Planning An Autumn Funeral: 3 Things To Consider

When planning a funeral for a loved one, the weather and time of year can have more of an impact than you might have considered. While you may not be able to delay the funeral until you have favorable weather, there are a few things you can do to make sure that the day's events go as smoothly as possible. Here are a few things to consider if you find yourself planning a funeral in autumn.

1. Plan On A Shorter Graveside Service

Fall weather can be unpredictable. It may be warm and rainy, cold and blustery, or even snowy. Planning on ideal weather conditions for a graveside service can be a gamble, so instead, plan on hosting a shorter graveside service. Contact the cemetery to see if it has alternate arrangements in case the weather prevents you from hosting a graveside service. 

Some cemeteries have indoor pavilions or pole buildings that can be used for the final prayers and goodbyes. If you do plan to have the graveside service outside no matter what, be prepared with a stack of golf umbrellas to hand out to mourners.

2. Take Travel Into Account

There are several holidays during the autumn months that result in heavy travel, including Thanksgiving and even Veteran's Day. If the funeral will be close to any of those dates and you have family coming in from out of town, you may want to work with your funeral home director to help everyone find accommodations. In some cases, you can get airline tickets booked for a discount due to the extenuating circumstances, and some local hotels may be willing to set aside a few rooms for the out-of-town mourners. You may also be able to book accommodations through short-term rental websites, which will give mourners the ability to stay in local homes instead of hotels.

3. Use The Season In The Services

The autumn season can even provide inspiration for the funeral services. Choose floral arrangements in rich, warm, fall colors to bring a loving touch to the services. You can also request that mourners attend wearing autumnal colors as a sign of grief and respect for the dearly departed. At the funeral luncheon, you may want to choose a menu filled with turkey, mashed potatoes, and other fall comfort foods. By embracing the season, you can create a picture-perfect day to help your friends and family honor the memory of your loved one.

Contact a company like Shepherd Funeral Home to learn more. 

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