Understanding The Difference between Memorial, Celebration of Life and Traditional Services

When you are determining how to say farewell to a loved one you are generally choosing between three end-of-life services, a traditional service, a memorial service or a celebration of life. That is why it is important to understand the main differences between these three different services so you can make the right decision for your family’s needs. In today’s blog we will be providing a helpful guide to navigating the differences between Traditional Services, Memorial Services and Celebrations of Life.

Traditional Funerals

One of the main elements that distinguishes a traditional funeral service from other services is the presence of the deceased. A Traditional service is usually conducted prior to cremation or burial with the remains of the deceased being present at the service so loved ones can pay their respects. There may also be a difference in tone when you compare a traditional service to another type of service with traditional services being solemn, formal and reverent affairs whereas celebrations of life and memorial services may aim for a more lighthearted and informal tone. The service may then be followed by a cemetery burial or cremation and a reception. Traditional services also go out of their way to incorporate various religious or cultural traditions into the ceremony; these can include things like having the service be conducted by a religious officiant who leads the service attendees in traditional rituals to honor the deceased.

Memorial Services

A memorial service is primarily distinguished from a traditional service by its timing, as memorial services can be conducted days, months or weeks following a death. This is because the remains of the deceased do not need to be present for a memorial service, though sometimes cremated remains have a place of honor during the service. Like traditional services, memorial services are usually somber, formal and reverent in tone though they may incorporate more lighthearted and casual elements depending on the preferences of those organizing the event. Memorial Services can be conducted at any location but are frequently held at funeral homes or places of worship to maintain the tone of the service. A reception may be held following the service or may be integrated into the service itself. The events of the service can be overseen by a religious officiant, a funeral director or a member of the family.

Celebrations of Life

The primary distinguishing factor of a celebration of life is the tone of the service, with celebrations of life having informal, lighthearted or even celebratory tones compared to the solemnity of other services. Like memorial services, celebrations of life can be held at any time or place following a death and frequently don’t have the body of the deceased present for a viewing, though cremated remains are sometimes present so guests can pay their respects. Celebrations of life may or may not have an officiant or master of ceremonies, but when they do it is often a member of the family or a funeral director rather than being a religious officiant. While a reception may accompany a celebration of life it is frequently integrated with the events of the celebration rather than being its own separate event.

We hope we have been able to show you the differences between traditional services, celebrations of life and memorial services so you can decide what kind of service is best for your family. If you have any questions about end-of-life services, please feel free to contact us.

Arbutus Funeral Service Inc., based in the Walnut Grove part of northwest Langley Township, British Columbia, is a family-owned and operated funeral home providing practical and affordable funeral services. We believe in cultural sensitivity and treat every client and family with respect and compassion. If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about funeral services, please call (604) 888-9895.