What should I include in a funeral or memorial service?

Planning your loved one’s funeral or memorial service can be stressful, especially while you’re grieving their loss. Luckily, there are many people who can help you.

The funeral director will handle many details of a funeral or memorial:

• They will help you decide if your loved one’s body will be laid in a casket (coffin) or burned to ashes and kept in an urn. They’ll help you choose a casket or urn based on your budget.
• If the service will be at a church or other place of worship, the funeral director will take the casket or urn After the service, they’ll take it to the final resting place.
• If the service will be at the funeral home, the funeral director will help you plan the details such as music, readings, flowers, and who will speak – such as family members, friends, or a religious officiant (pastor, priest, rabbi, or other) if you wish. After the service, they’ll take the casket or urn to the final resting place.

The religious leader and staff of a church, temple, mosque, synagogue, or other place of worship will help you if the funeral or memorial service will take place there instead of at the funeral home. They’ll help you plan the details such as music, readings, flowers, and who will speak in addition to the religious leader.

What parts of a service do I need to consider?

Funeral services are different around the world. People often arrange a service based on their religion. You’ll need to pay attention to costs, which can quickly add up. As an example, a funeral in the United States usually has 5 parts:

Wake or Visitation: This is a chance for family and friends to visit the body of the person who has died (the deceased). It’s often held on the day or evening before the funeral or memorial service. They might honor them before they are cremated or buried.

Funeral or memorial service: The service may take place in the funeral home or in a place of worship, such as a church, temple, mosque, or synagogue. A service often includes a religious ceremony. It’s a time for family and friends to gather and grieve, remember, and share stories about the person they’ve lost.

Procession: The procession is when the casket or urn is taken to the final resting place. If the resting place is not within walking distance of the service, the funeral director can arrange a motorcade (parade of cars) to transport the casket or urn, followed by family and friends.

Internment: This is when the deceased is left at their final resting place. If they are in a casket, it may be buried in the ground or placed in a mausoleum. If the body was cremated, the ashes might be placed in a building at a cemetery for cremation urns (columbarium) or scattered somewhere. There is often a short program that takes place at the cemetery, mausoleum, or columbarium before the internment.

Reception: Finally, the guests may attend a reception after the service. It gives people another chance to gather, celebrate, and share memories about the person who has passed away.