On Thursday 11th June 2026, Choice Celebrant Trainers Ellie Farrell and Nicky Sutton went with Louisa Starr, (a member of our Choice Celebrant Community), on a visit to the National Funeral Exhibition at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire. Running from 11-13th June. It is, from their website:
‘The UK’s leading event for funeral-industry innovation’.
‘The National Funeral Exhibition brings together innovators, suppliers, and professionals from across the sector to share ideas, discover new solutions, and shape the future of funeral care.’
A Visit to The National Funeral Exhibition
Entrance is free and registration for the event is required. Attended by many funeral industry suppliers from across the UK, and Europe, we visited on the first day of the 2026 event. It happens every two years and it is organised by the NAFD (the National Association of Funeral Directors).
‘…the Exhibition is built specifically for the Funeral Industry with targeted seminars to engage and educate, Exhibitors from all over the globe and sectors including vehicle fleets, coffins, caskets, professional equipment suppliers, printing and stationary companies, online memorial services, charities and a range of business advisory firms to support Funeral Directors with their business needs.’
Taken directly from the NFE’s website
First impressions were the impressive amount of organisation to plan and run the event, including the choice of venue. There was plenty of parking spaces, facilities and food and drinks available for most dietary requirements. Some of the exhibitors were giving away hot drinks, cold drinks, water, sweets, chocolate, cake and biscuits (including gluten free which was welcomed by Ellie).
Upon entering the exhibition (which was spread across two halls), we were greeted with familiar sights as funeral celebrants, of coffins and urns. Gone are the days (thankfully) when coffins were all brown and made of wood, and urns were plastic jars. Pillow style urns which biodegrade quickly in soil or water were on display. Perfect for those who want to send the ashes of loved ones out to sea. Various ceramic urns, scatter tubes with seasonal, nature inspired and different colours were on display, with football urns and traditional wooden boxed style urns.
Traditional wooden coffins were exhibited alongside brightly patterned coffins, ones made from willow, bamboo, wool, cardboard, woven coffins and an American bronze casket. Mortons Funeral Hire had both traditional and alternative hearses on display including ‘Ernie’ their well-known split screen 1965 Volkswagen silver camper style hearse (which all of us had worked alongside during funerals). PNW Carriage Masters were showcasing one of their lorry hearses; a Scania Double Cab. Motorbike and sidecar hearses were also on display as was a boat for ashes scattered at sea.
We were all very interested in the Loop Biotech coffins and urns. Loop coffins and urns are: ‘the world’s first mushroom funeral products’. Returning to the earth within 45 days (coffins and ‘Earth Beds’), they really are incredible and eco-friendly funeral products. They are soft to the touch, different sizes for adults and children and they can be personalised with eco-friendly paints available from the manufacturers. They are suitable for both cremations and burials, with the emphasis being on natural burials.
They are also available for pet ashes. One of the things which stood out was the need for urns for pets. Not just scatter tubes with paw prints on them, or the traditional ‘sleeping cat’ pet ashes urn, there were different materials, designs and sizes to see. An urn in the shape of a paw print was something different.
A visit to the National Funeral Exhibition usually involves seeing various companies who put ashes into jewellery, and this visit was no exception. Both animal and human ashes can be put into jewellery. We also liked seeing Ceramic Flowers, grave and ashes marking decorations.
Another display which caught our attention was Obitus, with a demonstration of their new system in ‘super venues’. A ‘themed tribute’ with a full wall display behind the coffin. Nature scenes, seasons, stars in the sky or personalised themes can be a backdrop to visual tributes of the person each funeral is for. Nicky has already worked with this system at Sedgemoor Crematorium between Highbridge and Bridgewater.
There were so many funeral suppliers of which many had obviously spent time planning and setting up their displays. In addition to the exhibitors, a visit to the National Funeral Exhibition can involve attending talks by guest speakers talking about their products and services. This event was no exception, but time and subject matter was a consideration.
Celebrants and Celebrant Training at the National Funeral Exhibition
There were numerous celebrant training companies, and one celebrant association exhibiting at the event. A chat with the two nice people at Humanist Ceremonies was informative with all involved talking about the training options we provide.
Funeral starts with the word ‘fun’, a well-known phrase and many of us within this industry have a great sense of humour. Celebrants require people skills and one of those skills is respect, something it seems a few passing celebrants were lacking in when we were seen and heard laughing. ‘If looks could kill’ as the saying goes, well, if so, we were certainly in the right place for funeral arrangements. Many funeral directors exhibiting and attending joined in with the laughing and smiles.
On their website, it states a visit to the National Funeral Exhibition is about ‘education’, ‘networking’, ‘showcase’ and ‘products’ and our visit gave the opportunity to experience these objectives. It was good to see some of the funeral directors and suppliers we all work alongside, and to be able to see new products and services, and to make new connections with people.
The funeral industry is changing as more people are becoming aware of new products and services. Traditional funerals as they are known might be around for a lot longer, but what are known as alternative and life centred, personalised funerals and celebrations of life are increasing in requests. ‘Traditional funerals’ refer to funerals with a Christian theme or Biblical content.
In our multicultural, multi faith society, should we still be calling funerals ‘traditional’?
Celebrant created and led celebrations of life can include any religious or spiritual content required. Celebrant created and celebrant led funerals are now more widely requested than ‘traditional’ funeral services.
Funerals are for the Living
Direct cremation or unattended funerals as they are also known have become significantly popular over these last few years. These kinds of funerals may not require a lorry hearse, an eco-friendly mushroom coffin, or a water bio-degradable ashes urn, but knowing these products and services are available can perhaps sway those arranging funerals or planning their own to think twice before choosing a direct cremation.
A visit to the National Funeral Exhibition is a must for all working in the funeral industry. The next event is in 2028. Thank you to all involved in making this event informative, successful and highly attended. A lot of planning and organisation goes into it, that was clear to see.
