The 20 Best Celebration of Life Venues in Los Angeles
Looking for the perfect celebration of life venues Los Angeles has to offer? Here’s a list of 20 iconic venues to celebrate a well-lived life.
Looking for the perfect celebration of life venues Los Angeles has to offer? Here’s a list of 20 iconic venues to celebrate a well-lived life.
Planning a celebration of life is about creating a space where you can honor your loved one — their life, legacy, and memories. While there’s a lot that goes into planning a meaningful occasion, one of the main factors is finding the right venue.
You want something that feels personal, where friends and family can gather to celebrate and remember — and there are several options out there.
With this guide, we’ll help you find the best celebration of life venues Los Angeles has available, including places that aren’t your typical memorial locations.
Let’s make this process easier so you can focus on creating something special.
A celebration of life is a personalized gathering that focuses on remembering and celebrating the joy, love, and legacy of the one who has passed away, rather than focusing solely on mourning.
It’s more flexible than traditional memorial services, offering an opportunity to honor the unique life of the person who has passed away through stories, music, photos, and personal touches. A celebration of life allows for creativity in how the event is planned (again, this is when compared to a traditional memorial service). It can take place anywhere — from a beach to a garden, to even a favorite restaurant or at home.
The emphasis is on creating a positive, reflective atmosphere where friends and family come together to share memories and celebrate the individual’s impact on their lives. There’s no right or wrong way to do it; it’s all about what feels meaningful to the family and friends involved.
Here are some key factors to keep in mind when making your choice:
Why it matters: You’ll want a venue that can comfortably accommodate everyone who plans to attend. Consider the number of guests when selecting the venue. Too small, and the space may feel cramped; too large, and the event may lose its intimate feel.
Here’s a tip: Always check with the venue for maximum capacity and think about and visualize how seating will be arranged, especially if there will be speeches or tributes.
Why it matters: The setting plays a big role in the overall tone of the celebration. An outdoor venue offers a peaceful, natural setting, but you’ll need to plan around weather and temperature. Indoor venues provide comfort and consistency but might be less connected to nature.
Think about your loved one’s preferences and personality when deciding. Were they someone who loved the outdoors? Or would a cozy indoor space feel more fitting?
Why it matters: Make sure the venue is easily accessible for all guests, especially those with mobility issues. This includes checking for ramps, elevators, or nearby parking.
Confirm with the venue that they have ample parking, or provide clear instructions for alternate parking options to make it easy for guests arriving by car.
Why it matters: The venue should set the right tone for the event. Whether it's an elegant space with a peaceful ambiance or a lively, vibrant setting, make sure the venue aligns with the mood you want to create.
Choose a place that reflects your loved one’s life and personality. Consider adding personal touches like photos, favorite flowers, or meaningful décor to create a special and personal space.
We’ve compiled a list of non-religious memorial service locations in L.A. We’ll start with some beachfront venues for a seaside memorial, then move onto our favorite garden venues, historic landmarks, and banquet halls.
Venice Beach offers beautiful ocean views with a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere for a celebration of life. The pavilions along Venice Beach can provide space for gatherings, with the iconic Venice vibe and proximity to the Pacific Ocean. It’s a great choice for someone who cherished the beach and waves.
Located in Pacific Palisades, this venue has breathtaking views of the ocean and indoor spaces and scenic outdoor areas. The Bel-Air Bay Club’s beachfront setting makes it perfect for a celebration of life. It combines class and natural beauty with the added comfort of full event coordination services.
This place offers both indoor and outdoor event spaces with stunning ocean views. The Marion Davies Guest House provides an indoor setting, while the outdoor pool deck and beachside areas are perfect for creating a beautiful environment. What you get is a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere for a non-traditional memorial service.
The Los Angeles Arboretum offers a serene and lush setting. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, waterfalls, and trees, the venue provides a peaceful atmosphere perfect for a non-traditional memorial. Its outdoor spaces create an intimate connection to nature, allowing for a reflective and meaningful tribute.
For a unique and historic backdrop, Los Angeles Union Station offers a charming and grand setting. Its beautiful architecture provides a distinctive space for a memorable celebration of life. It’s a great fit for someone who lived their life in this city and felt a strong connection to it.
The Ebell of Los Angeles is a historic venue that has been hosting events since 1927. With its grand architecture and stunning gardens, it’s a perfect spot for a celebration of life.The venue comes with both indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing for flexibility in how you want to honor your loved one, and its rich history adds a unique touch to any event.
This is a great option if you’re looking specifically for celebration of life banquet venues. The Wiltern is one of Los Angeles' iconic theaters. With its art deco design and grand stage, this venue provides a dramatic yet intimate space for those looking for a unique and beautiful location to gather and honor a loved one.
The Skirball Cultural Center in the Santa Monica Mountains has a range of indoor and outdoor spaces, including courtyards and modern ballrooms. It offers flexibility and beauty for any gathering.
Skirball is known for its peaceful atmosphere and the ability to personalize events, ensuring a meaningful and memorable tribute. The venue's capacity to host both intimate and large gatherings makes it an ideal choice for a celebration of life.
Perch LA is a chic rooftop restaurant in Downtown Los Angeles that offers stunning views of the city skyline. With its intimate, cozy atmosphere, it’s perfect for a more casual and contemporary celebration of life. The relaxed setting, combined with the elegance of the venue, allows families to gather in a beautiful environment that feels special without being too formal.
The Rooftop at The Standard in Downtown Los Angeles provides a modern, urban setting for a celebration of life. With 360-degree views of the city and the mountains, this venue offers both indoor and outdoor spaces for gatherings.
The vibrant atmosphere, combined with the pool and lounge areas, makes it ideal for a more relaxed yet elegant tribute. Although this rooftop was temporarily closed, it's known for hosting memorable events when available.
The Broken Shaker L.A., located at the Freehand Hotel, offers a tropical, laid-back rooftop space with unique decor and views of the downtown skyline. Known for its inventive cocktails and vibrant ambiance, it's a perfect choice for an unconventional celebration of life. The rooftop is lush with plants, giving the space an intimate garden vibe despite being in the middle of the city.
Playa Studios is a perfect venue for a music lover's celebration of life. Owned by Mophonics, a renowned music production company, the space is infused with a creative energy and eclectic design. The Event Room’s high ceilings and stunning acoustics provide an ideal atmosphere to honor a loved one with a personalized playlist or live musical tribute. With its warm and thoughtful ambiance, Playa Studios creates a meaningful space for reflecting on life through the universal language of music.
Hudson Loft offers a versatile and elegant space perfect for a celebration of life event. With its old-world charm and modern amenities, the venue provides a timeless atmosphere for meaningful gatherings. The expansive layout allows for a range of setups, ensuring a personalized experience. Its blend of vintage design and urban sophistication creates a warm, reflective setting for honoring loved ones.
Inglewood Park Cemetery is a well-maintained venue for a celebration of life event. The Chapel of the Chimes is a versatile space that can accommodate up to 75 guests, providing an intimate yet beautiful setting for honoring a loved one. With various seating configurations and options to include food and beverages, this space is ideal for a respectful and meaningful service.
Located in the Westlake neighborhood, The Carondelet House offers an intimate, rustic Italian villa-style venue for a celebration of life. Built in 1926, this space is known for its warm, inviting atmosphere, featuring wood-beamed ceilings, brick walls, and skylights. With two courtyards and cozy interiors, it creates a serene, personal space for reflecting on the life of a loved one in a unique setting.
For those looking for a more unconventional and relaxed setting, Greenbar Distillery in Downtown Los Angeles offers a casual yet sophisticated venue. Known for its portfolio of organic spirits, this space can host up to 175 guests. It's perfect for families looking to celebrate life in a vibrant atmosphere with guided distillery tours and tastings to elevate the event.
Thymele Arts is an artistic venue located in the heart of Hollywood. This loft-style space features an open setup that can easily be customized for a celebration of life event. With its high ceilings, flexible furniture, and cozy atmosphere, it's perfect for intimate gatherings where family and friends can come together to share memories. Plus, the venue has a performance area, making it ideal for incorporating live tributes or presentations.
Located in the Echo Park neighborhood, DAF Studios offers a spacious warehouse environment with a raw, industrial vibe. This venue is perfect for a non-traditional celebration of life, with plenty of space for large gatherings.It has recently been renovated to include high ceilings and natural light, making it a versatile backdrop for creating a truly personal and unique event.
This warehouse venue in the heart of the Arts District in Downtown L.A. offers a spacious and eclectic design perfect for a celebration of life. The venue can accommodate up to 200 guests and provides a unique industrial ambiance. With its mix of modern and rustic elements, it's a flexible space for both large and intimate gatherings.
The Skyline Loft in Downtown L.A. offers a modern, open studio with breathtaking city views, perfect for a celebration of life event. With a capacity for up to 300 guests, this versatile venue allows families to customize the event space while taking advantage of the natural light and skyline backdrop. The loft’s blank slate design makes it popular for those wanting a personalized touch.
Located in Downtown Los Angeles, Savanna Rooftop offers an inviting atmosphere inspired by desert oases. With a capacity of up to 350 guests, this venue features Tulum-inspired decor, making it a unique and intimate setting for a celebration of life. The rooftop’s natural elements and panoramic views provide a serene environment, perfect for a heartfelt gathering.
We hope this list of celebration of life venues in Los Angeles has given you some inspiration to plan an event for your loved one. A celebration of life should feel as personal and meaningful as the life it honors. At Meadow, we offer compassionate care combined with local expertise and strong relationships with the top venues across Los Angeles.
Whether you’re looking for a scenic outdoor setting, a cozy indoor space, or a more unique venue, we’re here to ensure the event is seamless and special. We will help you with the best celebration of life venues in Los Angeles.
Here’s what makes us stand out from the rest:
Explore how Meadow can help you with a personalized memorial.
The Meadow Cremation package includes everything you need for a simple cremation.
Everything you need for a traditional memorial service at one of our partner chapels.
We'll help you create a memory that will last forever at a Beautiful Venue across Los Angeles County.
