Funerals, wakes and memorial services are events put together to acknowledge, eulogize, and celebrate the life of the dearly departed. They provide opportunities for loved ones to come together and support to the bereaved. As part of the gathering, there are usually opportunities to eulogize the deceased and share memories and other personal stories. A repast is a meal that follows a funeral or other similar event and allows family and friends to be together while grieving. Sometimes it’s referred to as a reception. If you’re throwing a repast or helping to organize one for someone else, here’s what you should know.

Getting Help

If you’re planning the repast, you should know that it’s suggested to get help. It may be especially difficult to organize an event while grieving, so asking for assistance is more than ok. If a funeral home or house of worship is responsible for funeral services, inquire about support for putting together a repast. Also reach out to friends and family members, as some of them may be interested in showing love and care through action and aid.

Determining a Location

The venue for a repast is one of the most important decisions to make. Because it is typically held after a funeral or wake, you’ll want to consider a location that is near or convenient to that of the service. A church or other house of worship may have facilities that can accommodate your needs. Similarly, a funeral home may have a banquet hall or other room for hosting your gathering that may be available to you as part of a package for funeral and burial services. Some people choose to have a repast at their home or at a restaurant. An outdoor venue such as a park may also be a good choice depending on the time of year and the weather.

Choosing a Menu

While repasts generally don’t require the level of planning that a wedding reception or rehearsal dinner might, you’ll need to have a clear plan about food and drink. Time, budget and cultural factors are important here. If you and other attendees are into potlucks, that could be a convenient and easy option for taking care of the food, especially for a repast at someone’s house. If you’re holding the event at a restaurant, you may want to go for a limited menu or look for a place that can accommodate many individual orders. A caterer can also provide a meal, especially one that might reflect the taste of the deceased. Check with the funeral home, as it might provide those services or work with a list of reliable providers.

Setting the Mood

Because the repast is also honoring the life of someone who has passed on, it’s appropriate to showcase that person’s pictures along with flowers as part of the décor. You can feature a slideshow or video of the departed as well as music that they loved as part of the background. Think of the repast as another time for loved ones to offer condolences, share stories and express support. You can personalize the venue, if appropriate, with items that were important to the deceased, such as memorabilia or merchandise from a favorite sports team or alma mater.

Showing honor to loved ones who have passed is one of the ways we express our love. Funerals, wakes, memorial services and repasts are some of the events typically held to celebrate their lives, loves and laughs. The repast is an opportunity for those who are nearest and dearest to come together and break bread in acknowledgment of the dead. Putting one together requires planning, but you don’t have to figure everything out on your own.