Speak to the Bereavement Centre
The Bereavement Centre will explain the hospital process and take the contact details of the person who will be responsible for registering the death and arranging the funeral.
St Thomas’ Hospital · Westminster Bridge
When someone dies at St Thomas’ Hospital
If someone close to you has died at St Thomas’ Hospital, the Bereavement Centre will help with the hospital process that follows. 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
The hospital will guide you through the first administrative steps
St Thomas’ has a dedicated Bereavement Centre. The team will explain what happens after the death, take the contact details of the person responsible for registering the death and arranging the funeral, and answer questions about the hospital process.
The person who has died will be moved from the ward to the St Thomas’ mortuary. An independent Medical Examiner reviews the proposed cause of death before the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is completed, unless the death needs to be investigated by the coroner.
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 before making contact.
St Thomas’ Bereavement Centre
The Bereavement Centre is on the 2nd floor of Block B, South Wing. Guy’s and St Thomas’ publishes three contact numbers: 020 7188 3198, 020 7188 3182 and 020 7188 8965.
After a death at St Thomas’
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 St Thomas’ 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 Lambeth
If the death is not being investigated by the coroner, the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is sent for registration. Because St Thomas’ Hospital is in Lambeth, the death is normally registered with Lambeth 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 St Thomas’ can release the person who has died, the chosen funeral director arranges the transfer with the hospital mortuary.
Useful St Thomas’ contacts
Who to contact at St Thomas’ Hospital
The Bereavement Centre is normally the best starting point. The Medical Examiner and mortuary teams also publish direct contact details.
Bereavement Centre
2nd floor, Block B, South Wing. Open Monday to Friday, 8am–12.30pm and 1.30pm–4pm.
Medical Examiner Office
2nd floor, Block B, South Wing. Open Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm.
St Thomas’ 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 St Thomas’ Hospital
A death at St Thomas’ Hospital is normally registered in Lambeth. An appointment is required; Lambeth Register Office does not operate a walk-in death-registration service.
Guy’s and St Thomas’ recommends that deaths are registered within five days, although the register office can allow extra time where necessary. If the death has been referred to the coroner, wait until the Coroner’s Office or Bereavement Centre tells you what to do before booking the appointment.
After registration, the registrar issues the death certificate and the paperwork needed for burial or cremation. If you give the registrar your funeral director’s email address, the relevant certificate can be sent directly to them.
Register a death in Lambeth
St Thomas’ mortuary
Can I visit the person who has died at St Thomas’?
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. Permission from the next of kin is required before a viewing takes place.
If you would rather 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 St Thomas’ mortuary: 020 7188 3928
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. You can make contact before the death certificate has been issued.
You also do not need to know what kind of funeral you want yet. A funeral director should be able to explain the possibilities and costs before you make those choices.
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 look 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 St Thomas’ Hospital
Poetic Endings is an independent funeral director based in Forest Hill. We arrange funerals across London, including for people who have died at St Thomas’ Hospital.
Once St Thomas’ 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.
West Norwood Crematorium
A historic crematorium and cemetery in South London, with two chapels and extensive grounds.
Explore West NorwoodHonor Oak Crematorium
Another South East London option, with an Italianate chapel and established cemetery grounds.
Explore Honor OakAlternative 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 St Thomas’ 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 St Thomas’ Hospital?
The person who has died is moved from the ward to the hospital mortuary. The Bereavement Centre 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. 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 St Thomas’ Hospital Bereavement Centre?
The Trust publishes three numbers: 020 7188 3198, 020 7188 3182 and 020 7188 8965. The Bereavement Centre is on the 2nd floor of Block B, South Wing and is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4pm.
How do I contact St Thomas’ Hospital mortuary?
Call 020 7188 3928. The mortuary is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 3pm. Viewing appointments can also be arranged through the Bereavement Centre or the ward.
Where do I register a death after someone dies at St Thomas’ Hospital?
A death at St Thomas’ Hospital is normally registered with Lambeth Register Office because the hospital is in the London Borough of Lambeth. Registration is by appointment.
Do I need to wait for the death certificate before contacting a funeral director?
No. Guy’s and St Thomas’ says you can contact a funeral director before the death certificate has been issued. You can begin discussing the arrangements while the hospital process is taking place.
Can the hospital recommend a funeral director?
No. The Trust 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 St Thomas’ 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. St Thomas’ is covered by the Inner South London Coroner.
Can the hospital help if a burial needs to happen quickly for religious reasons?
Yes. Guy’s and St Thomas’ says its Bereavement Centres 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 St Thomas’?
Yes. The spiritual care team supports people of all faiths and beliefs and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The St Thomas’ Hospital number is 020 7188 1187.
Can Poetic Endings collect someone from St Thomas’ Hospital?
Yes. Once St Thomas’ is able to release the person who has died, we can liaise with the 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 St Thomas’ 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 and Lambeth Council guidance. Poetic Endings is independent of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. For hospital-specific medical or administrative questions, contact the St Thomas’ Hospital Bereavement Centre.