Take a walk through Horton Park, enjoy a picnic at Lister Park, or cheer on Bradford at their football ground and celebrate the life of your loved one with a wake unique to them.
Hosting a wake in Bradford
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 Bradford, there are plenty of unique venues where you can host the event in your own way, from taking a walk at Horton Park to watching Bradford play at their football grounds.
Find your funeral director in Bradford who will help you arrange a cremation and give you ideas for a wake, memorial or reception that’s right for you.
Famous wakes vary from all night events to not having one at all
Peter Stringfellow was a flamboyant nightclub owner in London who died in 2018. Following a low-key woodland burial, people organised an all night wake party at his club in Covent Garden.
Meanwhile David Bowie did not want a fuss and chose to have a direct cremation without a funeral or wake. These are ways people have shaped what happens after their loved one has died to reflect their character and wishes.
Horton Park
Horton Park is a stunning 19th-century park that would be a lovely location for a wake. It would be a fitting tribute especially if your loved one enjoyed nature or spent a lot of time in the park. It has a range of beautiful walks, a terrace, and a stream, which have wonderful views and scenery. Why not walk through some of your loved one’s favourite areas while sharing memories with friends and family?
There is plenty of space in the park for a picnic too, as well as plenty of quiet spaces if you’d like to take a quiet moment of reflection. The park can be a very relaxing place where you can take the wake at your own pace and ensure that your loved one has a send-off that best suits them.
You might choose not to have a funeral at all
If you wish, the crematorium can collect the person who’s died and carry out the cremation privately. They will then deliver the ashes back to you. Crematoriums call this an unattended or ‘direct’ cremation.
Some people then hold a wake to remember the person who’s died, either at home or at a local venue. You can read more in our guide to wakes.
Lister Park
Lister Park is a fantastic location for a wake, especially if your loved one spent a lot of time here.
If they enjoyed the beautiful flower gardens, you could walk through and admire them or even stop for a picnic with family and friends. The Mughal Waters gardens or the boating lake are also nice spots to sit and enjoy a moment of reflection.
You’ll be able to find a quiet area for some privacy here, if you need it. But you’ll also find spots that are ideal for holding big gatherings. You can celebrate the life of your loved one in a way that best suits you and them at Lister Park.
Bradford City AFC
Bradford City AFC is the ideal location for any football fan’s wake. You can watch Bradford City play a home game and cheer them on, just as your loved one would. If your loved one frequently attended matches or was a Bradford fan, this would be a fitting tribute and a wonderful way to celebrate their life.
If you’d like some privacy, you could rent one of the lounges or suites, where you can enjoy the match in comfort and style. Depending on the package you choose, you can enjoy food and drink before the match, specialized programs, luxury seats, and a bar open throughout halftime. This space offers you a quiet place to reflect on your loved one’s life and feel closer to them.
The price of hiring these rooms varies depending on the room and package you choose. You can ask the football club for a quote or check their website for more information.
The right choice for you
If you’re interested in a wake funeral and need to organise a direct cremation first, we can help.
Article reviewed