How is a memorial service different from a funeral?
Both the funeral and the memorial service serve to honor the deceased and allow survivors to cope with the death. However, the memorial service is usually carried out without the body present, whereas the body is usually present during a funeral. Memorial services are often held when the body could not be recovered, has already been cremated or was buried too far away for family and friends to travel. Memorial services may be held at any time, whereas funerals are typically held almost immediately following death.
