“The East End has always been close. If you were born in the East End, you stayed and you died in the East End.”

Step inside one of London’s most remarkable family businesses for a rare day exploring the hidden world of the undertaker.

Founded in 1881, T Cribb & Sons has cared for London’s dead for well over a century. Still run by the founding family, they are among the capital’s oldest independent funeral directors and the only funeral directors in the UK to maintain their own horses, stables, coachmen and funeral carriages—even growing the hay that feeds them.

Our host is John Harris, great-grandson of founder Thomas Cribb. Having worked within the family firm since the 1970s, John has spent more than thirty-five years at the heart of the funeral profession. An internationally recognised authority on funerary history, exhumation and repatriation, he has overseen everything from the return of loved ones across continents to the delicate work of cemetery clearances, crypt excavations and the reinterment of human remains. Alongside his professional expertise, he has assembled an extraordinary museum of funeral history, filled with hearses, mourning dress, trade artefacts, photographs, books, artworks and objects that chart our changing relationship with death.

The day begins with a keynote talk from John exploring the evolution of the undertaker and what funeral history can teach us about how we face mortality today. Guests will then enjoy a guided introduction to the remarkable museum collection before having time to wander at their own pace, with John and his colleagues on hand to answer questions and share stories from generations spent serving London’s dead.

After lunch (please bring your own packed lunch), the afternoon concludes with a fascinating panel discussion featuring members of the funeral profession, including an embalmer, funeral arranger, minister, grief specialist, cremation expert and funeral make-up artist, offering a rare opportunity to hear first-hand about the many roles involved in caring for the dead.

Tickets are available for the full day or separately for the morning museum programme and afternoon panel discussion. Admission to the museum is included with all tickets.

Schedule
10.55am – Registration, tea and coffee
11.00am – Welcome by Stephen Coates, followed by a keynote talk from John Harris
11.30am – Guided introduction to the museum collection in small groups
12.30pm – Free time to explore the museum and speak with John and the team
1.30pm – Lunch (please bring your own packed lunch; refreshments will be available)
2.30pm – Panel discussion with funeral professionals
3.30pm – Closing remarks

Tickets: Full day (11am–3.30pm) £35 • Morning (11am–1pm) £20 • Afternoon (1pm–3.30pm) £20. Prices include a 20% donation to restoration projects at Kensal Green Cemetery. Please click here to purchase.

JOHN HARRIS
John Harris has worked with the family firm since the 1970s and is a founder member and past president of The Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors. He graduated with a Masters Degree in ‘Death in Society’ from Reading University in October 2000 and regularly gives lectures throughout the country on funeral history.