After losing a loved one, finding support from your friends and family is important. Also known as a reception, a gathering takes place after a funeral and provides a final opportunity to experience community with others and to offer support before returning home. The gathering allows friends to strengthen their relationships in a casual setting, share memories of the deceased, and remind each other that they are not alone as they continue their grief journey.
A gathering can be personalized in many ways to suit the grieving family’s needs and reflect the deceased’s personality. As you begin planning a gathering, here are a few things to remember.
Decide on a Location and Food
Even though the gathering is typically more casual than a funeral, you’ll still need to make a plan. Where will you host the gathering? Some funeral homes have spaces with tables where you can host a gathering, or you can host it at your home, a restaurant, a church, or an event center. You could even choose a location that was meaningful to your loved one.
Most gatherings also involve food and drink. This could be light refreshments or a full meal, depending on the family’s preference. Often, the family will prepare food or snacks for guests, or you can plan a potluck and encourage guests to bring their own dishes. You could also opt for catering, maybe from your loved one’s favorite restaurant. Remember that the day of the funeral will be busy, and you may be stressed, tired, and emotional. It’s okay to go with an option that requires less effort from you!
Allow Time for Transition and Reflection
In some ways, the gathering is similar to the visitation, a time to reflect and pay respects before the funeral ceremony, although the gathering is usually more casual. These two events surround a funeral ceremony: a visitation that functions as a transition from the frantic pace of daily life to the contemplative mood of the ceremony and a gathering to help people slowly transition back from ceremony to daily life.
At the gathering, friends and family members often share stories about the loved one. These stories may be inspiring and moving, or they might be light and amusing. You may hear stories you hadn’t heard before and learn new things about your loved one. Tears and laughter both have a place at the event as you spend time with others who love and care about your lost loved one.
Find Support
Above all, the gathering is about support. It’s a time of fellowship that encourages and comforts the bereaved. To the family of the deceased, it’s a reminder that the loved one touched the lives of others and that everyone is working together to help them get through the difficult time.
It can be challenging for those who have lost a loved one to accept help from others, but the gathering allows friends and family to provide support to the grieving family. A gathering opens the door for the family to ask for help and friends to offer it.
The gathering is an essential element of a meaningful funeral that strengthens the bonds between mourners. You aren’t meant to face your grief journey alone, and neither are your friends and family members. By having a gathering, you can care for each other and activate your community of support.
