University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has two mortuaries, one at University College Hospital (UCLH) and one at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN). The Mortuary at NHNN is covered by staff from the UCLH Mortuary.

If a death occurs at one of our other hospitals, that does not have storage facilities, such as Westmoreland Street Hospital (WMS) or Grafton Way Building (GWB), your loved one will be transferred into the care of UCLH Mortuary. Both UCLH and NHNN mortuaries are licensed under the Human Tissue Authority (HTA). 

Our compassionate mortuary staff will keep your loved one safe and make sure they are treated with dignity and respect until they are transferred into the care of your nominated funeral director

Service management

Mortuary team

Telephone: 020 3477 3568

Email: uclh.mortuary@nhs.net

Working hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-1pm, 2pm-4pm

Further useful contact details can be found in our patient information page - medical examiner service.

 

Mortuary services
University College Hospital
Lower Ground Floor (P-1) Podium
235 Euston Road
London, NW1 2BU

The medical team is responsible for issuing the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). This will take place after the death has been reviewed by an independent Medical Examiner (ME).

In some circumstances, a death may need to also be referred to the Coroner for further investigation.

Further detailed information can be found in our patient information page: medical examiner service.

These post-mortem examinations can only take place with the permission of the family, if the cause of death is known and the MCCD has been completed and accepted by you.

The medical team may seek your permission to carry out a hospital post-mortem examination if they feel that it may help in determining a more definitive diagnosis, give information about the effect of treatment given, or the events leading up to the death. They can also be useful to better understand how a disease has spread; or whether the person who died had a genetically inherited disease (which may affect surviving family). Finding out more about illnesses may help doctors treat patients in the future.

You can also request a hospital consented post-mortem examination. If this is something you would like to discuss, please speak to the medical team who looked after your loved one.

You may wish to view your loved one in the mortuary after they have died. If you would like to arrange this an appointment must be booked with the mortuary team.

Viewings are only available during the mortuary's working hours, to allow a member of the mortuary team to support you during your visit.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer viewings outside of the mortuary's opening hours; on evenings and at weekends/bank holidays.

At the time of booking your appointment you will be asked to provide your loved one's:

  • Full name
  • Date of birth
  • Home address
  • Date of death

These details will then be checked with you again by the supporting mortuary staff when you attend the mortuary.

In certain circumstances, the viewing may have to take place behind a glass panel. The mortuary staff will discuss this with you, when applicable.

Your nominated funeral director should have visiting facilities if you prefer not to visit the hospital mortuary.

We advise you make contact with a funeral director as soon as you can but it is important that you find the right funeral director for you and you feel able to discuss all options and possibilities, even if some your thoughts or requests might seem unusual.

You may want to contact several funeral directors before making your decision, as costs can significantly vary.

The funeral director will need the green form, which is given to you by the registrar at the Registry Office, or an interim death certificate issued by the Coroner, where applicable, to be able to confirm arrangements with you.

Most funeral directors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can give you support and advice on many things you may need to think about.

If you or your loved one received certain benefits you can apply for a Funeral Expenses Payment from the DWP or call 0800 151 2012.

If you are not eligible for help with funeral costs, or have been refused by the DWP, please call and discuss this with the mortuary staff, who will support you with alternative options available to you.

 

Staying in the Mortuary for 30 days or more

By law, we must transfer patients to our frozen area within the mortuary if they are in the care of the mortuary for 30 days or more. This is to maintain a patient's dignity after death.

Sadly, this can cause problems with the embalming process. It could make traditional embalming impossible, and could affect the funeral service you would like for them.

We advise that you instruct your funeral director to transfer your loved one into their care before the 30 day limit.

If you have any concerns or questions about this, contact the mortuary staff, who are here to help. Or you can discuss this with your funeral director.

Location

The Natural Death Centre offers advice on arranging a funeral with or without using a funeral director. National Helpline - 01962 712 690.

The National Association of Funeral Directors gives support and guidance to funeral directors and the bereaved families in their care. Telephone: 0845 230 1343,  Email: info@nafd.org.uk.

The Coroner's Support Service for advice and support when patients have been referred to the Coroner. Telephone: 0300 111 2141.

 

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