It can be emotionally tolling and stressful trying to make plans for a loved one’s final arrangements, especially if there were no pre-arrangements in place. Your funeral home near Acworth, GA, will be able to help you with all your planning, and their experience will allow them to make the process a little bit easier. One aspect of all this that some people overlook is the post-funeral reception. This isn’t a strictly necessary thing to do, and some families don’t have one at all. However, for many families, the post-funeral reception allows for everyone to gather, eat and drink, catch up, and generally unwind after an emotionally tolling day. Here are some ideas on how to plan one.

The first thing to consider is how many people will be coming. If there is going to be a smaller, more intimate group, it may work for you to hold the get-together at your home or the home of a family member or friend. This option might not work for everyone, because it requires more work on the host’s part, but it’s a possibility. Other venue options might include the funeral home itself, the reception hall at your place of worship, or even a restaurant. Each of these will come with different benefits and costs, so you’ll have to weigh these while deciding where you want to have everyone gather.

The next thing you’ll have to consider is food and drinks. You have a few different options here. You can hold a potluck-style dinner, where everyone contributes a passing dish. This is probably the most cost-effective option, because everyone is supplying the food, and a single person doesn’t have to bear that responsibility alone. Another option is to have the event catered, or order carry out food to bring to the gathering place. This can be a low-maintenance way for everyone to eat good food, without depending on those attending to provide it. This option will be more costly than a potluck-style meal, but it will allow everyone to focus on being together. Finally, if you’re renting out a space at a restaurant, whether it’s a banquet hall for a larger group, or just a dining area for a smaller gathering, you’ll likely be utilizing the services of the restaurant. This takes basically the entire burden off the family when it comes to cooking, serving, and cleaning up. However, this option is not likely to be inexpensive. For some families, they just want to be together and reminisce without trying to organize everything, and so they may want to choose this option.

These are just some of the basic things to keep in mind when planning a post-funeral reception after your loved one’s final services. They can be an excellent way for family and friends to gather after the difficult day. You can gather at the home of a family member, your place of worship, a restaurant, or your funeral home near Acworth, GA. Everyone can eat, drink, unwind, and share stories of the loved one they lost. It will provide a nice closure to an emotional day.