John Harris, Director of the National Funeral Museum of London, is one of the most prominent figures in the funerary sector in the United Kingdom. His relationship with the museum is not merely professional, but deeply personal; it is the result of decades of research, collecting, and study surrounding death, mourning, and funerary traditions in British society.

The National Funeral Museum is located in East London, within the premises of the historic family business T Cribb & Sons in Beckton. The museum is unique of its kind, as it is dedicated exclusively to the history of funerary practices in Britain and to the ways in which societies have approached loss and death over time. According to official reports and museum sources, the National Funeral Museum operates both as an exhibition space and as a research centre for historians, sociologists, and industry professionals.

The museum’s collection, which John Harris began assembling in the 1980s, spans more than three centuries of British history. It includes 17th-century funerary artefacts, historical documents, ceremonial objects, as well as modern memorial cards. Through these exhibits, the museum presents funerary rituals not merely as procedural practices, but as social, cultural, and aesthetic expressions that reflect the values of each era.

Alongside his museum work, John Harris is also a senior partner in the family business T Cribb & Sons, one of the oldest and most respected funeral service providers in London. He was also a founding member and former president of SAIF (Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors), contributing significantly to the development of professional and ethical standards for independent funeral directors in the United Kingdom.

His professional experience is complemented by a strong academic background. He holds a Master’s degree in Death in Society from the University of Reading, studies that enabled him to approach death not only as a practical matter but also as a social and cultural phenomenon.

Through his work at the National Funeral Museum, his lectures, and his ongoing research, John Harris has helped foster a broader understanding of how funerary traditions function as a mirror of society. Particularly in a city like London, where history and multiculturalism coexist, the ways in which people bid farewell to their dead reflect deeper social changes, values, and cultural identities.

Watch the TV interview of John Harris on GRDiscovery and Maria Tsekoura:

For GRDiscovery

Report and Photos: Maria Tsekoura and Ioanna Filippou