Having control over your funeral planning means that you can have exactly the send off that you deserve, and any special needs will be catered for.

Funerals tend to follow a fairly structured order in regards to venues, and there are two important venues to think about; the venue for the service, and the venue for the wake.

The Service

Generally, the service is held at a place of worship before the body is taken for burial. Slightly different with cremations, as the service is often held in a chapel adjacent to the crematorium. Some people do still have their service at a place of worship, even if they have a cremation.

The Wake

Gathering friends and family together after the service is an important part of the send off process. It is an opportunity to share memories, offer support and give comfort to each other. The location of the wake is important, as you will want as many people as possible to attend, and for the location not to be prohibitive.

The wake may be in a place that is special to the deceased. For example, a restaurant, local pub or social club hall. There are many ways to cater for the event, depending on your budget; there are venues that will allow you to bring your own food, and other venues will be able to provide this assistance for you.

To avoid too sad an atmosphere, it may be an idea to have a projector slideshow, pictures and favourite music of the deceased.