Quite often the most important part of any funeral is the reception. A reception is the first social event following a funeral where the deceased is not present and represents a new, often difficult reality. A reception is usually held following a funeral or memorial service to offer friends and family the opportunity to meet informally so they can gather together to show their support for one another. The post funeral reception gives mourners the chance to interact, share memories and continue to celebrate the life of someone they cared about. It is important to keep the purpose and value of the reception in mind when planning a funeral reception.
When planning a funeral reception, there are a few key decisions to keep in mind, whether you are planning yourself or sharing your needs with a funeral planner who can put them into action for you.
1. Choose a location – The appropriate location for planning to have a funeral reception is anywhere that suits you and your guests. A place that was special to the deceased is often chosen and the location can be traditional, such as a church or funeral home reception hall, or non-traditional, such as a favourite restaurant or outdoor location.
2. Set a tone – Some funeral receptions are celebratory and full of humour, others are more somber and reflective. Consider the person you are there to honour, their wishes, what feels comfortable and the overall attitude of the majority of your attendees to determine the tone or type of funeral reception you are planning.
3. Personalize the event – A funeral reception is an opportunity to bring mourners together and honour the person who has passed. Personalizing the reception to include religious and cultural observances, personal anecdotes, hobbies and unique details from the life of the deceased and those there to remember them helps to bring life to the occasion and creates a more personal connection for those attending.
4. Choose food & drink – The reception after a funeral doesn’t have to include alcohol or consist of a full meal. The type of food and drink you serve will depend on financial considerations, the amount of time you have to prepare, religious requirements and cultural factors. Work with your funeral director or the team at the venue you have chosen to determine the appropriate food and drink when planning your funeral reception.
5. Consider other details – As a part of personalizing the reception, consider adding special touches such as music, videos, slideshows, flowers, unique commemorative adornments and anything else that suits the occasion.
When planning a funeral reception, remember that the purpose of the event is to bring people together to pay their respects and honour the person who has passed away. This will look different for everyone, so take some time to consider what truly matters to you and the other mourners so you can focus on the important stuff and not get stuck in making emotional decisions or overdoing it.
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