Words and stories
Some celebrants are particularly good writers and storytellers. Others are musicians or performers who bring a different sort of experience.
Poetic Endings · Our recommended celebrants
Funeral celebrants in London
The person who leads the funeral can make a real difference to the ceremony.
We work with independent celebrants across London, each with their own interests, experience and way of working. We know their work and can suggest someone who might suit the funeral you have in mind.
You don't have to work your way through every profile. Tell us a little about the person who has died and what you're thinking of doing, and we'll help you find someone to talk to.
A funeral celebrant
What does a celebrant do?
A celebrant helps you plan and usually leads the funeral ceremony. They will spend time talking to you about the person who has died, listen to your ideas and help decide what you'd like to happen on the day.
They can write and deliver a tribute, suggest readings or music, help other people take part, and bring the different elements of the service together. A celebrant doesn't have to follow a standard ceremony.
Some celebrants lead entirely non-religious funerals. Others can include hymns, prayers or elements from different traditions. If you would prefer a religious minister, we can help with that too.
Finding someone who suits you
There's quite a difference between celebrants
Qualifications and experience matter, but so does the way you get on with someone. We'd always suggest having an initial conversation before deciding.
Beliefs and traditions
You might want a humanist funeral, a religious service or a ceremony that includes elements of different beliefs.
Language and culture
Several celebrants work in other languages or have experience of different cultural traditions.
Something less formal
If you're imagining a ceremony with humour, participation or an unusual venue, some celebrants particularly enjoy working in this way.
Independent people we work with
Find a funeral celebrant
Browse the profiles below. Search by name, language, interests or approach, and save the people you’d like to contact.
Try a name, language, or several words together — for example “French poetry” or “music humour”.
23 celebrants
Fees are indicative — please check with each celebrant
Life Stories · Poetry and Music
Angela Morgan
Angela brings experience as a professional London tour guide to her work as a celebrant. She enjoys getting to know the details of a life and has a particular interest in poetry, singing and music.
Writing · Theatre and Dance
Beth Hill
A former professional ballet dancer and actor, Beth has worked in theatre and on screen. She is an experienced writer and speaker who enjoys creating ceremonies that reflect someone’s personality.
Original Writing · Humour
Chloe Green
Chloe is a writer and former comedian who creates each ceremony from scratch. She particularly enjoys weaving in the small observations, funny stories and in-jokes that bring someone’s character to life.
Member of Humanists UK · Literature and Language
Claire Johnston
Trained with Humanists UK, Claire has a background in law and teaching. She listens carefully to people’s stories and brings a love of literature, music and French to her ceremonies.
Member of Humanists UK · Music and Conducting
Dave Gordon-Shute
Dave is a Humanist celebrant and professional musician, performer and conductor. His musical background informs the way he helps people choose music and shape a non-religious ceremony.
Cultural Traditions · Blended Ceremonies
Debi Roberts
Debi draws on her knowledge of different faiths and cultural traditions, including African-Caribbean funeral practices. She also facilitates conversations about death and grief and has volunteered at St Christopher’s Hospice.
Member of Humanists UK · Literature and Film
Deborah Hooper
Deborah is a Humanist celebrant whose background includes literature, publishing and film. She creates non-religious ceremonies and can work in French when a bilingual service would be helpful.
Music · Singing and Performance
Jo Napthine
Jo spent many years as a professional singer and West End performer. Music often plays a central part in her ceremonies, and she can also sing during the funeral when asked.
End-of-life Care · Stories and Humour
Lucinda Inglis
Lucinda worked in nursing for more than 21 years, including over 15 in palliative and end-of-life care. She pays attention to the ordinary habits and small details that say so much about someone.
Member of Humanists UK · Welsh and French
Mair Garland
Originally from South Wales, Mair leads Humanist ceremonies in London and the South East. She speaks Welsh and French and can lead bilingual funerals in either language.
Minister · Religious and Non-religious
Mike Faun
Mike worked as a minister for 16 years and has experience in hospice chaplaincy. He leads Christian, non-religious and mixed-belief ceremonies, bringing warmth and a relaxed manner.
Acting · Singing and Storytelling
Norman Bowman
An actor and singer with decades of stage and screen experience, Norman brings confidence, storytelling and a love of language to the ceremonies he leads.
Writing · Languages and Ceremony
Richard Knight
Richard has a background in creative writing and yoga teaching. He brings an open and inclusive approach to funerals and can incorporate French into a ceremony.
Mixed Beliefs · Personal Ceremonies
Robyn Harris
Robyn became a celebrant after leading the funeral of her husband, Neil. She is comfortable including religious traditions or arranging a non-religious ceremony.
Creative Ritual · Different Languages
Rosalie Kuyvenhoven
Rosalie is a celebrant and ritual designer, experienced in creating ceremonies with music, participation and imaginative elements. Originally from the Netherlands, she works in Dutch, German and French.
Member of Humanists UK · Bereavement Experience
Ruth Silverstone
Ruth is a Humanist celebrant and trained psychotherapist. Her experience of supporting people through grief sits alongside an interest in culture, spirituality and the many ways people remember someone.
Humour · Secular Ceremonies
Sanderson Jones
A former stand-up comedian and founder of Sunday Assembly, Sanderson brings warmth, wit and experience of non-religious gatherings to the funerals he leads.
Asian Funerals · Gujarati and Hindi
Sonal Dave
Sonal is an award-winning celebrant with experience of both Western and Asian funeral traditions. She speaks Gujarati and basic Hindi, and can include appropriate mantras, hymns or prayers.
Storytelling · Theatre and Humour
Sophie Duval
Sophie is an actor who has worked at the National Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her ceremonies make room for good storytelling, humour and the particular character of the person who has died.
Member of Humanists UK · Acting · Novels and Storytelling
Susannah Wise
Susannah is an actor and novelist with an instinct for writing and storytelling. She trained with Humanists UK and is also happy to include spiritual or religious elements where appropriate.
Theatre · Creative Ceremonies
Tamara Burgess
Tamara’s background is in theatre, and she has personal experience of caring and navigating difficult circumstances. She creates thoughtful ceremonies with room for warmth and humour.
Member of Humanists UK · Four Other Languages
Toby Goode
Toby is a Humanist celebrant and former journalist with an interest in people’s stories. He speaks French, Italian, Japanese and Spanish as well as English.
Counselling · Faith and Humour
Trevor Donnelly
A former Church of England priest and qualified counsellor, Trevor has experience of funerals following difficult circumstances. He is also happy to include spiritual elements or humour when appropriate.
No celebrants match that search. Try another word, or clear the search to see everyone.
Your shortlist
Your chosen celebrants and contact details
Choose celebrants above to build a list of names, contact details and profile or website links. You can contact them directly; saving a celebrant doesn’t confirm them for your service.
You haven't shortlisted anyone yet.
An introductory call is a useful way to get to know a celebrant. You can contact more than one before making a choice. If you’d prefer a recommendation, Poetic Endings can help.
Ask Poetic Endings to recommend a celebrant →Another option
You don't have to have a celebrant
There is no requirement to appoint a professional celebrant. You might prefer to lead the funeral yourself, ask a friend to do it, or invite several people to contribute.
We can help you think through the order of the ceremony and practical arrangements. Or you can ask a celebrant to help with the preparation and lead only part of the service.
You can also choose someone who isn't in our directory. The important thing is that you're comfortable with the person leading the funeral.
Read about humanist funeralsGood to know
Questions about funeral celebrants
We're happy to talk through any of this before you make a decision.
How much does a funeral celebrant cost?
Fees vary from one celebrant to another. Many listed here have starting fees around £300–£500, while others charge more. The fee generally covers a meeting or conversations, preparing the ceremony, writing agreed material and leading the service. The celebrant will confirm exactly what is included. This is separate from the funeral director's fees and other funeral costs.
What's the difference between a humanist and an independent celebrant?
Humanist funerals are non-religious. Some celebrants are members of Humanists UK, the organisation which trains and accredits humanist celebrants. Other independent celebrants may be happy to include prayers, hymns or elements from different traditions. Not every celebrant works in the same way, so it’s worth discussing the beliefs and customs that matter to you.
Can I choose my own celebrant?
Yes. You can choose any celebrant or minister you'd like, including someone we've never worked with before. Or you can ask a friend or relative to lead the ceremony.
Will the celebrant meet us before the funeral?
Usually, yes. They will arrange a conversation, often in person or by video call, to hear about the person who has died and talk through the ceremony. They may also speak with others who would like to contribute.
Can a celebrant lead a funeral outside a crematorium?
Yes. A ceremony can take place in a church or chapel where permitted, a different kind of venue, a garden or a natural burial ground. We can arrange for the cremation or burial to take place separately if that's what you prefer.
Can we speak to someone before choosing?
Of course. We encourage an initial conversation. If you'd like us to recommend one or two people, get in touch and tell us a little about what you're looking for.
Useful guides
Exploring the possibilities
There are different ways to arrange and lead a funeral. These guides might help you decide what you would like from the ceremony.
For funeral celebrants
Interested in working with Poetic Endings?
We work closely with independent celebrants across London. If you're a celebrant who would like to know more about our approach, we've written about what matters to us and how we work together.
Working with Poetic EndingsPoetic Endings
Talk to us about finding a celebrant
If you're unsure where to begin, tell us a little about the funeral you're arranging. We can suggest someone who might be a good fit and explain how the celebrant's work fits into the wider funeral arrangements.