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 ... more

A funeral service is a ceremony that takes place with the body of the deceased present. A memorial service is a ceremony honoring the deceased without the body present. ... more

The most common distinction is that a funeral service normally has the casket present, whereas a memorial service does not have the body present. ... more

The body is present at a funeral service (either open or closed casket.) A memorial service is held without the body present. Typically, a memorial service follows a direct cremation or a direct burial and can be held within days or months of when the person died. ... more

A funeral service is a service with the body present and a memorial service is a service without the body present! ... more

The only difference with a memorial service is that the body is not present. A memorial service is much like a funeral service, flowers and other mementos are brought to help celebrate their life. Many people feel that they need something to signal finality and a memorial service does just that. ... more

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. ... more

A. A funeral service has the body of the deceased present for viewing usually a few days before the service as well as at the actual service. A memorial service is when the family chooses cremation, or when a body cannot be recovered due to a tragedy. ... more