WHERE TO HOLD THE FUNERAL SERVICE?
PLACES INSERT.
What would be a good indoor place to say goodbye?
It's supposed to be uplifting, or at least enjoyable:
Do you feel comfortable there? If someone asked you to meet there, would you be excited?
It's supposed to be affordable:
Will they all get in? Even those who are not able to move? Those who don't have a car? Yes, they can just bring them, but won't the location deter them from just confirming their attendance?
It's supposed to be personal:
It's good if the deceased had a relationship to it: did he go to shows there? Mass? Coffee? Did he spend happy times there? Is there a view of his family home?
It's good to be able to get out:
On the terrace, in the garden, in the courtyard, ... Often we burn messages to the deceased or release balloons, doves, butterflies..., many times it is good for the atmosphere to change the environment for just a moment or to allow the bereaved to naturally move next to those loved ones who need the most support...
It's nice to have two spaces:
One for the ceremony and one for the reception.
And the toilets come in handy:
Our ceremonies last an hour or more.
PLACES FOR FUNERAL CEREMONIES INSIDE
HISTORIC VILLA WITH TERRACE AND GARDEN
The villa has everything we are looking for, plus it gives us a feeling of comfort and security.
It often has its own catering.
Examples: the Villa Lanna or the Villa Pelle.
PAVILION IN THE PARK
Many parks have their own pavilions, orangeries, or a so-called sala terrena - garden hall.
They protect us from the vagaries of the weather, we are in nature and outdoors at the same time, they can be heated to a reasonable comfortable temperature...
Examples: the Grébovka Pavilion, the Orangery in the Břevnov Monastery or the Sala Terrena in the Vrtba Garden
CHURCH OR CHAPEL
Funerals naturally belong in church! Churches have performed this ceremony for centuries. Priests like to see that we have a common goal: a dignified ceremony that helps the bereaved. That is why they are very easy to get along with. Most often, the ceremony proceeds with the priest (parish priest) conducting the Liturgy of Farewell, and then the Funeral Guides program continues. In church, of course, we are more careful in our choice of music, we consistently consult with the parish priest, and sometimes they won't even allow reproduced music - and perhaps rightly so: there is an organ and an organist!
Examples: the Church of St. Thomas in the Lesser Town (Hana Zagorova had her funeral here), the Church of St. Michael in Malvasinki (consecrated), the Evangelical Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Podolí, the Wooden Church in Libeň...
LOUNGE (IN A THEATRE, GALLERY, RESTAURANT OR HOTEL)
The parlors allow us to conduct the funeral ceremony in privacy, yet literally one step away from the rest of society.
They have excellent transport accessibility and can be booked literally at the last minute.
FUNERAL CEREMONY HALL
It is true that we speak out against funeral parlours in crematoria because they are depressing and unhelpful. But there are nice and uplifting halls where we can make the ceremony completely our own.
Examples: the Ďáblice Chapel, the Ceremonial Hall at the Vinohrady Cemetery, the Church of St. Michael in Malvasinki
GALLERY OR MUSEUM
Both galleries and museums are suitable for groups of people because of their layout, atmosphere and the service they offer (they often have a café, bistro, facilities...).
Examples: the Pelle Gallery, DOX
CAFÉ, BAR OR CLUB
We talk at our ceremonies. We remember our beloved departed. And where better to talk than in our favorite coffee shop? It's a personal space, often for us, the deceased and many of the guests.
BOTANICAL GARDEN
Farewell in the botanical garden is full of life, sun, plant energy... in every season.
COMMUNITY CENTRE
A community centre can be anything: every space mentioned here - from a café, library and gallery, to a consecrated church and a botanical garden.
The disadvantage may seem to us to be a certain "ordinariness" of community centres; the advantage is their soul, personality and proximity (in modern terms we would say "low-threshold"). We also like church community centres, which can often be arranged for the public.
CULTURAL CENTRE
Today's cultural centres are the soul of their neighbourhoods, well equipped and run by nice people. They have nothing in common with the "culture centres" of the past - although they are still in excellent use today, but they are often too big for us. The advantage is that there is often more space available. Perhaps a place to wait for the funeral to start, and also a place to sit with coffee or even something sharper after the ceremony. So guests don't have to be moved around and transported. Our favourite cultural centre is the Atrium Žižkov.
LIBRARY
Libraries are often found in spectacular historical buildings. Often they are also natural community centres - and not just in the village. After all, books are the nicest furniture (and they also dampen sound nicely)...
Example: the Klementinum, the Municipal Library in Smichov
LOFT OR ROOFTOP
A loft or rooftop gives us space, freedom and style. And breathtaking views. More contemporary music would fit in much better, like a DJ?
Examples: the roof of the Lantern or Chapter
PLANETARIUM
We know you love our ceremonies under the starry sky. But what if it's cold? Let's try bringing them inside!
We admit that the planetarium is one of the few on this list where we haven't done the ceremony: so come along and give it a try!
SPORTS HALL OR GYM
We have already prepared the farewell party at the outdoor football stadium. According to the reactions of the bereaved, it turned out well - if you can say so... The sports hall, or gym, is still waiting for our farewell.