If you decide to have traditional services with a funeral home in Miami, FL when a loved one passes on, it is also customary to have a reception after the service. Usually, funerals start with a visitation, which can take place the day before or earlier in the day before the funeral. Then, the funeral itself happens and after that, there’s a processional to the cemetery where there’s a short burial service. One all of those services are behind you, many families like to have a reception. This can be just for close family and friends or open to everyone in attendance, depending on what you want to do. There are a variety of ways to nourish the family and friends after a funeral service is complete. Here are a few options:
Offer Your Loved One’s Favorites
Since you are gathering to honor your loved one at the funeral, you can continue along those lines and offer their favorite foods at the reception. If they always had an iced tea in hand, have that be one of the beverages. If they raved about fried chicken or pasta, make that a part of the nourishment as well. It’s a great way to allow their memory to be carried throughout the day to the very end.
Hand Out Favorites
Even if not everyone is coming to the reception, or if you decide not to have one, you can personalize a snack and hand it out to people as they leave. Maybe your loved one swore by red gummy bears or loved M&Ms more than any other treat. Hand out a bag of those items with a memory card, picture, or something else to remind people of them as they enjoy the pick-me-up after the funeral.
The Favorite Restaurant
Was there a place that your loved one frequented? Consider having the reception there and allowing the guests to order off the menu. Everyone has different tastes and as long as you’re all together, and gathered in a place that meant something to the departed, it’s a great way to honor them and get more time together. You could have a buffet set up at that restaurant as well or order family style meals for everyone to share. Whatever works best for the number of guests you have and the timeline you are on for the day.
There are plenty of other reception ideas you could pull together and funeral homes in Miami, FL are certainly willing to help. We’ve seen a lot of families do a lot of different things and we can offer you ideas and suggestions until you land on just the right option for your situation and circumstances. When you’re ready to move forward in planning the traditional funeral, or even a memorial service following cremation, contact the professionals at Ferdinand Funeral Homes & Crematory. You can call us at (305) 631-0001 to ask questions or set up a time to meet with us at 2546 SW 8th St Miami, FL 33135 where we can show you around.
