Living Wake, Adelaide and the Fleurieu Peninsula

Most gatherings happen after someone is gone. A living wake happens while you're still here.

If you've been told your time is limited, you may already be thinking about what you'd want people to know, and what you'd want to hear from them, while you're still able to sit in the room and take it in. A living wake, sometimes called a pre-death celebration of life, is a chance to gather the people who matter most, hear the stories, and spend real time together while there's still time to spend.

It's not a solemn event. It's closer to a big, warm celebration of life, one where the guest of honour is very much in the room. Laughter, old stories, good food, the people you love in one place, held at a venue across Adelaide or the Fleurieu Peninsula that feels like you.

What's Included in Your Living Wake

  • Venue sourcing across Adelaide and the Fleurieu Peninsula, chosen together in a planning session shaped around your wishes

  • Full coordination of catering, drinks and atmosphere, so there's nothing to manage on the day

  • An MC for the day, providing support for speakers and tributes, and keeping the stories and memories you want shared flowing, whether that's through toasts, a slideshow, or simply time to talk

  • A calm, steady presence on the day, so you and your family can be fully present

  • As much or as little structure as you want, from speeches and toasts to a long, unhurried afternoon together

Living Wake Cost

Our fee for a living wake is from $3,550, including GST. Venue hire, drinks and catering and other third-party costs are arranged separately, at cost, with nothing added.

This is one of the most meaningful days we help bring together. If a living wake feels right to you or someone you love, we'd love to help you plan it.

Call us anytime, to find out more.

Frequently asked questions.

  • A funeral home is built around a building. The gathering happens where their chapel is, in the format that suits their schedule, with whoever is rostered on that day.

    Banksia has no building to fill. Which means the gathering is shaped entirely around the person — their character, their community, the places they loved. A winery, a coastal club, a private garden, an RSL hall. Wherever feels right.

    The ceremony and the celebration happen in the same room, in the same afternoon. No moving cars. No starting over somewhere new. Just time to stay, to talk, and to remember — for as long as you need.

    The person you speak to at the start is there on the day. The pricing is clear from the outset. And nothing about the day will feel like it was designed for someone else.

  • Because when someone you love dies, the last thing you should have to feel is that the day didn't do them justice.

    Too formal. Too brief. Too unlike them. That quiet fear is one of the most common things families carry — and it is exactly what Banksia was created to change. Every life deserves to be remembered the way it was actually lived. That is the whole reason we are here.

  • Wherever you feel most at ease. Whether that’s the comfort of your own living room, a walk along the beach, or over a coffee at your favorite café, the choice is entirely yours. If you’d prefer to connect from a distance, we can jump on a video call. This is your space, and we’ll meet wherever you feel most supported.

  • The short answer is no. Because we specialise in memorials where the cremation or burial has already taken place privately, the traditional role of a funeral director isn't necessary for our events. We act as your event curators and "logistics shield." We handle the venue, the atmosphere, the food, and the flow of the day, so you can focus on being present with your family.

    If you do require support with a cremation, we do have a wonderful network of funeral directors we have worked with and can recommend.

  • One of the greatest benefits of our approach is flexibility. Unlike a chapel service, we can host a gathering almost anywhere that feels right, a local distillery, a favorite restaurant, a community hall, or even a private garden overlooking the vines.

    Over the past decade, we have built trusted relationships with a collection of exceptional venues across Adelaide and the Fleurieu. These are spaces that understand the care, sensitivity and detail required, and many offer a level of access not typically available to the public.

    We will guide you in selecting a setting that reflects your loved one and creates the right atmosphere to gather, remember and honour.

  • We are here to help you craft memories into a story. We can assist you in writing the eulogy or weaving together the highlights of a life well-lived. Public speaking is a lot to ask of someone who is grieving. If a family member or friend isn't comfortable speaking on the day, we can engage a professional celebrant to step in and deliver readings with the warmth and respect the occasion deserves.

  • Every life is unique, and the memorial should be, too. You provide the inspiration—the passions, the quirks, and the values of your loved one—and we handle the heavy lifting of the organisation.

    You are involved in the creative heart of the event, while we take care of the logistics to ensure everything runs smoothly.

  • We believe that during a time of loss, financial clarity is a form of support. Our fees reflect the time, care, and expertise involved in professionally curating a meaningful memorial. We outline all costs upfront, separating our professional service fee from any third-party expenses, so you have a clear understanding of where your investment is going. In the traditional industry, costs can often feel opaque or bundled into "professional fees" that cover things you may not even use. Because we don't have the overheads of a mortuary or a fleet of vehicles, our pricing is clear and focused entirely on the curation of your memorial. You pay for the service and the experience, with no hidden markups on local vendors.

  • Venue hire, catering, beverages, and floral artistry are third-party costs. Banksia coordinates these services on your behalf at cost, providing you with transparent invoices directly from the providers or as a clear pass-through. This allows us to scale the memorial to your specific budget and vision.

  • Absolutely. In fact, we encourage it.

    If you have a friend who is a musician, a neighbour who wants to provide flowers from their garden, or a favourite local wine you’d like to serve, we make it happen. Our role is to provide the structure and support so that these personal touches can shine, making the day feel truly authentic to the person you are honouring.

  • The Banksia is a symbol of resilience. It is known for holding its seeds safe through all seasons, only releasing them to create new life and growth. We see a person’s legacy in the same way. Our mission is to provide a safe, supportive space to hold those memories, so that when we gather, their essence is released to live on in the hearts of all who loved them.

  • We are a small, community-rooted service built on genuine hospitality. One family at a time, with one person leading the whole process from first conversation to the final farewell.