Geelong and its surrounds have so many diverse and unique funeral and memorial locations for families to choose from.
Choosing the right venue for the memorial or funeral service has a big impact on the overall feel of the day.
The environment you choose to gather your community in should feel like an extension of the person’s values, character and interests of the person you are there to celebrate.
It helps everyone to feel another layer of connection to the person they are there to celebrate.
At Picaluna our funeral directors and funeral celebrants are committed to supporting you to ensure that the ceremony you create is the truest representation of your person it can be.
Here are some of our favourite memorial and funeral venues across the Geelong region that have a little something special to offer:
At the Heads, Barwon Heads:
Located right on the water, where the Barwon River meets the Barwon Heads Bluff, this venue is all about the view. It has a fireplace to keep things cosy and the windows open up to offer a great indoor/outdoor experience on a sunny day. The staff here are exceptional and there are some lovely walks by the river and up the cliffs if people need a little break or some fresh air at any point.
The Dunes, Ocean Grove:
Next to Ocean Grove SLSC, these venues can be booked together to accommodate extra large numbers of guests. The views of Ocean Grove Beach are absolutely stunning and the venue’s modern industrial look has a real contemporary feel to it.
Mt Duneed Estate:
What is there to say about Mt Duneed Estate? It is an institution; hosting amazing musical experiences for the region. Vineyards, sleek interiors, exceptional food and staff. You will be well taken care of here.
Big Love HQ, Geelong:
A small, vibrant venue off Pakington Street with natural light and filled with warm colors. While it is small (licensed for 29 people), it’s great for intimate gatherings and in the right context, it will feel like saying farewell from a homely little lounge room. And that is bound to be a nurturing experience.
Jack Rabbit Winery, Bellarine:
Jack Rabbit has beautiful vast views over Port Phillip Bay and that openness in the skyline, translates to a very comforting, reflective space to gather, share stories and process your loss.
Provenance Wines, Fyansford:
A beautiful old historic blue stone building with high roofs, large rooms and wine barrels scattered about. Provenance feels old worldly and homely all at once, it can cater for large numbers and the team are events experts.
Basil’s Farm, Swan Bay:
Looking out over the rugged landscape of Swan Bay, this place has so much country charm. With lots of space to roam outside in the gardens and a cosy atmosphere inside Basil’s Farm has a real hearty feel to it, perfect for feeling nurtured as you say goodbye.
The Pier, Geelong:
Out at the end of Geelong’s iconic pier, this venue is so individual, you genuinely feel like you are out on the water. It’s such a unique building and holds a real place in Geelong’s history. Inviting your loved ones here is creating a very intentional setting to gather, reflect and cement memories of a person you love.
Grand Vue Hotel, Queenscliff:
Built in 1881 this venue has architectural details to remind you that it holds a lot of history and many life moments have been celebrated here. From the courtyard to the ballroom, to the subtle stained glass details the Grand Vue Hotel is all charm. It is a beautiful place to bring your community together to show how much the person you are celebrating means to you.
Clifton Springs Golf Club, Clifton Springs:
Overlooking the greenery of the Clifton Springs Dell and a view that carries straight on to the endless sight of the Port Phillip Bay waters; Clifton Springs Golf Club has a huge balcony space, and a large indoor space to gather. With cosy booths and a fireplace, even on wintery days when you cannot be outdoors by the trees and the golf course the space is warm and inviting.
Picaluna knows that what matters most is choosing a venue you, and your community, will find comforting and at home in.
And that may even be in your home. We have facilitated so many wonderful send-offs in people’s homes and gardens.
Local sports clubs; if the deceased was a part of or community halls in your neighborhood are also great and cost-effective options that recirculate money into local community groups.·
Once you choose a venue to host the funeral or memorial service in, your funeral director will help you to curate a ceremony that encompasses all of the speakers, music, rituals and symbolism you want to include.
Every detail from choosing a coffin, setting up display tables, orders of service, putting together slide shows, organising the audio and visual details, flower presentations, messages in the newspaper, food, drink and facilitating logistics on the day; every little detail you may not have thought of, our funeral directors and funeral celebrants will guide you through.
We understand that there is a lot to do when planning a funeral and this is not something people do very often. The whole process can be overwhelming, our funeral celebrants and funeral directors will explain every step, each option and all costs transparently; that is the Picaluna Way.
Planning a funeral is never something people want to do and at Picaluna we are committed to making the process as simple as possible for you, ensuring the funeral or memorial service we create is filled with meaning and is a healing experience for those who attend.
We understand that if we do this well, and you feel proud of the way you honoured your person’s life, this will serve you in your grief as you move forward.
Any of these venues are a great first step towards making the day a beautiful gathering and personalised way to honour your loved one.
