Death and forensic medicine

When someone dies, there are special rules to follow. Puglia Region has put into place regulations aimed at protecting public health and ensuring that funeral and burial or cremation operations are properly carried out (Regional Law 34/2008 and Regional Regulation 8/2015).

What to do when someone dies

The first step is to contact a qualified doctor (a GP, the 118 medical emergency number or an out-of-hours doctor) to issue a medical record of death (certificazione della morte), necessary to initiate the legal process, and complete the ISTAT form for statistical purposes.
Within 24 hours of a death being reported, the competent local ASL will arrange for a medical examiner (necroscopo) to carry out a post-mortem external examination (visita necroscopica), to:

  • confirm the death
  • rule out violent or suspicious causes of death
  • issue an authorisation for burial, cremation or transportation of the body. Human remains cannot be transported without prior authorisation, except in the special cases referred to in the relevant regulations  (Presidential Decree 285/1990 supplemented by Ministry of Health Circular No. 24 of 24 June 1993).

Post-mortem external examination

The request for a post-mortem external examination is the responsibility of the funeral home, so make sure that they make the necessary arrangements in a timely manner, to avoid delays in the authorisations. Failed or delayed communication may result in the application of a fine to the funeral home, and delays in the procedures.
If the death is due to violence or is suspicious or has aroused the interest of the judicial authorities, the medical examiner shall be required to collaborate in any investigations conducted by the competent authorities. This means that the funeral will be suspended until the investigation is over.

Funeral home’s obligations

01
To request a post-mortem external examination by the ASL within 24 hours
02
To liaise with the forensic medicine department of the ASL
03
To comply with the legal deadlines
04
To transport the deceased only after the authorisation has been obtained, except in the special cases allowed by law

Other specific obligations

To engage only licensed companies to dispose of anatomical waste correctly
To ensure the safekeeping of any personal effects of the deceased and return them, in sealed containers, to family members with a specific report
To collaborate with the social services in the event of the death of homeless persons or without a family
To take out civil liability insurance to cover damage or accidents due to negligence, errors or accidents during the handling and transportation of bodies
To manage all personal data strictly in accordance with the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
To report accidents or delays within 24 hours to the ASL and the local authority, attaching a report on the causes and corrective measures adopted
To participate in periodical refresher courses and internal audits to ensure compliance with procedures and relevant regulations
The forensic medicine department of the ASL makes sure that the rules are fully complied with, by carrying out inspections and checks to ensure that the funeral/burial operations are performed safely, in a manner that can be traced and in accordance with the law.
The relevant paperwork (medical record of death, ISTAT form, clearance certificate, authorisations) must be kept and submitted to the relevant offices for any checks.