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Funeral wakes & Celebrations of Life

Funeral Wakes in Colchester

✦

A peaceful, welcoming Grade II listed chapel in the grounds of Colchester Cemetery – just a 10-minute walk or short drive from the crematorium after the service.

Call 01206 560060Make an enquiry

Near the crematorium

A 10-minute walk or short drive from the crematorium, with free parking outside.

Up to 80 guests

Seating for around 40 indoors in winter, and up to 80 in summer with outdoor seating.

★★★★★

5-star food hygiene

Freshly prepared sandwich platters and homemade cakes, plus unlimited tea & coffee.

Locally recommended

Trusted by many local funeral directors – and the chapel is wheelchair accessible.

Remember•Celebrate•Together

A calm, caring space to remember

Starlight Tea Chapel is a charming 1850s chapel nestled in the peaceful, leafy grounds of Colchester Cemetery. It offers a quiet, reflective setting for a wake or Celebration of Life – somewhere your family and friends can share memories over tea, sandwiches and homemade cakes.

Michele and Karen with their team look after everything. Your two-hour booking includes setting up the tables beforehand and clearing away afterwards, so you can simply focus on your guests.

See wake packages
Heart-shaped finger sandwiches topped with cheese, cucumber and tomato, prepared for a wake
Prices from January 2026

Wake packages

Freshly prepared on the day by our team. Choose the package that suits your gathering – all prices are per person, plus a £100 venue hire fee.

Package 1£9.25 per person
Food
  • Scones with clotted cream & jam
  • or a selection of cakes
Drinks included

Unlimited tea & coffee (PG Tips & Gold Blend), water, orange & apple juice

Enquire about Package 1
Package 2£11.25 per person
Food
  • Choice of three sandwich platters
  • Lightly salted crisps & dip
  • Selection of mini cake bites
Drinks included

Unlimited tea & coffee (PG Tips & Gold Blend), water, orange & apple juice

Enquire about Package 2
Package 3£13.25 per person
Food
  • Choice of three sandwich platters
  • Sausage rolls & pizza bites
  • Lightly salted crisps & dips
  • Fruit cocktails
  • Cheese with pineapple, tomato, grapes & pickled onion
  • Selection of mini cake bites
Drinks included

Unlimited tea & coffee (PG Tips & Gold Blend), water, orange & apple juice

Enquire about Package 3
Package 4£16.25 per person
Food
  • Choice of three sandwich platters
  • Sausage rolls & pizza bites
  • Lightly salted crisps & dip
  • Fruit cocktails
  • Cheese with pineapple, tomato, grapes & pickled onion
  • Pork pie & sweet pickle
  • Mini quiche bites
  • Vol-au-vents
  • Selection of mini cake bites
Drinks included

Unlimited tea & coffee (PG Tips & Gold Blend), water, orange & apple juice

Enquire about Package 4
Food Hygiene Rating 5 – Very Good

Rated 5 – Very Good

We’re proud to hold the top food hygiene rating, so you can trust every platter is prepared with care.

Venue hire £100 – covers your two-hour slot, additional staffing, table set-up and clearing away.
Dietary requirements – happily catered for at £5.00 per person extra. Just let us know when you book.
All items are subject to availability.

How it works

1

Call or enquire

Ring us on 01206 560060 or send an enquiry with the date, time and how many guests you’re expecting.

2

Choose your package

Pick the wake package that suits you and tell us about any dietary requirements.

3

We take care of the rest

Tables are set and food is ready when you arrive. Afterwards, we clear everything away.

Kind words
from families

★★★★★

5-star reviews on Google

  • “We held our dad’s wake here and it was a perfect setting… Michelle and Karen were very helpful and welcoming.”
    – Louise Y., Google review
  • “Just had a wake here for mum. It really was lovely. The food was delightful and fresh, there was plenty for everyone.”
    – Julie P., Google review
  • “What a lovely joyful atmosphere you created, perfect for my mum’s wake, thank you.”
    – Joanne M., Google review
  • “Had my dear mum’s wake at the Starlight Chapel… the food was lovely & lovely atmosphere. Would 100% recommend.”
    – Tracey J., Google review
  • “I attended a wake here – felt well looked after, relaxed, and food was very nice and well presented.”
    – Charlene P., Google review
    Good to know

    Frequently asked questions

    If there’s anything else you’d like to know, please give us a call – we’re always happy to help.

    Call 01206 560060
    • How many guests can you accommodate?

      Around 40 guests can be seated indoors during the winter months. In summer, with our outdoor seating, we can welcome up to 80 guests.

    • How long is a wake booking?

      Wakes are booked in slots of up to two hours. The venue is reserved for your booking during that time, so your family and friends can gather together.

    • Where are you, and is there parking?

      We’re in the grounds of Colchester Crematorium & Cemetery, Mersea Road, Colchester CO2 8RU – around a 10-minute walk or short drive from the crematorium. There is free parking right outside the chapel.

    • Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

      Yes, the chapel is wheelchair accessible.

    • Are there toilets?

      To preserve the character of our Grade II listed chapel, there are no toilets inside the building itself – but the cemetery’s public toilets are just a short 100-metre stroll away, and our team will happily point your guests in the right direction.

    • What does the £100 venue hire include?

      Venue hire covers your two-hour slot, additional staffing, setting up the tables before you arrive and clearing everything away afterwards.

    • Can you cater for dietary requirements?

      Yes. Special dietary requirements are catered for at an extra £5.00 per person – just let us know when you book.

    • How do I book a wake?

      Call us on 01206 560060 or send an enquiry using the form below with your preferred date, time and number of guests, and we’ll be in touch.

    Get in touch

    Make a wake enquiry

    Tell us your preferred date, time and number of guests and we’ll get back to you. If it’s urgent, please call.

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