However, these halls are usually high ceilinged, impersonal echoing open spaces. These Families need care and comfort. Initially, a 'carer' ( just someone to hold a hand) will do but better facilities will help.
Instead consideration should be given to the Family "... anywhere out of the weather and away from the public gaze ..." is simplistic and all aspects of care should be thought of.
New airport buildings are glass cathedrals constructed to give an effect of light and space. There is no privacy.
Older Buildings have 'Gaterooms' which can house the total passenger load for any aircraft normally using the airfield. These may in some circumstance be used for a Friends and Relatives Centre, however at an International Airport this may cause problems due to Custom bonded shops, airfield security, and the difficulty of keeping non passengers and passenger seperated.
In all scenarios it is should be expected that at least 2 people for each passenger MAY arrive at the airport. If two maximum sized aircraft collide and the same rule is applied Contingency Plans should exist to allow two or more Gaterooms to be used.
Larger Airports can use different buildings to separate Survivors and Friend / Relatives both from each other and from the Media. In smaller airports the temptation to 'take the easy option can lead to people being housed within feet of each other and possibly tragic or upsetting results.
I would suggest that in many circumstances Hotels offer the best solution - IF you can either contract before an incident AND activate such a contract before the media block book your designated hotel.
Do not forget a fallback contract with another location. The main hotel may have a conference or convention booked in on the night of your disaster.
These people need someone to sit with. A person per family group is ideal. Before a disaster perhaps plans could be made within your community for such a 'psychological support team' to be identified. It can be drawn from within such groups as Red Cross, St. John's Ambulance, Samaritans, Bereavement Councilor or similar.
What is required is counseling skills - someone who can listen AND is then used to being debriefed to remove their own trauma.
Note the pre-planning can be as simple as a list of volunteers, a designated meeting place and a briefing sheet. It is suggested however that exercises take place to practice attendance as people get lost far easier when under the stress of a real incident and this is relieved by experience, even only from exercises.