Beckenham Galleries & gardens
Beckenham Place Mansion
A historic mansion set within Beckenham Place Park.
A guide to
Wake venues & caterers in South East London
Whether you’re planning a quiet drink, lunch with friends or a larger gathering, we’ve put together a guide to venues and caterers across South East London.
Something simple, or something different
A wake might mean tea and sandwiches at a favourite local pub, lunch with a few close friends or a party somewhere the person who has died loved. You might call it a funeral tea, a celebration of life or a traditional wake.
We’ve brought together places across South East London, from local pubs and community spaces to gardens, galleries and larger venues.
Poetic Endings organises the funeral, but doesn't get involved with the wake. You can contact each venue or caterer directly to discuss availability and what you have in mind.
Explore
Find a venue
Search by name, neighbourhood or type of venue, and save your favourites to a shortlist.
Find wake venues near a crematorium
Choose a crematorium to see suggested venues in surrounding neighbourhoods.
Showing all 32 venues
Dulwich Galleries & gardens
Belair House
A Georgian house next to Dulwich's Belair Park.
Herne Hill / Brixton Galleries & gardens
Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses
A garden and greenhouse setting in Brockwell Park.
Crystal Palace Park Pubs & restaurants
Brown & Green LIFE
A café setting amid the greenery of Crystal Palace Park.
Crofton Park Pubs & restaurants
Crofton Park Tavern
A pub on the edge of Brockley and Crofton Park.
Dulwich / Sydenham Hill Clubs & event spaces
Dulwich & Sydenham Golf Club
A golf club set in green surroundings above Dulwich.
Dulwich Galleries & gardens
Dulwich Picture Gallery
A gallery setting, with beautiful rooms and gardens for getting together.
East Dulwich Clubs & event spaces
Fabulous Fifty Seven
An intimate private-event space from Suzanne James in East Dulwich.
Dulwich Village Clubs & event spaces
Griffin Sports Club
A club setting with space for a larger get-together.
Honor Oak Community & arts
Honor Oak Community Centre
A community venue in Honor Oak.
Forest Hill Galleries & gardens
Horniman Museum & Gardens
A familiar Forest Hill landmark, with gardens overlooking London.
West Norwood Pubs & restaurants
Knowles of Norwood
A characterful pub in West Norwood.
Bermondsey Clubs & event spaces
Millwall Football Club
A football-club setting for a gathering with a connection to Millwall.
Dulwich Pubs & restaurants
The Alleyn’s Head
A traditional Dulwich pub for a relaxed gathering.
Dulwich Village Pubs & restaurants
The Crown & Greyhound
A longstanding pub in the centre of Dulwich Village.
West Norwood Pubs & restaurants
The Great North Wood
A West Norwood pub with a neighbourhood feel.
Herne Hill Pubs & restaurants
The Half Moon
A well-known Herne Hill pub with a welcoming setting.
Nunhead Pubs & restaurants
The Ivy House
A community-owned pub with an interesting history in Nunhead.
East Dulwich Pubs & restaurants
The Lordship Pub
A pub in East Dulwich suited to an informal gathering.
Greenwich Galleries & gardens
The Orangery at the Fan Museum
An intimate museum setting in Greenwich.
West Dulwich Pubs & restaurants
The Rosendale
A spacious pub in West Dulwich, with indoor and outdoor areas.
Forest Hill Pubs & restaurants
The Signal
An informal local pub near the heart of Forest Hill.
Forest Hill Pubs & restaurants
The Stuffed Walrus
A neighbourhood pub in Forest Hill.
Dulwich Pubs & restaurants
The Wood House
A pub in Dulwich, with gardens and space to linger.
Dulwich Pubs & restaurants
Watson’s General Telegraph
An informal pub setting near Dulwich.
No venues match those filters. Try another neighbourhood or remove a filter.
Food & drink
Funeral caterers
From a simple buffet to a sit-down meal, these independent caterers are a starting point. Ask whether they can cater at your chosen venue or another location.
SPAM by Brown & Green
Event catering, food and practical details for gatherings of different kinds.
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Salters Events
Menus ranging from informal buffets to more formal catered occasions.
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Suzanne James
Seasonal British food, with options for different dietary requirements.
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LEO Food
Colourful, largely vegetarian and vegan catering, with other options to discuss.
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Scandi Soul Food
Scandinavian open sandwiches, canapés and seasonal food.
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Kalm Kitchen
Event catering for private spaces, venues and other gatherings.
Visit websiteA few practical things
Before you book
It can help to have a rough idea of numbers, timings and the kind of gathering you’d like. These are the questions we’d ask before choosing a venue.
Space & access
Can everyone be seated if they’d like to? Is there step-free access, an accessible toilet and somewhere quiet to step away?
Food & drink
Do they provide catering, work with particular suppliers or allow you to bring someone in? Ask about dietary requirements too.
Timings & price
Ask how long you can have the space, whether you need to pay a deposit, and what is included in the quote.
How many people should I plan for?
You don't need an exact number before making an enquiry. A rough estimate is useful, and the venue can explain whether different room arrangements or food choices are possible as numbers become clearer.
Is it better to choose somewhere near the funeral?
Some people prefer somewhere close to the crematorium, church or ceremony venue so that everyone has an easy journey. Others choose a familiar pub, a favourite restaurant or somewhere with a personal connection. Think about travel time and anyone who may find a second journey difficult.
Can I use an outside caterer?
It depends on the venue. Some have their own kitchens or preferred caterers; others allow outside suppliers. Ask before booking so there are no surprises later.
For local venues
Would you like to be included?
If you run a venue in South East London that can host wakes, funeral teas or gatherings, we'd be pleased to hear from you. Send us a short description, a link to your website and a few photographs.
Get in touchThese are independent third-party providers, listed as a helpful starting point rather than a guarantee or endorsement. Please check availability, accessibility, prices, terms and suitability directly with each venue or caterer. Poetic Endings does not arrange or take responsibility for third-party wake bookings.
wake venues & funeral caterers in south east london
Although we don’t get involved in the organisation of the wake, we’ve compiled a directory of venues for wakes in and around Forest Hill, South East London, for you to consider. You can contact the venues directly to talk about your requirements.
WAKE VENUES
Featured
Wake Venues in and around South East London
FUNERAL CATERERS
Please note - these recommendations are made solely as a convenience to assist you in making informed decisions.
While we aim to suggest reputable providers, we cannot guarantee the quality, reliability, or suitability of their services, nor do we accept any responsibility or liability for any issues or disputes that may arise in connection with the services provided by third parties.
It is your responsibility to independently assess and verify the suitability of any recommended service provider for your specific needs. By acting on any recommendation we provide, you acknowledge and agree that we shall not be held liable for any loss, damage, or inconvenience resulting from the use of such services.