White dove release

A quiet moment of grace, given wings

A white dove release brings a funeral or memorial ceremony to a gentle close that stays with people for years. We coordinate every detail with your funeral director and handle the doves with calm, practiced care, so your family only has to be present for the moment.

Ask about a release Call (234) 269-5432

White doves in release boxes behind white roses, ready for a graveside release

A white dove soaring in open blue sky above a flock settling in a bare treetop

Photo: Peretz Partensky, CC BY-SA 2.0

Ways to release

Choose the moment that fits

A single dove

One white dove, released at the close of the service. Many families understand it as the spirit set free. Simple, and deeply felt.

A pair

Two doves rising together. Often chosen when a husband or wife goes to join a spouse who passed before them.

A flock

A single dove released by the family, then a full flock that lifts, circles overhead, and flies home together. The most striking release we offer.

Family participation

Each family member releases a dove of their own, children included. We place every bird in gentle hands and stay right beside you.

What to expect

How a release works

Releases fit naturally at a graveside service, outside a church or funeral home, or at a memorial gathering. Any outdoor setting with open sky can work, and we confirm the site ahead of time.

White doves lifting out of an open wicker basket on cemetery grass at a ceremony

1. We plan with your funeral director
Timing, placement, and where the release falls in the service. You do not need to manage anything on the day.
2. We arrive early and stay unobtrusive
The doves wait quietly in handsome white baskets, and we keep to the edge of the gathering until the chosen moment.
3. The release
A few gentle words if you would like them, or respectful silence. Then the doves rise. Most families tell us it is the moment they remember most.
4. The doves fly home
These are trained white homing doves. After circling overhead, every bird returns safely to its own loft.

Cared for, always

Weather, handled honestly

Doves fly safely in most conditions, but not all. We check the forecast in the days before the service and again that morning. In heavy rain, storms, severe cold, or after dusk, a release is not safe for the birds, and we will tell you so plainly rather than take the risk.

If weather intervenes, we help you choose an alternative that feels right: a release at the graveside on a calmer day, or a release at a later memorial gathering. We would rather reschedule a beautiful moment than force a poor one.

“The doves rise, circle once, and for a moment everyone simply breathes.”

Why families choose a release

Common questions

About dove releases

Are the doves safe?

Yes. These are trained white homing doves, raised and cared for by their handler. They fly home to their own loft after every release, and we never release in weather or light conditions that would put them at risk.

Where can a release happen?

Graveside, outside a church or funeral home, at a memorial garden, or at a private gathering. Any outdoor spot with open sky can usually work. We confirm the location and any cemetery permissions before the day.

How much notice do you need?

A few days lets us coordinate smoothly with your funeral director. If the service is sooner than that, call anyway. We will do everything we can to make it happen.

What does a release cost?

It depends on the number of doves and the location of the service. We give you one written quote up front, with nothing added later. Call (234) 269-5432 and we will walk you through the options in a few minutes.

Here when you are ready

Plan a dove release

Tell us the date and the place. We will coordinate the rest with your funeral director, quietly and completely.