5 Different Places to Hold a Funeral

Funeral ceremonies are traditionally held in places of worship. However, as our societies become more multicultural and secular, there is a far greater level of diversity when it comes to venue choice. It’s increasingly popular to hold a funeral ceremony that is more informal and personalised to the deceased individual.

When it comes to choosing a venue for a funeral, there are no rules aside from what you and your loved ones want. It can be as formal or as casual as you would like and take place just about anywhere that is practical to do so. Below are five popular options.

1. Religious Venues

Places of worship are not only meaningful places for people of faith but beautiful, architecturally unique spaces that offer a place for quiet reflection and calm. For these reasons, they remain among the most popular choices when it comes to funeral venues even for families that aren’t religious. The downside is that there can be limitations on how personalised funeral services held in these places can be.

2. Your Home

More and more people are opting to host funeral memorials at home as it offers a cost-effective, private and personalised service. A funeral at home provides a familiar and comfortable space to mourn and share memories, while also reducing the logistical stress involved in organising the event. You can have the service in a range of spaces from the living room area to the garden.

3. Parks

Holding a funeral in a public park can be a nice way to say goodbye, particularly if your loved one had a connection to the park or was a lover of nature in general. When hosting a funeral service in any public place, it’s essential to seek approval from the local council. Keep in mind that there may be logistical difficulties involved in holding a funeral in an outdoor, public space, such as supplying enough chairs, providing shelter from weather, etc.

4. Function Centres

Function centres, public halls, sports clubs and other public venues are a popular choice for holding funeral memorials. You can typically hire these venues for exclusive use and personalise the service as much as you want, including having live music, multimedia displays and catering of your choice. This is a popular option for people who were heavily involved in their local communities or specific clubs (e.g. sports, angling).

Function-style venues are often more than happy to assist in personalising a service, such as helping to display personal items like musical instruments, sports equipment, photos and other items that celebrate your loved one’s life. Holding funeral ceremonies at public venues allows you to personalise it to an extent that you couldn’t in most other venue choices.

5. Beaches

Holding a funeral service at the beach is another beautiful choice, especially if your loved one felt a special connection to the ocean, something that is common for many Australians living along the coast. However, you should plan your service carefully taking things such as legality, weather and privacy into account. Try holding your service in the morning, as it is less likely to be windy and not as crowded.

Need Help Organising a Funeral in NSW?

Arranging a funeral can be a daunting task, but the experienced funeral directors at Fry Bros Funerals are here to help you every step of the way. We can help you plan a meaningful funeral in Maitland, Newcastle, Port Stephens, the Hunter Valley and all surrounding areas. Call us on 02 4933 6155 or contact us online.