« Reply #3 on: Monday 20 May 24 16:37 BST (UK) »
Anthony MMM, a former registrar may shed some light onto exactly when a doctors attendance and signature became compulsory.
I think I have a death cert from about 1885 where it said "no medical attendant" and "un certified".
I know this is much earlier than 1886, but one ancestor died in the workhouse in 1851 and the death was registered by a fellow inmate.
Researching:
LONDON, Coombs, Roberts, Auber, Helsdon, Fradine, Morin, Goodacre
DORSET Coombs, Munday
NORFOLK Helsdon, Riches, Harbord, Budery
KENT Roberts, Goodacre
SUSSEX Walder, Boniface, Dinnage, Standen, Lee, Botten, Wickham, Jupp
SUFFOLK Titshall, Frost, Fairweather, Mayhew, Archer, Eade, Scarfe
DURHAM Stewart, Musgrave, Wilson, Forster
SCOTLAND Stewart in Selkirk
USA Musgrave, Saix
ESSEX Cornwell, Stock, Quilter, Lawrence, Whale, Clift
OXON Edgington, Smith, Inkpen, Snell, Batten, Brain