A funeral is an event that takes place after someone dies. The purpose of a funeral is to say goodbye to the person who has died and provide their family closure. On the other hand, a memorial service may occur before or after the funeral. It serves as a way for grieving people to come together to support one another without feeling like they are alone in their sorrows.
Both funerals and memorial services can be very personal affairs, or they can be more public events. They may also incorporate religious rituals or traditions or be more secular. However, a few things are typically included in funerals and memorial services offered by Sacred Endings with Sarah Ritchie, for example.
What to expect at a funeral?
An open casket. Most people want to have an opportunity to view the body of their loved ones before burial or cremation. If they do not, it is likely because they are uncomfortable being in the same room with them, but if your loved one does not want their body to be seen at all, you will be informed ahead of time.
The funeral service. This is a time for friends and family to say goodbye to the person who has died. It may be a religious service, or it may be more secular. The service focuses on remembering the life of the person who has died and celebrating all they meant to those around them.
The burial or cremation. After the funeral service, the body is usually buried or cremated. This may take place at the funeral home, a cemetery, or even at home.
What to expect at a memorial service?
The memorial service: This may take place before or after a funeral and is the time when friends and family come together to support one another and remember the person who has died. It is similar to a funeral but without focusing on the closure of death.
The reception: Sometimes, if it’s an especially sad occasion, such as for a child who has died or someone who has been in a car accident, there will be a reception afterward. This is meant to be a time when people can eat and drink together in celebration of the person’s life.
How to Get through a Funeral or Memorial Service:
When possible, try and talk about the person who has died. It is natural for people to avoid talking about death out of fear; it will remind them that someone they love is gone forever. However, talking about the person who has died can help to keep their memory alive.
Be understanding. Not everyone deals with death in the same way. Some people will cry, some will be angry, and others will want to remember the person who has died quietly. However, just because someone is not crying does not mean they are not grieving.
In conclusion, funerals and memorial services can be very personal or more public events. They may incorporate religious rituals or traditions or be more secular in nature. No matter what, they are a time for friends and family to come together to say goodbye to the person who has died and celebrate all they meant to those around them.
