9 Unique Celebration of Life Venue Ideas | Cake Blog (2024)

Are you planning a celebration of life for your deceased loved one? A celebration of life can be a wonderful way to emphasize the positive aspects of your loved one’s life, their achievements, and the joy they brought to others. But where do you hold a celebration of life?

Jump ahead to these sections:

• What Features Should You Look for in a Celebration of Life Venue?
• Indoor Celebration of Life Venue Ideas
• Outdoor Celebration of Life Venue Ideas
• Tips for Finding the Best Celebration of Life Venue Near You

When planning this kind of unique end-of-life service, you’ll need to choose a venue that will work for everything you have planned and set the right tone. A traditional funeral venue like a funeral home can certainly work, but there are also other options. Below, we’ll discuss what features you should look for in a celebration of life venue and provide some specific examples of appropriate venues.

The features you look for in a celebration of life venue often differ from what you would look for in a traditional funeral venue. However, if you plan on having the body or remains present at the service, the ability to do so will be the primary feature you look for in a venue.

Many people choose to hold a celebration of life without the body or remains present, which in turn makes the other features of the venue more important.

Here are the other features you’ll want to consider when you’re choosing a venue for a celebration of life:

• Space. The venue should be able to accommodate your expected number of guests comfortably. It should have enough space for people to move around freely or sit and relax.
• Personalization options. Look for a venue that allows you to personalize the space with photos, memorabilia, and other items that reflect the life and interests of the person you’re celebrating.
• Audio-visual capabilities. You may want to choose a venue that has audio-visual equipment for displaying photos or videos that capture the essence of the person's life. This can enhance the overall experience.
• Catering. Consider whether the venue provides catering services or allows outside catering. Food and drinks are often an essential part of gatherings, and having good catering can make the event more enjoyable.
• Outdoor space. If the the person being celebrated enjoyed the outdoors, having access to outdoor spaces can be a nice addition. Of course, this will also depend on the weather on the day of the event.
• Accessibility. You’ll want to make sure the venue is easily accessible for all of your guests, including those with mobility issues. Accessible entrances, ramps, and elevators, if applicable, are important considerations.
• Private areas. It's helpful to have designated areas where individuals or smaller groups can have more private moments for reflection or conversation.
• Flexibility in setup. A venue that allows flexibility in arranging the space to suit the tone and style of the celebration is beneficial. This might include movable furniture, flexible lighting, and other options for customization.
• Parking. Adequate parking is important to accommodate the guests, especially if the venue is not in a centralized location.
• Within budget. Ensure that the venue aligns with your budget for the celebration. Some venues may offer packages that include various services, so it's essential to consider the overall cost.
• Meaningful location. If you can, consider choosing a location or venue that held special meaning for your loved one.
• Event permission. If you choose a public location as your venue, you’ll need to inquire about whether it’s okay to hold your event there and whether or not you need a permit.

Indoor Celebration of Life Venue Ideas

Sometimes an indoor location is the best option for a celebration of life. Indoor venues mean you don’t have to worry about the weather cooperating on the day of your event, and it often means greater access to restrooms and other amenities. Here are some ideas of venues where you can hold a celebration of life indoors.

1. Funeral homes

Don’t overlook the traditional funeral or memorial service venues in your area. Modern funeral homes have learned the importance of accommodating different types of events in order to broaden their appeal. Some funeral homes even have separate spaces called “celebration of life centers”—naturally lit, beautifully decorated event spaces that feel nothing like a traditional funeral home.

Some modern funeral homes will assist you with catering and help you decorate for and plan themed events. In fact, the event planners working for these funeral homes may have great celebration of life party ideas.

2. Event space in your area

If the funeral home in your area doesn’t have the right feel for your ceremony, look at the event venues in your area. Yes, you can celebrate your loved one at a venue traditionally used for weddings. In fact, this might be a perfect option if you plan a catered affair.

3. Restaurants and bars

Some families reserve a restaurant or bar for their celebration of life events. The restaurant may offer a buffet or a limited menu, or you may provide appetizers and a few drinks and let the rest of the expense fall to the attendees.

4. Private homes

Of course, don’t overlook your home or a loved one’s home when planning a celebration of life event. Having the affair in the deceased’s home would, of course, have a special significance as it would allow those attending to be around the person’s possessions.

5. Church or other religious venues

Don’t overlook the obvious! If your loved one’s faith was central to them, consider celebrating their lives at their church. This type of event can be religious.

Outdoor celebrations of any type are sometimes complicated to plan if you live in an area with hard-to-predict weather patterns. After all, you always have to have a backup plan for outdoor events in case of precipitation, wind, or high/low temperatures.

However, outdoor events can be particularly lovely and meaningful when you say goodbye to a family member, especially if they were known for loving the outdoors.

It is worth noting that if you plan to scatter your loved one’s cremated remains during such an event, you’ll need to check the laws for your area and likely seek permission.

6. Park

There are pros and cons of having a celebration of life at a public park. A park makes an obvious choice for an outdoor event, especially if children are going to be in attendance and the park features play equipment. However, while you may be able to rent or reserve a shelter at the park, you will have little control over others using the space. Additionally, if you have a service, you might need to bring your own microphone and speaker system and arrange for seating.

7. Sports venues

Was your deceased loved one a super fan of a local sports team? Gather friends and family together and purchase a block of tickets. Wear matching shirts that show you are there to honor your loved one by spending the afternoon at the ballpark.

8. Boat

If you live along the coast, there are a lot of companies that will help you plan scattering ceremonies at sea. The scattering must be done at least three nautical miles from shore.

9. Farm or private land

Consider celebrating your loved one’s life in a place that was important to your family.

Having the event on private land opens up even more opportunities for personalization and creating an event that is unique.

Tips for Finding the Best Celebration of Life Venue Near You

Are you struggling to find an appropriate venue for your loved one’s end-of-life event? You may be concerned that having an event in a place other than a funeral home or church goes against proper funeral etiquette.

Here are some tips for finding the best venue for your unique situation.

Think about places that made your loved one happy

Did your loved one feel proud to be a teacher or coach? Ask the school district if you can use their facilities as a gathering place for your celebration.

Did your loved one love duck hunting? Schedule an early-morning duck hunt to honor the deceased.

Was your loved one a performer? Gather their friends and schedule a concert in their honor. You may even want to charge admission to the event to raise money for your loved one’s favorite non-profit.

Look at other local obituaries

If you’re unfamiliar with the area, consider seeking the advice of locals or looking at online obituaries. See where others choose to hold their celebration of life events.

Choosing a Venue for Saying Goodbye

Finding a venue for a celebration of life can feel daunting, but ultimately, saying goodbye and celebrating a life can happen anywhere. Make sure to set the tone for your event and let invitees know that this isn’t a traditional funeral.

It’s a good idea to mention dress code in your invitations, especially if you don’t want your attendees to dress in traditional mourning black. What matters even more than the venue for your event is the people in attendance and the positive memories you share.

Sources:

1. "Burial at Sea." United States Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/ocean-dumping/burial-sea.