The hospital begins the bereavement process
The ward and bereavement team deal with the immediate hospital arrangements and the records needed after the death.
Queen Elizabeth Hospital · Woolwich
When someone dies at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich
If someone close to you has died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, the hospital will deal with the immediate medical and administrative steps. This guide explains what usually happens next, 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. If you would like to ask Poetic Endings a question or appoint us, you can contact us at any stage.
The first thing to know
The hospital will guide you through the first steps
Queen Elizabeth Hospital has a bereavement service that works with medical staff, the mortuary and the Medical Examiner process after a death. The team helps make sure the necessary paperwork is completed and can explain what needs to happen before the person who has died can leave the hospital.
An independent Medical Examiner reviews the proposed cause of death unless the case needs to be investigated by the coroner. The Medical Examiner or Medical Examiner Officer may contact the nominated person to explain the recorded cause of death and give an opportunity to ask questions.
You can begin speaking to a funeral director while this is taking place. You do not need to decide on a crematorium, burial ground, ceremony or coffin before making that first call.
If you are trying to reach the Bereavement Office
The Trust's current public contact page does not list a direct Bereavement Office number. Call Queen Elizabeth Hospital reception on 020 8836 4593 or 020 8836 4688 and ask to be connected to the Bereavement Office. The hospital switchboard is 020 8836 6000.
After a death at Queen Elizabeth 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 Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich.
The Medical Examiner reviews the death
The Lewisham and Greenwich Medical Examiner service independently reviews the proposed cause of death. The Medical Examiner team may contact the nominated person to explain what has been recorded and ask whether there are any concerns about the care provided.
The paperwork can be sent for registration
If the death is not being investigated by the coroner, the medical certification process is completed and the information is sent to the registration service.
You can choose a funeral director
You can contact funeral directors while the hospital 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 Queen Elizabeth Hospital is able to release the person who has died, the chosen funeral director arranges the transfer with the hospital.
Useful contacts
Who to contact after a death at Queen Elizabeth Hospital
The hospital reception team can connect you to the Bereavement Office or mortuary. The Medical Examiner Office has a current direct number published by NHS England.
Hospital reception
020 8836 4593 or 020 8836 4688
Ask to be connected to the Bereavement Office or mortuary.
Hospital switchboard: 020 8836 6000.
Medical Examiner Office
lg.medicalexaminerofficecommunitylgt@nhs.net
NHS England lists this office as covering deaths at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and community deaths in Greenwich.
Greenwich Register Office
Woolwich Town Hall, Wellington Street, Woolwich SE18 6PW.
Registration
Registering a death at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich
Queen Elizabeth Hospital is in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, so a death there is normally registered with the Greenwich Registrars Service.
The Medical Examiner process takes place before registration unless the death is being investigated by the coroner. The hospital or Medical Examiner team will explain when the registration service has the information it needs.
Greenwich Register Office is at Woolwich Town Hall on Wellington Street. The current public contact number is 020 8921 5015.
Greenwich births, deaths and registration services
Hospital viewing
Can I visit the person who has died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital?
Queen Elizabeth Hospital has a mortuary and viewing facilities. Current public viewing hours are not published on the Trust website, so contact the Bereavement Office or hospital reception before travelling and ask about the arrangements.
If you would rather wait until the person is in the care of your funeral director, that is also possible. At Poetic Endings, private visits take place at our Forest Hill funeral home by appointment.
Call Queen Elizabeth Hospital reception: 020 8836 4593
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 Queen Elizabeth 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. The practical transfer into a funeral director's care and the choices about the funeral itself are separate decisions.
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 Woolwich and Greenwich
Poetic Endings is based in Forest Hill and arranges funerals across London, including for people who have died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich.
Once the hospital is able to release the person who has died, we liaise with Queen Elizabeth Hospital and arrange to bring them into our care at our funeral home in Forest Hill.
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 crematoria and burial options in and around Greenwich, as well as churches, natural burial grounds and other venues across London.
Eltham Crematorium
A local Royal Greenwich option in Falconwood, with two chapels and landscaped grounds.
Explore London crematoriaHither Green Crematorium
Another South East London option, within easy reach of Woolwich and Greenwich.
Explore London crematoriaSomething different
A funeral ceremony can also take place in a church, natural burial ground, hall, gallery or another suitable setting.
Explore funeral venues
Practical questions
After a death at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich
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 Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich?
The hospital begins the bereavement and medical certification process. An independent Medical Examiner reviews the proposed cause of death, unless the death needs to be investigated by the coroner. Once the necessary paperwork is complete, the death can be registered and the person can be released to the chosen funeral director.
How do I contact the Bereavement Office at Queen Elizabeth Hospital?
The Trust's current public contact page does not publish a direct Bereavement Office number. Call Queen Elizabeth Hospital reception on 020 8836 4593 or 020 8836 4688 and ask to be connected to the Bereavement Office. The hospital switchboard is 020 8836 6000.
How do I contact the Medical Examiner at Queen Elizabeth Hospital?
NHS England lists the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Medical Examiner Office on 020 8836 4626. The Lewisham and Greenwich Medical Examiner service covers deaths at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and community deaths in Greenwich.
Where do I register a death after someone dies at Queen Elizabeth Hospital?
The death is normally registered with the Royal Borough of Greenwich because the hospital is in Woolwich. Greenwich Register Office is at Woolwich Town Hall and can be contacted on 020 8921 5015.
Do I need to wait until the death is registered before speaking to a funeral director?
No. You can contact funeral directors and begin talking about the arrangements while the hospital and Medical Examiner process is taking place. The person who has died will remain at the hospital until the necessary release arrangements are complete.
Can I visit the person who has died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital?
The hospital has mortuary viewing facilities, but current public appointment times are not published on the Trust website. Contact the Bereavement Office or main reception before travelling and ask about the current arrangements.
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. You can still speak to a funeral director while the coroner's work is taking place.
Can Queen Elizabeth Hospital deal with urgent faith requirements?
The Trust's bereavement service works with other departments and external agencies to support faith requirements and time-sensitive arrangements. If a burial needs to happen quickly for religious reasons, tell the hospital team as soon as possible.
Is spiritual support available at Queen Elizabeth Hospital?
Yes. Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust publishes a chaplaincy contact number of 020 8333 3299. The chaplaincy supports people from different faiths and beliefs.
Can Poetic Endings collect someone from Queen Elizabeth Hospital?
Yes. Once Queen Elizabeth Hospital is able to release the person who has died, we can liaise with the hospital 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 Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, 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 Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, NHS England and Royal Borough of Greenwich guidance. Poetic Endings is independent of Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. Where the Trust does not currently publish a direct bereavement or mortuary number online, this guide directs you to the hospital's current reception or switchboard rather than relying on an older number.