A new method of classification of causes of death which may be employed in connection with perinatal and neonatal deaths is presented. The classification of causes of death proposed by the authors identifies the factor which probably initiated the train of events leading to death. This classification includes nine main categories and illustrates foetal conditions, happenings in pregnancy, the course of delivery and also the neonatal period. Employment of classification is proposed in regional registration of perinatal and neonatal deaths and as an aid in the current assessment of the quality of antenatal, obstetric and neonatal care as these are employed in medical audits of the perinatal and neonatal deaths in many Danish counties.