Recently, the National Health Commission, together with the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the State Administration for Market Regulation, the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, jointly formulated the "Regulations on the Management of the Whole-Process Service for Deceased Patients in Medical and Health Institutions" (hereinafter referred to as the "Regulations"). The following is an interpretation of the contents of the "Regulations".
I. Background and Purpose
Funeral services are a vital issue affecting countless families and directly impacting the public's interests. In October 2024, a nationwide campaign to rectify corruption and irregularities in the funeral service sector was launched. Various regions and relevant departments, fulfilling their responsibilities, steadily promoted funeral reform, improved laws and regulations, strictly standardized service standards, and strengthened industry supervision. The National Health Commission, in conjunction with the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, organized a special campaign within the health system to address corruption and irregularities in the funeral service sector.
To further consolidate the achievements of the special campaign, establish institutionalized and long-term policies and measures, and standardize the whole-process service for deceased patients in medical and health institutions, our commission has carefully summarized the experience of the special campaign, addressed the difficulties and problems existing in the service management of deceased patients in medical and health institutions, widely solicited opinions and suggestions from medical and health institutions and the public, and jointly formulated this "Regulations" with the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the State Administration for Market Regulation, the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and other departments.
II. Main Contents of the Document
The "Regulations" provide policy support for standardizing the service management of deceased patients in medical and health institutions, upholding the dignity of the deceased, optimizing the medical environment, and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of the people. Comprising twelve articles, the regulations specify provisions in four main areas: First, regarding the issuance and management of death certificates, including provisions on the issuing authority, issuance process, and management of death certificates; second, regarding the temporary storage and transfer of remains, including provisions on the establishment of temporary storage areas, management of the transfer of remains of deceased patients, management of temporary storage areas, and timely removal of remains of deceased patients; third, regarding the standardization of services provided by medical and health institutions, including provisions on the scope of services provided by medical and health institutions to deceased patients and the protection of personal information of deceased patients and their families; and fourth, regarding the implementation of departmental responsibilities, including provisions on inter-departmental collaborative supervision, investigation and handling of violations of rules and regulations, and publicity and guidance on policies and regulations.
III. Ensure the implementation of the documents
Relevant departments and medical and health institutions at all levels should conduct publicity and training on the "Regulations" to effectively improve the policy awareness of relevant staff and strictly implement the relevant requirements. They should intensify research and guidance efforts, pay attention to the opinions and suggestions of frontline staff and the public, promptly grasp the implementation status of the "Regulations," and promote the refinement and improvement of specific implementation measures. A strict tone should be maintained, and violations of rules, regulations, and laws should be severely punished. Publicity and guidance should be strengthened to create a positive public opinion environment, and typical experiences and practices should be summarized and promoted in a timely manner. During policy implementation, the "people-centered" philosophy should be upheld, inter-departmental coordination should be strengthened, service processes should be optimized, and the legitimate rights and interests of the people should be effectively protected.
