Natural Causes.....

[MadMac]

Just going through SP and came across the death register entry for one of my father's brothers, who died in 1950, aged 46. Cause of death is lisred as "Natural Causes". Seems strange, as every other death entry or certificate I've ever seen lists some actual cause.

What I remember being told about him was that he was in some kind of gas attack in WW2 and never really recovered. Is this kind of vague entry common?

[Russell]

Hi Madmac

The use of a general descriptor like 'natural causes' is generally applied where there is no discernible underlying medical condition but the body metabolism is running down visibly. It is most commonly applied in old age but where an individual has had serious, long-term underlying problems which have strained bodily systems to the point where they can no longer recover - but the condition itself is not the actual cause of death, then natural causes is applied.

If death is predictable and anticipated then it need not be reported to the Procurator Fiscal for consideration.

Hope this helps understanding.

Russell

[MadMac]

Thanks, it would certainly tie in with what little I know. Makes sense, just seemed unusual being the first time I had ever seen it.