When there’s a death in the family, often well-meaning people call and say, “How can I help?” Give these people jobs to do! Your friends can play an important role implementing post-service receptions, especially those to be held at home.
- Security: If a friend doesn’t mind missing the funeral, it’s a good idea to have someone at the home while the service and burial are taking place. Clever criminals read obituaries for the dates and times of services, find out where the family lives, and may commit robberies while the house is unoccupied.
- Sorting: Your most organized friend can accept food that arrives with the guests, write down who brought what (so you can send a thank you note later), and set out the victuals.
- Set-up: The easiest way to serve food and drink at a post-service reception is a help-yourself buffet. You can sketch out what types of food you want in what areas, such as main dishes on the dining room table, desserts on the sideboard, and drinks in the kitchen. Ask one or two friends to place food items in their assigned areas. The person minding the house while the funeral takes place can also set up food stations for the reception.
- Serving: Friends can monitor the buffet for empty dishes to be removed or refilled. They can also gather up used plates, glasses, utensils, napkins, and tidy up.
Allow yourself to accept your friends’ support. If not now, when?