C028PA – Deceased Storage Service

Essex County Council is seeking providers to deliver deceased storage services in support of the Coroner Service across the Essex Coroner Area, which includes the administrative areas of Essex County Council, Thurrock Council, and Southend City Council.

According to the procurement notice, the Council has a statutory responsibility for providing the Coroner Service. Where a death occurs that requires investigation by HM Coroner, the deceased may be removed to an appropriate storage location. The service is intended to ensure suitable deceased storage capacity is available to meet operational demand across the county.

The notice explains that the Coroner has a duty to investigate deaths where there is reason to suspect that:

• The deceased died a violent or unnatural death
• The cause of death is unknown
• The deceased died while in custody or otherwise in state detention

Storage locations will typically include hospital mortuaries and funeral directors, although alternative storage locations may also be used where required to meet demand. In most cases, contractors will receive instructions from a police officer, although instructions may also come from HM Coroner or a Coroner’s Officer.

Lots Available

The procurement has been divided into six geographical areas for deceased storage services:

• Lot 1 – North East Essex (Tendring and Colchester)
• Lot 2 – North Essex (North Braintree)
• Lot 3 – West Essex (Uttlesford and Harlow)
• Lot 4 – Mid Essex and South Braintree (Chelmsford, Maldon and South Braintree)
• Lot 5 – South West Essex (Brentwood, Thurrock and Basildon)
• Lot 6 – South East Essex (Castle Point, Rochford and Southend)

Contract Information

Buyer – Essex County Council

Deadline – 24 July 2026

Contract Value – £9,000,000

Delivery Length – Not disclosed

Tender Link Click here

The procurement represents continued investment in essential coronial support services, ensuring appropriate deceased storage capacity is available to support statutory death investigations across Essex.

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