Exhibit 23.1

                         Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the documents listed below of
our report dated February 7, 2002 with respect to the consolidated financial
statements and schedules of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc. included in
the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2001.

o     Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-30782) pertaining to The
      Investment-Incentive Plan for John Hancock Employees and The John Hancock
      Savings and Investment Plan of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc.,
o     Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-30718) pertaining to the John
      Hancock Financial Services, Inc. Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan,
o     Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-52034) pertaining to The
      Investment Incentive Plan for the Employees of the John Hancock Funds
      Companies,
o     Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-55064) pertaining to the
      Incentive Compensation Plan for Employees, Long-Term Incentive Plan for
      Senior Executives and Deferred Compensation Plan for Executives of John
      Hancock Financial Services, Inc.,
o     Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-61206) pertaining to the 1999
      Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan and the Non-Employee Directors' Long-Term
      Stock Incentive Plan of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc., and
o     Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-62668) of John Hancock Financial
      Services, Inc. and in the related Prospectus.

                                                 /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
March 22, 2002