A reception is a common feature of most funeral services and memorials, and is the perfect opportunity to connect with others who are grieving and to celebrate the life of the deceased. Read on to find out everything you need to know about planning a great funeral reception.
Pick an appropriate location
Your first step is deciding where you want to hold the reception. When thinking about selecting a location and venue, the amount of people attending, proximity to the funeral ceremony, weather and accessibility are all factors that you should keep in mind.
You could hold the reception:
In your home or a family member’s home
At the funeral home
At a church or community venue
At a hotel
At a pub or restaurant
At a park
You might also wish to consider what the person who has passed away would have wanted. There might be a venue that was particularly important to them and held happy memories, such as their local pub, the venue where their wedding reception was held, or somewhere with a favourite view.
If moving to another venue for the reception, think about coordinating transport. You might hire vans, a bus, or taxis, or ask family and friends to help out particularly if you have out of town guests.
Create invitations
If you’re sending or handing out invitations, include the following information:
Name of the deceased person.
Their date of birth and date of death.
An invitation to attend the reception.
The date and time of the reception.
The location (it’s helpful to include a map image).
RSVP (if you send out the invitations well ahead of time)
Sort out refreshments
You don’t need to serve a full meal at a funeral reception. However, most receptions include some kind of refreshments. You could choose to provide all of the food and drinks yourself, or ask other family members and friends to help. Alternatively, you could also have the reception catered, especially if you’re holding it at a funeral home or public venue.
Pay tribute to the deceased
A funeral reception can be a great opportunity to pay tribute to the deceased and add a more personal touch to the day. Here’s some ways you could remember the person who died:
Serving food that was a favourite of the deceased.
Playing background music that had significance to your loved one.
Arranging a group activity such as a candle lighting ceremony.
Offering an open microphone so that guests can share a story or memory.
Creating a tribute video to display during the reception.
Providing a keepsake for visitors to take with them.
Consider placing a few framed photos on an end table or the table where food is being served.
If you’ve lost a loved one and are looking for assistance with funeral arrangements, Stockman and Loram can help. From green burials to cremation services, we provide beautiful send-offs that cater to your requirements. Get in touch with us today to find out more.
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