Four minute read
The team at Poppy’s come from a wide range of professional backgrounds and life experiences — from business to the voluntary sector, events-organising to the creative industries.
At the moment, we have an artist, a filmmaker and an author on the team. They explain how they bring their creative skills to their Poppy’s roles — and how the same values underpin their work within and outside Poppy’s.
When I first heard about the job at Poppy’s, the values really resonated with me. There was so much care for everyone — the living, the dead, and the staff too. I was searching for an environment that was nurturing and supportive. I felt Poppy’s had values that I could really get behind.
I enjoy the work even more than I expected — greeting people when they come for a visit or to drop off clothes and the work in the mortuary, dressing people in our care and making sure they are treated with dignity before their funeral. It’s so nice to be able to offer someone else what you hope you’d get yourself.
I used to draw as a kid, but I stopped because I thought I was rubbish. I didn’t get the encouragement. I started again in 2015, after having very bad postnatal depression. I had counselling but found it easier to draw my experiences than to talk about them.
I do pencil drawings, collage, sketching and digital art, based very much in what I’m thinking and feeling. My work is heavily based in visibility — seeing yourself as a black or brown person, and not as other.
The first piece of work I sold was a picture of a black ballerina. I would draw ballerinas for my daughters. I don’t want people to think that there are pictures of ballerinas and pictures of black ballerinas – they are all ballerinas! I don’t want to have to go to a special section to find pictures of black people, the work I produce is for everyone.
I have also created a portfolio of artwork about my mental health journey. Talking about mental health, sharing my art and seeing how it resonates with so many people has been amazing.
My art and my work at Poppy’s come from the same desire to reach out and let people know they are not alone.
I’m a funeral director at Poppy’s — a role I never imagined I’d end up doing. Now I am, it’s hard to picture a role I’d enjoy more!
I was considering training to be a celebrant when I went along to a Poppy’s open day. The main talk was in the mortuary. It took me by surprise how quickly I felt at ease there, despite never having been in a mortuary before.
The space itself is beautiful and light, but really it was a testament to the caring team I met that day — their gentle, calm and thoughtful approach is incredibly reassuring. I came away inspired by the work they do.
As a documentary filmmaker, I’ve always enjoyed meeting people and learning about their lives — and it’s a privilege when someone trusts you to tell their story. I feel a similar honour and responsibility as a funeral director, and I love being part of a supportive team that is so responsive to people’s needs and makes a tangible impact every day.
I have always enjoyed taking photographs and I grew up in a creative house, as my father is a sculptor and has his studio at home. When I left school, I convinced my mother to send me on a film course and, that was that, my love for filmmaking began.
One of the best parts of documentary filmmaking is the worlds you are welcomed into — I’ve spent time with ballerinas in the Royal Opera House and I’ve followed a UN climate lawyer getting arrested!
With documentary film, you really discover the narrative in the edit. I find the challenge of weaving the different threads together very rewarding.
Now that I’m a full-time funeral director, I have much less time for filmmaking — so it’s lovely that I can use some of my skills at Poppy’s, making short films that give an insight into the work we do here.
Watch some of Maia’s short films about Poppy’s
I started at Poppy’s four years ago, initially on a temporary contract that became permanent, to write all our blog, social and website content. After a couple of years, I seized the opportunity to also work directly with clients as an on-the-day funeral director.
My favourite part of my job is listening to clients talk about their experiences with Poppy’s, especially when they open up about their relationship with the person who has died.
I strongly believe that telling our stories can be cathartic, enabling people to express and make sense of difficult emotions. Stories also help build connection. When we hear someone else’s story, and it chimes with our own, we feel understood.
Everyone’s life is interesting and unique — something which a good funeral recognises. I find it fascinating to discover more about the people we care for at Poppy’s and rewarding to share information which sparks conversations about funeral choices.
I also write books for 10-13-year-olds, the most recent of which has been selected as part of the 2025 Read for Empathy collection. These stories usually centre LGBTQ+ characters and all deal with friendships, school and contemporary family life.
Since working at Poppy’s, I’ve felt more confident about including storylines in my books which touch on death and bereavement. These are experiences that affect so many young people and which need to be talked about honestly and openly.
Fiction is a powerful way to open up these topics, so that children and young people can see themselves reflected in the books they read.
Read stories from Poppy’s clients on our blog.
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