Planning a funeral reception to honour a loved one who just passed away can be a taxing thing to do. Still, it is ultimately necessary so friends and family can gather and celebrate the life of the departed. No one expects you to just know how to organise a reception, especially if you’ve never been to a funeral before. But if you ever need to learn how to plan one, here’s a simple planning guide you can follow.
1. Choose the Date and Time of the Reception
Funeral receptions are in no way a requirement after the death of a loved one. But it’s a great way to commemorate the life of those who passed away. To organise one, you must first choose the date and time of the reception. More often than not, receptions are held immediately following the funeral or memorial service. While this isn’t a rule, it’s definitely more convenient to do this rather than setting a different time and date for the reception. People in mourning are already gathered, so you might as well bring them to a place where they can meet other people who also treasured the departed.
2. Consider Your Budget
Of course, like any gathering, a funeral reception does have a cost. Although it doesn’t have to be grand and entertaining, you’ll still need to host and feed a couple of people. There’s also the location. If you’re hosting a great number of people that may or may not fit your house, then you may need to look for a different venue. This should be considered in your budget. When it comes to the find, it’s all up to you how much food and what kind will be served. Will it be a fully catered meal, maybe a potluck, or just a couple of snacks? Whatever the case may be, make sure to include it in your budget.
3. Choose a Location
Normally, funeral receptions are held in the house of the departed’s family or even a friend of the departed. However, if you don’t have a place for the reception, you may need to look for a venue for hire in Brisbane. There are many event and community centres or function rooms you can hire for the reception. You can have the funeral reception in any location of your choosing. It could be someplace special for the departed or just a simple outdoor gathering.
4. Send Out Invitations
This isn’t a requirement, but you may send out invitations if you really want to make the reception special. Most of the time, people just announce the reception during the memorial service. However, sending out invitations will make the event much more meaningful. An email blast or sending a group text is also an option. The whole point is, you need to inform the people who’ll be attending if there will be a reception and where or when it will take place.
5. Plan a Thank-You Speech
At the reception itself, saying a thank-you speech to all the people who attended and sent their regards is a welcomed tradition. It’s an excellent way to give thanks to everyone, especially those people who helped you put the reception together. Be sure to thank the funeral director and their staff, as well as the pastor or clergy member who officiated.
Conclusion
Planning and organising a funeral reception is a noble and touching way of memorialising someone who recently passed away. It’s the perfect time and place for the people to share stories and give their condolences to the family, and to comfort each other in this difficult time.
Unidus Community & Conference Centre is a multi-purpose venue that can host a variety of events, including weddings, birthdays, live performances, and funeral receptions. Whenever you need a modern and flexible conference centre in Brisbane, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Book an event today!