4 Tips To Design A Funeral Service To Bring Your Family Together

The loss of a family member is devastating. It's common to feel a sense of loss, depression, and disconnection from the people around you. Times like these are exactly when family relationships are most important. If you've recently suffered a death in the family, you'll have to set about the task of planning funeral services. Here are four tips that will help you plan a funeral service that will bring your family closer together:

1. Choose the right venue.

You'll need to hold the funeral somewhere everyone can gather. Make sure you consider the size of your family when selecting a venue. If you have a large family with many aunts, uncles, and cousins, choose a funeral home with a suitably large chapel. If space is an issue, you may even want to have a graveside funeral service in the cemetery. If you have a small family, a cozy, intimate venue may be better suited to the occasion. Getting a headcount of attendees in advance will help you plan accordingly.

2. Make sure the funeral service is inclusive.

If your family keeps a certain faith, you should have an official from your religion preside over the funeral. If your family is not particularly religious, consider ensuring that the funeral service is inclusive to all faiths. Many funeral homes have a chaplain onsite. The chaplain can perform the funeral rites in a way that is inclusive to people of all faiths. If you'd prefer to have a nonreligious ceremony, you can choose that option instead.

3. Provide a meal.

Serving food after the funeral is an excellent way to encourage people to stick around. Food often brings people solace, and sharing a meal reinforces social bonds. Funeral homes will be happy to accommodate mealtime if you provide the food. If you'd like to give everyone something to do, make the funeral a potluck. Ask everyone to bring a dish that's special to them and reminds them of your departed loved one. If you don't want to add extra stress during this time, you can choose to have food catered instead.

4. Ask for input from family members.

Planning a funeral is a huge task. Many people find it stressful when they try to do it alone. You can get some assistance and help your family feel included by asking them for input. Have other family members choose a florist, pick up flowers, and select a catering service. Delegating tasks is a wonderful way to make sure everyone feels included.


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