Mortuary Services

Spring 2026: Please note that due to major building works being carried out in the vicinity of the mortuary the viewing area is currently inaccessible to the public for Health and Safety reasons. No viewings are being carried out during the duration of the building works. This policy will be reviewed upon completion. Apologies to anyone who is negatively affected by these essential works.

 

The mortuary at Whittington Health serves both as a hospital mortuary as well as a public mortuary for the London Borough of Islington.  The mortuary is fully licensed by the Human Tissue Authority, the UK regulatory body that oversees the use, storage and disposal of human tissue. An autopsy service of the highest standard is provided both for the hospital and H.M Coroner, Inner North London District.

 

The mortuary staff also contribute to supporting the hospital Medical Examiner (ME) system.  This involves the administration of documentation pertaining to patients who die within the hospital and local community.

 

The mortuary also offers a CT scan autopsy service to the police and wider community.

 

The mortuary can be accessed via the hospital’s service road entrance, off Dartmouth Park Hill.

Monday to Friday
8.00am -  4.00pm

Sometimes relatives are be anxious to register the death as soon as possible. This can be because of different cultural needs.

Frequently, these same groups will wish to take the body to their place of worship for ritual purification and washing prior to disposal. At Whittington Health we try to support these wishes where it is legal and practicable.

Since the implementation of the statutory Medical Examiner system on 9 September 2024 all non-coronial deaths must be independently reviewed by a Medical Examiner (ME) to increase scrutiny, improve the accuracy of death certification and to support the bereaved families.

Medical Examiners are available ‘Out of Hours’ on a strictly limited basis between the hours of 7:30 and 9:30am on Saturday and Sunday to review an urgent faith death. The review will be carried out in conjunction with the clinical team that cared for the deceased during life and a cause of death may be established in order for a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) to be issued.

The Clinical Site Practitioner (bleep 3340) must be contacted before any information is provided to families about the availability of an MCCD ‘out of hours’.

 

Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages: Islington Town Hall Upper Street London N1 2UD Tel: 020-7527 6350 Out of hours: 020-7527 2000
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4pm
Saturday, Emergency timed appointments are available 9:30am to 12:30pm ONLY
Sunday, An emergency standby service is available on Sunday mornings between 9:30am and 12:30pm (contact the Site Manager for advice on this service).

 

 

Over recent years pressure on our mortuary facilities has increased significantly. This affects the service we provide.

 

We therefore will charge in the following circumstances:

 

 

The charges will be at a rate of £20 per day, starting 7 days subsequent to the above. Note: family will be informed when charges are to be applied.
Any questions concerning the above can be directed to Dean Jansen, Mortuary Services Manager, on 020 7288 5696.