When planning arrangements with funeral homes in Hagerstown, MD for your loved one’s funeral, you may consider holding the service outdoors. While funerals are often held inside buildings such as funeral homes and churches, deciding to hold the service outdoors can be a lovely alternative. This is especially true if your loved one adored nature and being outside.

Planning an outdoor funeral service is much like planning one that takes place indoors. There are tasks that need to be completed such as deciding on who will be the officiant, planning the order of services, having memorial programs created, and choosing the music selections.

However, with an outdoor service, there are special considerations to keep in mind and plan for. Making the mistake of overlooking these things can cause the service to not run as smoothly as it could. Knowing some of the top mistakes families make when planning an outdoor service can help you avoid making them as well.

1. Choosing a Noisy / Busy Location

The location of the service is important. It will not only provide the scenery for the service, but the right environment can bring feelings of comfort and peace. When looking for locations, think about what else might be going on that could possibly interfere with the service.

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. Also, if you choose a park, you might choose a less popular area so that you don’t have a lot of people around disturbing the service.

2. Not Considering the Needs of the Guests

Another mistake that many families tend to make is not taking into account the needs of the guests that are attending. 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.

3. Forgetting Key Equipment

With an indoor service, things like a sound system, projectors, laptops, and microphones are generally provided. However, with outdoor services, you will most likely have to provide these items yourself. Make sure you create a complete list of all the items you will need so that you don’t forget anything on the day of the service.

Final Thoughts

Holding an outdoor service for your loved one can be a beautiful event. Nature not only provides beautiful scenery but also lifts our spirits and helps us to heal. While planning these services is very similar to planning those that take place inside funeral homes in Hagerstown, MD, mistakes can be made. By knowing what these mistakes are, you can make sure to avoid them and have a wonderful service.