SIMPLE MORNING FUNERAL
A simple, thoughtful funeral for people who want to be there to say goodbye, without the formality or cost of a traditional funeral service
Simple doesn’t mean insignificant
A funeral doesn't have to be elaborate to be meaningful.
Our Simple Morning Funeral is for people who want to be present for the cremation and have some time together to say goodbye, but don't want or need a longer, more formal funeral service.
It sits somewhere between a direct cremation, where nobody attends, and a traditional funeral.
You'll have time in the crematorium chapel to listen to music, share some words, say a prayer, sit quietly together, or simply be there. There is no requirement to have a celebrant, order of service, flowers or any of the other things traditionally associated with a funeral, unless you want them.
It can be very simple, while still feeling like a proper goodbye.
Where can we arrange a Simple Morning Funeral?
We currently offer Simple Morning Funerals at three crematoria in South East London:
Honor Oak Crematorium
10am or 10.30am
A 30-minute booking, allowing approximately 20 minutes in the chapel
Beckenham Crematorium
9.30am
A 30-minute booking, allowing approximately 20 minutes in the chapel
Hither Green Crematorium
9.30am
A 30-minute booking, allowing approximately 20 minutes in the chapel
The early morning services are offered by the crematoria at a reduced fee, which means we can provide a fully supported, attended funeral for considerably less than the cost of a conventional funeral later in the day.
What can we do during the service?
There isn't a prescribed format.
You might choose:
a playlist of favourite songs
birdsong
a few words about the person who has died
poems, readings or prayers
just being together in the space
silence
some quiet time together before leaving
Or you might choose to say very little at all.
We'll help you think about what would feel right, and make sure everything is organised so that the time doesn't feel rushed or awkward.
What’s included?
Collection of the person who has died from anywhere within the M25
There's an additional charge of £250 for collecting the person who has died from a private home or nursing home, and when we are asked to collect someone immediately (ie from a private hospital or hospice).Gentle and respectful care of the person who has died in our purpose-built mortuary at our funeral home in Forest Hill, for up to 21 days
The opportunity to spend time with your person at our Forest Hill funeral home before the funeral, if you would like to
All of the administration and arrangements required for the cremation
Support and guidance from our experienced funeral team throughout
Transport to the crematorium for the coffin in our discreet Land Rover Discovery hearse
A member of the Poetic Endings team accompanying you at the crematorium and looking after everything on the day
Support for friends or family who would like to carry the coffin themselves, or use of our professional bearers (£80 per bearer)
An online funeral announcement, if you would like one, which you can share with family and friends.
20 minutes in the chapel. You can use this time as you wish
What isn't included?
The coffin
You can choose any coffin from our range, so you're not restricted to a particular “package” coffin.
Professional pallbearers
These are £80 per bearer if required. Friends and family are very welcome to carry the coffin themselves and we'll show you exactly what to do.
Optional extras
Flowers, printed orders of service, celebrants, religious officiants, visual tributes and livestreaming can all be added if you would like them, but none is compulsory.
How much does a Simple Morning Funeral cost?
| Crematorium | Time | Crematorium fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beckenham | 9.30am | £850.00 | £2,800.00 |
| Honor Oak | 10am / 10.30am | £900.10 | £2,850.10 |
| Hither Green | 9.30am | £919.58 | £2,869.58 |
The prices above include our £1,950 funeral fee and the relevant crematorium fee.
The coffin, professional bearers if required, and any optional extras are charged separately.
Think a Simple Morning Funeral might be right for you?
You don't need to have everything worked out before you call us. We can talk through what's happened, what matters to you, and whether this option feels right.
Our promise to you
We pride ourselves on working transparently. All of our services and prices are clearly listed on our website.
During our meeting, we’ll talk through the options available and then send an email with an estimate of the total cost of the funeral. We’ll do everything we can to ensure you understand the range of services we offer and how much the funeral will cost including any known disbursements (the fees to be paid on your behalf to doctors, ministers, cemetery or crematoria authorities and other third parties).
You can find more information about the financial help potentially available to you here.
Payment terms
Payment must be made in full before the funeral takes place. We accept payment by bank transfer. Funeral expenses can also be paid from the estate of the person who has died by submitting the funeral invoice and an original death certificate to the bank.
Quality and standards
We work with an experienced team of funeral professionals and adhere to industry codes of practice to ensure we deliver a high level of service.
We are members of the trade association for independent funeral directors, SAIF (The Society of Allied & Independent Funeral Directors) and abide by their Code of Conduct. We are also recommended by the Good Funeral Guide, the only not-for-profit independent resource for funeral advice in the UK. You can learn more about the high standards expected of us as a Good Funeral Guide recommended funeral director on their website.
Our complaints procedure
We hope that you will have a positive experience of working with our team, but should the need arise, we have procedures in place to ensure your concerns are addressed. Please contact us at funerals@poetic-endings.com in the first instance and we will do our best to address your concerns. Your complaint will be acknowledged within three days and fully investigated within five working days, where possible.
If we are unable to resolve the matter to your satisfaction, you can contact The National Society of Allied & Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) by emailing standards@saif.org.uk, by calling 0845 230 6777 or 01279 726 777, or by writing to The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors, SAIF Business Centre, 3 Bullfields, Sawbridgeworth, Herts CM21 9DB.
Your complaint will be acknowledged within seven days then fully investigated. Timescale for findings and final response will vary depending on each individual case and investigation. Please note that The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) will not investigate a complaint unless our internal complaints procedure has been exhausted.
If you are still unhappy with the response and final decision of The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) you can request that your complaint be referred to The Independent Funeral Directors Arbitration Scheme. For more information and to download leaflet of the scheme please visit the SAIF website.
Get in touch
We are here to help. Please get in touch to talk through the options. We can help you to work out the right funeral for you, even if you don't know what that is right now.