What people have said about our work
We aim to provide the very highest standards of care to the families and friends we work with and regularly receive feedback on how we're doing. Read testimonials from the people we've worked with to put together truly unique funerals and discover what the press have said about our work.
In the Press
“Meeting Winter, who is softly spoken and eloquent, you can understand why she is suited to dealing with people in grief; she seems like exactly the sort of calm person you would want around in a crisis.”
“Spearheaded by young, thoughtful and overwhelmingly female independent undertakers, the capital’s most progressive new movement isn’t about putting the fun into funerals, but about making these once dour, emotionally distant events more relevant, meaningful and elegant.”
“Poetic Endings is the change that the funeral industry needs. It is the thoughtful, creative face of funerals, and the plethora of faux-Victoriana-loving undertakers should sit up and take notice. This is a funeral business for the 21st century, one that is open and questioning and ground breaking in its approach.”
Our Clients
Poetic Endings are a pleasure to work with, modern, flexible, friendly and professional. Louise and her team took excellent care of my Mum Joan in May 2020. Poetic Endings have a modern and fresh approach to helping those who have lost a loved one and are excellent at understanding and identifying whatever you need to help you decide on options. It’s nice to work with women who don’t view what they are doing as a job, sale or process but work from a genuine position of helping you identify what is right for you and your loved one. We picked the beautiful natural burial grounds at Clandon Wood. To illustrate how different it all felt, two of our guests spontaneously said “what a beautiful coffin” (natural banana leaf) – something I’ve never heard at a funeral before and illustrates how everything felt right and natural and how the service felt about celebrating life and transition and not stuck in sadness and grief. Everyone we worked with had a huge talent for tuning into what was the right thing for us. Poetic Endings and the people they work with made it easy and comfortable to create the service that was exactly right for us and I am extremely happy to recommend them to help others.
- Jennifer Cirone, London
When our elderly mother died suddenly without making wishes about her funeral known, we were initially very unsure about what sort of funeral to arrange. Fairly clear about what we didn’t want, a traditional religious but impersonal service, but not entirely sure about the alternatives, I am very glad to have stumbled across Poetic Endings’ website. Jo was so reassuring from the start, careful to be led by us but extremely helpful in her suggestions and sensitive to our wishes at all times. She was able to guide us towards a number of celebrants who she thought could offer the sort of service we wanted and we were very grateful to find Natalie who was wonderful. We ended up with a funeral which was perfect for our family and with which I think my mother would have been very happy.
- Hannah Jones, London
I cannot praise the team at Poetic Ending highly enough. They arranged a wonderful funeral for my dear wife, which was a perfect and moving celebration of a unique life. All of the previous funerals I had attended were sombre religious affairs and I certainly did not want one of those. From the initial visit from Jo, which was relaxed and reassuring, she “got” my wife’s life and character, She recommended a superb Humanist celebrant and I felt a great sense of relief that all was in hand. The funeral went off exactly as planned so I have no hesitation in recommending Jo, Louise and Clare at Poetic Endings.
- Ian F, London
I just wanted to personally thank you both for all your assistance with creating such a wonderful event on Friday.
From my first contact with Clare I felt reassured and confident that I had made the right choice by instructing you..
This was something which I did not have a great deal of experience of, but when we met and when you talked with the family it was clear that you understood what we wanted and were going to be able to deliver for us.
Your professional advice was invaluable and your personal kindness and support was hugely appreciated
Everyone who I spoke to was effusive with gratitude, amazement and praise about what we achieved together, a perfect way to commemorate a wonderful life, albeit one which was cut far too short,.
You are the definition of the graceful swan - I know that there was so much organisation and arrangement going on in the background but none of that broke through to the surface,
Thanks again for all your help both in the run up and on the and wishing you all the best.
- Simon, London
Jo and Louise helped me plan and prepare for my husband’s funeral. From the initial 2 hour home visit by Jo to the funeral itself, they were just wonderful. I felt supported and cared for throughout the process, and their suggestions for celebrant (Jane Morgan) and florist (The Fresh Flower Company) were perfect. No question was too small, and their ideas and guidance were excellent. I would wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone who is unfortunately in this position – they will gently hold your hand and guide you from start to finish with love and sensitivity. Amazing women.
- Joanne Scarr, London
Louise organised the funeral for my mum which we wanted to keep small and intimate. She made the whole experience so stress free that as a family we were able to say goodbye without any third party getting in the way.
- Cathy B, London
I will always be grateful to Jo and Poetic Endings for looking after us so well following the death of my father. I had stumbled across them by chance when looking through this guide and I am so pleased that I did. Jo was so kind and supportive, gently guiding us through the whole process with a calmness that helped me in turn to stay calm. She looked after my father wonderfully. I also found Poetic Endings to have an incredibly helpful website, and all of the choices (crematorium, celebrant, cars, flowers and urn) were of outstanding quality. And when the day of Dad’s funeral came, it became a celebration of life that was handled by Poetic Endings and the celebrant with such dignity and grace, that it was utterly memorable in a way that I had never thought would be possible and which I could not have achieved without them.
- Wendy C, London
I am forever grateful to Louise and Anna for handling my father’s funeral with such sensitivity and respect. They supported us in creating a ceremony that was personal and intimate. I have nothing but praise for them! Thank you.
- Sarah Bedi, London
Louise and her team handled my father’s funeral with a quiet sensitivity and graceful professionalism from start to finish. They are very modern and bespoke in their outlook, and seem to be a breath of fresh air to the funeral business. My father had a traditional funeral, however, it was very easy and comfortable to make sure that proper thought and attention was put into making it personalised and special for him, and not just to just feel like a formulaic, old fashioned, money making conveyor belt of an experience.
- Anita Stubbs, London
We used Poetic Endings for our Dad’s Celebration of Life in December 2018 and I have nothing but praise and positive things to say about them. We wanted to find a Funeral Director that would listen to what we wanted without trying to take advantage of us at such a difficult time, having heard many horror stories about other companies from friends and family. Louise and Jo treated us with such care and compassion and gentleness. We felt so safe and looked after by them and more importantly we fully trusted that they would look after our Dad when he was in their care. Jo said it was a privilege to do her job, dressing and taking care our loved ones and we really did believe her and we know he was well looked after.
When I went to see my Dad, he looked really well and they made the whole experience much more bearable. I viewed him in a beautiful house overlooking the river and they set up the room so beautifully with candles and roses. I was able to spend time with him and say my last goodbyes. His funeral was amazing, we found a wonderful Celebrant, Jane, recommended by Jo and Louise. She really captured our Dad so well, despite never meeting him. The Camper Van hearse was brilliant, he would have loved it and the flowers we got from the florist, were so beautiful, as was the dressing of the wicker coffin, recommended by Louise. The whole day was treated with such love and care and everyone said how beautiful it was and how lovely Louise and Jo were in moving things along and getting people to where they needed to be.
Thank you so much for being such a wonderful company doing such great work and with so much compassion and love.
- Louise Merrick, London
Louise was the celebrant for our mum before she set up her own company and it is great to have someone who can do all the talking at a time when you may well not be able to. Unfortunately we have again needed her for my dad. This time we used her company Poetic Endings for the whole thing. She gives great advice from, Crematoriums all the way through to urns. The service was beautiful everything from pick up from the house to delivery to the wake went without problems. And she will advise you correctly on prices and costings (not something you want to consider but probably have to). Even though I hope not to see or need Louise and Poetic Endings for a very long time (for the obvious reason) I would thoroughly recommend them to anyone. Expert, caring and knowledgeable.
- Sarra Morton, France
Louise from Poetic Endings was unfailingly sensitive, understanding, responsive and helpful in making the necessary arrangements for my partner's cremation and funeral ceremony. At a stressful time, finding someone who gave her time to understand my needs was a great relief. In particular, for those of us who are used to dealing with online information and communication, along with transparent prices, the website provided by Poetic Endings is also extremely helpful.
- Wink Lorch, London
A lovely creative business from thoughtful kind people - if you want to be listened to, understood, looked after and have your needs catered for in a way that is perfect for you (whether that is super traditional or very alternative), this is the place to reach out to. They are focused on serving the customer and treating their loved ones with dignity and love. A totally new and much needed approach. Could not recommend more to anyone!
- Anne B, July 2018
Poetic Endings were excellent and I would recommend them unreservedly.
When my stepfather (Ray) was in hospital and was told he was dying I knew I wanted to engage with an interesting and original funeral director and after a series of serendipitous online searches I found and got in touch with Poetic Endings. Louise and I chatted on the phone and I took to her immediately - her manner was lovely. We arranged to meet on the Saturday. The plan was for Louise and I to meet and then to introduce her to Ray so that he could be involved in planning his own funeral and would meet the person who would conduct it. However, he confounded all our plans by dying unexpectedly the night before I was due to meet with Louise so it was then all down to me to organize.
Louise was absolutely amazing - she supported me and guided me through everything and made me aware of things I hadn't thought were possible (for example bringing Ray back to his council flat for a wake the night before the funeral and supporting me in laying him out, supplying a flat pack coffin, having a simple cremation service with no words just music - and dancing!). The best thing though was that Louise really listened to me. When we chatted at Ray's flat she listened to what I said about Ray, what I said about the death of my mum (Annie) two years earlier and took everything on board. She picked on the importance for me of bringing Ray home - because I'd convinced myself that wasn't an option I'd discounted it so when Louise suggested it I was very happy.
Costs are very transparent on the website and compare favourably to other funeral directors in London. Louise was also very careful in making me aware of any additional costs and getting my agreement before incurring them.
Throughout everything I felt amazing well supported and inspired by Louise and the team working alongside her - I will always be grateful for the lovely experience we had at such a hard time.
- Liza Mccarron, July 2018
I can't recommend Louise and her team highly enough. From her gentle approach to her sereneness on the day of the funeral everything was perfect. Louise has a willingness to discuss every aspect and ideas from the traditional to the extraordinary and is not phased by anything. It was really important for me to find a funeral director who could understand who my dad was and help me and my family create a fitting funeral. We couldn't have asked for anymore and are happy in the knowledge that dad was cared for and sent off in the best possible style. Thank you.
- Elspeth Yates, September 2018
When my husband died I wanted a funeral which was suitable for our young children, not scary and hopefully aiding their grieving process. I had originally wanted to use Poppy’s as they seemed modern & less traditional but they were very busy and it would have meant waiting over 6 weeks. So I contacted Louise at Poetic Endings who found me a date within a few weeks and really listened to what I wanted and understood my budget constraints.
I had a great team consisting of Louise, Rosalie (who conducted the funeral) and Anna (who supported the children). I had wanted to view my husband’s body along with this children, so they could see with their own eyes that Daddy was no longer alive. This was done sensitively at Anna’s house where my husband was made to look very peaceful. With Anna’s help the children wrote goodbye cards & did drawings to put inside his coffin. They sang him songs and said their last goodbyes.
Rosalie also spent time with the children asking them what they would like at the funeral so they children felt included which is how we ended up with everyone blowing bubbles at the crematorium.
Overall I think all of the above has helped my children immensely to say goodbye to their Dad and still come away with a positive outlook on life.
I really recommend Poetic Endings & will be forever grateful for their help at such a difficult time.
- Melissa H, September 2018
Wonderful to be able talk through many options for my funeral with Louise who listened carefully and beautifully and helped me capture the essence of what I wanted before putting it all down in a clear and simple plan. Thank you Louise and Poetic Endings.
- Dr Jenny Judge, Surrey
Poetic Endings is such an appropriate name of this service. I have had the pleasure of working with Louise closely. She is very genuine, caring, humble, kind, loving, passionate and will go out of her way to help anyone in need. I have also talked with Anna numerous times and she is an amazing and compassionate person as well. Our society not only needs the services that poetic endings provides, but, also needs it delivered by compassionate people who have the drive and motivation that sets them a part. Louise and Anna are definitely those individuals.
Louise saw a problem with the traditional funeral industry and instead of sitting back and complaining about it, like most of us do, she set out to change it. Poetic Endings was "founded on the belief that a good funeral can be profound and transformational in helping to accept and acknowledge that someone has died." Louise, Anna and Don help the bereaved to their full capacity to make sure that they have the funeral that best reflects their loved one. They're genuine and they are not about making money off of death- which let's face it, in our society, this has become a huge problem and we can't let it be anymore.
I am very thankful and appreciative or Poetic Endings and all that they do and stand for! Not only do they provide so many amazing, loving, personal and genuine services; they also actively participate in their community and in the death and dying world. They have significantly influenced thousands of others.
- Megan Sipe Mooney, USA
Beautiful service, offering an entirely unique experience whilst ensuring the utmost respect is held at all times. Truly astounding.
- Niki, Central London
Louise was absolutely fantastic. She gave us the confidence and space to be completely hands on throughout every aspect of Ray's funeral, from building the coffin to laying Ray out at home and the funeral itself. I can't recommend Poetic Endings enough. It was a very beautiful and meaningful experience.
- Joanna, West London
A wonderful service from a dedicated and passionate team. This is a service for those looking for a different and more special ending.
- Michael Miller, London
Louise/Poetic Endings were fantastic. Very tactful, caring and considerate during an extremely difficult time. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her.
- Matthew Parker, South London
From our first meeting Louise made me feel at ease. I had so many questions and Louise was able to answer them all, reassuring me that there was no such thing as a "wrong" wish. I wanted a slightly different ending to the service and Louise arranged for it to take place. In essence, that is what makes Poetic Endings such a unique service.
Between the meeting and the funeral Louise kept in touch supporting me through that difficult period. The service was more poignant than I could ever have hoped. Louise's eulogy for Paul was such an accurate reflection of Paul's life.
I would recommend Poetic Endings to anyone looking for a bespoke, personal service. I have already arranged for them to organise mine.
- Theresa, South London
Louise is a pioneer in making something difficult very easy, with a lot of thought and love.
- Stephanie Turner, London
The funeral was beautiful and unusual and that’s all that needs to be said.
- P's family, Richmond
Thank you so much for your kindness and help on the day. Everybody I spoke to said it went very well. Louise has a lovely voice and a lovely way about her and I thank you once again.
- S's family, London
It was lovely, just lovely. You made an unbearable situation quite lovely. Thank you.
- A's family, Richmond
You were wonderful from the very beginning. You were caring, thoughtful and kind. I can’t thank you enough for what you have done for my wife. You’re a diamond and I would recommend you to anyone who wants a personal funeral.
- Rick, North London
Our heartfelt thanks to you for guiding us through such a beautiful funeral for Mum. We truly believe that it was the most fitting of farewells and that Mum herself would have approved. [...] Just know that, thanks to you, we bade farewell to our dear mother in a simple ceremony that was full of meaning for us both, yet was conducted according to her own wishes and which left us with lighter, more peaceful hearts.
- M's family, North London
Highly professional, compassionate, and caring. From my initial contact with Joanna of Poetic Endings on the day my partner passed away, onto making the arrangements with Louise (during a pandemic), everything was planned beautifully and without worry. If you find yourself in a situation, like I was, where you need to quickly find a funeral director, you cannot go wrong with Poetic Endings. The care and attention that I was given during such a difficult time was greatly appreciated. I am eternally grateful.
- Kriskin, London