BCP Bereavement Care

For many, the wake is part of the ‘goodbye’ to a loved one. There are many ways to remember their life: traditionally, a ‘wake’ is held after the funeral service, either at home, or in another place where friends and family can gather, such as a function room or pub.

A memorial can be held at any time, but is often held on a significant anniversary or date of personal or religious importance.

Celebration of Life

A celebration of life is a more modern take on these gatherings – they can be similar in format but are more usually less of a gathering to mourn the loss of a loved one, having more focus on the deceased’s life, celebrating their achievements and gathering to remember better times.

In more recent times, partly due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but partly due to changing customs and formalities, we are seeing more people opting for a ‘Direct Cremation’ [link] that does not involve a funeral service in the traditional sense, at a crematorium or within a religious building. Many are opting to hold a ‘celebration of life’ elsewhere, either at the time of, or after the direct cremation has taken place.

Our venue - Woodpecker Café, Bournemouth

Woodpecker Café offers a fantastic licensed venue to hold such events in picturesque places.

Woodpecker Café is located just one mile from Bournemouth Crematorium and offers a less-formal and friendly venue to hold a celebration of life function. It is fully accessible (located on the first floor, but with a lift) and has plenty of parking.

Find out more about holding an event at Woodpecker Café, Queen’s Park by taking a look at their website Woodpecker (parkcafes.co.uk). There is plenty of advice about what you need to think about when organising a wake, plus you can take a look at the menu.

You may be asked to provide outside catering, delivered to another venue such as your family’s home or a place of worship. Park Cafés also provide this service. Please email the functions manager to find out more.

Our venue - Upton Country Park, Poole

Upton Country Park is the perfect venue if you're looking to pay respects to your loved one in the grand setting of Upton House. The elegant Drawing Room provides a beautiful backdrop to your reception or wake, with large windows giving unrivalled views across the back lawn.

You can find out more information from the team at Upton Country Park directly from their website, and also take a look at a virtual tour of the Grand Entrance Hall.

Venue Hire - Upton Country Park, Poole

Our venue - Highcliffe Castle

Highcliffe Castle is also owned and operated by BCP Council. The Castle has been described as arguably the most important surviving house of the romantic and picturesque style of architecture, which flourished at the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century.

There are many rooms available for private hire and would provide a stunning setting for a wake or celebration of life.

Events Hire - Highcliffe Castle