Every person is different, which is why many families focus on making their funeral service unique. While tradition tends to favor funerals, more and more people are making the shift to memorial services. This is primarily because of the flexibility and customization they afford. Explore the differences between funerals and memorial services below as you begin to decide which one will be right for you or your loved ones. 

Funerals

During funerals, family members typically have the chance to say goodbye to their loved one with a formal viewing, followed by a service, and finally, a burial attended by friends and family members. These services usually take place in churches or funeral homes, and typically occur soon after the person passes away. In some instances, luncheons or dinners also take place for the attendees and may take place at a reception center or church hall. 

These services can be religious, and this often requires contacting a priest or other religious official that knew the deceased. If the person was not religious, the service could be conducted by a family member or close friend. It is up to you if music will be played during the ceremony. During these occasions, the music is ordinarily instrumental and of the gospel or more subdued variety.

Memorial Services 

On the other hand, memorial services are much more flexible, since they don’t always include the viewing and burial of the deceased. For instance, if the person who passed away preferred cremation, the memorial service may be held weeks or months after their passing to give family and friends more time to arrange a gathering. 

Since a casket and a burial site are not involved, memorial services can be held anywhere. They can also be used as an opportunity to spread ashes in a unique location as a final goodbye. For example, attendees may go hiking to honor their loved one’s adoration of the outdoors, and use the opportunity to spread cremains on the summit of their favorite trail. 

Memorial services may also include meals held together, speeches, music, and time for people to talk and share their experiences. These often involve eulogies from family and friends, and this allows everyone to hear and share fond memories of their loved one. However, since they can take place much later, it may give the family more time to heal from the shock of the passing, creating a more pleasant experience for everyone. This allows the service to be a celebration of life as opposed to a ceremony focused on their death.

Create a personalized funeral or memorial service for someone you love by working with Gilligan Funeral Homes in Cincinnati, OH. Since 1877, this multi-generational company has been committed to helping families to traverse one of life’s most significant challenges; saying goodbye to those we have lost. They can guide you in choosing the correct service and handling the final wishes of your loved one. To ask questions about an upcoming burial or to start pre-planning today, visit their website or give their office a call at (513) 281-8311.