Chapel of rest
A private place to spend time with someone who has died. We can talk through whether you'd like to visit, and how to make that time your own.
Poetic Endings · Forest Hill, London
Our funeral home in Forest Hill
A place to talk, ask questions, make arrangements and spend time with someone who has died.
Our independent funeral home is tucked away on Davids Road, just a short walk from Forest Hill station. You're very welcome to arrange a visit.
Where
37 Davids Road, SE23 3EPVisiting hours
Monday–Friday, 9am–5pmBefore you come
Please arrange an appointmentWelcome to Poetic Endings
A different kind of funeral home
We wanted to create somewhere that felt open, comfortable and human — a place where you can talk about funerals without feeling hurried or overwhelmed.
You'll find space for conversations, time to consider the choices available and people who are happy to answer the questions you bring. Some visitors have quite definite ideas about the funeral they want. Others don't know where to start. Both are welcome.
Our funeral home has state-of-the-art mortuary facilities, where our team cares for people who have died. We also have a chapel of rest where you can arrange to spend time privately with someone in our care.
The building dates from the 1890s and stands on the former route of the Croydon Canal, near the artists' studios of Havelock Walk. We opened our funeral home here in 2021, in premises that were previously a children's bookshop.
Inside our funeral home
Inside Poetic Endings
Every part of the space has been considered with the people visiting us in mind. These photographs show some of the quieter corners of the funeral home and garden.
Our library
A collection of books about death, dying, grief and funerals. You're welcome to borrow something that catches your eye.
The Poetic Garden
Our garden is home to a collection of more than 20 David Austin roses, alongside seasonal planting. It offers a quiet place to pause during a visit to our funeral home.
Time together
Spending time with someone who has died
For some people, visiting someone who has died is an important part of saying goodbye. Others prefer to remember them as they were in life. Whether to visit is a personal choice.
If you would like to visit, we'll talk with you beforehand about what to expect and arrange the space so that you can have some privacy and time.
Ask Us About a VisitBehind the scenes
How we care for people
Our work isn't only about arranging the funeral. We also look after the person who has died at our funeral home in Forest Hill.
We believe you should be able to ask what happens behind the scenes, and receive a straightforward answer.
01
Bringing someone into our care
We can arrange for the person who has died to be brought to Forest Hill when the necessary arrangements have been made.
02
Care at the funeral home
Our team cares for people in our state-of-the-art mortuary facilities at Forest Hill until the funeral.
03
Questions and tours
We welcome questions about our work. We can also arrange funeral home tours, including an explanation of our care facilities, by prior arrangement.
Plan your visit
Come and find us
We're close to Forest Hill station, on a quiet side street near the South Circular. Please make an appointment before you visit so we can give you our full attention.
Our address
Poetic Endings37 Davids Road
Forest Hill
London SE23 3EP
Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm
By appointment only
By train
Forest Hill station is a short walk away, with London Overground and National Rail services.
By car
Davids Road is one-way. From London Road, take Waldenshaw Road, then turn right onto Manor Mount, which becomes Davids Road.
Parking
There is paid street parking on Davids Road. Pearcefield Avenue car park offers an initial free period when you register your stay with the parking provider. Please check the signs for current conditions.
Accessibility
If you have any access requirements or would prefer an alternative way to meet, please tell us when arranging your appointment.
Useful to know
A few questions about visiting
You don't need to be making arrangements with us to ask a question or find out more.
Can I just drop in?
We ask everyone to arrange an appointment before visiting, so that a funeral director can make time for you and we can protect the privacy of other people who may be here.
Can I visit the chapel of rest?
Yes, if someone who has died is in our care, we can talk with you about whether you would like to spend time with them and arrange a private visit.
Do you have your own mortuary facilities?
Yes. Our funeral home in Forest Hill has its own state-of-the-art mortuary facilities, where our team cares for people after they have died and until the funeral.
Can I find out how people are cared for?
Of course. We're happy to explain what happens at the funeral home, and we can discuss arranging a tour by appointment.
Do I need to live in Forest Hill to use Poetic Endings?
No. We're based in Forest Hill but arrange funerals across London and beyond. You can meet us here, or we can talk by telephone or video call.
Poetic Endings · Forest Hill
You're welcome to come and meet us
Ask a question, arrange a visit or simply find out whether we're the right funeral directors for you.