Funeral Service, Memorial Service or the No Service option?

A funeral service is a traditional and symbolic way of expressing religious beliefs, personal thoughts and feelings about the death of a family member.  It is a time for family and friends to come together to express the love and respect they feel for someone who was important to them, and to pay a special tribute to their life

It can also fill important needs like acknowledging and facing the reality of the death, which is a first step towards working through grief.  Funerals can also help us find meaning and purpose in our continued living, even in the face of loss. The support and consolation given by mourners at a funeral service can be of valuable assistance to a family in adjusting to their loss.

A memorial service is very similar to a funeral service in every aspect as described above.  The only difference being the fact that the deceased’s body will not be present at the service (although the deceased’s ashes may be present, if you wish).

A memorial service may take place whenever and wherever you wish.  It can be soon after the death, or may take place on anniversaries of the death.  Many of the options available for a funeral service can be used in a memorial service eg celebrant or clergy, flowers, orders of service, music, photo slideshow and guest book etc.

Memorial services are chosen for a number of different reasons.  Families may not want to see the coffin, hearse or funeral staff, and prefer to have the funeral director look after the cremation or burial.  If family members live in different countries, it may not be practical to gather at short notice for a funeral service, so they opt for a memorial service at a later time.

If you require a Chapel or Funeral Venue, please use our Business Search facility.

No service options are usually chosen when the deceased person has no family or friends who are likely to attend a formal service.

If there are only one or two people wishing to attend, you have the option of a private viewing at the funeral home. This could be simply to spend some quiet time for reflection and to pay your respects.  The coffin can be either open or closed during this time.

Alternatively, the deceased can be taken by the funeral home directly to the cemetery or crematorium without a service being held.

Whether you choose a large formal church service or a small informal gathering at the beach or in a park, take the time to plan your special service carefully to ensure a memorable and meaningful event. It’s a good idea to have another dependable person designated to help plan, organize and then attend to details during the ceremony, as you will probably be too emotionally involved with your guests to bother with the practical aspects of the day.

If you require the services of a ‘Funeral Director’, please use our Business Search facility.