Wakes, Funeral Receptions & Celebrations of Life
A peaceful, respectful venue for gathering with family and friends. The dining room is a dedicated space for your family and friends, and we can arrange everything at 24 to 48 hours' notice.
Wake Venue & Funeral Receptions Near Heathrow
We understand that organising a wake can be a difficult time. Our experienced team is here to handle the arrangements with sensitivity and care, ensuring a peaceful environment for you to remember your loved one.
Take the celebrations of life brochure away with you
A calm, welcoming place to gather and raise a glass.
Every space, menu, drinks package and how to book. PDF, 15 pages, 1.2 MB.
Plan Your Private Event
Send a short enquiry, or explore the cost estimator to plan your event.
Want to see the space first? Explore the floor plan and photos →
Use our cost estimator to build a quote for your event. Choose your space, guest count, catering, and extras to see a live price breakdown.
Private Spaces
Choose the right space for your gathering
The Dining Room
A private, enclosed space seating up to 26 guests, or up to 50 standing. Quiet and self-contained with direct access to facilities.
Wake Reception Packages
Flexible catering for any gathering size
We offer a range of buffet and tea & coffee packages to suit your needs and budget. Use our calculator below to get an instant indication of costs for your gathering, or call us to discuss your requirements.
Our packages cover the food, dedicated staff, and setup and cleardown, and parking is free. Room hire is charged by the hour for the space you book. We can also arrange flowers, photos, and order of service display.
Guests who choose to stay on after the reception are welcome to order from our full food menu at their leisure.
Facilities & Accessibility
A comfortable private room, and how to get in and around
Private Dining Room
Our self-contained private dining room seats up to 26 guests, or up to 50 standing. For larger gatherings the venue can be arranged to suit a wider group. The room is quiet, enclosed, and separate from the main bar area.
Getting In and Around
Getting in from the car park is step free, and so are the bar and the dining area. The beer garden is step free straight from the car park. From inside, there's one step between the bar and the garden, and we'll put our ramp out for it if you ask. We don't have an accessible toilet. If you'd like to check what will work best for you, give us a call on 01753 682707 and we'll help.
Flexible Timing
We can often take a wake booking at 24 to 48 hours' notice. A start before 12pm or a finish after 10pm is by arrangement, so tell us the times you have in mind.
What It Costs
Our packages cover the food, dedicated staff, setup, and cleardown. Room hire is charged by the hour for the space you book. A £250 booking and damage deposit secures your date. It's held separately from your bill and refunded after the event, less any documented deductions.
Allergies and Dietary Needs
Tell us about any allergies or dietary needs when you book and we'll do our best. Everything is prepared in one kitchen, so we can't guarantee there's no cross-contamination.
Free Parking
We've 20 free spaces right outside. There's no time limit while you're with us, and nothing to register. We're 10 minutes' drive from South West Middlesex Crematorium.
What to Expect on the Day
We take care of the details so you can focus on being together
Organising a wake reception can feel overwhelming, especially during such a difficult time. At The Anchor, our team will help the day run smoothly. Here is what you can expect when you choose us as your wake venue.
Before the day, we will agree on all the details with you or your funeral director by phone. We are happy to liaise directly with the funeral home if that is easier for you. We will confirm the catering, room layout, arrival time, and any personal touches you would like.
On the morning of your wake reception, our team will prepare the private dining room to your requirements. If you have provided photographs, an order of service, or flower arrangements, we will set these up on a dedicated display table. The room will be clean, warm, and ready before any guests arrive.
When guests begin to arrive, our staff will be on hand to welcome everyone and direct them to the private space. Tea, coffee, and soft drinks can be ready on arrival, or we can serve drinks from the bar as guests settle in. If you have ordered a buffet, we will lay it out at a time that suits your schedule.
Throughout the afternoon, we maintain a discreet presence. Our team is always nearby if you need anything, extra drinks, more napkins, a quiet word about timings, but we will never intrude on your gathering.
We understand that some gatherings naturally wind down after a couple of hours, while others continue into the early evening. We will never rush you. When you are ready to leave, we take care of all the cleardown and cleaning.
Celebration of Life
A modern, uplifting alternative to the traditional wake
More and more families are choosing to hold a celebration of life rather than a traditional wake. A celebration of life venue focuses on remembering the person you loved through happy memories, shared laughter, and personal tributes, rather than a sombre, formal gathering.
At The Anchor, we are perfectly set up for celebration of life events. Our private dining room can be decorated with photos, memory boards, and personal items that reflect the life of your loved one. You are welcome to play their favourite music through our sound system, set up a slideshow, or create a memory table where guests can leave notes and share stories.
Many families choose to serve their loved one's favourite foods or drinks as part of the celebration. If they had a favourite beer, a go-to cocktail, or a dish they always ordered, let us know and we will do our best to include it. These small personal touches often mean the most.
A celebration of life venue does not need to follow any particular format. Some families arrange informal speeches or toasts. Others prefer a purely social gathering where people can talk, eat, and remember at their own pace. We are flexible and will support whatever approach feels right for you. The important thing is that the day reflects the person being remembered, and that everyone leaves feeling they have honoured them properly.
Whether you call it a wake, a funeral reception, a memorial, or a celebration of life, the venue and the care behind it are what matter. We provide both.
Funeral Tea Packages
Food priced per person, and room hire charged by the hour
Catering packages
- Pizza BuffetMenu pricesMinimum 10 guests
- Burger Buffet£11ppMinimum 20 guests
- Sandwich Buffet£12ppMinimum 30 guests
- Afternoon Tea£16ppMinimum 20 guests
- Finger Buffet£16ppMinimum 30 guests
- Fish & Chip Van£18ppMinimum 30 guests
- Indoor BBQ£18ppMinimum 20 guests
- Premium Buffet£19ppMinimum 30 guests
- Prosecco Afternoon Tea£22ppMinimum 20 guests
- Indian-Inspired Curry Buffet£25ppMinimum 30 guests
- Tex-Mex Hot Buffet£29ppMinimum 30 guests
- Mediterranean Hot Buffet£32ppMinimum 30 guests
- Chicken Goujon Sharing Tray£35 per trayMinimum 25 guests
Minimum 30 guests on buffet packages unless stated. A £250 booking and damage deposit secures your date. It's held separately from your bill and refunded after the event, less any documented deductions.
Funeral tea packages cover the food, dedicated staff, setup, and cleardown, and parking is free. Room hire is charged by the hour for the space you book. Prices are indicative and may vary based on guest numbers and specific requirements. Call us on 01753 682707 for a quote.
How our team looks after people
From our Google reviews. We have not published reviews of funerals we have hosted, out of respect for the families concerned.
“Everyone had an amazing evening the staff was very good the management are the best definitely recommended them.”
Denise Trowbridge, Google review, October 2025
“Lovely family run pub. Staff are friendly, service was good and food was brilliant. Good choice of menu. Glad we found this pub for our family get together”
Tracey Knight, Google review, July 2026
“Had my mum who has dementia with me and all the staff were fantastic with her.”
Sharon Buckley, Google review, February 2022
Planning a Wake, Step by Step
A simple guide to arranging a funeral reception at The Anchor
- 1
Call us or ask your funeral director to call
You can call us directly on 01753 682707, or your funeral director can make the arrangements on your behalf. We can often accommodate bookings within 24 to 48 hours.
- 2
Choose your catering package
Select from our sandwich buffet, finger buffet, premium buffet or afternoon tea. Tell us about any allergies or dietary needs when you book and we'll do our best. Everything is prepared in one kitchen, so we can't guarantee there's no cross-contamination.
- 3
Share any personal touches
Let us know if you would like to display photographs, an order of service, or flowers. Tell us about any music you would like played or any other details that would make the day feel personal and meaningful.
- 4
Leave the rest to us
On the day, everything will be ready before your guests arrive. We handle the setup, the catering, and the cleardown. You and your family can focus entirely on being together and remembering your loved one.
Where to Hold a Wake Near Staines and Heathrow
There's no single right answer. It depends on your numbers, your budget and what feels right for the person you're remembering.
A Pub With a Private Room
Warm and relaxed. Food is usually a buffet, parking is often free, and timings can often be adapted. Staff at a pub that hosts wakes will know the tone to set.
A Hotel Function Room
More formal, usually with a fixed menu and a set timetable, and parking is often paid. It can suit you if people need somewhere to stay. Ask what room hire, food and parking come to before you decide.
A Community Hall
The most control and usually the lowest cost, but the most work. You'll normally sort the food and drinks yourself, set up the room and clean up afterwards.
A Restaurant Private Dining Room
Intimate, usually with a fixed menu. It suits a smaller group who want to sit down together. Parking varies.
What to Look for in a Wake Venue
- A private or semi-private area. The gathering feels like yours, not mixed in with everyone else.
- Flexible timing. Some wakes run two hours, others drift into the evening. Ask what times each place can offer.
- Simple food. Finger buffets and sandwiches are the most common choice. Elaborate menus are rarely what people want on the day.
- Free parking. Nobody coming from a funeral should have to worry about pay-and-display machines or parking apps.
- Step-free access. Many people at a wake are older, so ask how they'll get in and around, and what the toilets are like.
- Staff who understand. People who've hosted wakes before know when to be there and when to step back.
- Clear food minimums. Numbers at a wake are hard to predict. Some people say they'll come and can't, and others turn up unannounced. Ask what minimum numbers apply to the food.
- Space for funeral cars. If the cortege is coming straight from the service, the hearse or cars need somewhere to pull in safely.
How a Wake Usually Comes Together
- In the first few days Most families contact a funeral director, who'll help arrange the service. The wake afterwards is usually down to the family. Some funeral directors can recommend somewhere, but it's worth knowing your options.
- One to two weeks before This is when most wakes are booked. They're rarely planned months ahead, and a pub that hosts wakes will understand that.
- In the days before You'll confirm rough numbers (they're never exact), choose the food, and decide if you'd like photos, flowers or music.
- On the day People usually arrive straight from the service. A wake often lasts two to four hours, though some go on longer.
The best advice we can give is to ask one person to be the point of contact. It doesn't need to be the closest relative. A friend, a neighbour or a colleague can look after the details, so the family can just turn up and be looked after.
What Food Works at a Wake
It doesn't need to be elaborate. Most families choose one of these.
- Sandwich or finger buffet. By far the most popular. It's easy for people to help themselves, and practical when numbers are uncertain.
- Hot buffet. A step up from finger food, and good for a larger gathering where people may not have eaten much during the day.
- Afternoon tea. A popular choice, especially with older relatives. It feels a little more special without being formal.
Here, sandwich, finger and hot buffets start from 30 guests, and afternoon tea from 20. The packages above show the current prices.
Booking a Wake at Short Notice
- Call rather than email. When time's tight, a call is the quickest way to find out if your date is free.
- Give a rough number. Nobody expects precision. "Somewhere between 30 and 50" is perfectly fine.
- Ask for a simple menu. The simpler the food, the easier it is to arrange at short notice.
- Agree a point of contact. Let us know who to call with questions, and make sure they can take calls while you're planning.
- Ask about the deposit. A £250 booking and damage deposit secures your date. It's held separately from your bill and refunded after the event, less any documented deductions.
Small Things That Help on the Day
- Tell the funeral director where you're going. They can pass the address on, and sometimes coordinate arrival times.
- Think about a photo display. A few framed photos near the door give people something to gather around when they first arrive.
- Think about children. If children are coming, check if there's outdoor space or a quieter corner for them.
- Keep it simple. Tea, sandwiches and a warm room is enough. Nobody judges the catering at a wake.
- Ask about end times. Some places expect you to finish by a set time, so it's worth asking before the day.
Near Slough Crematorium
Slough Cemetery and Crematorium on Stoke Road is around 15 minutes’ drive from The Anchor. We've 20 free spaces right outside. There's no time limit while you're with us, and nothing to register.
We can have the private dining room set and ready before you arrive from the service. Whether you need space for a small, intimate gathering or up to 50 standing, we will prepare the room accordingly. Our staff understand that timings after a cremation can be unpredictable, and we will always accommodate a slightly later start without fuss.
Call us on 01753 682707 to discuss arrangements, and we will take care of the rest.
Near Staines Cemetery
Staines Cemetery on London Road is 8 minutes’ drive from The Anchor, which makes us a convenient wake venue for families gathering after a burial or committal service in Staines-upon-Thames.
Families travelling from Staines will find our location in Stanwell Moor easy to reach by car or taxi. We've 20 free spaces right outside. There's no time limit while you're with us, and nothing to register.
We welcome families from Staines, Ashford, Laleham, and Shepperton who are looking for a quiet, private venue after a service at Staines Cemetery. Our team is accustomed to arranging wakes at short notice, and we will do everything we can to support you. Please call us on 01753 682707.
Private rooms and hire
Private rooms for wakes near Staines and Heathrow
Compare private room, function room and party venue options before you call or enquire.
private rooms near Staines and Heathrow
The spaces you can hire, the hourly rates and an instant estimate.
birthday party venue near Staines
Milestone birthdays and celebrations with food, drinks and free parking.
corporate event venue near Heathrow
Team meals, work events and airport business gatherings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Our Team
We are here to help make this day as stress-free as possible.