Public health funerals

If someone dies in a hospital, care home or nursing home, different organisations may be responsible for arranging the funeral or investigating whether a public health funeral is needed.

If someone passes away while in hospital

If someone passes away while in hospital, the NHS Hospital Trust is responsible for locating relatives and arranging the funeral, where necessary. 

For further information and advice on this, contact the relevant hospital’s bereavement team.

• Hillingdon Hospital
  Telephone: 01895 279354 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 1.30pm)

If a person died in hospital but was sent for postmortem

If a person died in hospital but was sent for postmortem, a friend or family member will need to contact the coroner’s office.

• Coroner’s office
  Email: hmcoroner@lbhf.gov.uk
  Telephone: 020 8753 6800

If a person has died in a care or nursing home

If a person has died in a care or nursing home, the home should first confirm that there are no relatives to undertake the funeral and that no arrangements have or are being made. In such cases, Client Financial Affairs team should be contacted to investigate whether a Public Health Funeral is required (contact details below). 

Please note: If the care or nursing home makes any initial arrangements for the funeral or collection of the deceased without first consulting our Client Financial Affairs team, Hillingdon Council will not be liable for any costs.