Start as soon as the funeral time is set
Once you know the date and time of the service, you can book the wake. Rooms near popular churches and crematoriums can go quickly, so contact two or three venues at once rather than waiting to hear back from one.
What makes a good wake venue
- Close by: ideally a short drive from the service, so nobody gets lost on the way
- Private: a separate room, so the family isn't sharing space with the main bar
- Calm: no music, TVs or sport, unless the family wants them
- Accessible: step-free access and parking close to the door for older guests
- Flexible: able to cope if more or fewer people come than expected
Types of venue that work well
- Pub function rooms: food, a bar and staff on hand, with nothing for the family to set up or clear
- Hotel dining rooms: quiet, with table service and good parking
- Golf and cricket clubs: spacious, often with views, and used to hosting celebrations of life
- Community halls: the cheapest option, and you can bring your own food if family and friends are helping
Food and drink
Most wakes have tea, coffee and a simple buffet ready when guests arrive, with the bar open for those who want a drink. Pubs often price buffets per head, so you can set a budget once you have a rough number. Ask whether the food can be out as soon as you arrive, as guests usually come straight from the service.
How many will come?
It's hard to know. A common approach is to give the venue a range, such as 40 to 70, and ask how late you can confirm. Some will cater for a minimum and add extra plates on the day.
What to put in your enquiry
- The date, and the time the service ends
- Roughly how many people you expect, as a range
- Whether you need food, and any dietary needs
- How long you'd like the room (two to four hours is common)
- Your phone number, since venues often call back for wakes
Tip: You don't need to explain more than you want to. "A wake for about 60 people after an 11am funeral" is enough for a venue to quote.
Questions to ask
- Is the room private, and who else will be in the building?
- What's in the buffet, and how much per head?
- Is there a deposit, and what's the latest we can confirm numbers?
- Is there step-free access to the room and an accessible toilet?
- Can we put up photos or a memory table?
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