical certifier for review, signature and return (process continues until Death Certificate Attestation is correct)

A few things to remember:

  • While the administrative team strives to enter data as soon as it is received, it is important to remember to notify the PER of any time sensitivity related to religious practice. We want to do all that we can to ensure we meet the needs of the family.

  • PERs enter information exactly as provided to them on the Death Certificate Medical Certifier Worksheet. Missing information or incorrect information, including incorrect name spelling, may cause unnecessary delays in the process.

  • Medical Certifiers must remain available to PER via fax and phone in order to ensure timely completion of this process. Medical certifiers play an important role in this process. Any delays on the Boston Children’s Hospital side may impact the funeral home’s ability to render timely services for the family.

  • Administrative support is also  here to help answer questions, so please feel free to reach out during the process to ask questions. We will do our best to answer your question or find the answer.  

    • You still need to registered with VIP

    • You will be asked to fill out this worksheet