The Bereavement Service contacts you
A Bereavement Officer will explain the hospital process and advise you about the next steps, including medical certification, registration and arranging a funeral.
Croydon University Hospital · Thornton Heath
When someone dies at Croydon University Hospital
If someone close to you has died at Croydon University Hospital, the hospital’s Bereavement Service will help with the medical and administrative steps that follow. This guide explains who to contact, how the Medical Examiner process works, where the death is registered and when a funeral director can bring the person into their care.
You do not need to know what kind of funeral you want before speaking to a funeral director. You can contact Poetic Endings at any stage if you would like to ask a question or appoint us.
The first thing to know
The Bereavement Service will explain what happens next
After a death at Croydon University Hospital, a Bereavement Officer will contact the nominated person and explain the next steps. The team works closely with the mortuary, Medical Examiner service and hospital chaplaincy.
An independent Medical Examiner reviews the proposed cause of death before the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is sent to Croydon Register Office, unless the death needs to be investigated by the coroner.
You can begin speaking to a funeral director while this process is taking place. You do not need to wait until the death has been registered or decide exactly what kind of funeral you want before making contact.
Croydon University Hospital Bereavement Service
The Bereavement Office is on the Ground Floor, Yellow Zone, by the Woodcroft Wing entrance. The hospital’s current bereavement page lists 020 8401 3104, with extension 3143 as an alternative. It is open Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm.
After a death at Croydon University Hospital
What happens next?
The exact timing varies, particularly if the coroner needs to be involved. These are the usual steps after an adult dies at Croydon University Hospital.
The Medical Examiner reviews the death
An independent Medical Examiner reviews the proposed cause of death. The Medical Examiner Office may contact you to explain the agreed cause of death and give you an opportunity to raise questions or concerns about the care provided.
The MCCD is sent to Croydon Register Office
If the death is not being investigated by the coroner, Croydon University Hospital’s bereavement team sends the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death to Croydon Register Office.
You can choose a funeral director
You can contact a funeral director while the hospital and registration process is taking place. You can ask questions, compare estimates and decide who you would like to look after the person who has died and arrange the funeral.
The person can leave the hospital
Once the necessary paperwork is complete and the hospital is able to release the person who has died, the chosen funeral director arranges the transfer with the mortuary.
Useful contacts
Who to contact at Croydon University Hospital
The Bereavement Service is normally the best starting point. The mortuary and Medical Examiner teams also publish current contact details.
Bereavement Service
Alternative via switchboard: 020 8401 3000, extension 3143.
Ground Floor, Yellow Zone, by the Woodcroft Wing entrance. Open Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm.
Medical Examiner Office
020 8401 3000, extension 4847
NHS England lists this office as covering hospital and community deaths in the London Borough of Croydon.
Hospital mortuary
020 8401 3000, extension 4712
Normal opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9am–11.30am and 1pm–3.30pm, excluding bank holidays.
Viewings are by appointment only.
Registration
Registering a death at Croydon University Hospital
A death at Croydon University Hospital is normally registered with Croydon Register Office.
Croydon Council says the hospital bereavement team sends the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death to the register office. You should check that the register office has received the MCCD before booking the registration appointment.
The death should normally be registered within five days of the Medical Examiner Office confirming the cause of death and sending the paperwork, unless the coroner is investigating.
Registering a death in Croydon
Hospital mortuary
Can I visit the person who has died at Croydon University Hospital?
Yes, by appointment. The hospital’s current mortuary information says viewing appointments are available during normal mortuary opening hours: Monday to Friday from 9am to 11.30am and 1pm to 3.30pm, excluding bank holidays.
You should not arrive at the mortuary without an appointment. Call 020 8401 3000 and ask for extension 4712 before travelling. The hospital notes that opening hours can occasionally vary.
If you would prefer to wait until the person is in the care of your funeral director, that is also an option. At Poetic Endings, private visits take place at our Forest Hill funeral home by appointment.
Call the hospital mortuary: 020 8401 3000
Choosing a funeral director
You can choose whichever funeral director you want
You do not need to use a particular funeral director because the person died at Croydon University Hospital.
You may want to speak to more than one funeral director, compare estimates or simply decide who you feel most comfortable dealing with. Asking for information does not commit you to using someone.
It is also fine not to know what kind of funeral you want yet. You can deal with the practical transfer into a funeral director’s care first and make the other choices in your own time.
Ask what the estimate includes
A funeral director should explain their own fee as well as any crematorium, cemetery, church or other third-party charges.
Ask where the person will be cared for
You can ask where the mortuary is, who will be looking after the person who has died and whether private visits can be arranged.
Choose someone you can speak openly with
You should feel able to ask practical questions, discuss costs and talk about what you would like the funeral to be.
If you choose Poetic Endings
An independent funeral director serving Croydon
Poetic Endings is based in Forest Hill and arranges funerals across London, including for people who have died at Croydon University Hospital.
Once the hospital is able to release the person who has died, we liaise with the mortuary and arrange to bring them into our care at our Forest Hill funeral home.
We can then explain the funeral options and costs, prepare a clear estimate, coordinate the arrangements and be there on the day.
Planning the funeral
Where could the funeral take place?
There are cremation and burial options in Croydon and across South London, as well as churches, natural burial grounds and other venues.
Croydon Crematorium
A local option on Mitcham Road with East and West chapels. Our detailed guide covers the chapels, timings, parking and practical information.
Explore Croydon CrematoriumNatural burial
If burial in a natural setting is important to you, our directory explains the options around London and the surrounding counties.
Explore natural burialAlternative funeral venues
A funeral ceremony can also take place in a church, hall, gallery or another suitable setting before a burial or cremation.
Explore funeral venues
Practical questions
After a death at Croydon University Hospital
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.
What happens when someone dies at Croydon University Hospital?
A Bereavement Officer will explain the hospital process. An independent Medical Examiner reviews the proposed cause of death unless the case needs to be referred to the coroner. The hospital then sends the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death to Croydon Register Office. Once the necessary paperwork is complete, the person can be released to the chosen funeral director.
How do I contact Croydon University Hospital Bereavement Service?
Call 020 8401 3104. The hospital also lists extension 3143 via the main switchboard on 020 8401 3000. The Bereavement Office is by the Woodcroft Wing entrance on the Ground Floor, Yellow Zone.
How do I contact Croydon University Hospital mortuary?
Call 020 8401 3000 and ask for extension 4712. The mortuary is normally open Monday to Friday from 9am to 11.30am and 1pm to 3.30pm, excluding bank holidays. Viewings are by appointment only.
How do I contact the Medical Examiner at Croydon University Hospital?
NHS England lists the Croydon Health Services Medical Examiner Office on 020 8401 3000, extension 4847. The email address is ch-tr.medicalexaminer@nhs.net.
Where do I register a death after someone dies at Croydon University Hospital?
The death is normally registered with Croydon Register Office. The hospital bereavement team sends the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death to the register office. Croydon Council advises checking that the MCCD has arrived before booking the registration appointment.
Do I need to wait until the death is registered before speaking to a funeral director?
No. Croydon Council specifically includes contacting a funeral director as part of the process before registration. You can begin discussing the arrangements while the hospital and Medical Examiner process is taking place.
Can I visit the person who has died at Croydon University Hospital?
Yes, by appointment. The mortuary currently offers viewings during its weekday opening hours, 9am to 11.30am and 1pm to 3.30pm. Call 020 8401 3000, extension 4712, before travelling.
What happens if the coroner is involved?
If the death is sudden, unexpected or the cause is unclear, it may be referred to the South London Coroner. The Coroner’s Office will explain any investigation. You can still speak to a funeral director while this is taking place.
What if a burial needs to happen quickly for religious reasons?
Croydon Health Services says to call the hospital switchboard on 020 8401 3000 and ask for the on-call chaplain if a death needs to be registered within a particular timeframe for religious reasons. Croydon Council also operates an out-of-hours registration service on weekends and public holidays from 9am to 11am on 0790 989 3145.
Is spiritual or pastoral support available at Croydon University Hospital?
Yes. The hospital chaplaincy team supports people with faith and people without a faith. The current chaplaincy number is 020 8401 3105.
Can Poetic Endings collect someone from Croydon University Hospital?
Yes. Once Croydon University Hospital is able to release the person who has died, we can liaise with the mortuary and arrange to bring them into our care at our Forest Hill funeral home.
Poetic Endings · Forest Hill
Would you like to talk to us?
If someone has died at Croydon University Hospital, you can call with a practical question, ask us to arrange the transfer into our care, or start talking about the funeral. You do not need to have everything decided first.
Hospital information checked 31 October 2026 against Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, NHS England and Croydon Council guidance. Poetic Endings is independent of Croydon Health Services NHS Trust. For hospital-specific medical or administrative questions, contact the Croydon University Hospital Bereavement Service.