When a loved one passes away, there are many ways to celebrate their life. A funeral service or memorial service is the most common, and it’s important to understand the difference between each. If your loved one didn’t leave their preference through funeral pre-planning, you want to be confident you choose a service they would have wanted. Below, you’ll find a detailed breakdown of each.

A Guide to Memorial & Funeral Services

Funeral Service

A traditional funeral service takes place at a funeral home or at a place of worship. The body of the deceased person is present, and it can be displayed in an open or closed casket. When planning a funeral service, you’re free to incorporate any specifics you’d like, such as friends, loved ones, and religious persons speaking and asking guests to follow certain cultural or religious customs. Because the body of the deceased is present, a burial service usually follows. Scheduling is time-sensitive because of this; a funeral service generally takes place several days or up to a week following the deceased’s passing.

Memorial Service

The most immediate difference between a funeral service and a memorial service is that the body isn’t present for the latter. However, if the deceased was cremated and their remains are present, it still qualifies as a memorial service. A memorial service can take place anywhere, though a funeral home or place of worship is most common. They aren’t time-sensitive since only the cremated remains are displayed, and unless the remains are being buried, there is no burial. A memorial service can also occur following a burial service if it’s in the deceased’s honor; there’s no requirement that their cremated remains have to be present.

The staff at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home & Cremation Center understands the many challenges and emotional burdens that come with the loss of a loved one. Since 1953, they’ve proudly assisted residents of Wisconsin Rapids, WI, with all their funeral needs, including memorial and funeral service planning, cremation, and funeral pre-planning. They take every measure to ensure their clients’ comfort and offer additional services you can explore online. Call (715) 423-5460 today to schedule a meeting with a funeral director and connect on Facebook for news and updates.