Planning a Funeral Service and Wake
Planning a funeral isn't an easy task. Not only are you likely to be upset, but you will also need to take into account a number of different factors such as the deceased wishes, the wishes of close family members, and any religious rites which will be observed. This blog will help you to plan a funeral.
The service
This is perhaps the most important part of the day. The funeral service is where the formal ceremony will take place where a religious leader will bless the body or secular readings will be made by the family and loved ones of the deceased. Many people choose to use a professional funeral service when planning a funeral. Before meeting with a professional funeral service, you should consider the following questions:
- Do you wish for music to be played or songs to be sung at the funeral?
- Do you want mourners to donate flowers or would you rather they made a cash gift to a charity? Do you need help selecting appropriate readings?
- Do you want people to wear formal mourning clothes or would you like a more relaxed atmosphere?
Thinking about the answers to these questions in advance will help the funeral service to plan the funeral on your behalf.
The wake
A wake provides an opportunity for people to gather after a funeral so they can mourn together and share stories of the deceased. While a wake is not part of the formal funeral service, it is still a very important part of the day. When organising a wake, you will need to consider the type of venue and its location. If the deceased liked a party, you might consider holding the wake in a pub. On the other hand, if they were a member of a society or club, you may wish to use that organisation's building as the location for the wake. It is traditional to serve light food and drink at a wake. You may also wish to display photographs of the deceased which will help to spark memories and conversation. You will also need to consider how you will transport mourners from the location of the burial or cremation to the wake. While many people will drive, it may be worth organising bus transport if there are a lot of people who do not drive and cannot get a lift.
If you would like further advice, you should contact a funeral planning service today.