As painful as the time after a death is, there are certain rituals that people have turned to for generations for comfort and hope. One of the most valuable is the memorial service, which gives mourners an opportunity to come together and pay their respects. Here’s a look at why this kind of gathering has such power and value. 

How Memorial Services Help Mourners

They Provide Closure

A memorial service generally occurs sometime after the burial. It may take place in a place of worship, a private home, or event venue. Family and friends will share thoughts and remembrances of the deceased, and perhaps read a favorite passage or play a piece of music that was meaningful to the individual. By having a commemorative event, friends and family will have an opportunity to acknowledge the reality of the death that they may find helpful to the grieving process. 

They Offer Reflection 

By partaking in this emotional ritual, mourners will have a time and place to express their grief. They’ll reflect not only on the meaning of the life of their loved one, but on their own experiences and values. While a memorial service is by no means the end of the heartache, it is another step in the process of finding a new sense of life. 

They Give Support 

Memorial services can include anyone with an association to the deceased or be limited to close family. Attendees will pay their respects and reminisce. After the ceremony, food is sometimes served, and there’s time to talk to others. By creating an opportunity for the community to come together in support of the family, memorial services thus ensure that mourners aren’t alone. They’ll be inundated with love, warm feelings, as well as fond memories of the deceased. While the pain may never completely fade, memorial services provide comfort, and serve as a reminder that there’s still a world outside of the loss. 

For help planning a meaningful memorial service, count on DiPonzio Funeral Home in Rochester, NY. Serving the community of Monroe County for over eight decades, the funeral home will help you arrange everything from the burial or cremation service to the particulars of the memorial gathering. Speak to a caring staff member by calling (585) 429-6700. To find resources on handling grief, head to the funeral home’s website.