Memorial Service

A memorial service is defined as a service without the body present and can vary in ceremony and procedures according to the community and religious affiliations. Disposition of the body may take place either before or after the service. You can hold a memorial service (without body present) instead of a funeral (with body present), or in addition to it. For instance, you might have a funeral in the town where the person lived and died, and a memorial service later in the town where he/she grew up. Some families prefer public visitations followed by a private or graveside service with a public memorial service later at the church or funeral home chapel.