Funeral Ideas for Dad
Funeral Ideas for Dad
If you are planning a funeral for your father and want to personalize the event, it is a good idea to start pulling your ideas together early on in the process—and to include others who might feel the loss as keenly as you do. Capturing the energy and emotion of the man who gave you life is no easy task, and your support network can really help you send him off in a proper and honorable way.
- Capture His Hobbies: Was your dad a reader? A hunter or fisher? A gardener? A great cook? Pick a few of the most definable hobbies of his and turn them into a theme for the funeral. Read a passage from his favorite book, showcase one of his prize catches, pull flowers from his own garden, or share a favorite recipe with guests.
- Give Him Something Fun to Wear: We almost always bury our loved ones in their formal best. While you don’t have to depart from this tradition, you can also add a touch of fun. Put dad’s favorite baseball cap on his head. Let him wear his team jersey. Place his favorite slippers at the foot of the casket. These small touches can mean a lot.
- Ask Him to Contribute: If you have time to plan ahead for your father’s funeral while he’s still with you, see if he would like to make any contributions. Maybe he was a great woodworker and can craft a DIY casket. Maybe he has a list of favorite rock songs he’d like played at the ceremony. Ask him what he wants and do your best to honor those things after he’s gone.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Cry: When it comes to dads, many of us feel as though we need to be tough or strong or hide the most extreme of our emotions. Try not to let this guide you. Don’t be afraid of sharing what your dad meant to you and letting others in to help you with your grief.
- Keep Things Going after the Funeral: After the funeral is over, go visit dad’s favorite bar and open the tab for guests. Buy a block of seats at his favorite sports venue and hold a memorial game day. Take his cremated remains to the fishing spot he loved the most and scatter his ashes where he can be at rest. There’s no reason why your personalized funeral planning has to stop at the cemetery gates.
Chances are, your dad holds a very special place in your heart, and you want to do your best to honor his passing. You do not have to spend a lot of money or go overboard personalizing his funeral, but a few small touches can make a big difference to those in attendance.
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