Memorial Service Outline

Although a memorial service shares many similarities with a funeral service, there are also many differences. Essentially, it is a gathering of friends and loved ones to honor and celebrate the life of the deceased. A key difference that distinguishes a memorial service is that the body of the deceased is not present at the service. If the remains have been cremated, they may be displayed in an urn instead.

 

Memorial services can be held anywhere and often take place in either a funeral home or a church. Because the body of the deceased is not present, it is not uncommon for a memorial service to be held weeks or even months after the deceased has passed. The service typically includes music, readings, prayers, and a eulogy.

 

More and more families no longer want to mourn a death but rather celebrate a life. A memorial service gives your family the flexibility to plan a service that pays tribute to the deceaseds personality and achievements. A memorial service gives you the opportunity to share things like your loved one’s life story, what they stood for and what they valued.

 

More and more families now want to break away from a traditional funeral and elect for one that is personalized to the deceased. One such way families make these services more meaningful is by displaying personal mementos and photographs of the deceased. Many services often feature a theme or stage the event around something that represents the life of the deceased.

 

When it comes time to start thinking about memorial service ideas, we suggest you discuss the following questions with your family: