Share:

A memorial service is conducted when your loved one’s body won’t be present at the service, often when cremation or burial services have already been performed. It’s slightly different than a funeral service, so there are a few do’s and don’ts you should consider when planning it. Below are some of them to help you get started.

Do:

Choose a location and date.

You’ll need to decide on a location, such as a funeral home, and a date for the memorial. The timing of a memorial service is more flexible than that of a funeral, as the cremation or burial has already been done. You can choose a date that is further away to allow family and friends to prepare and arrive, which also gives you more time to make the arrangements.

Arrange speakers, flowers, and other details.

memorial serviceA memorial is more flexible than a funeral, with a more relaxed structure, but there are still elements that will need planning. You’ll need to make arrangements for an officiant to speak about your loved one’s life, where flowers should be sent to and how they’ll be arranged, and for an obituary to be placed in the paper. If there will be food at the memorial, you’ll need to arrange for catering or let attendees know if it’s a potluck. Songs, photos, and keepsakes will also need to be decided upon and prepared.

Don’t: 

Neglect to notify friends and family.

Immediate and nearby family will be the first ones to know about the memorial arrangements, but make sure you let other family members and close friends know so they get the chance to say goodbye. Create a list of distant family members to notify so no one is overlooked. You can use your loved one’s address book, phone contacts, and social media accounts to notify friends as well.

Feel pressured to fit into standard expectations.

The service is about your loved one and their unique life, and you should feel free to organize an event that will reflect their character and honor their memory, even if it doesn’t fit into standard expectations. If they were an advocate of the environment and loved nature, for instance, you could have an outdoor ceremony at one of their favorite spots. You can have an activity for everyone to do, such as make a keychain with a picture of your loved one, fly kites, or serve their favorite food and drinks. Create a service that you feel your loved one would truly appreciate and that represents who they were.

 

 

If you decide on a funeral home to hold the memorial service, you deserve one that will cater to the requests you make. Leo M. Bean And Sons Funeral Home in Rochester, NY, has over 40 years of serving the area with sincere, compassionate services. Family-owned and -operated, they offer comprehensive options, including pre-planning, memorial, traditional, and cremation services, with affordable packages available. Learn more about their services online and call (585) 426-7830 to begin making arrangements.

tracking