Funeral Directors Near St Christopher’s Hospice
If someone important to you is being cared for at St Christopher’s Hospice in Sydenham, you may be starting to think about what happens when they die and which funeral director you would like to use.
Poetic Endings is an independent funeral director based nearby in Forest Hill, South East London. We regularly support people arranging funerals after someone has died at St Christopher’s, and can guide you through what happens next.
You don’t need to know what kind of funeral you want before you contact us. You don’t need to have made all the decisions. And you are very welcome to speak to us while someone is still being cared for at the hospice.
Our telephone lines are answered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Choosing a funeral director when someone is at St Christopher’s Hospice
Choosing a funeral director is a personal decision.
You can take some time to find someone you trust, ask questions and understand how they work before deciding who you would like to appoint.
Some people contact us after somebody has died. Others find it helpful to speak to us beforehand, particularly when someone is receiving end-of-life care at St Christopher’s and they know that death may be approaching.
There is no obligation to arrange anything when you first call us. We can simply explain what will happen, answer your questions and help make the next few days feel a little less unknown.
An independent funeral director close to St Christopher’s Hospice
St Christopher’s Hospice is located on Lawrie Park Road in Sydenham, SE26.
Our funeral home is nearby at:
Poetic Endings
37 David’s Road
Forest Hill
London
SE23 3EP
We are an independent, female-led funeral company rather than part of a large corporate funeral group.
Our funeral home has been designed to feel calm, comfortable and welcoming. We have our own mortuary facilities for caring for people who have died, as well as a private space where you can spend time with them if you would like to.
Our Director of Operations and Senior Funeral Director, Isabel Potter, has also previously worked at St Christopher’s Hospice, so she knows the organisation and the local community well.
Poetic Endings is completely independent from St Christopher’s Hospice and is not appointed by, affiliated with or endorsed by the hospice.
What happens if someone dies at St Christopher’s Hospice?
If you choose Poetic Endings as your funeral director, you can contact us on 020 4525 8318 24 hours a day and we will guide you through the next steps.
We can liaise with the appropriate team at the hospice to bring the person who has died into our care.
From there, you will have time to think.
There is no need to make every decision immediately after somebody dies. We can arrange a longer conversation when you are ready and begin working through what the funeral could look like.
Funerals that start with the person, not a package
We believe there are many ways to have a funeral.
Some people want something quiet and simple. Others want a traditional church funeral, a crematorium service, a natural burial or a gathering somewhere completely different, such as an alternative venue like the Horniman Museum & Gardens.
A non-religious funeral, led by funeral celebrant Sophie Duval
A funeral might include religion or ritual, or neither. It might be formal or informal. There may be a coffin, flowers, music, readings, food, photographs, procession, silence or something nobody has thought of yet.
Instead of beginning with a package, we begin with a conversation about the person who has died and the people who will be saying goodbye.
We can then help you work out what feels appropriate.
You can speak to us before someone dies
You do not have to wait until someone has died before contacting a funeral director.
If someone you care about is approaching the end of their life at St Christopher’s, you are welcome to call us beforehand.
You might want to understand what happens immediately after death, ask about costs, talk about funeral choices or simply decide which funeral director you would like to call when the time comes.
Having that conversation in advance can mean there is one less decision to make during the first hours after somebody dies.
We will never pressure you to make arrangements before you are ready.
Arranging the funeral
When you are ready, one of our funeral directors will spend time with you talking through the possibilities. You can meet us at our Forest Hill funeral home, speak by telephone or Zoom, or arrange things through a combination of meetings, calls and emails. We can also meet you at home.
We can arrange funerals throughout London and beyond, so you are not restricted to venues or crematoria close to St Christopher’s or to our funeral home.
Our role is to explain the choices, deal with the practicalities and help you create something that feels right for the person who has died.
Why families choose Poetic Endings
Clients often tell us they chose us because:
They wanted a funeral that felt personal rather than formulaic
They appreciated having time to think without feeling rushed
They valued kindness, creativity and honesty
They wanted flexibility rather than fixed packages
They wanted the funeral to reflect the unique life of the person who had died
Every person is different. Every funeral should be too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose my own funeral director after someone dies at St Christopher’s Hospice?
Yes. You can decide which funeral director you would like to appoint. It is entirely reasonable to speak to more than one funeral director before making that decision.
Do I need to arrange the funeral immediately?
No. There are some practical processes that need to happen following a death, but you do not need to decide the details of the funeral immediately. We encourage people to give themselves some time rather than feeling they have to rush.
Will Poetic Endings collect someone who has died at St Christopher’s Hospice?
Yes. If you appoint Poetic Endings, we can liaise with the relevant people and arrange for the person who has died to be brought into our care when they are ready to be transferred.
Where is Poetic Endings?
Our funeral home is at 37 David’s Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 3EP, a short journey from St Christopher’s Hospice in Sydenham.
Are Poetic Endings connected to St Christopher’s Hospice?
No. Poetic Endings is an independent funeral director. We are not part of St Christopher’s Hospice and there is no commercial or formal affiliation between us.
Do I have to come to the funeral home to arrange a funeral?
No. We can work in whatever way feels easiest for you, including meetings at our Forest Hill funeral home, telephone calls, Zoom and email. We can also meet you at home.
Can you arrange a funeral outside Sydenham or Forest Hill?
Yes. Although we are based in Forest Hill, we arrange funerals throughout London and beyond.
If you are looking for a funeral director near St Christopher’s Hospice
If somebody is currently being cared for at St Christopher’s Hospice, has recently died there, or you are simply trying to understand your options, you are very welcome to speak to us.
You do not need to know what to ask.
Just tell us what is happening and we will help you work out what comes next.
If you're looking for a company that will take the time to understand your person, your family and friends and the life you're honouring, we'd be honoured to help.
Whether someone has just died or you're planning ahead, we're here to answer your questions, explain your options and help you create a funeral that feels right.
Poetic Endings
37 Davids Road
Forest Hill
London SE23 3EP