While there are many places to host a wake after a service at a funeral home in Dolton, IL, many bereaved prefer to have the gathering at their home. Whether this is because the deceased had a special connection to the house or because the bereaved want to keep the event intimate, a memorial at home is a wonderful idea.

If you want to host a memorial for your lost loved one at your home, you do need to spend time getting your home ready. Here are some tips for prepping your home for a memorial event: 

1. Deep Clean – The best way to prep your home for a memorial is to do a deep clean. Start in the high traffic rooms like the kitchen, bathrooms, and living spaces, but don’t forget the extra rooms like bedrooms, offices, and basements.
   
2. Change Dated Fixtures – Want to make your home look updated for the memorial? Change out the fixtures. It’s incredible how much changing fixtures can change a room. Whether you’re updating frosted glass pendant lights or ripping out nasty old ceiling fans in lieu of more modern ones, spend the weekend changing your dated fixtures for a quick home update.
   
3. Update Your Furniture – A brand new couch is pricey, but reupholstering your existing couch just takes a few hours and some creativity. You can update other furniture, too, like chairs and tables with a new stain or coat of paint. 
   
4. Give Your Window Treatments Love – Window treatments can get dirty if left unattended. A quick way to make your home feel like new again is to clean your treatments. You can even repaint or re-stain them if you want to add a new pop of color.
   
5. Add Greenery – Plants, flowers and other greenery always add life and color to a space. Worried about watering? Buy some fake plants.
   
6. Organize Cords – Cords hanging off the TV, tangled by the nightstand, or snaking around your desk look plain messy. Clear away and organize your cords by investing in some cheap cord organizers and power strips.
   
7. Clean Tile and Grout – Nothing makes a bathroom or kitchen seem older and dirtier than stained grout or tile. Buy a cheap tile and grout refreshing kit at your local hardware store or online and spend the afternoon scrubbing. It might take some elbow grease, but your kitchen and bathroom will look good as new.
   
8. Do Some Painting – Few things update a space more than a fresh coat of paint. You can totally change the color of a room for a super new look, or you can just give the existing color a refresh.
   
9. Make Space for Your Pet – Your home should be free from pet clutter for the event. Take some time on your weekend to carve out a dedicated space for your pet and all his accessories. 

Do you want more tips or information on Dolton, IL funeral homes? Cage Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. is here to help. After all, sometimes it’s the smallest of changes in your home that make the biggest impacts when you want it to look nice for an event.