Qualifying relationships

For some purposes, including post mortem examinations, appropriate consent can be given by someone in a ‘qualifying relationship’ to the deceased immediately before their death. Please see further details in the Codes of Practice for each sector.

Those in a qualifying relationship to the deceased person are (highest first):

1. spouse or partner (including civil or same sex partner)
2. parent or child (in this context a ‘child’ can be any age)
3. brother or sister
4. grandparent or grandchild
5. niece or nephew
6. stepfather or stepmother
7. half-brother or half-sister
8. friend of long standing