In view of the need for deciding amongst various definitions and concepts related to nonspecific processes, specific conditions, the need for qualifying a statement of cause of death, and other complications, a basic rule of thumb can be stated as follows:

A cause of death statement MUST contain:

• an underlying cause of death

• if specific conditions cannot be cited as the underlying cause of death, the underlying cause of death must consist of a qualified specific condition (e.g., Probable myocardial infarction) or qualified nonspecific process (e.g., End-stage liver disease; Congenital biliary etresia).