Alternative funeral venues in London

The Grade II listed cast iron Conservatory was originally built by the Horniman family in 1894 and has recently been beautifully restored to its original splendour. The elegant Conservatory, based on the original Crystal Palace, stands within a stylish terrace and allows guests to enjoy easy access to the award-winning Horniman Gardens. It is an extraordinary place to hold a funeral service. Find out more here.

Capacity: 100 seated, plus room for standing
Cost: £1700 to hire for a one hour funeral service, including setup time, 100 chairs and stewards

✓ Funerals
✓ Memorials
✓ Wakes
✓ Offers catering (approved caterers only)
х Allows own catering

The magnificent Soane Gallery is the highlight of the Dulwich Picture Gallery. Sir John Soane’s design has been an inspiration to gallery architecture worldwide since Dulwich Picture Gallery opened in 1817. Five perfectly proportioned rooms interlink to form a grand enfilade, famous for its rich red walls.

The Soane Gallery displays one of the finest collections of Old Master paintings in the world including Rubens, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Canaletto, Poussin.

Capacity: the space allows for different setups, including a more intimate setup in one of the smaller galleries for 20 people, or a larger setup in the main gallery for up to 200 people
Cost: £1800 to hire for a one hour funeral service, including setup time and 120 chairs. Additional/ different chairs can be brought in for an additional cost

Available on Mondays only when the Gallery is closed to the public

✓ Funerals
✓ Memorials
✓ Wakes
✓ Offers catering (approved caterers only)
х Allows own catering

Sitting on the Thames Embankment, sheltered by high walls, Chelsea Physic Garden is one of the oldest and most respected botanic gardens in Europe. Founded in 1673 by The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London for its apprentices to study medicinal plants and their uses, it became one of the most important centres of botany and plant exchange in the world.

Available for exclusive hire on Saturdays and weekday evenings only

The Grade I listed Burgh House was built in 1704. It is full of history, character and original features. You will find it among the cobbled streets of Hampstead Village, steps away from views of the Heath.

Two well-presented, versatile halls in the heart of Islington's Upper St. Available weekdays and weekends, daytime and evening.

Unity Hall is very flexible and ideal as a DIY venue. It offers WiFi, a PA, sound desk, projector, piano, wooden floor, stage, folding tables / chairs, disabled access, catering area and kitchen.

With floor to ceiling windows looking out over a tranquil, landscaped internal courtyard and the river, this light and airy space is suitable for funeral and memorial ceremonies. Fresh and delicious food can also be made by the in-house team.

Oaks Farm is a boutique funeral venue nestled in the Shirley Hills on the Surrey-Kent border, just 10 miles from London.

As a family-owned and run venue, the team at Oaks Farm pride themselves on the quality and warmth of their service. Their team will work tirelessly to ensure your loved one’s funeral is perfect in every way.

Woods Quay is an extraordinary new building moored on the Thames, basking in the revered riverscape from Waterloo Bridge towards Westminster and beyond, rising phoenix-like from the site of an original Victorian pier.