When someone near and dear to you has passed, figuring out how to tell other people in their life about the funeral is one of the more difficult parts of the process. Everyone handles grief differently, and when you're also dealing with loss yourself, managing the invitations and how the other party may react is complicated, to say the least. However, there are tried and true methods you can lean on during this time.

Who Should Receive Funeral Invitations?

Discerning the list of people you'd like to attend the funeral primarily depends on how large the service will be. If you'd prefer something more intimate, it's best to limit it to family members and close friends who frequently spent time with the deceased. However, if you can, you can extend the invitation to neighbors, co-workers, and friends with whom they shared hobbies. Alternatively, you can also limit the service to family and close friends while still inviting everyone else to the wake afterward.

How Should You Inform Them?

While written cards have the most formality, traditional mail is not the most efficient method. For those you wish to invite, a phone call is best, with an email reminder detailing the venue, date, and time to follow. 

Generally, family members and close friends should always be alerted by phone. This is a significant burden on a single person, especially as they are grieving, too, so if possible, have other family members help you make calls. You can establish a phone tree diagramming who is responsible for which calls.

For friends, neighbors, and co-workers, an email will suffice. This is true whether or not you're trying to limit their presence to the wake. If you have a small, trusted group on social media, you can also make a post with the details. 

What Should You Say?

For phone calls to loved ones, how you inform them will differ from person to person and how they were connected to the deceased. Just make sure to mention the basics about the funeral service: the date, location, time, and where to send any gifts or charitable contributions. As mentioned above, make a follow-up email so that they have a reference on hand.

As for emails, aside from the above, you'll want to include the basics, like their full name, where they lived, any surviving family members, and their career. Any hobbies or charitable work can also be included. Finally, don't forget to add your contact information in case there are any questions about the arrangements. 

During times of loss, Shirley Brothers Mortuaries & Crematory can help with the arrangements. With roots in Indianapolis, IN, going as far back as 1898, you can trust that this funeral home is experienced and dedicated to the community. They understand how difficult it is to handle loss, especially if you're responsible for the funeral arrangements. Because of this, they also offer numerous grief and healing resources on their website. To speak to someone directly, feel free to call them at (317) 897-9606.