The death is reported to the coroner
The coroner receives information about the death from the police, a doctor, hospital, Medical Examiner or another authorised person and considers whether a formal investigation is required.
Greenwich Public Mortuary · Inner South London Coroner
When someone is taken to Greenwich Public Mortuary
If someone close to you has been taken to Greenwich Public Mortuary, it usually means their death has been reported to the Inner South London Coroner. This can feel confusing, particularly if nobody has clearly explained what happens next.
A coroner referral does not automatically mean there will be a post-mortem or an inquest. You also do not need to wait for the coroner’s work to finish before speaking to or choosing a funeral director.
The first thing to know
Being at the mortuary does not mean there will definitely be a post-mortem or an inquest
A death can be reported to the coroner for many reasons. It may have been sudden or unexpected, the medical cause of death may not yet be clear, or the circumstances may mean the law requires the coroner to consider it.
Once a death has been reported, the coroner decides what investigation is necessary. Some cases can be resolved through medical information and enquiries without a post-mortem.
Other cases require a post-mortem examination. A smaller number require a continuing investigation or an inquest.
You can choose a funeral director now
You do not have to wait for the post-mortem result, registration or release before speaking to a funeral director. You can ask questions, request an estimate and appoint the funeral director you would like to use while the coroner’s work continues.
Why Greenwich?
Greenwich Public Mortuary serves more than Greenwich
Greenwich Public Mortuary supports the Inner South London Coroner jurisdiction.
That jurisdiction covers the London boroughs of Greenwich, Lewisham, Southwark and Lambeth.
Someone may therefore be at Greenwich Public Mortuary even though they did not live in Greenwich and did not die in Greenwich.
The mortuary cares for people while they are under the coroner’s jurisdiction and provides facilities for examinations where these are required.
Who is in charge?
The coroner controls the investigation
Once a death has been reported and accepted for investigation, the coroner has lawful control of the person who has died.
The coroner decides whether further investigation is needed, whether a post-mortem examination is required and when the person can be released.
Greenwich Public Mortuary cares for the person and follows the coroner’s instructions. It does not decide whether an investigation or inquest is required.
The coroner process
What happens next?
The exact process varies from case to case. These are the main stages you may encounter after someone has been taken to Greenwich Public Mortuary.
The coroner makes initial enquiries
The Coroner’s Office gathers medical information and details about the circumstances of the death. Some cases can be resolved at this stage without a post-mortem examination.
A post-mortem may be arranged
If the cause of death is uncertain or further medical examination is necessary, the coroner can instruct a pathologist to carry out a post-mortem. Being referred to the coroner does not automatically mean one will happen.
The coroner reviews the findings
The coroner considers the medical findings and any other evidence. The case may then be concluded, further investigation may be needed or an inquest may be opened.
Release is authorised
Once the examinations that require the person to remain in the coroner’s care have been completed, the coroner can authorise release for burial or cremation.
Your funeral director arranges the transfer
Your chosen funeral director liaises with Greenwich Public Mortuary and arranges the transfer once the necessary release authority is in place.
Useful contacts
Who should I contact?
If your question is about the investigation, post-mortem, release or an inquest, the Coroner’s Office is normally the most useful place to start. If you have been allocated a coroner’s officer, contact them directly where possible.
Inner South London Coroner
Coroner’s Court
1 Tennis Street
London SE1 1YD
The Coroner’s Office deals with the investigation and authorises release.
Greenwich Public Mortuary
Miller House
3 Devonshire Drive
Greenwich SE10 8LP
The mortuary cares for the person while they are under the coroner’s jurisdiction.
Poetic Endings
37 David’s Road
Forest Hill
London SE23 3EP
You can contact us before release if you would like practical guidance or would like to appoint us.
Post-mortem
Does being at Greenwich Public Mortuary mean there will be a post-mortem?
No. A referral to the coroner does not automatically mean a post-mortem examination will be required.
The coroner first considers the circumstances of the death and the available medical information.
If further examination is necessary, the coroner can instruct a pathologist to carry out a post-mortem to help establish the medical cause of death.
A coroner’s post-mortem does not require consent. If there are religious or cultural reasons why timing or the nature of an examination is particularly important, tell the Coroner’s Office as soon as possible.
Release
How long will someone stay at the mortuary?
There is no single timescale. Some cases can be resolved relatively quickly, while others require a post-mortem, specialist tests or further investigation.
Importantly, a longer coroner investigation does not necessarily mean the person has to remain at Greenwich Public Mortuary until the investigation itself is finished.
Once the examinations that require the person’s body have been completed and the coroner is satisfied that release can take place, they can normally be released to the chosen funeral director.
It is sensible not to confirm a funeral date until the likely release timetable is clearer.
Possible outcomes
What might the coroner decide?
Not every coroner referral follows the same route. Broadly, one of these things may happen.
The case can return to the normal process
If the coroner decides a formal investigation is not required, the case can return to the usual medical certification and registration process.
The coroner can conclude the investigation
If the cause of death is established and no inquest is necessary, the coroner can provide the information needed for registration and authorise release.
The investigation continues
If an inquest is required, the final registration usually waits until the inquest concludes. The person who died can often still be released and the funeral can usually take place before the inquest itself.
Registration
When can the death be registered?
If the coroner concludes the case without an inquest, the necessary information is sent to the relevant registration service so the death can be registered.
If an inquest is required, final registration will normally take place after the inquest has concluded.
In that situation the coroner can provide an interim death certificate. This can be used for many practical and administrative purposes while the investigation continues.
Do not assume that the death will be registered in Greenwich simply because the person is at Greenwich Public Mortuary.
The mortuary serves Greenwich, Lewisham, Southwark and Lambeth. The appropriate registration route depends on the circumstances of the death. The Coroner’s Office will tell you what to do.
If there is an inquest
Does the funeral have to wait?
Usually, no.
An inquest may take place considerably later. The person who died does not normally remain at the public mortuary until the inquest hearing.
Once the examinations that require the person’s body have been completed, the coroner can usually authorise release so burial or cremation can take place while the wider investigation continues.
There are exceptional circumstances where release may take longer. The Coroner’s Office will explain if this applies.
Visiting
Can I see the person who has died at Greenwich Public Mortuary?
If you would like to see the person while they are at Greenwich Public Mortuary, speak to the Coroner’s Office before making plans to visit.
Whether a visit can happen, and when, may depend on the circumstances of the case and any examination that needs to take place.
Do not travel to the mortuary without checking the current arrangements first.
Another option
You can wait until the person is with your funeral director
Some people prefer to wait until the coroner has released the person and arrange a private visit with their funeral director instead.
At Poetic Endings, private visits take place at our funeral home in Forest Hill by appointment.
We can explain what to expect beforehand and give you time to decide whether visiting feels right for you.
Choosing a funeral director
You do not need to wait for release
You can contact and appoint a funeral director while the coroner’s investigation is still taking place.
You can ask questions, request a written estimate, discuss cremation or burial and start thinking about the funeral without committing to every detail.
Your funeral director can then be ready to arrange the transfer from Greenwich Public Mortuary as soon as the coroner authorises release.
You can choose any funeral director
You are not required to use a particular funeral director because someone has been taken to Greenwich Public Mortuary.
The removal contractor is not your funeral director
If a company transported the person to the public mortuary on behalf of the police or coroner, that does not mean you have appointed that company to arrange the funeral. You remain free to choose.
Ask for a clear written estimate
A funeral director should explain their own charges as well as crematorium, cemetery, venue and other third-party costs before you make decisions.
If you choose Poetic Endings
We regularly collect from Greenwich Public Mortuary
Poetic Endings is an independent funeral director based in Forest Hill. We have extensive practical experience arranging funerals when the Inner South London Coroner is involved and regularly arrange transfers from Greenwich Public Mortuary.
You do not need to wait until the coroner has authorised release before contacting us. We can explain the practical process, answer questions and begin talking about the funeral while the coroner’s work continues.
Once release is authorised, we liaise directly with Greenwich Public Mortuary and arrange to bring the person who has died into our care at our Forest Hill funeral home.
We can then explain the options and costs, prepare a clear estimate, coordinate the practical arrangements and be there on the day.
Practical questions
Questions about Greenwich Public Mortuary and the coroner
You are welcome to call us with a question even if you have not decided whether you would like Poetic Endings to arrange the funeral.
Why has someone been taken to Greenwich Public Mortuary?
It usually means the death has been reported to the Inner South London Coroner and the person needs to remain in the coroner’s care while the next steps are decided. This does not automatically mean the death is suspicious, that a post-mortem will be required or that there will be an inquest.
Which coroner covers Greenwich Public Mortuary?
Greenwich Public Mortuary supports the Inner South London Coroner jurisdiction, which covers Greenwich, Lewisham, Southwark and Lambeth.
Does being taken to Greenwich Public Mortuary mean there will be a post-mortem?
No. The coroner first reviews the circumstances and medical information. A post-mortem is only arranged where the coroner decides further medical examination is necessary.
Can I object to a coroner’s post-mortem?
A coroner has legal authority to order a post-mortem without consent. If you have religious, cultural or other concerns, tell the Coroner’s Office as soon as possible so they can take those concerns into account where they are able to do so.
Can I choose a funeral director before the post-mortem?
Yes. You can speak to and appoint a funeral director at any stage. The funeral director can then prepare to arrange the transfer once the coroner authorises release.
Do I have to use the funeral director who transported the person to the mortuary?
No. If a company transported the person to Greenwich Public Mortuary under the coroner’s removal arrangements, that does not mean the company has been appointed to arrange the funeral. You remain free to choose whichever funeral director you want.
Can Poetic Endings collect someone from Greenwich Public Mortuary?
Yes. We regularly arrange transfers from Greenwich Public Mortuary. Once the coroner has authorised release, we liaise with the mortuary and arrange to bring the person who has died into our care at our Forest Hill funeral home.
Do I have to wait for an inquest before arranging the funeral?
Usually not. Once the examinations that require the person’s body have been completed, the coroner can normally release them for burial or cremation while the wider investigation or inquest continues.
Can I register the death immediately?
Not necessarily. If the coroner is investigating, wait for the Coroner’s Office to tell you when registration can take place and which registration service you need to use.
What is an interim death certificate?
If an inquest is required and final registration cannot yet take place, the coroner can provide an interim certificate confirming the death. This can be used for many practical purposes while the investigation continues.
Is the death registered in Greenwich because the person is at Greenwich Public Mortuary?
Not necessarily. Greenwich Public Mortuary serves four boroughs: Greenwich, Lewisham, Southwark and Lambeth. The correct registration route depends on the circumstances and where the death occurred. The Coroner’s Office will tell you which registration service is relevant.
Can I see the person at Greenwich Public Mortuary?
Speak to the Coroner’s Office before travelling to the mortuary. Whether and when a visit can take place may depend on the circumstances of the case and any examination that still needs to happen. You can also wait until release and arrange a private visit with your funeral director.
How long will the coroner keep the person?
It varies. Some cases are resolved quickly, while others require a post-mortem, specialist tests or further investigation. A continuing investigation does not necessarily mean the person must remain at the mortuary until the investigation or inquest is finished.
Can we start planning the funeral before release?
Yes. You can choose a funeral director, request an estimate and begin discussing the funeral while the coroner’s work continues. It is sensible not to confirm a funeral date until the likely release timetable is clearer.
Can we call Poetic Endings outside office hours?
Yes. Our telephone line is answered 24 hours a day. Outside normal office hours, our on-call team can help with an urgent practical question or take a message for our funeral directors to respond to during office hours.
About this guide
Prepared by Louise Winter
Louise is the founder and a funeral director at Poetic Endings in Forest Hill. She has extensive practical experience arranging transfers from Greenwich Public Mortuary and funerals where the Inner South London Coroner is involved.
A former editor of the Good Funeral Guide, she co-founded Life. Death. Whatever. and co-wrote We All Know How This Ends, published by Bloomsbury.
Poetic Endings · Forest Hill
Has someone been taken to Greenwich Public Mortuary?
You can call us even if you do not yet know whether there will be a post-mortem, when the person will be released or what kind of funeral you want.
We can explain the practical next steps, give you a clear idea of costs and, if you choose Poetic Endings, arrange the transfer into our care once the coroner has authorised release.
Information checked 7 November 2026 against current Royal Borough of Greenwich information, Inner South London Coroner information and GOV.UK guidance on coroner investigations. Poetic Endings is independent of Greenwich Public Mortuary and the Inner South London Coroner. For questions about a current coroner investigation, contact the Inner South London Coroner’s Office on 020 7525 4200.