Cheer for their football team at Amex Stadium, enjoy a picnic in the beautiful grounds of Regency Garden at the Royal Pavilion, or take in the views over Brighton at the British Airways i360 viewing tower as you celebrate the life of your loved one.
Hosting a wake in Brighton
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 center or pub, but they can take place anywhere. The people organising the wake may want to honor 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 Brighton, there are plenty of unique venues where you can host the event in your own way, from a match at Amex Stadium to a picnic at Regency Garden.
Find your funeral director in Brighton who will help you arrange a cremation or burial, and give you ideas for a wake, memorial or reception that's right for you.
The word ‘wake’ descends from Old English and Old Norse
We think the word wake comes from the term lichwake or lyke-wake from the mid 13th century. In Old Norse (a North Germanic language) vaka meant vigil, to stay awake at a time usually meant for sleep.
And in Old English the word wacu meant to watch. So the word wake is thought to have developed as a combination of wacu and vaka.
Lich is an Old English word for a dead body. Often the gate at the lowest end of a cemetery was called the lich gate, as this is where funeral processions carried the body in.
So lichwake literally means to stay up at night whilst we’re meant to be asleep to keep watch over the person who’s died. The tradition became most popular in Ireland and over time lost the word lich and became ‘wake’.
Cheer for your loved one’s football team at the Amex Stadium
Celebrate your loved one at their team’s grounds at Amex Stadium. Home to Brighton and Hove Albion, the stadium is a fitting venue to honor the life of a dedicated football fan.
The stadium is able to host wakes for intimate groups of 20 as well as larger parties of up to 200. Amex stadium also offers a variety of catering options, such as afternoon tea and pizza, so you can tailor the event to suit your needs.
You could ask guests to wear the Seagulls’ team colours of blue and white and decorate the room to match, before raising a glass to your loved one at the stadium lounge as you celebrate the life of your football fan.
Amex Stadium does not host wakes on match days, but it might be a nice idea to plan to watch the Brighton and Hove Albions at a later date—and cheer for your loved one.
Enjoy a picnic at the Regency Garden at Royal Pavilion
On a sunny day, enjoy a picnic at the Regency Garden. Surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, and set against the backdrop of the Grade I listed Royal Pavilion itself, the garden is a wonderful spot to spend some time with those closest to you.
Gather your family and friends and bring your favourite food, drinks, and stories of your loved one. Wander the gardens and see the elm trees, and depending on the time of year you visit, you could see flowering almond trees, hawthorn blossoms, or strawberry trees.
Take the time to remember your loved one while enjoying one of the most beautiful spots in the city they called home.
The right choice for you
If you’re interested in a wake funeral and need to organise a direct cremation first, we can help.
Take in the sights of Brighton at the viewing tower
Take in the views of Brighton as you reflect on the life of your loved one at the British Airways i360 viewing tower. Family and friends can look out over the city where their loved one lived, and enjoy views of the seaside and South Downs while sharing stories about what made them so special.
The British Airways i360 viewing tower has event spaces available to hire for wakes or celebration of life events. The venue offers views of the beach and West Pier, and families and friends can enjoy a buffet, dinner, canapes, or just drinks while celebrating their loved one.
Article reviewed