What do you call the reception after the funeral?
The Funeral Reception. It is customary (but not required) to hold a reception following a funeral or memorial service. We sometimes hear the after-funeral reception is referred to as a “repast.” Historically, the repast was a meal shared by close friends and family after the funeral.
What is it called when people eat after a funeral?
The word “repast” has Latin roots and translates to “to eat.” In the past, the word was used to mean any mealtime, but eventually became solely used for the meal eaten after a funeral. The point of this tradition was to offer those who were closest to the deceased the chance to grieve privately.
Why is food served after a funeral?
The meal is a form of charity for the friends and relatives who’ve come to the funeral. The blessing from that charity goes to the deceased. The more that guests eat and fill themselves, the more of a blessing goes to the dead.
Do you have to have food after a funeral?
While it’s not necessary to provide a full meal at a post-funeral reception, it’s nice to have some refreshments. The host may choose to provide all of the food and drink, or family members and friends can contribute. When it’s time to serve food, always allow the family of the deceased to go first.
Is it customary to tip at funerals?
Even if there is a fee for this service, it’s considered proper etiquette to pay gratuity. This is typically between 10-30% of their fee. Remember that even if the funeral musician is organized through a funeral home, they might not be an employee of this business.
How long do you wear black after a death?
The immediate family members of the deceased wear black for an extended time. Since the 1870s, mourning practices for some cultures, even those who have emigrated to the United States, are to wear black for at least two years, though lifelong black for widows remains in some parts of Europe.
Why should you not wear white to a funeral?
Wearing a white dress shirt is generally fine along with a grey, black, or navy suit and a toned-down tie—no bright colors or prints. Remember that the main point of not wearing white to a funeral is to avoid standing out. Everyone is trying to think about the life of the person who died.