What to do when someone dies
We understand this is a difficult time. Our team will guide you through each step and do everything we can to make the process as straightforward as possible.
Step 1: Arrange appropriate care for the donor
The donor should be kept under refrigerated conditions as soon as possible after death.
- If the death occurs in hospital, hospital staff will usually arrange for the donor to be transferred to the hospital mortuary.
- If the death occurs at home or in a care or nursing home, please contact a local Funeral Director who can arrange for the donor to be taken into their care.
Step 2: Contact the London Anatomy Office
Please contact us as soon as possible so that we can begin the assessment process.
Telephone: 020 7848 8042
Office hours: Monday to Friday, 10.00am – 4.00pm (excluding Bank Holidays)
If you reach our voicemail during office hours, we may be helping another family. Please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as we can.
Step 3: Register the death
You do not need to wait for our decision before registering the death.
Once the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) has been issued, you can make an appointment to register the death. When attending the appointment, please let the Registrar know that body donation has been offered.
The Registrar will normally send us the necessary documentation electronically.
How we assess a donation
Our team will support you throughout the process, keeping you informed and answering any questions you may have.
Before we can accept a donation, we need to confirm:
- that all required legal documentation has been completed
- that the donor is suitable for medical education and training
- that a place is available at one of our partner medical schools
We work closely with the healthcare professionals involved to make a decision as quickly as possible.
To allow sufficient time for these checks, donors generally need to come into our care within five days of death.
If the donation is accepted
Once all the required documentation has been received, our appointed Funeral Director will arrange to bring the donor into our care.
Once a decision has been made to accept the donor, we will write to you with further information. This will include details about future arrangements, including the return of ashes (where requested) and our annual Service of Thanksgiving.
If the donation cannot be accepted
Unfortunately, it is not always possible for us to accept every donation.
If we are unable to proceed, you will need to make alternative arrangements for burial or cremation through your chosen Funeral Director.
As a charitable service, we are unable to contribute towards the cost of private funeral arrangements.