Other Venues
Not every farewell belongs in a chapel. Sometimes, choosing a place that meant something to the person who has died can make the occasion particularly personal: the farm they worked for fifty years, a beach they walked every morning, a rugby club, a church, a family garden, or a hall at the heart of their community.
Tell us where you have in mind. We’ll help you work through what’s possible and what the service will need.
Your Space.
Your Farewell.
We Come to You
Lamb & Hayward has the vehicles, equipment, and experience to hold a service almost anywhere in Canterbury. Our team has conducted services in paddocks, on clifftops, in woolsheds, on marae, in community halls and private homes. The location does not need to be conventional. It just needs to be right.
Whatever the setting, we can help coordinate the practical arrangements, including:
- Transportation of your loved one to the venue
- Setting up the casket or urn in a way that suits the space
- Sound equipment and microphone if needed
- Seating and staging where required
- Coordinating with a celebrant, minister, or kaumatua
- Any catering arrangements
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We will visit the location in advance if needed to make sure everything runs smoothly on the day.
A celebration of life
Types of Locations We Work With
From rural properties to beaches and family gardens, we’ve helped families arrange farewells in a wide variety of settings.
Farms and Rural Properties
Canterbury has a deep rural heritage, and many families choose to farewell loved ones on the land they worked and loved. We are experienced in working with rural settings and understand what it takes to hold a dignified, well-run service away from town.
Beaches and Outdoor Spaces
A service by the sea, beside a river, or in a park can be a beautiful way to mark a life. We will help you think through the practicalities: a backup plan for bad weather, seating arrangements, amplification, and timing.
Churches, Marae, and Community Spaces
If your loved one had a faith community or a cultural affiliation that calls for a particular space, we will work alongside that community to coordinate the service. We are familiar with the protocols involved and approach every setting with respect.
Private Homes and Family Gardens
A family home or garden can be a deeply personal place to gather, surrounded by familiar spaces and memories. We can help you explore what’s practical, from seating and shelter to access and catering.
If there is a specific place you have in mind that does not fit any of the above, tell us. The answer is almost always yes.
Key Considerations
A service at an alternative venue takes a little more planning than one held at one of our chapels. Here are a few things worth thinking about early:
Access
Can vehicles reach the location, including our hearse and any transport for guests with limited mobility?
Weather
Outdoor venues in Canterbury can be unpredictable. We can advise on shelter options or a backup plan if needed.
Numbers
How many people do you expect? This will shape seating, sound, and logistics.
Timing
Some locations (beaches, public reserves) may require a permit from the local council. We can help with this.
Catering
Are there facilities nearby, or do you need to bring everything in?
Bring your idea to us early. We’ll help you work through the details.
Take a Look at Our Venues
If you’d prefer a purpose-designed space, our chapels at Westpark in Burnside, Oaklands in Halswell, and Wai-mana in Rangiora offer a range of settings for different kinds of service.
Each has its own character and can be adapted to suit your family’s wishes.
