You can hold a funeral ceremony with the coffin present anywhere that will agree to have it. There is no licence needed.

A funeral can be held in a community hall, in a hotel or function room, at home, outside, in a yurt or marquee - in fact anywhere with the owner’s permission. The venue for the funeral ceremony is important. It dictates the atmosphere, the level of formality and it can give you the opportunity to take your time.​

If you do not wish the ceremony to be held in a religious place of worship or a crematorium, you could try:​​

• a village or local hall, or our ceremony hall at Riverstone, Buckfastleigh

• a function room in a hotel or pub

• a boat usually hired for parties

• the register office (purely secular ceremonies only)
  
  

A funeral can also be held:

• at home

• in the garden

• at the graveside

• at a woodland burial ground

• on your own land or other private land

A funeral can be held in any of these places prior to cremation. You may have more ideas of possible venues in your local area.

Things to consider when choosing a location for a funeral

• Permission of the owner to use their space

• Privacy - is this something you'll need?

• Access requirements - for both the coffin and the people attending

• Parking

• Seating

If you are arranging a funeral with us, we can advise you on suitable venues and make all the bookings for you.