Step-By-Step Planning a Funeral Reception

Many people consider the reception to be the most important part of a funeral. 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 to hold a reception following a funeral or memorial service. This offers friends and family the opportunity to meet in an informal environment to have the chance to support each other, share stories, memories and continue to celebrate the life of someone they cared about.

Often people have traveled from out of town or family and friends have gathered after years of separation. A funeral reception creates an opportunity to visit while enjoying something to eat. While many churches have reception facilities and groups to take care of this important part of the service, but not everyone has this available. In that case, you can turn to the team at the funeral home you are using to help you plan a funeral 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. Here are the steps required to plan a funeral reception:

1. Choose a location - The appropriate location for a funeral reception is anywhere that works best for you and your guests. Locations are often chosen because they were special to the deceased and they can be a traditional location, such as a church or funeral home, or non-traditional, such as a favorite restaurant or outdoor location.

2. Set a tone - Some funeral receptions are celebratory and full of humor and stories to remember the person who has passed, others are more somber and reflective. Consider the person you are there to honor, their wishes, and what feels most comfortable for you and your guests.

3. Personalize the event - A funeral reception is intended to 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.

5. Consider other personalization - As a part of personalizing the reception, consider adding special touches such as videos, slideshows, rituals 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 are 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.