4 Tips for Planning a Funeral in Winter

When planning a funeral during the coldest months of the year, it can feel like there are fewer ways to make your loved one’s final farewell memorable. After all, what do you do when it’s too cold to have the service outside? How can you incorporate seasonal elements into services at a Loudonville, NY funeral home?

Funeral services in winter can feel even more somber than usual. You might think this means they have to be more modest. However, with a little careful consideration, you can still plan an intimate gathering that feels just as loving as any other time of year.

The first thing you want to do is contact the funeral home.

The staff there can help you with practical details, such as whether or not they can set up a heated tent for guests. If your loved one’s service is going to be held on-site, the staff can also help you decide how to keep the area warm. If there is any snow on the ground, they should be able to suggest ways for guests to get into and out of the ceremony safely.

Once you have a plan for keeping everyone comfortable, it’s time to think about your decorations and other service elements.

This is where seasonal themes come in handy. You certainly don’t want to go overboard with holiday decorations, but you can use a few select touches to give your ceremony an extra touch of love and care.

Consider the color scheme you want to use for your decorations. For example, if you’re planning on having a Christmas theme, you might want to use red and green decorations. You can also consider adding pine-scented candles or even a small Christmas tree.

If you’re planning on using any of these things in your service, talk with the funeral director ahead of time to finalize the placement.

If your ceremony is indoors, it’s also helpful to have some seasonal touches there. Think about what kinds of things appeal most to your loved one, and find appropriate ways to incorporate those elements into your services.

For example, if your loved one loved flowers, consider using winter flower arrangements in their honor. If they were an animal lover or enjoyed watching birds or other wildlife, try adding some birdhouses or other small nature-inspired decorations.

Arrange for hot refreshments.

It’s a nice gesture to offer refreshments after a funeral service. It will also help the attendees feel warmer and at ease. If you’re planning on having food and drinks, be sure to talk with the funeral director about what kinds of things you can have available.

You can also lean on them for suggestions on what would work well in your situation.

Have a backup plan.

The weather can be unpredictable in winter so you must stay ahead of things. Traveling, for one, can quickly become risky when it snows. So you either want key players to arrive in advance or prepare a plan B in case some cannot make it.

The same applies to other elements subject to quick change, such as outdoor graveside services.

Having the professionals on your side does not hurt when planning a funeral, but even more so in winter. They will make activities that are usually tedious during this season, including opening the grave and putting a wholesome service together, much more seamless.

Visit or call our funeral home in Loudonville, NY, today to begin making arrangements in advance or for immediate assistance.