Life is a series of beginnings and endings. When someone dies, you usually hold a funeral for them; if they're close to your heart, having family members, close friends, and acquaintances of the deceased gather for a post funeral reception is an ideal way to reminisce and connect with the grieving family.
Does your family need to host a reception after the funeral?
When you have a lot on your mind. Dealing with the death of your loved one isn’t easy. After you decide to host a funeral, you need to start thinking about the reception.
"At Falk Funeral Homes & Crematory, we’re committed to serving our community. You can reach us by calling (610) 838-9191
or visiting 1418 Main St, Hellertown, PA 18055. We’re ready to help you plan your loved one’s funeral."
Planning a post-funeral reception can be difficult, especially if you do not know what to expect. This guide explains what you need to think about. To help navigate the process and provide some helpful hints on how to make this time easier for all involved.
If you're hosting a post-funeral reception, it can be difficult to know what music is appropriate. It's different from your typical party as the mood and tone are more like that of visiting someone at their house instead of out on the town. If the deceased loved any particular artists, then listening to them might also be a nice touch, but make sure they have slower tunes.
If you're having a post-funeral reception, there are so many reasons for people to attend. It's an opportunity for friends and family of the deceased person to meet up to offer their condolences and
express sympathy
about what happened. The time is also perfect for people who know that individual best to come together as they mourn his or her loss while celebrating this human life. It also gives those grieving the chance to focus on celebrating someone's life rather than mourning them.
There are many reasons why it’s wise to have a repast following someone who passed on from living, but we must remember that even after passing on, those left behind still need time to heal. What happened was inevitable no matter how many things change or don't.
What is a Post Funeral Reception?
A post-funeral reception is a social gathering after the
funeral service
where mourners can share stories about the deceased. Food is usually served. It’s used as a way to further connect people.
Funeral receptions are common but you’re under no obligation to host one. It could be too much for you. If you’re overwhelmed with grief, you may not have the energy to do anything beyond the bare least.
One thing you should think about is your family’s expectations. Will most people expect you to host a reception? Not doing so, in that case, will be considered odd. You’ll have to explain yourself to curious people.
If you believe that most people are expecting a funeral reception, but you don’t want to plan it by yourself.
Here are the things you can do.
1. Reach out to people who are close to you.
Splitting the planning obligations with other people makes your task easier.
2. Plan by keeping it small
You can make the reception easier to plan by keeping it small. Remember, you’re not trying to impress anyone. You don’t need to organize a great party. People want to get together and reminisce about the deceased. It’s your job to make that happen.
For example, the menu is often the biggest headache. Feeding people can grow expensive. And you have to worry about finding food that will please everyone. Some people are on a diet, others have allergies, some are picky. It’s a lot to think about.
3. Make it easier on yourself by sticking to basic food.
If someone can’t find something that they like, oh well. They can eat later. A sandwich tray, a fruit and veggie tray, and a cheese platter should be enough to please your guests.
4. Host a potluck dinner
If you want a more elaborate meal, you can try to host a potluck dinner. That way, you only have to be responsible for one or two dishes. You should figure out your family’s thoughts on this before you plan on it. Some people have strange ideas about potlucks. They wouldn’t think it was an appropriate funeral reception.
5. Host everyone at your own home
Finding the right location is also tricky. It’s easier if you can host everyone at your own home.
If you can't host at your home, you’ll have to rent a coffee shop or restaurant. This drives up your costs but also makes everything more convenient.
A funeral reception is a good way to express your grief. You can share memories that you couldn’t mention during the funeral. It’s a more relaxed setting. You have the freedom to express yourself in unusual ways.