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A Comprehensive Guide to Planning a Funeral Reception

Falk Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc. • October 11, 2021

A funeral reception isn’t necessary, but it can help you connect to other mourners. In many cultures, they’re quite common. Click here for funeral reception planning tips.

Funeral homes Allentown, PA, matter. The first thing that comes to mind after losing a loved one is to give them a perfect send-off – one that reflects how great of a life they’ve lived. But arranging a memorable funeral reception for the deceased is no easy feat at a time when you’re battling overwhelming emotions and grief.

To help you out, we have compiled a step-by-step guide on how to plan a perfect funeral reception to honor the memory of the deceased.

Set a Date, Time, and Venue

The first thing you need to plan about is the date and venue of the reception. Most families in America tend to hold the reception right after the funeral or memorial service but that’s not a hard and fast rule to follow.

One can choose any later date for a reception to make it easier for loved ones who cannot reach the venue immediately after the funeral.

When it comes to the venue, the most common option is a funeral home. It is a go-to choice for families who plan to arrange the reception immediately after the funeral. But here again, you can choose a restaurant, banquet hall, the deceased’s family home, or any private place to gather close friends and family and pay final tribute to the departed soul.

Who Will Manage the Event?

The next step of planning is to decide who will be responsible for organizing the reception. Mostly, it’s the immediate kin of the deceased such as a son or daughter, spouse, or sibling. But sometimes, the bereaved family is going through inexplicable pain and they rather have someone else manage the event.

Usually, a trusted friend or a close relative who has prior experience is tasked with arranging the reception. Else, you can hire a professional funeral director to look after the details and help organize the event.

Allocate a Budget

Now, the bereaved family has to allocate the budget for the event. How many guests do you want to invite and what to serve them depends on your budget. It also affects the venue and the meal you want to serve. Lately, some families have been encouraging the guests to bring their own meal.

Make a List of Meals and Beverages

If you have decided to serve a meal to the guests, then prepare a list of the foods and drinks you will serve. Here, you may have to consider the religious and cultural factors aside from your budget as some religious families may have restrictions for certain foods.

Another important factor is the time of the event that will decide whether you should arrange a full meal or just refreshment.

Personalize the Event

Last but not least, do your best to personalize the vent as much as possible. It should reflect the life of the deceased such as their hobbies and their favorite colors, music, sports, themes, or dress.

A tribute video or a photo slideshow can be a great way to demonstrate various phases of the loved one’s life. The bereaved family can also choose to display the personal belongings of the deceased on a decoration table at funeral homes Allentown, PA.

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