I have a nagging feeling that we agreed that Cheriss would step up as presiding Elder...is that at all true? In any case, I agree with your second option of just letting the characters decide. It'll be much more fun that way xD.

So, order of events in my head: 
-Funeral service/post funeral service discussions (me) (that's going to be a long one...bear with me) 
-Funeral service/post funeral service discussions (you) 
-Skip forward a couple of days and then have initial discussions about Revan/assigning apprentices (me) 
-Discussions about Revan/assigning apprentices (you) 

Sound ok? 

Also, apprentice wise, do you want to try out new characters or go with established ones?