Receptions after funerals at funeral homes in Macomb, MI are common. Receptions offer an opportunity for the bereaved family and mourners to gather together in an informal setting and share food and stories about the deceased. If you’re planning to have a reception after the funeral service of your loved one or you are coordinating a reception for a family who has lost someone, you will need to take several things into consideration in your planning.

Food is a central part of the funeral process because it reflects the region of the country you live in, your heritage, and your own family traditions. It is comforting to both the grieving family and to friends and other family members who are assembled to honor the memory of your loved one.

One of the considerations for food in a funeral reception is where the reception will be held. This will be one of the determining factors in how simple or elaborate the food the food needs to be.

Most funeral homes now have facilities that can accommodate funeral receptions. However, the food may need to be already prepared or catered. This would mean that the best types of food to prepare are light fare, such as finger foods, or a sit-down catered meal.

If you’re holding the reception somewhere that has a full kitchen, such as a private home or church hall, then food can be prepared there, so you can plan on having a full, cooked meal.

Another consideration for food is how much you will need. If everyone who attends the funeral service is invited to the funeral reception, then you’ll need to plan for a larger group of people and make sure there is enough food to feed everyone. If the funeral reception is for family and close friends, then you will need less food.

Preparation of the food that will be served at the funeral reception is a big part of the planning process. If you are planning a funeral reception to be held after the death of your loved one, then it’s best to delegate food preparation – and the majority of the planning – to other people, because you and your family will have enough to do taking care of funeral arrangements without adding something else.

If a full cooked meal at a private home or church hall is going to be served, then you should let people know what they should bring to contribute to the meal. Slow cooker dishes and casseroles are great entrees for this type of meal, and one-dish sides, breads, and desserts will round out the menu. Drinks should include coffee, tea, juice, sodas, and water. As much as possible, cook in disposable containers and use disposable plates, cups, and dinnerware to make cleanup as easy as possible.

If you will be providing light fare at the funeral home, then assign each type of item to friends and extended family members to bring to the reception. The funeral home can provide paper goods and drinks.

If the meal will be catered, you can either organize the menu with the caterer of your choice or the funeral home can work with one of their preferred caterers to create a menu. The caterer will provide everything needed for the reception food, including plates, cups, and dinnerware, and they will also take care of cleanup afterward.

For more information about funeral receptions at funeral homes in Macomb, MI, our compassionate and experienced staff at Lee-Ellena Funeral Home can help. You can come by our funeral home at 46530 Romeo Plank Rd., Macomb, MI, 48044 or you can contact us today at (586) 412-8999.