The hospital begins the bereavement process
The Bereavement Service works with the clinical team to make sure the medical paperwork can be completed and can explain what happens next.
Princess Royal University Hospital · Orpington
When someone dies at Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH)
If someone close to you has died at the Princess Royal University Hospital in Orpington, 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
You do not need to visit the Bereavement Office straight away
PRUH says there is normally no need to visit the Bereavement Office after the death. The Bereavement Service can explain the process by telephone and help with questions about the medical certificate, registration, the coroner and arranging the funeral.
An independent Medical Examiner reviews the proposed cause of death and may contact the nominated person to explain what has been recorded and give an opportunity to ask questions or raise concerns.
You can begin speaking to a funeral director while this 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.
Princess Royal University Hospital Bereavement Service
The Bereavement Office is on Level 1 of the North Wing. It is open 9am–4pm Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays. Call 01689 863584 or email kch-tr.bereavementoffice@nhs.net.
After a death at PRUH
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 the Princess Royal University Hospital.
The Medical Examiner reviews the death
An independent Medical Examiner reviews the proposed cause of death. The Medical Examiner team may contact the nominated person to discuss the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death and offer an opportunity to ask questions or give feedback about the care provided.
Bromley Register Office contacts you
PRUH is in the London Borough of Bromley. Once the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death has been received and reviewed, Bromley Registration Service says it will contact you and arrange the appointment to register the death.
You can choose a funeral director
You can contact funeral directors before the death has been registered. PRUH advises choosing someone you feel comfortable with and notes that costs for the same services can vary, so you may want to compare estimates.
The person can leave the hospital
The person who has died cannot be collected until the relevant burial or cremation certificate, or a coroner’s release, has been issued. Once PRUH can release them, the chosen funeral director arranges the transfer with the mortuary.
Useful PRUH contacts
Who to contact at Princess Royal University Hospital
The Bereavement Service is usually the best starting point. PRUH also publishes a direct mortuary number, and NHS England publishes the current Medical Examiner contact.
Bereavement Service
kch-tr.bereavementoffice@nhs.net
Level 1, North Wing. Open 9am–4pm Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.
Medical Examiner Office
NHS England lists this as the current Princess Royal University Hospital Medical Examiner contact.
PRUH mortuary
Contact the mortuary to arrange a viewing appointment or ask about release arrangements.
Registration
Registering a death at PRUH
Princess Royal University Hospital is in the London Borough of Bromley, so the death is normally registered through Bromley Registration Service.
Bromley Council says the Register Office will contact you once the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death has been received and reviewed by the Medical Examiner. The team will make the registration appointment and send the details by email.
After the appointment, the green certificate for burial or cremation is sent electronically to the funeral director or cemetery office. If the coroner is investigating, the registration process is different.
Registering a death in Bromley
PRUH mortuary
Can I visit the person who has died at PRUH?
Yes, by appointment. PRUH’s current bereavement information says mortuary viewings are available Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm. Contact the mortuary on 01689 863586 to arrange a visit.
The hospital asks people attending a viewing to bring identification. 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 PRUH mortuary: 01689 863586
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 PRUH.
The hospital itself advises choosing someone you feel comfortable with and points out that the cost of the same services can vary considerably between funeral directors. You may want to speak to more than one and compare estimates.
You can contact a funeral director before the death certificate has been issued or before you have spoken to the coroner. You also do not need to know exactly what sort of funeral you want before making contact.
Ask for a clear estimate
Check which costs belong to the funeral director and which are 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 practical questions, discuss costs and talk about what you would like the funeral to be.
If you choose Poetic Endings
We can arrange the transfer from PRUH
Poetic Endings is an independent funeral director based in Forest Hill. We arrange funerals throughout London, including for people who have died at the Princess Royal University Hospital.
Once PRUH 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 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?
There are crematoria and burial options close to Orpington and Bromley, as well as churches, natural burial grounds and other venues across London.
Beckenham Crematorium
A nearby crematorium with established grounds. We regularly arrange funerals here, including our Simple Morning Funeral at selected times.
Explore Beckenham CrematoriumGreenAcres Kemnal Park
A woodland cemetery and ceremonial setting near Chislehurst, offering a different environment for a funeral or burial.
Explore natural burial optionsSomething different
A funeral ceremony can also take place in a church, hall, gallery or another suitable venue before a burial or cremation.
Explore funeral venues
Practical questions
After a death at Princess Royal 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 PRUH?
The Bereavement Service helps with the hospital process and an independent Medical Examiner reviews the proposed cause of death, unless the case needs to be referred to the coroner. Bromley Registration Service then contacts the person registering the death once it has the necessary paperwork. When the hospital is able to release the person who has died, the chosen funeral director can arrange the transfer.
How do I contact the PRUH Bereavement Office?
Call 01689 863584 or email kch-tr.bereavementoffice@nhs.net. The Bereavement Office is on Level 1 of the North Wing and is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.
How do I contact PRUH mortuary?
Call 01689 863586 or email kch-tr.mortuaryPRUH@nhs.net. The mortuary arranges hospital viewing appointments and liaises with funeral directors about release.
How do I contact the Medical Examiner at PRUH?
NHS England currently lists the Princess Royal University Hospital Medical Examiner Office on 01689 863339. The email address is kch-tr.meoffice@nhs.net.
Where do I register a death after someone dies at PRUH?
Princess Royal University Hospital is in Bromley, so the death is normally registered with Bromley Registration Service. The Register Office says it will contact you once the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death has been received and reviewed by the Medical Examiner.
Do I need to wait for the death certificate before contacting a funeral director?
No. PRUH’s bereavement guidance specifically says to contact the funeral director you have decided to use as soon as you can. You do not need to wait until you have received the death certificate or spoken to the coroner.
Can I visit the person who has died at PRUH?
Yes, by appointment. PRUH says mortuary viewing appointments are available Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm. Call the mortuary on 01689 863586 before travelling.
What happens if the coroner is involved?
If the death is referred to the coroner, the registration and release process may take a different route. PRUH’s current bereavement booklet lists the South London Coroner. You can still speak to a funeral director while the coroner’s work is taking place.
Can a burial be arranged quickly for religious reasons?
King’s says urgent faith deaths can be supported through the Medical Examiner service, including out-of-hours cover via the hospital switchboard. Tell the Bereavement Service as soon as possible if timing is important for religious reasons.
Is spiritual support available at PRUH?
Yes. PRUH’s chaplains offer support whatever your beliefs or faith. The Chaplaincy Service can be reached through the hospital switchboard on 01689 863000 or by email at kch-tr.chaplains@nhs.net.
Can Poetic Endings collect someone from PRUH?
Yes. Once the hospital is able to release the person who has died, we can liaise with PRUH 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 the Princess Royal 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 Princess Royal University Hospital / King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, NHS England and London Borough of Bromley guidance. Poetic Endings is independent of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. For hospital-specific medical or administrative questions, contact the PRUH Bereavement Service.