Celebration of Life Event Hire: Equipment for Memorial Gatherings

Celebration of life events have grown substantially as families move away from formal funerals toward gatherings that reflect the person who has died. The hire requirements vary depending on whether the event is at home or at a venue.

Home Events vs Venue Events

A celebration at home involves 30 to 80 people, a buffet format, and an informal atmosphere. A venue event can range from 50 to 200 or more, with more structure.

The hire list for a home event is modest: folding tables for the buffet, additional chairs for seating, serving equipment, and glassware. For a venue event, the list grows to include full table and chair sets, linen, and a catering equipment package.

Buffet Equipment

A buffet format suits celebration of life events well. It allows guests to move around and talk, rather than being fixed at a table.

For a 60-person home celebration with three hot dishes, you need 7 to 8 chafing dishes, plus lids and fuel. Expo Hire's chafing dish hire covers standard rectangular formats and round dishes for soups and sauces. Add serving spoons and tongs at one set per dish.

Glassware for Toasts

A toast is a common element of celebration of life events. For 60 guests, order 70 champagne flutes or wine glasses for the toast, plus glasses for the rest of the event.

If you are serving both soft and alcoholic drinks, count separately. A glass of water plus a toast glass per person gives you a base count of two glasses per guest. Expo Hire's glassware hire range includes champagne flutes, wine glasses, and tumblers.

Tables for a Celebration of Life

For a home event, folding tables set up as buffet runs and small side tables for seating groups work well. For 60 guests in a large sitting room or garden, three to four trestle tables for the buffet plus 6 to 8 small tables for guests to gather around covers the space.

For a venue event, round tables for 8 or 10 create a social format. For 100 guests, that is 10 to 12 tables. Expo Hire's table hire range covers trestle, round, and occasional tables.

Chairs for Seated and Standing Guests

Not all guests at a celebration of life will want to sit throughout. A mix of seated areas and standing space often works better than a fully seated format.

For 80 guests, 50 chairs plus 6 to 8 high stools near poseur tables gives flexibility. Older guests or those with mobility needs will want a chair; others will prefer to stand and move. Expo Hire's chairs for hire include folding chairs suited to home events and stacking chairs for venue events.

Practical Notes

Families organising a celebration of life are often working under time pressure. Expo Hire can deliver with a few days' notice subject to availability, and the team can advise on quantities if you are unsure.

Give as much detail as possible when enquiring: guest count, venue type, whether there is a caterer involved, and any access restrictions at the delivery address. This allows Expo Hire to put together an accurate order without delays.

See also: afternoon tea hire guide and private dining hire guide.