SAIF welcomes the progress highlighted in the National Medical Examiner’s report for 2025, published on 6 July 2026, but continues to air concerns about unacceptable delays.

The report covers the first full calendar year since the death certification reforms were introduced in September 2024.

Praise for progress

In 2025, medical examiners independently scrutinised more than 500,000 deaths across England and Wales. In 97 per cent of cases, an interaction took place with the deceased person’s next of kin, giving families the opportunity to ask questions or raise concerns about care.

The report also highlights progress in supporting urgent cases. Medical examiner offices facilitated around 11,400 requests for rapid scrutiny in England, representing 90 per cent of requests. In Wales, all 611 requests were facilitated. These arrangements can be particularly important where families need an urgent registration for faith, cultural or travel reasons.

SAIF recognises the value of these safeguards and the importance of giving bereaved people a voice at a very difficult time.

The report also points to a significant reduction in deaths being referred to coroners.

The number of deaths reported to coroners fell from 195,000 in 2023 to 147,800 in 2025, a reduction of 24.2 per cent . The number of post-mortem examinations ordered by coroners fell from 86,000 to 75,900 over the same period, meaning around 10,100 fewer post-mortems.

Inquests concluding that a death was due to natural causes fell by 34 per cent . Cases referred to coroners that required neither a post-mortem nor an inquest fell by 41 per cent . The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that deaths reported to coroners reached their lowest level since the annual series began in 1995.

These changes suggest that more cases are being directed to the right part of the system, sparing families unnecessary investigation, distress and delay.

Frustrating delays still causing distress

Yet, while the national picture shows progress, SAIF remains concerned about delays linked to death certification and registration in South Wales, the East Midlands and pockets elsewhere across England and Wales.

The report states that the typical time taken to register a death appears to be settling at seven to eight days. This compares with six to seven days under the previous arrangements. It also acknowledges that partnership working still needs to improve in some areas and that unnecessary delays are undesirable.

National figures do not always reflect what families and funeral directors experience locally. Reports received from SAIF members indicate that delays beyond seven days continue in some areas, adding to the distress experienced by families. They can also make it harder for independent funeral directors to provide clear information, manage expectations and arrange funerals with confidence.

The report rightly notes that responsibility for timely certification and registration is shared. Medical examiners are one part of a wider process involving attending medical practitioners, coroners, register offices and other organisations. Clear communication and effective local partnership working are essential if delays are to be reduced.

The report concludes that the medical examiner workforce appears sufficient from a national and regional perspective. It records 180.6 whole-time equivalent medical examiners and 510.2 medical examiner officers in England. Wales had 12.8 whole-time equivalent medical examiners and 39.1 medical examiner officers. A further 197 medical examiners and 113 medical examiner officers received training during 2025.

However, the report also recognises that some offices have experienced higher activity or workforce pressures. It says local NHS bodies are responsible for ensuring that medical examiner offices have adequate resources and calls on areas with high activity to consider additional support.

Paul Allcock, SAIF Government Liaison Officer, said, “National workforce figures do not always reflect the experience of families and funeral directors locally. Where delays beyond seven days continue, SAIF would like to see capacity reviewed and additional trained medical examiners and officers deployed to the areas that need them most. This would help reduce avoidable delays and the distress they can cause bereaved families.”

Where persistent delays are identified, SAIF would like local capacity and working practices to be reviewed. This should include considering whether additional trained medical examiners and medical examiner officers can be deployed in areas where delays are causing distress to bereaved families.

Having trained professionals available nationally is important. It is equally important that sufficient capacity is in place where and when it is needed.

SAIF believes families should receive the same timely and compassionate service wherever they live.
We will continue to raise members’ experiences with the relevant authorities and support constructive work across the system. Our focus remains on reducing avoidable delays, improving communication and helping families receive clear information at every stage.