AAP:

The federal government has backed a coroner's call to ban doctors with financial interests in nursing homes from signing the death and cremation certificates of residents of their facilities.

Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot called for the change after a South Australian coroner questioned the conduct of two doctors in the case of Gladys Ruth Wells.

Mrs Wells, 71, was found dead in her bed at the Brighton Aged Care Nursing Home in Adelaide in July last year.

Coroner Mark Johns criticised the husband-and-wife doctors who signed the woman's death and cremation certificates, Jagdish Saraf and Madhu Saraf.

He said the nursing home was indirectly owned by the couple and it was inappropriate for them to also sign off on Mrs Wells' death.

Mr Johns said Mrs Wells' death should have been reported to him before her body was cremated, and urged governments to consider amending cremation laws.

Ms Elliot said she would ask Attorney-General Robert McClelland to write to state and territory governments and ask them to consider changing the law.

"I will seek the assistance of the federal attorney-general to consider the national implications of the coroner's recommendation for all states and territories," she said.

Ms Elliot said the federal Department of Health and Ageing was taking "urgent action" on the issue of Dr Saraf's suitability to be a provider of aged care.

"The department ... became aware of the death through an investigation under the Complaints Investigation Scheme and referred the matter to the South Australian Police and Medical Board," she said.

"This referral led to the coroner's inquest.

"My thoughts and sympathy go out to the family, who must have experienced a very difficult six months after her passing."

© 2008 AAP