WHERE SHOULD THE FUNERAL SERVICE BE HELD?
PLACES INSIDE.
What makes a good indoor venue for a farewell gathering?
It's supposed to be uplifting, or at least pleasant:
Do you feel comfortable there? If someone invited you there for a meeting, would you look forward to it?
It should be available:
Will everyone be able to get there? Even those who have trouble getting around? Those who don't have a car? Yes, we just need to drive them there, but won't the location itself discourage them from attending as soon as they confirm their participation?
It's supposed to be personal:
It’s good if the deceased had some connection to the place: Did he go there for exhibitions? For Mass? For coffee? Did he spend happy moments there? Is there a view of his childhood home from there?
It's nice to be able to go outside:
On the terrace, in the garden, in the courtyard… We often burn messages to the deceased or release balloons, doves, butterflies… Sometimes, just changing the setting for a moment—or allowing the bereaved to naturally move closer to those loved ones who need the most support—can really set the right mood…
It's nice to have two spaces:
One for the ceremony and the other for the reception.
And the restrooms are also suitable:
Our ceremonies last an hour or longer.
INDOOR VENUES FOR FUNERAL SERVICES
HISTORIC VILLA WITH A TERRACE AND GARDEN
The villa has everything we're looking for, and it also makes us feel comfortable and safe.
It often provides its own catering.
Examples: Villa Lanna or Villa Pelle.
PAVILION IN THE PARK
Many parks have their own pavilions, orangeries, or a so-called "sala terrena"—a garden hall.
They protect us from the vagaries of the weather; we’re surrounded by nature and outdoors at the same time, and they can be heated to a comfortable temperature…
Examples: the Grébovka Pavilion, the Orangery at the Břevnov Monastery, and the Sala Terrena in the Vrtba Garden
CHURCH OR CHAPEL
A funeral naturally belongs in a church! Churches have been conducting this ceremony for centuries. Priests are happy to see that we share a common goal: a dignified ceremony that will help the bereaved. That’s why it’s very easy to work with them. Most often, the ceremony proceeds as follows: the priest (parish pastor) conducts the Farewell liturgy, and then the program led by the funeral directors continues. In church, we are naturally more careful in our choice of music; we consult thoroughly with the parish pastor, and sometimes he won’t even allow recorded music—and perhaps that’s for the best: after all, there’s an organ and an organist there!
Examples: St. Thomas Church in Malá Strana (Hana Zagorová, for example, was buried here), St. Michael’s Church in Malvazinky (deconsecrated), the Evangelical Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Podolí, the wooden church in Libeň…
LOUNGE (IN A THEATER, GALLERY, RESTAURANT, OR HOTEL)
The lounges allow us to hold a funeral service in private, yet literally just a step away from the rest of the gathering.
They are very accessible by public transportation and can be booked literally at the last minute.
FUNERAL CEREMONY HALL
It’s true that we oppose funeral halls in crematoriums because they’re depressing and unhelpful. But there are beautiful and uplifting halls where, on top of that, we can hold a ceremony exactly as we wish.
Examples: The Ďáblice Chapel, the Ceremonial Hall at the Vinohrady Cemetery, St. Michael’s Church in Malvazinky
GALLERY OR MUSEUM
Galleries and museums are well-suited for groups of people thanks to their layout, atmosphere, and the services they offer (they often have a café, bistro, restrooms, etc.).
Examples: Pelle Gallery, DOX
CAFÉ, BAR, OR CLUB
At our services, we talk. We remember our beloved departed. And where better to talk than at our favorite café? It’s a personal space—often for us, for the departed, and for many of the guests.
BOTANICAL GARDEN
A farewell at the botanical garden is full of life, sunshine, and the energy of plants… no matter the season.
COMMUNITY CENTER
A community center can be anything: any of the spaces we mention here—from a café, library, and gallery, to a deconsecrated church, to a botanical garden.
We may see a certain “ordinariness” in community centers as a drawback; on the other hand, their charm, character, and accessibility (or, to use a modern term, “low-threshold access”) are their strengths. We also appreciate church-run community centers, which can often be arranged to be open to the public.
CULTURAL CENTER
Today’s cultural centers are the heart and soul of their neighborhoods; they’re superbly equipped and run by friendly people. They have nothing in common with the old “culture centers”—even though those still serve their purpose well today, they’re often too large for our needs. The advantage is that there are often multiple spaces available. For example, there’s a place to wait before a funeral begins, as well as a spot to sit and have coffee—or even something a little stronger—after the ceremony. This way, guests don’t have to move around or be transported anywhere. One of our favorite cultural centers is the Atrium Žižkov.
LIBRARY
Libraries are often housed in spectacular historic buildings. They frequently serve as natural community centers—and by no means only in villages. And after all, books are the most beautiful kind of furniture (and they also do a great job of absorbing sound)...
Example: Klementinum, Smíchov Municipal Library
LOFT OR ROOFTOP
A loft or rooftop (roof space) gives us space, freedom, and style. And breathtaking views. Wouldn't contemporary music—like a DJ—fit in much better there?
Examples: The Roof of the Lucerna or Chapter
PLANETARIUM
We know you love our ceremonies under the starry sky. But what if it's cold? Let's try moving them indoors!
We admit that the planetarium is one of the few places on this list where we haven't held a ceremony yet: so come join us and let's give it a try!
SPORTS HALL OR GYM
We’ve already organized a memorial service at an outdoor soccer stadium. Judging by the reactions of the bereaved, it went very well—if you can call it that… A sports arena or gym is still waiting to host our memorial service.