Trinity takes care of the immediate steps
The hospice team will deal with the immediate clinical arrangements, explain what happens next and let you know what needs to happen before the person who has died can leave Trinity.
Royal Trinity Hospice · Clapham
When someone dies at Royal Trinity Hospice
If someone close to you has died at Royal Trinity Hospice in Clapham, Trinity’s team will guide you through the immediate practical steps. This guide explains what usually happens next, how the death is registered, when a funeral director can become involved and what support remains available afterwards.
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 move straight into arranging the funeral
When someone dies at Trinity, the hospice team will deal with the immediate clinical and practical steps and explain what happens next. Trinity’s own guidance says the person identified as next of kin will normally be the person who registers the death and organises the funeral, although they can ask someone else to help.
The medical certification is reviewed through the Medical Examiner process unless the death needs to be investigated by the coroner. The person who has died remains in Trinity’s care until the necessary arrangements are in place for the funeral director to come.
You can start speaking to a funeral director while the paperwork is being completed. You do not need to choose a funeral venue, coffin or ceremony before making that first call.
If you need to speak to Trinity
Royal Trinity Hospice’s main number is 020 7787 1000. Outside normal hours, the same number can connect callers to the nurse in charge.
After a death at Trinity
What happens next?
The precise sequence can vary, particularly if the coroner needs to be involved. These are the usual practical stages after a death at the hospice.
The Medical Examiner reviews the death
Deaths that are not being investigated by the coroner are reviewed by an independent Medical Examiner. For community deaths in Lambeth, NHS England lists Guy’s and St Thomas’ as the Medical Examiner service.
The death can be registered in Lambeth
Once Lambeth Register Office has received the medical certificate from the Medical Examiner, the death can be registered. If the coroner is involved, the process may be different.
You can choose a funeral director
You can contact funeral directors while the medical 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 funeral director comes to Trinity
Once the necessary arrangements are complete, the chosen funeral director liaises with Trinity and comes to the hospice to bring the person who has died into their care.
Useful contacts
Who you may need to contact
Trinity itself is normally the best place to start. The Medical Examiner and Lambeth Register Office contacts are useful if you have been asked to speak to them directly.
Royal Trinity Hospice
30 Clapham Common North Side, London SW4 0RN.
Outside normal hours, the main number can connect callers to the nurse in charge.
Medical Examiner Office
gst-tr.medicalexaminer@nhs.net
NHS England lists Guy’s and St Thomas’ as the Medical Examiner service for community deaths in Lambeth.
Lambeth Register Office
Registration is by appointment. Lambeth does not offer a walk-in death-registration service.
Appointments are normally available Monday to Friday.
Registration
Registering a death after someone dies at Trinity
Royal Trinity Hospice is in Lambeth, so a death at the hospice is normally registered with Lambeth Register Office.
Lambeth says registration can take place once the register office has received the medical certificate from the Medical Examiner. Legally, the death must be registered within five days of Lambeth receiving that certificate.
If the death has been referred to the coroner, wait until the coroner tells you what happens next. If an inquest is opened, the coroner can issue an interim death certificate so that the funeral can take place before the final registration.
Register a death in Lambeth
At the hospice
Time together and personal belongings
If you would like some time with the person who has died, tell the nursing team. They can explain what is possible and what will happen before the funeral director arrives.
Trinity’s own next-of-kin guidance says that property and valuables are handed to the person identified as next of kin after the death. If you are unsure what has been collected or who should receive something, ask the hospice team before leaving.
Trinity has also published accounts of staff supporting religious and cultural wishes after death, including working with the funeral director where a burial needed to happen quickly.
Call Trinity: 020 7787 1000
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 Royal Trinity Hospice.
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.
You also do not need to know exactly what kind of funeral you want yet. The transfer into a funeral director’s care can be arranged while you are still considering the ceremony, venue and other choices.
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
We can arrange the transfer from Royal Trinity Hospice
Poetic Endings is an independent funeral director based in Forest Hill. We arrange funerals throughout London, including for people who have died at Royal Trinity Hospice.
When Trinity is ready for the transfer to take place, we liaise with the hospice 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.
Support after someone dies
Trinity’s support does not end after death
Royal Trinity Hospice offers continuing bereavement support to people who have had someone close to them die under Trinity’s care. There is no fixed time limit on accessing this help.
One-to-one support
Trinity offers counselling, bereavement support, spiritual care, social-work support, emotional support and mindfulness depending on what feels most useful.
Explore one-to-one supportGroups and remembrance
Trinity runs bereavement groups, Walk & Talk sessions, nature therapy and opportunities to come together and remember the person who has died.
See Trinity’s bereavement supportChildren and young people
Specialist support is available for children and young people, as well as advice for adults supporting a child after someone close has died.
Explore support from Trinity
Planning the funeral
Where could the funeral take place?
You can choose a crematorium, cemetery, church, natural burial ground or another suitable venue. The funeral does not need to take place close to the hospice.
West Norwood Crematorium
A historic South London crematorium and cemetery, with two chapels and extensive grounds.
Explore West NorwoodLambeth Crematorium
A Lambeth Council crematorium on Blackshaw Road in Tooting, with gardens and a chapel for religious and non-religious ceremonies.
Explore London crematoriaAlternative 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 Royal Trinity Hospice
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 Royal Trinity Hospice?
Trinity’s team takes care of the immediate clinical and practical steps and explains what happens next. The death is reviewed through the Medical Examiner process unless the coroner needs to investigate. Once the necessary arrangements are complete, the chosen funeral director can come to Trinity and bring the person who has died into their care.
Who should I contact at Royal Trinity Hospice after someone dies?
Royal Trinity Hospice’s main number is 020 7787 1000. If you are already at the hospice, speak to the nursing team looking after the person. Outside normal hours the main number can connect you to the nurse in charge.
Where do I register a death after someone dies at Trinity?
Royal Trinity Hospice is in Lambeth, so the death is normally registered with Lambeth Register Office. You can book once Lambeth has received the medical certificate from the Medical Examiner. Lambeth Register Office can be contacted on 020 7926 9420.
Which Medical Examiner service covers Royal Trinity Hospice?
NHS England lists Guy’s and St Thomas’ Medical Examiner Office as covering community deaths in Lambeth. The community Medical Examiner email is gst-tr.medicalexaminer@nhs.net and the published contact number is 020 7188 9450. Trinity will tell you if you need to contact the office directly.
Do I need to wait until the death is registered before contacting a funeral director?
No. You can contact funeral directors while the medical and registration process is taking place. The funeral director can begin discussing the arrangements and liaise with Trinity about the transfer when the hospice is ready.
Can I spend time with the person after they have died?
Speak to the nursing team if you would like time with the person who has died. They can explain what is possible and what arrangements need to be made before the funeral director arrives.
What happens to personal belongings?
Trinity’s next-of-kin guidance says that property and valuables are handed to the person identified as next of kin after the death. If you are unsure about an item, ask the hospice team before leaving.
What happens if the coroner is involved?
If the death is referred to the coroner, registration may need to wait until the coroner gives permission. If an inquest is required, an interim death certificate can allow the funeral to take place before the final registration.
Can Trinity help if a burial needs to happen quickly for religious reasons?
Trinity has published examples of staff supporting rapid paperwork and liaising with a funeral director where a burial needed to happen quickly for religious reasons. Tell the nursing team as soon as possible if timing is important.
Does Trinity offer bereavement support after the death?
Yes. Trinity offers one-to-one and group bereavement support, counselling, spiritual care and specialist support for children and young people. Trinity says there is no time limit on how long this support can be accessed.
Can Poetic Endings collect someone from Royal Trinity Hospice?
Yes. Once Trinity is ready for the transfer to take place, we can liaise with the hospice and arrange to bring the person who has died 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 Royal Trinity Hospice, 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.
Information checked 31 October 2026 against Royal Trinity Hospice, NHS England and Lambeth Council guidance. Poetic Endings is independent of Royal Trinity Hospice. Trinity does not currently publish a separate public mortuary contact or transfer timetable, so questions about the immediate arrangements after a death should be directed to the hospice team on 020 7787 1000.