01 / Listening
Getting beneath the surface
Sanderson takes time to understand a life in all its complexity, including the contradictions and funny details that make someone unmistakably themselves.
Independent funeral celebrant · London
Sanderson Jones
A funeral can hold grief, laughter and a roomful of people singing.
Sanderson is a funeral celebrant and ceremony designer who brings warmth, humour and a gift for bringing people together. He co-founded Sunday Assembly, the non-religious community movement, and has spent more than a decade creating gatherings that feel alive and genuinely inclusive.
Specialism Secular ceremoniesApproach Humour, music and participationLocation London and beyond, by arrangement
A different approach
More than words at the front of a room
Sanderson sees a funeral as something people create together. He will spend time finding out who the person was, what mattered to them and which memories everyone keeps coming back to.
He can write and lead the ceremony, but he also enjoys helping people think about its shape: where it takes place, how guests might participate, what music belongs there and how to make space for sadness without losing the person's character.
That might mean stories, shared singing or an unexpected moment of humour. It might also mean something quiet and simple. The point is to make the ceremony recognisable to the people who knew the person who has died.
The way Sanderson works
Bringing people together
His experience in comedy, community-building and facilitation informs the way he listens, designs and leads a gathering.
02 / Participation
Making room for others
He can help bring readings, music, stories and contributions into the ceremony, while respecting anyone who would rather simply listen.
03 / Judgement
Finding the right tone
His background in performance is balanced by a clear understanding that a funeral isn't a show. Humour belongs only where it genuinely fits.
About Sanderson
A life shaped by gathering people
Sanderson co-founded Sunday Assembly with Pippa Evans in 2013. The idea was to bring people together for music, reflection and community without requiring a shared religion. It grew into an international movement.
He has also worked as a stand-up comedian, facilitator and celebrant. His interest in funerals is personal. His mother died when he was ten, and in 2023 his wife, Imogen, died unexpectedly after becoming ill.
Sanderson planned Imogen's funeral with people close to her. He has written movingly about how this reinforced his belief that a ceremony can be an act of love, full of sadness and gratitude at once. In 2024 he decided to concentrate on celebrancy professionally.
More about SandersonClient feedback
“He has a real gift in bringing people together”
Julie Simon, whose mother's funeral Sanderson led · Read her testimonial
Celebrant fees
Sanderson's funeral celebrant services
Guide price
Around £1,200The final fee will depend on the ceremony and the work involved. Please ask Sanderson to confirm his quotation before booking.
Sanderson is an independent celebrant. His fee is separate from Poetic Endings' funeral directing fees and any venue or cremation costs.
Contact details
Get in touch with Sanderson
You can contact him directly to discuss the funeral you're arranging, his approach and his availability. An introductory conversation is a good way to see whether you'd like to work together.
sanderson@lifefulness.io07886 602669You can contact Sanderson without arranging a funeral through Poetic Endings.
A few practical questions
Working with Sanderson
Does Sanderson lead non-religious funerals?
Yes. Sanderson has extensive experience creating secular ceremonies. If you would like religious or spiritual elements included, discuss your wishes with him before booking.
Does every ceremony involve humour or singing?
No. Music, humour and participation are possibilities, not requirements. Sanderson will work with you to choose a tone and format that suits the person who has died.
Can he help with the wider design of a funeral?
Yes. Alongside writing and leading the ceremony, Sanderson can help explore its structure, contributions and creative ideas. Ask him what planning support is included in his quotation.
Can Sanderson lead a funeral somewhere other than a crematorium?
He works on ceremonies in different settings, subject to the venue and his availability. Poetic Endings can help explore suitable funeral venues and coordinate the practical arrangements.
Do I have to choose Sanderson through Poetic Endings?
No. He is an independent celebrant and you're welcome to contact him directly. If we are arranging the funeral, we can work alongside him on the plans.
There are many ways to lead a funeral. If you're exploring celebrants, you can compare different approaches and speak to more than one person before deciding.
Explore Our Celebrants