As the popularity of cremation continues to rise, memorial services are becoming increasingly popular as well. A memorial service is similar in some regards to a funeral service, but there are also many differences.
Unlike a traditional funeral service, the body of the deceased is not present during a memorial service. The absence of the body at the service could be for many different reasons such as a death overseas, the remains were lost in combat, or the body was donated for medical/scientific research. If the remains were cremated prior to the service, the family may choose to have the urn holding the ashes present at the service.
The traditional funeral which is generally a specific series of events; it's a ritualized process where the deceased, and the attendees, pass from one social status to another; a process where the torn fabric of a family and community is repaired. According to the online article "Six Characteristics of Helpful Ceremonies", by William Hoy, Director of Grief Connect, this is done by including:
In knowing these characteristics, you can design a memorial service as unique as the life of your loved one.
In many cases, a memorial service takes place about a week after the passing. Because the body is not present, it is not uncommon for families to delay the service to weeks or even months later to accommodate travel plans and allow for the planning of a more meaningful service.
If you are interested in learning more about memorial services, we encourage you to browse the helpful resources we have featured below. Should you have any questions about planning a memorial service or would like to meet with a member of our staff, please contact us today at 718-351-5858.