It is said that the most important part of any funeral is the reception. The reception is the first social event following a funeral where the deceased is not present and represents a new, often difficult reality. It is customary (but not required) to hold a reception following a funeral or memorial service. This gathering offers friends and family the opportunity to meet in an informal environment. You can have a funeral reception after a burial or cremation.
Planning a funeral reception provides an opportunity for guests to visit while enjoying something to eat. You can rely on the funeral services team at your funeral home to help you plan a reception that fits your preferences, budget and allows space for your family and friends to come together after the funeral.
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.
Choose a location – The appropriate location for a funeral reception is anywhere that is suitable for you and your guests. Locations are often chosen because they are a place that was special to the deceased and can be traditional, such as a church or funeral home reception hall, or non-traditional, such as a favourite restaurant or outdoor location.
Set a tone – Some funeral receptions are celebratory and full of humour and stories to remember the person who has passed, others are more somber and reflective. Consider the person you are there to honour, their wishes, what you feel comfortable with and the overall attitude of your attendees to determine the tone or type of funeral reception you are planning.
Personalise the event – A funeral reception is an opportunity to bring the mourners together and honour the person who has passed. Personalising a reception to include religious and cultural observances, personal anecdotes, hobbies and unique details from the life of the deceased helps to bring life to the occasion and creates a more personal connection for those attending.
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 for your funeral reception.
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.
The most important things to remember when planning a funeral reception are to keep it simple, make choices on your own terms and don’t forget that the size and scope of the reception is up to you. Also, don’t forget that you are likely to be grieving. Planning an event can be overwhelming under the best of circumstances, but when you add the fact that you are mourning it can become unmanageable. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from family, friends, community members and of course, the team at the funeral home you are working with who is well trained and experienced in putting together a personalized funeral reception that suits your requests, budget and needs, all in a short period of time.
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