Final services at funeral homes in Eatonville, WA have certain traditions and ceremonies to them. They are somber and revolve around the grieving process. They can often be cathartic as most people know what to expect and can get a sense of closure from them. But they don’t often allow family time to chat and catch up. Many people plan a reception to take place after the funeral so family can eat together, share stories, talk about life in general, and maybe even take a few pictures together. Here are some steps to take in planning that part of the service.

Set A Budget For The Reception

Just as you would for the funeral, you want to have a budget in place for the reception. It’s nice to know what you have available to spend so you can rule some things out and consider other options as you move forward. The budget might tell you that you can’t cater it, but you could afford a private room in a restaurant, or something of that nature.

Determine A Location

You are going to need a location for the reception. Churches often have fellowship areas and perhaps if you have the funeral at the church, you can have the reception there as well. Area restaurants can be good options, as can community centers. You might also have something in a family home to make everyone feel welcome. Think about how many are coming and what you can afford and go from there.

Figure The Menu

The menu can be something elaborate, or something on the simple side. It doesn’t have to be huge in order to serve its purpose. You can do something easy, like sandwich and veggie trays along with bags of chips and cookies. You could also do a buffet, a potluck, or something in a restaurant where everyone orders whatever they want.

Decide Who’s Invited

Sometimes, the family will want to invite anyone who attended the funeral to proceed on to the reception once the burial portion of the service is complete. However, if you open the funeral to the public, you might want to have just the family at the reception to keep things less expensive, more intimate, and comfortable for those who were closest to your loved one. Who is invited is completely up to you.

If you are trying to figure out what you want to do for your loved one’s reception after their final services, keep in mind that the professionals at funeral homes in Eatonville, WA are there to help you with ideas and options, even for this portion of the process. They have connections to restaurants, caterers, and venues around the area and can offer you suggestions that might help you get the right option ready for your family to enjoy. Let them know what you want for the funeral and they can implement it for you to take that part of the planning off your plate as well.