Celebration of Life - Milwaukee Funeral Homes

St. James 1868 provides a beautiful and comfortable setting for the gathering of friends and family celebrating the life of your loved one. We offer an alternative memorial service and luncheon from other Milwaukee funeral homes. Located downtown, St James 1868 is a newly renovated church repurposed into two historic venues, providing catering services & floral design to simplify the process and provide your family with a memorable and caring celebration.

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Memorial Service

We are here to help families design a highly personal and meaningful celebration honoring their lost loved one.

Our St James staff is passionate about helping families create one of a kind farewells to honor the memory their loved one.

We aren’t just a regular Milwaukee funeral home, we create memories that will last a lifetime.

Luncheon

The funeral reception brings everyone together in one room to celebrate the life of your loved one. It’s a time where people are able to let down their guard to talk, laugh, cry, and reconnect in a more casual setting.

Our versatile indoor and outdoor spaces are where laughter and tears can be shared and conversation and connection occur. this is where healing begins.

Example Timeline

10:00 AM
Arrival & Set up

10:30 AM - 11:00AM
Guests Arrive

11:00 AM
Memorial Service

12:00 PM
Reception

02:00 PM
Take Down

Venue rental includes:

Venue access for 4 hours with St James 1868 furniture

Set up and take down of tables and chairs

Indoor speakers + two wireless microphones

Outdoor space with string lights, weather permitting

Dedicated spaces for vendor set up

Full heating and air conditioning

Additional Information
Property is handicap accessible with elevator.
All floral, decor and vendor take down must be removed by event end time.

Parking Information

We are fortunate to have multiple parking options available for our guests.

Adjacent to St James 1868 are two paid public surface lots, the Library Lot and the Wells Fargo Lot, where you can pay to park.

Street parking is available on 8th Street, 9th Street and Michigan Ave, only a few steps away from St. James 1868. Street parking is free on weekdays after 6pm and free all day on Saturdays and Sundays.
In addition, event hosts are able to buy out our rental lot which includes 45 parking spaces. The lot is reserved through St James 1868 and is available upon request. Please note for candlelight concerts that the rental lot is unavailable.
From Madison:
Drive East via I-94 E into downtown Milwaukee. Take exit 310A (13th St) from I-94 E and turn left onto N 13th St. At the stoplight, turn right onto W Tory Hill St and continue straight onto Michigan St. Turn left onto N 10th St and then turn right at the 1st cross street onto W Wisconsin Ave. St James will be on your right hand side.
From Green Bay:
Drive South via I-43S into downtown Milwaukee. Merge onto WI-172 E. Take the exit onto I-43 S towards Milwaukee/WI-29E. Take exit 72E for Highland Ave/11th St. Continue on N 11th St. Turn left onto W Wisconsin Ave. St. James will be on your right hand side.
From Chicago:
Drive North via I-94 W into downtown Milwaukee. Keep left at the fork to stay on I-94W. Continue onto I-43 N. Take exit 310C for I-794 E towards Lakefront. Keep right at the fork to continue on Exit 1D, follow signs for Plankinton Ave and merge onto Plankinton Ave. Turn left onto W Michigan St. Continue on W Michigan St. Turn right onto N 10th St and then turn right at the 1st cross street onto W Wisconsin Ave. St. James will be on your right hand side.
Our entire property is handicap accessible. There is a ramp located on the west side of the building off Wisconsin Avenue. The handicap accessible door is located through the courtyard and our elevator is accessible to all floors to each venue.