It can be a great idea to have a reception after the funeral or memorial service of a loved one. It offers guests a chance to mingle and comfort each other after their loss, so it is something that you want to consider. You may not be sure how to best start planning this kind of reception, so it can help to have experts helping you. Here are some tips that providers of cremation services in Lyons, IL want you to keep in mind as you start making these arrangements.
One of the first things that you need to do is to put a budget together. The budget you have available will impact all of the other decisions you make, including the location for the reception, and what kind of refreshments you will offer, so do this first. Get quotes from different caterers, locations, and even from flower providers, so that you can have all of the information you need to be able to create a realistic budget you can follow.
Once you have a budget, consider where you want to have the reception. Funeral homes sometimes have package deals for those who want to have the service and the reception in the same place. You can also look at places of worship if that is what your loved one would have wanted, or you can even think about having the reception at home if you will have a smaller group of guests.
The food options are another concern that you want to think about when planning a reception. You want to think about the budget you have. If you can afford catering, then this can be a way of getting the refreshments you want without added stress. If not, then you can consider asking people to bring platters to share, like a pot-luck. This can make a difference in your expenses and also in allowing people to contribute to the reception.
You will want to send out invitations if you are not inviting everyone who comes to the service to the reception. You can send online invitation, which are easy to RSVP, or you can even hand them out in person. If you are having a reception for everyone, you will want to mention it in the service or have printed in the program so that everyone knows where to go.
These tips can help you put together a beautiful reception that can allow guests to mingle and to offer each other comfort after a loss. You want to have a budget in mind, and you want to think about the number of people you want to invite before you make any decisions. If you want to get started planning the reception, you can turn to a Lyons, IL cremation service provider like us ry. Our team is here to make it easier for you to mourn your loved one. Give us a call right now or stop by to speak with one of our experts about this and much more.