Line illustration of people walking into church under umbrella

Events
& Talks

A big part of our mission is to educate people about their choices after death. We deliver regular myth-busting sessions to healthcare professionals and anyone who supports people facing death and bereavement. We also invite groups behind the scenes at Poppy’s to see what gentle, thoughtful care can look like.

Download more information about what we offer and how you can book a session for your group.

Sign up here to be the first to hear about new events, talks and open days, as well as the latest news from Poppy's.

Upcoming

Tooting Death Cafe
Monday 29th April 2024 10.30am – 12.00pm

Poppy, Tonie and Hilary are glad to welcome you to Mushkil Aasaan (220-222 Upper Tooting Road London SW17 7EW) for this Death Cafe. This will be an inclusive, informal and friendly opportunity to gather together to eat cake, drink tea and talk about death.

It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counselling session. This opportunity is for adults and not children.

Please note this is new venue for the death cafe.

Register here or just turn up on the day.

NHS Merton Community Health Services (Dying Matters Week)
Wednesday 8th May 2024 1.00pm – 3.00pm

Talk and Q&A about death, dying and funeral care.

Poppy's Open Day
Thursday 9th May 2024 2.00pm – 3.00pm

We're proud of the care we give at Poppy's and we’re pushing for excellent care to become normal across the sector.

We hope you’ll join us at our Dying Matters Week open day to see for yourself. Visit our beautiful light-filled mortuary, meet our team, learn more about how we care for the dead, and ask any questions.

Book your free place and find more here.

Sheen Death Cafe
Thursday 13th June 2024 10.30am – 12.00pm

Poppy and Natalie are glad to welcome you to Boulangerie Jade (313 Upper Richmond Road West, London SW14 8QR) for this Death Cafe. This will be an inclusive, informal and friendly opportunity to gather together to eat cake, drink tea and talk about death.

It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counselling session. This opportunity is for adults and not children.

You will need to buy your drinks and cakes, then join us for the discussion.

Register here or just turn up on the day.

Shooting Star Children's Hospice
Thursday 19th September 2024 10.30am – 11.30am

A talk and Q&A for staff at the Shooting Star Hospice.

Past Events

Sutton Carers' Centre: Let's Talk About Dying event
Thursday 14th March 2024 10.30am – 3.00pm

Poppy's CEO Clare Montagu will be taking part in a day for carers with talks, information and support on end of life care, dying and funerals. You can come to the whole day event or just book for some of the talks.

On Zoom or in person at Benhill House, 12-14 Benhill Avenue, Sutton SM1 4DA. Lunch and refreshments provided. Find more details and book here.

Wandsworth Climate Summit
Tuesday 12th March 2024

Our founder Poppy Mardall is giving a key note speaker at this gathering to focus on achieving net zero.

Islington Carers' Hub: Q&A
Tuesday 5th March 2024 10.30am – 11.30am

Talk and Q&A about death, dying and funeral care for carers.

Sam Beare Hospice: Talk and Q&A
Thursday 22nd February 2024 1.30pm – 2.30pm

Talk and Q&A about death, dying and funeral care for Sam Beare Hospice, Woking.

Wimbledon Guild: Ask A Funeral Director
Wednesday 21st February 2024 10.30am – 12.00pm

A myth-busting talk and Q&A with Poppy's senior funeral director Victoria Mellor. All welcome (£4) at Guild House, 30/32 Worple Road, Wimbledon, SW19 4EF. Find out more and book here.

Kings College: Talk for medical students and nurses
Tuesday 20th February 2024 2.00pm – 3.00pm

A talk and Q&A for medical students and nurses to help them better care and advise patients at the end of life.

Shooting Star Children's Hospice: Talk and Q&A
Tuesday 6th February 2024 10.30am – 11.30am

A talk and Q&A for staff at the Shooting Star Hospice.

Tooting library death café
Thursday 18th January 2024 10.30am – 12.00pm

Poppy and Tonie are glad to welcome you to Tooting Library for this Death Café. This will be an inclusive, informal and friendly opportunity to gather together to eat cake, drink tea and talk about death.

It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counselling session. This opportunity is for adults and not children.

You don't have to book, you can just show up, but if you'd like to register your interest in advance, please do sign up here.

Webinar: Funerals — Improving Support for the Bereaved
Thursday 7th December 2023 4.30pm – 5.30pm

Online panel event, held as part of Grief Awareness Week, including Poppy's CEO Clare Montagu.

Register in advance here.

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust: Training for GPs
Tuesday 21st November 2023 2.00pm – 3.30pm

Talk and Q&A about what happens after death and the GP's role.

Leading Beyond the Boundaries
Friday 17th November 2023 10.00am – 12.00pm

Talk from our Founder and Chair Poppy Mardall for staff from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Healthcare System.

Talking about death and dying
Monday 6th November 2023 7.00pm – 9.00pm

A conversation with Poppy Mardall and Revd June Boyce-Tillman at All Saints church, Brudenell Road, Tooting, London SW17 8DQ.

Bring your questions, experiences & your thoughts. All are welcome.

St Raphael's Wellbeing Centre: Talk and Q&A
Wednesday 1st November 2023 10.00am – 12.00pm

Talk and Q&A about death, dying and funeral care.

Making sense of death: a history through rituals
Friday 27th October 2023 4.00pm – 5.00pm

As part of Tooting Festival of the Dead, our founder Poppy Mardall explores some of the rituals humans have practised throughout history to try and make sense of death.

All welcome to free event at Woodfield Pavilion, 16A Abbotswood Rd, Tooting Common, London SW16 1AP.

Poppy's Open Day
Thursday 26th October 2023 2.00pm – 5.00pm

All are welcome to our Open Day as part of Tooting Festival of the Dead.

Visit our beautiful, light-filled mortuary, hear from Poppy and the team about our approach to great death care and ask any questions.

There are two sessions: 2pm-3pm and 4pm-5pm. Book your free place and find out more here.

This event is especially helpful for people working in healthcare or end-of-life care.

Death Cafe at Tooting Library
Thursday 26th October 2023 10.30am – 12.00pm

At a Death Cafe people, often strangers, gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss death. It is a discussion group open to all, rather than a grief support or counselling session. Facilitated by Poppy Mardall and Tonie Greig. Adults only.

Just come along and join in at Tooting Library, 75 Mitcham Road, London SW17 9PD.

You can register your interest here or just come along on the day.

Katherine Low Settlement - talk and Q&A
Monday 2nd October 2023 12.00pm – 4.00pm

Event on death, dying and funerals with local community organisation.

Buddhapadia Temple: Talk and Q&A
Sunday 1st October 2023

Talk and Q&A about death, dying and funeral care.

Embracing Death and Dying
Saturday 30th September 2023 10.00am – 5.00pm

We will be joining this annual event organised by the Kagyu Samye Dzong London (KSDL) Bardo Group. This Death and Dying Day is a place to share ideas, practical advice, and stories on death.

Find all the event details here.

Find out more about Tibetan Buddhist approaches to death.

Celebrant Circle: Training and Q&A
Tuesday 26th September 2023 5.30pm – 6.30pm

Training and Q&A for celebrants.