When a loved one passes away, there will be many decisions to be made and arrangements to be planned. All of this can feel overwhelming at times, especially considering you are also trying to process a difficult loss. You can work with your local funeral home near Marietta, GA, to make all the necessary arrangements, and they will ensure that the process is as easy as possible for you. They can help you put together everything from a viewing and funeral services to burial or cremation arrangements. One thing you might also want to consider including is a post-funeral reception. This can take place at the funeral home or place of worship after the service concludes, or it can take place elsewhere.

A post-funeral reception generally takes place in a less formal atmosphere, after the funeral and burial services have taken place. Family and friends who have spent a long day of grieving may be hungry and exhausted. Providing a meal for everyone to sit down and enjoy can be an important opportunity for everyone to unwind a little. Family and friends can catch up, reminisce about their loved one, and generally decompress after the difficult and emotional day. You won’t regret planning ahead, because then you can enjoy less stress and take the time to unwind as well.

You may choose to hold the reception at the gathering hall of the funeral home or place of worship where the funeral took place. This way, everyone doesn’t have to travel to a separate location. You could have it potluck-style, where everyone brings a passing dish to share, or you could have it catered. You could also order carry-out food and bring it in for everyone to enjoy. If you’re planning on having a smaller, more intimate gathering, you might consider having it at the home of a friend or family member. The options for food would be the same. If you’re willing to spend a little more money, you might want to make a reservation at a local restaurant instead. This way, all the cooking, serving, and cleaning up afterwards is taken care of by the restaurant staff. You won’t have to worry about any of those things. It is typically a bit pricier to do it this way, but some families don’t want the hassle and added stress of cooking and cleaning up afterwards.

However you choose to have your post-funeral reception, it’s wise to plan ahead for it. If you want a potluck-style meal, make sure that those who are coming know to bring a passing dish. If you decide to order carry-out, make sure to place your order several days or even a week in advance. The same applies to making a reservation at a restaurant. That way, you can be sure that everything will be prepared when the time comes. Your funeral home near Marietta, GA, can help you make arrangements to use their space if necessary, and they can also give advice on other places to go as well. Then you can move forward with your day and have one less thing to worry about.