Section 641.97.5. Preparation of the certificate of death or fetal death.

         97.5(1) The funeral director or person other than the funeral director who first assumes custody of a dead human body or fetus for the purposes of disposition shall:

            a.               Obtain the personal data from the next of kin or the best-qualified person or source available;

            b.               Obtain the medical certification of cause of death from the medical certifier; and

            c.               Within three days after the death and prior to final disposition of the dead human body, file the completed certificate of death using the electronic statewide vital records system or, within three days after delivery and prior to disposition of the fetus, file the completed certificate of fetal death with the state registrar.

         97.5(2) The funeral director or person other than the funeral director who first assumes custody of the dead human body for the purposes of disposition shall prepare the certificate of death using the electronic statewide vital records system.

         97.5(3) The funeral director or person other than the funeral director who first assumes custody of the dead fetus for the purposes of disposition shall prepare the certificate of fetal death on the official paper issued by the state registrar by one of the following means:

            a.               Use of a typewriter with dark blue or black ribbon to complete the standard certificate form;

            b.               Use of a funeral director’s computer program to complete the form that has been preapproved by the state registrar pursuant to subrules 97.3(4) and 97.4(6);

            c.               Use of an electronic form prescribed by the state registrar; or

            d.               As directed by the state registrar.

         97.5(4) Unless otherwise directed by the state registrar, a certificate of fetal death shall be accepted for filing and registration only when:

            a.               All names are typed in the spaces provided;

            b.               All items are completed as required;

            c.               No alterations or erasures are apparent;

            d.               All signatures are original and genuine and are in dark blue or black ink;

            e.               The certificate presented for registration is on the approved form and official paper prescribed by the state registrar;

            f.                Data are consistent with the facts of death; and

            g.               The form is prepared in conformity with these rules or instructions issued by the state registrar.

[ARC 0483C, IAB 12/12/12, effective 1/16/13; see Delay note at end of chapter; ARC 2276C, IAB 12/9/15, effective 1/13/16]