Contact the Bereavement Centre
Guy’s asks you to contact its Bereavement Centre as soon as you are able. The team will explain the process and take the details of the person who will be registering the death and arranging the funeral.
Guy’s Hospital · London Bridge
When someone dies at Guy’s Hospital
If someone close to you has died at Guy’s Hospital, the hospital’s Bereavement Centre 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
There is a team at Guy’s to guide you through the hospital process
Guy’s and St Thomas’ asks you to contact the Bereavement Centre as soon as you are able. The team will take the contact details of the person who will be responsible for registering the death and arranging the funeral, and explain what needs to happen next.
The person who has died will be moved from the ward to the Guy’s Hospital mortuary. The hospital’s Medical Examiner service reviews the proposed cause of death before the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is issued, unless the death needs to be investigated by the coroner.
You can begin speaking to a funeral director while this is happening. You do not need to wait for the death certificate before making contact.
Guy’s Bereavement Centre
The Bereavement Centre is on Floor 14 of Tower Wing. It is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4pm. Call 020 7188 3215.
After a death at Guy’s
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 Guy’s Hospital.
The Medical Examiner reviews the death
An independent Medical Examiner reviews the proposed cause of death. The Medical Examiner or Medical Examiner Officer may contact you to explain what has been recorded and give you an opportunity to raise questions or concerns.
The death can be registered in Southwark
If the death is not being investigated by the coroner, the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is sent for registration. Because Guy’s Hospital is in Southwark, the death is normally registered with Southwark Register Office.
You can choose a funeral director
You can contact the funeral director you would like to use before the death certificate is issued. The hospital cannot recommend a particular funeral director, so the choice is yours.
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 Guy’s mortuary.
Useful Guy’s contacts
Who to contact at Guy’s Hospital
The Bereavement Centre is normally the best starting point. The Medical Examiner and mortuary teams also publish direct contact details.
Bereavement Centre
Floor 14, Tower Wing
Open Monday to Friday, 8am–12.30pm and 1.30pm–4pm.
Medical Examiner Office
Open Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm. The office is based at St Thomas’ but covers deaths at Guy’s.
Guy’s mortuary
Open Monday to Friday, 8am–3pm.
The mortuary can help with questions about the person who has died and hospital viewing arrangements.
Registration
Registering a death at Guy’s Hospital
A death at Guy’s Hospital is normally registered in Southwark. Guy’s and St Thomas’ says an appointment should be made with the registry office for the borough where the death occurred.
Southwark Council says a death should normally be registered within five days unless the coroner is conducting an investigation. Registration is by appointment.
After registration, the registrar issues the death certificate and the certificate needed for burial or cremation. Guy’s says this can be sent directly to your funeral director if you give the registrar their email address.
Register a death in Southwark
Guy’s mortuary
Can I visit the person who has died at Guy’s?
Yes, by appointment. Guy’s and St Thomas’ says the mortuary visitors’ room is open from 8am to 8pm every day.
Appointments between 8am and 3pm Monday to Friday can be arranged by the Bereavement Centre or the ward. Visits outside those hours can only be arranged by the ward. The hospital requires permission from the next of kin before a viewing takes place.
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 Guy’s mortuary: 020 7188 3931
Choosing a funeral director
The choice of funeral director is yours
Guy’s and St Thomas’ says the Bereavement Centre can explain how to arrange a funeral, but the hospital is not legally allowed to recommend a particular funeral director.
You can speak to more than one funeral director, compare estimates and decide who you feel most comfortable dealing with. The Trust specifically advises checking what is included in the costs.
You can contact a funeral director before the death certificate has been issued. You also do not need to know what kind of funeral you want before making that first call.
Ask for a clear estimate
Check what belongs to the funeral director’s fee and what is paid separately to the crematorium, cemetery, church or other suppliers.
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 talk to
You should feel able to ask questions, discuss costs and talk openly about what you would like the funeral to be.
If you choose Poetic Endings
We can arrange the transfer from Guy’s Hospital
Poetic Endings is an independent funeral director based in Forest Hill. We arrange funerals across London, including for people who have died at Guy’s Hospital.
Once Guy’s is able to release the person who has died, we liaise with the hospital mortuary and arrange to bring them 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.
Planning the funeral
Where could the funeral take place?
You can choose a crematorium, cemetery, church, natural burial ground or another suitable venue.
Honor Oak Crematorium
A South East London crematorium with an Italianate chapel and established cemetery grounds.
Explore Honor OakWest Norwood Crematorium
Another well-established South London option, with historic chapels and cemetery grounds.
Explore West NorwoodAlternative 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 Guy’s 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 Guy’s Hospital?
The person who has died is moved from the ward to the hospital mortuary. The Bereavement Centre helps with the next steps, and an independent Medical Examiner reviews the proposed cause of death unless the case needs to be referred to the coroner. Once the paperwork is complete, the death can be registered and the person can be released to the chosen funeral director.
How do I contact the Guy’s Hospital Bereavement Centre?
Call 020 7188 3215. The Bereavement Centre is on Floor 14 of Tower Wing and is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4pm.
How do I contact Guy’s Hospital mortuary?
Call 020 7188 3931. The mortuary is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 3pm. Viewing appointments can also be arranged through the Bereavement Centre or ward.
Where do I register a death after someone dies at Guy’s Hospital?
A death at Guy’s Hospital is normally registered with Southwark Register Office because the hospital is in the London Borough of Southwark. Southwark Council says registration should normally take place within five days unless the coroner is investigating.
Do I need to wait for the death certificate before contacting a funeral director?
No. Guy’s and St Thomas’ specifically says you can contact a funeral director as soon as possible and do not need to wait until the death certificate has been issued.
Can the hospital recommend a funeral director?
No. Guy’s and St Thomas’ says the Bereavement Centre can advise you about arranging a funeral but is not legally allowed to recommend a particular funeral director. You are free to choose who you want.
Can I visit the person who has died at Guy’s Hospital?
Yes, by appointment. The mortuary visitors’ room is open 8am to 8pm every day. Weekday appointments between 8am and 3pm can be arranged by the Bereavement Centre or ward; outside those hours, arrangements must be made by the ward.
What happens if the coroner is involved?
If the death is referred to the coroner, wait for the Coroner’s Office or the Bereavement Centre to explain the next steps before booking the registration appointment. You can still speak to a funeral director while the investigation is taking place.
Can the hospital help if a burial needs to happen quickly for religious reasons?
Guy’s and St Thomas’ says the Bereavement Centre will support different religions, cultures and beliefs and will help to expedite burials where possible. Contact the Bereavement Centre as soon as you are able.
Is spiritual or pastoral support available at Guy’s?
Yes. The hospital’s spiritual care team supports people of all faiths and beliefs and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Guy’s Hospital number is 020 7188 1185.
Can Poetic Endings collect someone from Guy’s Hospital?
Yes. Once the hospital is able to release the person who has died, we can liaise with Guy’s 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 Guy’s 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 Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, NHS England and Southwark Council guidance. Poetic Endings is independent of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. For hospital-specific medical or administrative questions, contact the Guy’s Hospital Bereavement Centre.