Memorial Service Information

What is a Memorial Service?

Unlike a traditional funeral, a memorial service is a gathering where a casket is not present (although the urn with the cremated remains may be on display). A memorial service is a ceremony to honor the deceased and celebrate a life well lived. Memorial services often take place after the deceased’s remains have been cared for. It is quite common for families to hold their loved one’s memorial service weeks or even months after the death has occurred.

Memorial Service vs Funeral Service

Although a memorial service and a funeral both hold the same purpose, to honor the deceased, they are actually quite different. The main difference between a traditional funeral and a memorial service is that the body is not present at a memorial service. Instead, it is either cremated or buried immediately after death before planning a formal service has begun.

Funeral and memorial services share many similarities. The main difference between the two is that a traditional funeral service is a much more structured and formal event. A traditional funeral service is often associated with religion so it is usually led by a member of clergy, whereas a memorial service is led by a celebrant or master of ceremonies.

A memorial service could be best described as a perfect mix of a traditional funeral and celebration of life. The mood is often described as somewhere between somber and celebratory. The ceremony is formal but also personalized to reflect the individual being celebrated.

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Memorial Service vs. Celebration of Life

A celebration of life is an event that truly celebrates the loved one’s passions, intellectual pursuits, personality, and personal accomplishments. A celebration of life can really have no structure at all and can be really anything you want.

A memorial service could be best described as a gentle mix of a traditional funeral and celebration of life. A memorial service has some structure, but it still allows you the flexibility to make the ceremony unique and personalized to fit the individual being honored. Also the mood generally lies somewhere in the middle of completely somber and celebratory.

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Memorial Service Ideas

Our experience has shown us that many of today's families want more than a traditional funeral. This can be done by bringing more of the personality and lifestyle of the deceased into the arrangements. By displaying photographs or staging the event around a favorite pastime, a memorial service can become more personal and meaningful.

memorial services pictures hanging and clipped on string

Memory Boards

Display a photo memory board, a memorial table or a memorial DVD of images of your loved one doing what they enjoyed most. Photos, which capture a moment, often spark conversation and bring up forgotten memories.

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Balloon Release

A balloon release is a popular choice for memorial services. But don’t be afraid to think outside the box to find something to suit your loved one’s personality. Some alternatives that have the same sentiment as a balloon release are to toss wildflower seeds into a field, blow bubbles or light luminaries.

memorial services bowl of soup with spoon

Pot Luck

If your loved one loved to cook or had a passion for food, incorporate that into the service. Turn the reception into a pot luck. Challenge your guests to each try and create some of your loved one’s favorite dishes for everyone to enjoy.

Why a Memorial Service?

Rather than opting to do things "the same old way", many families today want to celebrate the life of a loved one. Many funeral service professionals see this change as one of the many contributions to social change made by "Baby Boomers". The National Funeral Directors Association notes, "As baby boomers age and find themselves having to plan funerals for loved ones and themselves, they are making funeral choices based on values that are different than previous generations. Baby boomers see funerals as a valuable part of the grieving process and are seeking ways to make them meaningful." If you too desire to make the funeral for a loved one more engaging and personally meaningful, a celebration-of-life may be the perfect concept to build on.

We're Here to Advise, Assist, and Guide You

After reading the memorial service information provided above you should feel confident in deciding if a memorial service is right for your loved one. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or to learn the details of our memorial service planning process. We will spend the time to help create a fitting memorial service for your loved one.

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