Planning a Celebration of Life in Newton Abbot

Planning a celebration of life that reflects your loved one’s personality is a lovely way to honour them. But navigating all the emotions grief brings can make it hard to know where to start.

To help guide you through the process and plan a celebration that brings friends and family together to remember your loved one, this blog covers everything to consider when choosing wake venues in Newton Abbot, from location and catering to guest numbers and personal touches.

Choose a Wake Venue in Newton Abbot

Finding the right venue can significantly impact the atmosphere of a wake, so it’s important to give it your full consideration.

Choosing a peaceful and welcoming venue can help guests feel at ease, ensuring they are comfortable sharing precious memories and supporting each other throughout the day. For this reason, choosing a private or semi-private setting, such as a private event room in a larger setting, can ensure you and your guests have the privacy and space to celebrate your loved one’s life. 

It’s also important to consider the experience of different wake venues in Newton Abbot. Opting for a venue used to hosting funeral teas can help ease some of the pressure of the day, as more experienced staff can confidently manage room arrangements, catering, refreshments and any special requests.

Finally, you need to make sure your chosen venue has enough space for your anticipated numbers, there is adequate parking, and it is accessible for guests with mobility needs.

Decide Guest Numbers and Timings

Once you have chosen your wake venue in Newton Abbott, you can start thinking about when to host the celebration of life and expected guest numbers.

When it comes to choosing a date, it’s best to liaise with your chosen funeral directors. But you should also check the availability of close family members, especially if they are travelling from further afield, as they may need to make travel and accommodation arrangements. 

You then need to think about timings of the day. For example, it’s important to consider how long it will take from the funeral service and wake venue and whether everyone is likely to arrive straight from the funeral. 

When it comes to estimating numbers, the attendance of a celebration of life can be hard to predict as it isn’t customary to RSVP and some guests will only attend the funeral service. So, to ensure there is plenty of room and food for all, it’s always best to slightly overestimate rather than underestimate your numbers. 

Finally, you should check whether your chosen venue requires a minimum head count for catering. At Dainton Park, our Celebration of Life menu, which includes freshly made sandwiches, quiche and cakes as well as unlimited tea and coffee, is available for £15 per head for a minimum booking of 30 guests.  

Plan Food and Drink for the Wake

Traditionally, a fresh buffet is served for a wake as this allows guests to mingle without the formality of a sit-down meal. Alongside this, free tea and coffee is usually served, while other refreshments may be available at a licensed bar.

To ensure all guests are catered for, it’s important to consider any dietary requirements and allergies. You should also think about the timing of the food, ensuring that it is served when all your guests have arrived and before they start heading home.

At Dainton Park, our Celebration of Life menu can accommodate a range of dietary requirements and cater for specific allergies. This ensures you can relax knowing all your guests are well fed. 

Add Personal Touches

Adding personal touches is one way to ensure that your loved one is remembered in a way that honours them. This could be through specific music choices during the funeral service or a bespoke playlist at the wake, framed photos or a slideshow of pictures, readings they held dear, or even their favourite flowers.

In addition, a condolence book or memory tree allows others to share their special memories of your loved one with you in a way you can treasure for years to come. 

At Dainton Park, our experienced staff can assist with any special requests to ensure that any personalised touches are in place and you don’t have to worry about setting things up. 

Questions to Ask Before Booking

As you start to narrow down wake venues in Newton Abbott, the most important thing to remember is that you feel the venue can support your family’s needs on the day. A good venue should be able to explain the availability of its rooms, how many guests it can accommodate, what catering packages are available and what options are available for those with dietary requirements.

Other considerations you should bear in mind are whether parking is adequate for your expected guest numbers, the accessibility of your venue, event timing and whether a private bar or dedicated refreshments can be provided. If you are keen to include personal touches, you should also ask about these and find out up front what is and isn’t possible. 

Finally, you need to check payment terms, including deposit requirements and cancellation policies. It’s also a good idea to find out whether you will have a dedicated point of contact, as this can help smooth the planning process and allow you and your family to focus on remembering your loved one. 

Host a Celebration of Life at Dainton Park

For families seeking a peaceful wake venue in Newton Abbot, Dainton Park Golf Club offers flexible event spaces ideal for reflective private gatherings. With both catering and bar services available, you can relax knowing that our experienced, friendly and supportive team will take care of everything for you on the day. 

Enquire About a Celebration of Life

If you are planning a celebration of life in Newton Abbott, our experienced events team at Dainton Park is available to help. They can discuss your requirements in confidence and provide support in creating a respectful gathering that reflects your loved one’s wishes.

Find out more on our dedicated Celebration of Life page or enquire today.