Funeral Luncheons
At Lake Orion UMC, we have a great funeral luncheon ministry – made possible by a group of dedicated volunteers who set up the Fellowship Hall to be warm and welcoming, then serve food for the family and do all the cleaning up after. This allows the family to visit with each other without anyone needing to clean their house or worry about how to accommodate the people who will be coming. The family provides their own food, with some suggestions from us, if desired. It’s very affordable (we charge a minimal fee for non-members) and much appreciated by the families.
There are a few suggestions that have proven to be valuable:
-Fewer food choices are better. A main dish, starch, and vegetable work really well – like Mostaccioli or chicken, bread sticks or potatoes, and salad. Chicken without bones is MUCH easier to eat!
-Everyone can eat again in a few hours! Don’t stress about the amount of food.
-Don’t forget dessert – cookies are great! Easy to hold, easy to bring, wonderful to eat!
- Don’t worry about dealing with everyone’s dietary needs. If one of the close family members has a particular dietary issue – accommodate it. Let everyone else deal with it.
-Above all else, remember that the food is secondary. It is actually something to do with your hands while you reminisce about your loved one with all the other folks who are also remembering!
If you would like to join our group of Funeral Luncheon volunteers, please let me know. Joanne Purdon and I co-chair this ministry. I send an email to everyone, and you let me know if you are able to help with that particular luncheon. We have people who come to set up about 2 hours before the luncheon, others who serve the meal, and still others who clean up. We are usually finished about 2 hours after the meal is served. You can do one or more of the jobs and no prior experience is required!
I remember when my Daddy died many years ago. The time spent visiting with people who knew him at different times of his life and hearing about his impact on others was so valuable to me. This is such an important ministry. I am so very glad to be a part of it. Please let me know if you would like to be a part of it too.
Questions and to join our team: Emily Graffeo (248-705-2025)
There are a few suggestions that have proven to be valuable:
-Fewer food choices are better. A main dish, starch, and vegetable work really well – like Mostaccioli or chicken, bread sticks or potatoes, and salad. Chicken without bones is MUCH easier to eat!
-Everyone can eat again in a few hours! Don’t stress about the amount of food.
-Don’t forget dessert – cookies are great! Easy to hold, easy to bring, wonderful to eat!
- Don’t worry about dealing with everyone’s dietary needs. If one of the close family members has a particular dietary issue – accommodate it. Let everyone else deal with it.
-Above all else, remember that the food is secondary. It is actually something to do with your hands while you reminisce about your loved one with all the other folks who are also remembering!
If you would like to join our group of Funeral Luncheon volunteers, please let me know. Joanne Purdon and I co-chair this ministry. I send an email to everyone, and you let me know if you are able to help with that particular luncheon. We have people who come to set up about 2 hours before the luncheon, others who serve the meal, and still others who clean up. We are usually finished about 2 hours after the meal is served. You can do one or more of the jobs and no prior experience is required!
I remember when my Daddy died many years ago. The time spent visiting with people who knew him at different times of his life and hearing about his impact on others was so valuable to me. This is such an important ministry. I am so very glad to be a part of it. Please let me know if you would like to be a part of it too.
Questions and to join our team: Emily Graffeo (248-705-2025)