What is the difference between a funeral service and a memorial service?
The most common distinction is that a funeral service normally has the casket present, whereas a memorial service does not have the body present. BACK TO TOP • How does a funeral differ when cremation is chosen? Cremation is a part of the funeral process which normally takes place after the funeral, so it does not have to affect the type of funeral at all. Some families have an entirely traditional funeral, followed by cremation. Cremation allows a wider range of final disposition options, such as burial of the cremated remains (often called “ashes”), scattering in a place that is meaningful to the family, placing the cremation urn in a niche in a cemetery columbarium, or keeping them at home either on display or in storage. Many people who choose cremation consider a rental casket, with a pine insert which is removed prior to the cremation. This keeps the cost of the funeral lower, and means that the outer shell of the casket is not cremated with the body. Some families choose to have
A funeral service is a service commemorating the deceased with the body present. A memorial service is a ceremony commemorating the deceased without the body present. Funeral services are traditionally held in the funeral home chapel, church, or graveside. Memorial services can be held at the funeral home chapel, church or other locations the family may desire.
