Memorial Service Information

What is a Memorial Service and How do You Plan One?

Unlike a traditional funeral, a memorial service is a gathering where a casket is not present (although the urn with the cremated remains may be on display). A memorial service can be held weeks or even months after the death. Many funeral service professionals see this change as one of the many contributions to social change made by 'Baby Boomers'. The National Funeral Directors Association notes, "As baby boomers age and find themselves having to plan funerals for loved ones and themselves, they are making funeral choices based on values that are different than previous generations. Baby boomers see funerals as a valuable part of the grieving process and are seeking ways to make them meaningful."

A memorial service can be held in a church, the funeral home a community hall, or somewhere of importance to the deceased and family. There is usually music, selected readings, and a eulogy. Memorial services can be further personalized as a celebration-of-life. If you too desire to make the funeral for a loved one more engaging and personally meaningful, a celebration-of-life memorial service may be the perfect concept to build on.

Memorial Services

Rather than opting to do things "the same old way", many families today want to celebrate the life of a loved one. Many funeral service professionals see this change as one of the many contributions to social change made by 'Baby Boomers'. The National Funeral Directors Association notes, "As baby boomers age and find themselves having to plan funerals for loved ones and themselves, they are making funeral choices based on values that are different than previous generations. Baby boomers see funerals as a valuable part of the grieving process and are seeking ways to make them meaningful." If you too desire to make the funeral for a loved one more engaging and personally meaningful, a memorial service may be the perfect concept to build on.

Memorial Service vs Funeral

There are four basic components which make up the conventional approach to funerals:
  1.  A Visitation
  2. The Funeral Service
  3. A Committal Service
  4. The Funeral Reception
A traditional funeral then is a series of events; it's a ritualized process where the deceased, and the attendees, pass from one social status to another; a process where the torn fabric of a family and community is repaired. According to the online article "Six Characteristics of Helpful Ceremonies", by William Hoy, Director of Grief Connect, this is done by including:
  1. Symbols of shared significance intended to communicate beyond words
  2. Ritual actions shared by a group of individuals
  3. Gathered people providing comfort to one another
  4. Connection to heritage through recognized readings
  5. Increased physical contact between attendees provide comfort
  6. Witnessing the transition of the body through burial or cremation
In knowing these characteristics, you can design a memorial service as unique as the life of your loved one.

Feel free to browse our resources below on memorial services and, as always, contact us if we can help with your planning.

Memorial Service Planning in Brooklyn

Our experience has shown us that many of today's families want more than a traditional funeral. Rather than opting to do things "the same old way", many families today want to celebrate the life of a loved one. This can be done by bringing more of the personality and lifestyle of the deceased into the arrangements. By displaying photographs or staging the event around a favorite pastime, a memorial service can become more personal and meaningful.
As part of memorial service planning in Brooklyn, we suggest you consider the following questions:
  • What did your loved one like to do?
  • What was he or she like as an individual?
  • What was their profession and how did that shape their life?
  • Was your loved one spiritual?
  • Was he or she proud of their cultural or ethnic heritage? 
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Memorial Service Planning Checklist

It's really a process of asking–and answering–questions. We recommend you read our "What is a Funeral?" page to get some general ideas and then sit down with other family members, at least once, but maybe even more than once; to explore how to plan a memorial service which arise from answering these questions:
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Let Us Help with the Memorial Service Planning

We know that's a lot to think about. But we urge you to take your time; be thoughtful, and don't hesitate to explore all the memorial service checklist ideas which arise as part of this experience.

As we've said, we've got the experience which could make memorial service planning easier for you and your family. Don't hesitate to pick up the phone; call us at 718-232-8844. Let's talk about your loved one's life; share some stories with us. We're confident that, together, we can come up with the perfect memorial service event to suit your needs and expectations.
Start Planning a Memorial Service
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