35-1-418. Death registration.

(a) A death certificate for each death which occurs in this state shall be filed with the local registrar of the registration district in which the death occurred within three (3) days after the death and prior to removal of the body from the state and shall be registered by such registrar if it has been completed and filed in accordance with this section, provided:

(i) That if the place of death is unknown, a death certificate shall be filed in the registration district in which a dead body is found within three (3) days after such occurrence; and

(ii) If the death occurs in a moving conveyance, a death certificate shall be filed in the registration district in which the dead body is first removed from such conveyance.

(b) The funeral director or person acting as such who first assumes custody of a dead body shall file the death certificate. He shall obtain the personal data from the next of kin or the best qualified person or source available. He shall obtain the medical certification of cause of death from the person responsible therefor.

(c) The medical certification shall be completed and signed within a reasonable time after death by the primary health care provider in charge of the patient's care for the illness or condition which resulted in death, except when inquiry is required by the postmortem examination. If the death occurred without medical attendance or if the primary health care provider last in attendance refuses or for any reason fails to sign the certificate immediately, the funeral director or person acting as funeral director shall notify the appropriate local registrar. In that event the local registrar shall inform the local health officer and refer the case to him for immediate investigation and certification of cause of death prior to issuing a permit for burial, cremation or other disposition of the body. If the circumstances of the case suggest that the death was caused by other than natural causes, the local registrar shall refer the case to the coroner for investigation and certification. The coroner shall examine the body and consider the history of the case, and obtain the assistance and advice of a competent physician who will assist the coroner in determining the cause of death by examination of the body, autopsy, inquest or other procedure determined necessary. The nonmedical coroner shall not diagnose the cause of death without the assistance and advice of a competent physician, advanced practice registered nurse or physician assistant. The coroner or local health officer shall complete and sign the medical certification within a reasonable time after taking charge of the case.

(d) For purposes of this section, "primary health care provider" means as defined in W.S. 35-22-402(a)(xiv).