Who can Pronounce Death?

Although there is no legal requirement for pronouncement of death, it is customarily done to provide assurance to relatives and the public that the individual is indeed dead. In Saskatchewan, there is no legal requirement that a physician has to pronounce death. A licensed Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, or a  licensed Psychiatric Nurse may pronounce death if the death is expected, anticipated, or due to natural causes. A paramedic may pronounce death in the field whether or not cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed. A physician or nurse practitioner may pronounce death in the field, in the hospital, or in the community (eHealth Saskatchewan, n.d.; College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan, 2019). It is important to note, a coroner cannot pronounce death, they only become involved after the fact of death has been established (Saskatchewan Coroners Service, n.d.).