Mortuary and Bereavement Services

Opening times

Mortuary

• Monday to Friday: 07:30 to 16:00

Bereavement

• Monday to Friday: 08:30 to 16:00

Out of hours

Mortuary and Bereavement advice is available via the on-call Mortuary Technician contactable through the RCHT Hospital switchboard (01872 250000).

The Royal Cornwall Bereavement Service

For patients who have passed away in hospital, we have a dedicated team, who are able to advise families of the next steps involved following a bereavement.

How can the bereavement team help?

The staff can offer practical advice on making funeral arrangements and liaise with other stakeholder that may be assisting you with arrangements, such as funeral directors or the registration service. They can also arrange an appointment for you to view your loved one.

What happens when a patient dies in hospital?

A member of the bereavement services team will contact you by phone the next working day after the patient’s death to advise you of the steps involved and information required, to release the deceased into the care of your appointed funeral director.

If you have any questions about the steps you need to take, you are very welcome to call the team on 01872 252713 any time between 08.30am and 4pm Monday to Friday.

The Royal Cornwall Mortuary Service

Our Mortuary service provides support for HM Coroner and Hospital Post – Mortems. We have deceased storage facilities at both Royal Cornwall Hospital and West Cornwall Hospital and offer tissue retrieval services including heart valves and corneas for donation.