CDPH updates its cause of death review guidelines

The California Department of Public Health has updated its Cause of Death Review Guidelines, according to a notice from the Orange County Office of Vital Records on August 28, which asked partners to begin using them immediately.

The major changes listed in that notice:

• Pneumonia and aspiration pneumonia require an underlying condition, regardless of age.
• Cirrhosis: registrars will ask for the type. Non-alcoholic cirrhosis requires an underlying condition.
• Chronic renal disease or chronic kidney disease requires an underlying cause of death.
• Senile degeneration of the brain requires an underlying cause of death.
• Urinary tract infection or urosepsis requires an underlying condition, regardless of age.

Funeral homes may see more queries on certificates listing these causes without an underlying condition. Certifying physicians may not have received the update directly.

Source: Orange County Health Care Agency, Office of Vital Records, notice of August 28, 2026.