Keep These Things in Mind When Planning an Outdoor Funeral
Planning an outdoor funeral service can provide a beautiful and peaceful setting. This is especially true if the service is taking place in a garden, park, or another nature-protected area. While planning an outdoor funeral has all of the same elements as an indoor funeral, there are some special considerations to take into account with the outdoor setting. To help make sure your outdoor funeral service runs as smoothly as possible, directors of funeral homes in Elk Grove Village, IL. share these helpful tips.
Pay Attention to the Noise Level
When scouting out locations to hold your loved one’s funeral service, make sure to pay attention to the noise levels and how they may interact with, or distract from the funeral. For example, if there is a waterfall that is very full and runs quickly it may be too loud for people to clearly hear the officiant during the service. In this case, it might be better to find a more quiet location.
Another noise level concern is with people. Is the location you want next to a place where a lot of people gather to play frisbee golf, hike, or just hang out? Even though it might be quiet at the time of your scouting, think of the day and time of the funeral and what might be going on at the location then. For example, if you decide to hold the service at a park, check with the local park officials to make sure there aren’t any events such as bike races or charity walks that will be in that area on the day of the service.
Keep The Guests’ Needs in Consideration
While the funeral service is about honoring your loved one and not the guests, you still want your guests to be comfortable during the service. Therefore, it’s important to take their needs into account. For example, if it is a hot summer day, you may need to have a way to provide water and shade. Perhaps you need to rent a tent that the service can be held under or find a heavily shaded area. If it looks like rain, you will need to have a way for guests to be covered either with shelter or by offering umbrellas. Also, if the service is going to be long, you need to make sure there are restrooms available as well as ample seating.
Make Sure You Have All Needed Equipment
Outdoor locations normally aren’t set up with speakers, chairs, microphones, etc. as many indoor locations are. Make sure you have all the equipment needed and that you check it all prior to the event.
Final Thoughts
While planning these services is very similar to planning those that take place inside funeral homes in Elk Grove Village, IL., an outdoor funeral does require some special attention. As long as you pay attention to things like the noise level, and guests’ needs, and make sure you have all the proper equipment, your outdoor service should run just fine.
