Mortlake Crematorium: History, Community & Wake Receptions Nearby

For more than 25 years, The Tapestry has been part of the Mortlake community, and one local place has become especially familiar to us: Mortlake Crematorium. Over those years we have welcomed many families after services there, giving relatives and friends a comfortable place to come together, share food and drinks, tell stories and remember someone they loved.

A little history of Mortlake Crematorium

Mortlake Crematorium was designed by F. Douglas Barton and built in 1938–39. It opened in January 1939 and was a joint municipal venture involving Hammersmith, Richmond, Barnes and Acton. The red-brick building is a distinctive Art Deco interpretation of the classic crematorium design, with arcaded cloisters and carefully planned gardens. It is now Grade II listed and has remained remarkably little altered since it opened.

The people behind a very important place

Beautiful buildings and gardens matter, but during one of the most sensitive times in a family's life, the people looking after them matter even more. From our experience over the years, the team at Mortlake Crematorium approach their work with care, respect and an understanding of what families are going through.

What I particularly admire is that their care is not limited to the day of the funeral. Mortlake Crematorium describes its role as extending beyond the funeral itself, with remembrance events, a monthly Grief Café and other community activities that give bereaved people opportunities for support and connection afterwards. That is something worth recognising in our local community.

A place to gather after a service

For more than 25 years, The Tapestry in Mortlake has welcomed families following services at Mortlake Crematorium. We are around a 7–8 minute walk away, making it possible for family and friends to move from the service to a nearby reception without a long journey across London.

Every family is different. Some want a simple cup of tea and sandwiches; others prefer tapas, paella, wine and a fuller celebration of life. We can provide space for photographs and a memory table, a screen for a slideshow, meaningful music or a family playlist, and different food and drink arrangements depending on the occasion.

Planning a wake near Mortlake Crematorium

If you are arranging a funeral at Mortlake Crematorium and need somewhere nearby for a wake reception or celebration of life, please feel welcome to speak to us at The Tapestry. We understand that numbers can change and that organising a reception while dealing with bereavement can feel overwhelming. Our aim is to make the reception side as straightforward and personal as possible.

The Tapestry is in Mortlake, approximately a 7–8 minute walk from Mortlake Crematorium. After more than 25 years serving our local community, it remains a privilege to be trusted by families at such an important time.