The death is verified
The nursing or medical team confirms that the person has died. Verification of death is separate from establishing and certifying the medical cause of death.
St Raphael’s Hospice · Cheam
When someone dies at St Raphael’s Hospice
If someone close to you has died at St Raphael’s Hospice in Cheam, the hospice team will take care of the immediate steps. This guide explains what happens at the hospice, the Medical Examiner process, registering the death in Sutton, choosing a funeral director and the support available afterwards.
You can speak to a funeral director before you know what kind of funeral you want. 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
St Raphael’s has its own mortuary
St Raphael’s own bereavement guidance explains that after someone dies on its inpatient ward, the nursing and medical team will first verify and confirm the death.
You can spend time with the person who has died if that feels right for you. There is no need to rush away or immediately start making funeral arrangements.
When the appropriate time comes, the nursing team will care for and prepare the person who has died before they are transferred to the hospice mortuary.
You do not need to choose a funeral immediately
The person who has died can remain in the care of St Raphael’s while the medical paperwork is dealt with and you decide which funeral director you would like to use. Once appointed, your funeral director can liaise directly with the hospice and arrange the transfer into their care.
After a death at St Raphael’s
What happens next?
St Raphael’s, the Medical Examiner and Sutton Registration Service each have a different role. You can choose and speak to a funeral director while these formalities are taking place.
St Raphael’s continues to care for the person
The hospice’s published guidance says the nursing team will wash and prepare the person who has died before transferring them to the St Raphael’s mortuary.
The Medical Examiner reviews the death
A hospice doctor completes the medical cause-of-death process with the Medical Examiner’s Office. Unless the death needs to be referred to the coroner, an independent Medical Examiner reviews the proposed cause of death and gives you an opportunity to ask questions or raise concerns.
Sutton Register Office receives the paperwork
The medical paperwork is sent electronically to Sutton Registration Service. Sutton says the Register Office will usually contact you once it has received what it needs so an appointment can be arranged.
Your funeral director arranges the transfer
Once you have chosen a funeral director, they can liaise directly with St Raphael’s and arrange to bring the person who has died into their care when the hospice is ready.
You can continue planning the funeral
The funeral arrangements can develop alongside the medical and registration process. You can begin talking about cremation or burial, the ceremony, venue, coffin, transport and other choices without having to decide everything at once.
Useful contacts
Who you may need to contact
St Raphael’s is normally the best place to start. The Epsom & St Helier Medical Examiner Office and Sutton Registration Service are useful if you have been asked to contact them directly.
St Raphael’s Hospice
London Road, Cheam, Sutton SM3 9DX.
The same number is used for clinical and patient enquiries.
Medical Examiner Office
Epsom & St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust covers community deaths in the London Borough of Sutton.
Sutton Registration Service
Civic Offices, West Walk, St Nicholas Way, Sutton SM1 1EA.
Registration
Registering a death after someone dies at St Raphael’s
St Raphael’s Hospice is in the London Borough of Sutton, so a death there is registered with Sutton Registration Service.
You do not need to collect the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death yourself. The document is sent directly to the Register Office by the doctor or hospital once the Medical Examiner process has been completed.
Sutton says the Register Office will usually contact you to arrange the death registration appointment once it has received the necessary paperwork.
After the death is registered, the registrar issues the certificate for burial or cremation — often called the green form — so the funeral arrangements can proceed.
Registering a death in Sutton
At the hospice
Can I spend time with the person after they have died?
Yes. St Raphael’s own guidance recognises that people respond differently after someone dies. Some people want to spend time with the person who has died, while others would rather not. You can do what feels right for you.
The hospice team will explain what happens next and can also arrange for you to return at another time to collect belongings and speak to a member of the nursing team.
Once the person is in the care of your funeral director, you can also arrange a private visit there. At Poetic Endings, visits take place at our Forest Hill funeral home by appointment.
Call St Raphael’s: 020 8099 7777
Your choice
You can choose your own funeral director
You are free to choose whichever funeral director you want. You do not have to use a particular company because someone has died at St Raphael’s 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 what kind of funeral you want yet. The detailed funeral arrangements can be discussed afterwards.
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 funeral director’s mortuary is, who will look after the person who has died and whether private visits can be arranged.
Ask what happens next
Once appointed, your funeral director can contact St Raphael’s directly about the transfer and explain what can happen while the Medical Examiner and registration processes continue.
If you choose Poetic Endings
We can arrange the transfer from St Raphael’s Hospice
Poetic Endings is an independent funeral director based in Forest Hill. We arrange funerals throughout London and have practical experience arranging transfers and funerals after deaths at St Raphael’s Hospice.
When St Raphael’s is ready for the transfer to take place, we can liaise directly with the hospice mortuary and arrange to bring the person who has died into our care at our Forest Hill funeral home.
We will then explain the options and costs, prepare a clear estimate, coordinate the practical arrangements and be there on the day.
Support after someone dies
St Raphael’s support continues after death
The hospice offers bereavement counselling, practical advice, specialist support for children and young people, groups and wider community support.
Bereavement support
The Bereavement Team offers telephone support, face-to-face counselling, practical help and advice. Support is available for people whose friend or relative was cared for by St Raphael’s.
Explore bereavement supportChildren and young people
St Raphael’s offers specialist bereavement care for children and can help adults explain death and grief, answer questions and support a child or young person through bereavement.
Call the hospice: 020 8099 7777Groups and connection
The hospice runs a facilitated Bereavement Support Group. Its Wellbeing Centre and Compassionate Neighbours programme also provide opportunities for connection and support after a death.
Explore wellbeing support
Planning the funeral
Where could the funeral take place?
The funeral does not need to take place close to St Raphael’s. You can choose a crematorium, cemetery, church, natural burial ground or another suitable venue anywhere in London or beyond.
North East Surrey Crematorium
North East Surrey Crematorium in Morden is particularly close to St Raphael’s and serves Sutton, Merton and Wandsworth.
Find North East Surrey in our guideCroydon Crematorium
Croydon Crematorium at Mitcham Road is another South London option and has two chapels within extensive cemetery grounds.
Explore Croydon CrematoriumSomething different
A funeral ceremony can also take place in a church, natural burial ground, hall, gallery or another suitable setting before burial or cremation elsewhere.
Explore funeral venues
Practical questions
After a death at St Raphael’s 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 St Raphael’s Hospice?
The nursing or medical team verifies the death. St Raphael’s published guidance says the person is then washed and prepared by the nursing team and transferred to the hospice mortuary. A hospice doctor and the Medical Examiner deal with the medical cause-of-death paperwork, and Sutton Registration Service is notified electronically.
Does St Raphael’s Hospice have a mortuary?
Yes. St Raphael’s own bereavement guidance states that after someone dies on its inpatient ward, the nursing team prepares the person who has died before they are transferred to the hospice mortuary.
Can I choose any funeral director?
Yes. You are free to choose whichever funeral director you want. You do not have to use a particular company because someone has died at St Raphael’s.
Do I have to use a funeral director?
No. There is no legal requirement to appoint a funeral director. It is possible to arrange a funeral yourself, although most people choose a funeral director to care for the person who has died and coordinate the practical arrangements.
Can I choose a funeral director before the death is registered?
Yes. You can speak to and appoint a funeral director before registration is complete. Your funeral director can then liaise directly with St Raphael’s about the transfer and explain what happens next.
Which Medical Examiner service covers St Raphael’s Hospice?
St Raphael’s is in the London Borough of Sutton. Epsom & St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust provides the Medical Examiner service for community deaths in Sutton. The St Helier Medical Examiner Office can currently be contacted on 020 8296 2492.
Where do I register a death after someone dies at St Raphael’s?
The death is registered with Sutton Registration Service because St Raphael’s Hospice is in Sutton. Sutton says the Register Office will usually contact you once it has received the medical or coroner’s paperwork. The current registration service number is 020 8770 6790.
What if the death is referred to the coroner?
If the death needs to be investigated by the coroner, registration cannot take place until the coroner’s process allows it. The hospice and coroner’s office will explain what happens next.
What if an urgent burial is needed for religious reasons?
Sutton operates an out-of-hours emergency burial certificate service on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays between 9am and 10am. It is for funerals that need to take place within 24 hours and can only be used where the required medical paperwork has been received.
Can I spend time with the person who has died?
Yes. St Raphael’s encourages people to do whatever feels right for them. You can speak to the nursing team if you would like time with the person who has died or if you have questions about what happens next.
Can Poetic Endings collect someone from St Raphael’s Hospice?
Yes. When St Raphael’s is ready for the transfer, we can liaise directly with the hospice mortuary and arrange to bring the person who has died into our care at our Forest Hill funeral home.
Does St Raphael’s offer bereavement support?
Yes. St Raphael’s offers telephone support, counselling, practical guidance, a Bereavement Support Group, specialist help for children and young people, and other wellbeing and community support.
Can we call Poetic Endings outside office hours?
Yes. Our telephone line is answered 24 hours a day. Outside normal office hours, our on-call team can help with an urgent transfer where this is possible, or take a message for our funeral directors to respond to during office hours.
About this guide
Prepared by Louise Winter
Louise is the founder and a funeral director at Poetic Endings, based in Forest Hill. She has practical experience arranging transfers and funerals after deaths at St Raphael’s Hospice, as well as at hospitals, hospices and homes across London. A former editor of the Good Funeral Guide, she co-founded Life. Death. Whatever. and co-wrote We All Know How This Ends, published by Bloomsbury.
Poetic Endings · Forest Hill
Would you like to talk to us?
If someone is being cared for at St Raphael’s Hospice, or has died there, you can call with a practical question, appoint Poetic Endings or start talking about the funeral. You do not need to have everything decided first.
Information checked 7 November 2026 against St Raphael’s Hospice, NHS England and London Borough of Sutton guidance. Poetic Endings is independent of St Raphael’s Hospice. For questions about hospice care or St Raphael’s own arrangements, contact the hospice directly on 020 8099 7777.