Unique wake venues in Birmingham

A wake is an informal event that traditionally takes place after a funeral service and cremation or burial. It’s usually an informal event that involves family and friends gathering to share memories and celebrate the life of their loved one.

Traditionally, wakes would take place at someone’s home, or a community centre or pub, but they can take place anywhere. The people organising the wake may want to honour their loved one by holding the wake at a place that was special to them, such as at the grounds of their favourite football team, for example. 

Also, although wakes usually take place directly after the funeral service, they can be held at any time. They can also be as structured or as informal as the organiser would like. Wake organisers have the freedom to host the event that’s right for them, their family and friends, and their loved one.

If you’re organising a wake in Birmingham, there are plenty of unique venues where you can host the event in your own way, from a stroll at the Botanical Gardens to a canal ride. 

Find your funeral director in Birmingham who will help you arrange a cremation or burial and give you ideas for a wake, memorial, or reception that’s right for you.

If the person who’s died had a strong connection with nature, the Botanical Gardens is the ideal place for their send-off. Comprising four glasshouses, a tearoom, and a playground for younger guests, there’s plenty of greenery and serenity to be found here.

The Botanical gardens advise that you should buy tickets in advance. These are available online through the Birmingham Botanical Garden website. You can purchase family and group tickets; while it’s usually a little cheaper to purchase your tickets online, you can also buy them directly from the ticket office.

There’s a wide range of habitat gardens, from rainforest glasshouses to arid deserts. If your loved one enjoyed their time here or was a fan of nature and the outdoors, it's an excellent place to celebrate their life. You can take a picnic with you and enjoy it on the grass outside one of the many beautifully designed glasshouses. 

You’ll find plenty of quiet moments for reflection here and places to share fond memories with friends or family of your loved one if you wish. Perhaps you visited the Botanical Gardens with them or listened to their stories while walking around the gardens. This can make the Botanical Gardens a wonderful place to share those memories and pay tribute to your loved ones. 

If your loved one was an avid football fan, you could host the wake at Birmingham City’s football grounds. If they spent a lot of their time here, this could be a special place to celebrate the life of the person who’s died. There are plenty of options for hiring the space, with nine suites and seventeen boxes available to hire for private events. The club prides itself on catering to unique and special events, making it an excellent venue for a wake.

Prices vary depending on the suite and package chosen, but you can get a clearer idea of prices when making your enquiries as they are sometimes subject to change. You can also add unique extras to make the wake more personal, like private tours for your group. Walking through somewhere that holds memories of your loved one can be emotional but might be comforting, too. It can help you feel closer to your loved one by connecting with a place that was special to them.

You could even purchase tickets to watch Birmingham play if the person who’s died was a passionate supporter of the team. Being surrounded by people who spent time with your loved one and shared their love of football with them can help you feel closer to the person who’s died and would be a fitting send-off. 

Finally, you can opt for a journey down one of Birmingham’s many historical canals. With over 300 miles of waterways to choose from, you can start your tour in the city centre and travel to the outskirts or journey along the West Midlands canals while taking in the sights. If your loved one enjoyed boating, the canal or spent time near them, this can be a unique way to celebrate their life.

You have a few options for the different boat trips you can take, with varying prices, so be sure to enquire and find out what’s available. Prices can be subject to change, so it’s best to ask directly for an accurate cost. You can also hire a section of the canal so your party can be together on several boats, sharing memories of your loved one as you travel. 

You can bring your own food, or arrange catering if you'd like. It could be nice to include all of your loved one’s favourite food for everyone to enjoy. Being on the water, sharing stories about your loved one, or sharing some of their favourite poetry or stories could be a beautiful way to celebrate their life.

Take in the stunning scenery while you celebrate the life of your loved one on a calming canal ride through Birmingham and the West Midlands.