Poppy's

Poppy's An award-winning independent funeral directors based in South London. Let's create the funeral that works for you. Tooting | East Sheen

We arrange all kinds of funerals, including traditional and natural burials, and cremations. Poppy’s takes a fresh approach to funerals. Instead of following rigid traditions, we listen to what you want and need. Instead of hiding behind closed doors, we’re open about how we care for the living and the dead. We’re by your side every step of the way, creating a funeral that works for you. We're based in Tooting, South London and provide funeral services throughout Greater London. We also regularly help families across the South East and beyond. At Poppy's, we believe in looking after you, the person who's died and the planet in the best way possible. We believe that great care for both the living and the dead can transform your experience. Our team will offer you meaningful choice and transparency, supporting you to make the decisions that are right for you. Respect for the environment is very important to us, with a range of sustainable choices available and a commitment to minimising our own environmental impact. Above all else, we’ll give you honest, straightforward advice and support you every step of the way. You can reach us anytime between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday (except Thursdays, where we open at 9:30am). Our collections team are available 7 days a week, between 8am and 8pm. If you are calling after 8pm, please leave your name, number and any info you feel we should know. We will call you back in the morning to arrange bringing the person who has died into our care.

Too often, the way funerals work is kept behind closed doors - but, when someone dies, not knowing what is going to happ...
19/03/2026

Too often, the way funerals work is kept behind closed doors - but, when someone dies, not knowing what is going to happen or what your options are only adds to the shock and overwhelm that people are feeling.

That’s why we’ve collated some of the most frequently asked questions about funerals and death care. Take a look at our FAQs page to explore, and if you still have questions, drop them in the comments and we’ll add them.

Find the link in the comments.👇

Sally is one of Poppy’s on-the-day funeral directors; vital members of the team who help ensure things go smoothly on th...
17/03/2026

Sally is one of Poppy’s on-the-day funeral directors; vital members of the team who help ensure things go smoothly on the day of a funeral. When her dad David died, Poppy’s had the privilege of helping her arrange his funeral.

We spoke to Sally about the beautiful woodland funeral she and her family planned for David, and her advice for writing and delivering a eulogy.

Find the full blog in the link in the comments.👇Thank you to Sally for sharing her story with us.

When someone dies, there are several things you may need to think about. One of those things will be how to inform other...
16/03/2026

When someone dies, there are several things you may need to think about. One of those things will be how to inform other people of the death. This can feel overwhelming, so we’ve gathered some practical advice to help make this easier. Find the link in the comments 👇

Got thoughts, questions or worries about death, and not sure where you can talk about them? You are warmly invited to on...
13/03/2026

Got thoughts, questions or worries about death, and not sure where you can talk about them? You are warmly invited to one of our Death Cafés.

Death Cafés are inclusive, informal and friendly opportunities to gather together to eat cake, drink tea and talk about death. Death affects all of us, but there are very few places where we can talk about it honestly and openly. Come to a Death Café, and you'll find an open space to talk about death - and you may find it to be a surprisingly uplifting experience.

Upcomming Death Cafés:

📍 East Sheen
Thursday 19th March 2026 10.00am – 11.30am, The Hare & Hounds Pub, 214-216 Upper Richmond Road West, SW14 8AH

📍 Tooting
Thursday 16th April 2026 10.30am – 12.00pm, Tooting Library, 75 Mitcham Road, SW17 9PD

You can just turn up on the day, or register via Eventbrite using the link in our bio.

NB: A Death Café a discussion group for adults, rather than a grief support or counselling session.

In most cases, whether you choose embalming is up to you. However, many funeral directors treat it as the default option...
12/03/2026

In most cases, whether you choose embalming is up to you. However, many funeral directors treat it as the default option.

There’s no legal or hygienic reason for embalming. It also uses chemicals that are harmful to the environment. The only time there’s a legal requirement to embalm is when someone who has died is being repatriated out of the country.

At Poppy’s we prefer a natural approach to death care and don’t routinely recommend embalming.

There’s no wrong or right choice when it comes to embalming - but we do believe that everyone should have the information they need to make the decision that is right for them. To learn more, find our blog post on embalming in the comments.👇

10/03/2026

As we approach later life, we are often juggling so many responsibilities and questions for the future.

These questions have emotional, practical and financial implications - but where do you start? And what do you need to know in order to make the choices that are right for you, your family and those you care about?

Planning with care is a free talk to help you plan for later life - emotionally, practically and financially.

This event takes place on Friday 27 March, 10.00–11.30, at Poppy’s Sheen.

Together with Claire Edwards Eldercare Consultant and Claire-Louise Smith from Pearson Hards Solicitors, we’ll gently explore planning for later life - emotionally, practically and financially. We’ll cover topics such as Lasting Power of Attorney, Wills, navigating eldercare, funeral plans and more, all over a cup of coffee.

You’re very welcome, whether you’re beginning to think about your own plans or supporting someone you care about. And please do bring a friend or family member if it would be helpful.

Reserve your free space via the link in the comments.👇

We are thrilled to have been named one of the top 30 retail disruptors and innovators of 2026 by the Retail Technology S...
10/03/2026

We are thrilled to have been named one of the top 30 retail disruptors and innovators of 2026 by the Retail Technology Show and Retail Insider. 🙌

Ever since Poppy Mardall founded Poppy’s in 2012, our goal has been to bring funerals out from behind closed doors and offer outstanding care to the living and the dead. 14 years on, we’re honoured to be recognised for that mission, which continues to drive everything we do.

Although we always look at ways to improve our work through technology, sometimes innovation or sector disruption isn’t just about tech – it’s about putting the client back into the centre; about finding fresher, kinder, more human ways of doing the same thing. We will continue to find innovative ways to support people to create the funeral that works for them – and honours like this one are a welcome encouragement to our entire team.

09/03/2026

Many people want to carry their friend or family member’s coffin. But they are worried that they won’t know what to do.

Here’s a sneak peek of our video guide to being a bearer at a funeral. In the full video, Poppy’s funeral director Victoria walks you through what’s involved.

You’ll see an example of how your funeral director will brief you on the day, and learn the steps to bringing a coffin out from the hearse and carrying it safely into the funeral venue.

Find the full video on our website - search 'carry' on our blog.

We’re deeply proud to be a female-founded, female-led business in a traditionally male-dominated industry, and we’re com...
06/03/2026

We’re deeply proud to be a female-founded, female-led business in a traditionally male-dominated industry, and we’re committed to offering outstanding, inclusive care.

And with International Women’s Day coming up on Sunday, we remember that we walk in the footprints of other female pioneers in the death and dying space. Click the link in the comments to read about some of these incredible women in the history of death care.

Who else would you add to this list of female pioneers in the death and funeral space? Let us know in the comments.

Do you remember hearing a piece of music at a funeral that made all the difference - that gave you the space to feel, or...
05/03/2026

Do you remember hearing a piece of music at a funeral that made all the difference - that gave you the space to feel, or simply expressed something true about the person who had died?

We recently spoke to Briony who, together with Penny, founded The London Funeral Singers in 2015. We talked about why funeral music matters, changing trends in musical choices and the songs she’d choose for her own funeral.

Find the link to the full blog in the comments. 🎼

It’s become common practice for a funeral director to collect someone from home shortly after they die.As a result, many...
02/03/2026

It’s become common practice for a funeral director to collect someone from home shortly after they die.

As a result, many people don’t realise that, in most cases, if it’s an expected death, you’re completely free to care for someone at home, if that's right for you.

You may choose to do this because you want to care for a person before their funeral or simply to help say goodbye. You could do this for hours, days or even a week or more.

To read our guide to taking care of someone at home, find the blog in the comments.

We were privileged recently to transport Hannah to her funeral in this wonderful motorcycle and sidecar hearse. Here you...
27/02/2026

We were privileged recently to transport Hannah to her funeral in this wonderful motorcycle and sidecar hearse. Here you can see our funeral director Maia riding on the motorcycle, expertly driven by Neil.

Hannah had always liked the idea of riding in a sidecar, and we are happy we could es**rt her for her final journey in a way that fulfilled her wish.

Thank you Hannah, and thank you to the client for your kind permission to share this photo.

Address

The Gatehouse, Lambeth Cemetery, Blackshaw Road
London
SW170BY

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 8pm
Tuesday 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 8am - 8pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 8pm
Saturday 8am - 8pm
Sunday 8am - 8pm

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