A memorial service is a ceremony where family, friends and community come together to celebrate and remember the life of a loved one. The only difference between a memorial service and a funeral is that at a memorial service the body of the deceased is not present, however, cremated remains may be present.

A memorial service can take place right away or held weeks, or even months, later. There is also flexibility when it comes to location. A memorial service can be held at a church, funeral home, or a location that was special to the deceased, like a park or beach.

Families choose a memorial service for many reasons but most often we hear it’s because of the flexibility it allows when scheduling services. For some, they may need more time to grieve. For others, they need extra time to bring family and friends together who may need to travel to attend services. Another reason families choose to have a memorial service is it allows for a more informal or non-denominational service.