How To Have A Memorial Service Without A Body

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Conducting a memorial service is a meaningful way to honor a person who has recently passed abroad. Information technology is also a time for loved ones to think the deceased, share their feelings with others, and seek condolement from other mourners. Dissimilar a funeral, the body of the deceased is not present at a memorial service, which creates additional flexibility in terms of timing and location.^[ane] This guide will help you plan and conduct the perfect memorial service to laurels your loved one.

1
Get aid planning the memorial service. ^[2] The death of a loved one is a difficult time and planning a memorial service can exist a daunting task. You don't have to go information technology alone! Enlist the help of friends and loved ones with the planning and preparations correct from the beginning, and consider hiring outside help if needed.^[three]
- Most houses of worship have people on staff who tin requite guidance in this procedure.
- Funeral directors will also assistance, just will charge for their services.
- For a very large memorial service, consider hiring an consequence planner to help run the testify.
2
Decide what kind of service yous wish to have. A memorial service can accept many forms and exist every bit formal or informal as you lot like. Advisedly consider the personality and wishes of the deceased, and the preferences of other family members when making your determination.^[4] Pay particular attention to religious preference, as this is often the biggest factor in choosing the kind of service to conduct.^[5]
- Traditional memorial services are usually more formal and somber in nature, and are often held in places of worship or funeral homes.
- Celebration of life gatherings tend to be less formal, and focus less on grieving and more than on celebrating the retentiveness of the deceased. Gatherings of this type tin be held almost anywhere.
- Interment or sprinkling of ashes. If the deceased chose to exist cremated, the memorial service is often held in conjunction with the interment or scattering of the ashes. The timing and location for this ceremony will depend on where the ashes will be placed.
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iii
Choose a location for the memorial service. If the service is to be religious in nature, a house of worship is an ideal choice. Funeral homes and banquet halls also work well for formal memorial services.^[vi]
- Memorial services can besides exist held at the cemetery or crematorium, even after the interment has taken place.
- Consider holding a celebration of life service at a favorite place of the deceased. This could include a eatery, park, or fifty-fifty a bowling aisle.
- An ash sprinkling anniversary will accept identify outdoors, usually at a favorite place of the deceased. Many people choose to scatter ashes into the body of water or other body of water, or at a location with a beautiful view.^[7]
iv
Schedule a date and fourth dimension for the memorial service. Confer with the loved ones of the deceased to cull a day and time when everyone tin attend. Recall to go on the needs of out-of-boondocks guests in mind when making your choice. Information technology is generally preferable to schedule the service on a weekend or in the evening to maximize the number of people who tin can attend.^[8]
- If the service is to be held outdoors, consider planning for a time when expert weather is likely to occur.
- If the service will exist held in a remote location, give people adequate time to make travel arrangements.
5
Make any necessary reservations. For most indoor locations, reservations are a must. If you are planning to hold your service at a public park, you may besides demand reservations or a permit, depending on the size of the service.
- You may also need to rent chairs, a podium, sound system, etc. These tin all be reserved through a local consequence rental company.
6
Send out notifications of the engagement, time and location the service. This should exist done as soon as possible. You tin can send out at additional details subsequently as they arise.^[ix]
- Personal phone calls are mostly considered the well-nigh appropriate fashion to notify family members and close friends.
- Place a notice in the obituary section of the local paper. If an obituary has non notwithstanding been published, you can do this at the same time.
- Emails and social media are likewise good ways to get the word out nigh the service, and keep people updated of any changes.
- Be sure to notify current and former coworkers of the deceased who might wish to attend.
- Exist prepared to provide lodging and transportation suggestions for out-of-boondocks guests.

1
Cull an officiant to atomic number 82 the service. In the instance of formal memorial services, this is nearly often a religious leader or a funeral managing director. For less formal services where everyone is invited to speak and share stories, it is still advisable to cull a family member or friend to serve as the master of ceremonies.
- If the officiant will be writing a eulogy, be sure that he or she has all of the information needed to go far personalized and meaningful, and don't exist shy about asking to run across a draft earlier it is delivered.
- State very clearly to the officiant what y'all have in mind for the service, and be firm with whatsoever requests to include or leave out sure material, etc.
- When choosing an emcee, wait for a person who is energetic and proficient at cartoon people out. Many mourners get shy at memorial services and accept trouble speaking, but a good emcee will exist encouraging and able to assist people find their vocalization.
- If yous plan to ask guests to share stories, readings, etc., let them know ahead of time and give them time to fix.
ii
Select readings for the service. It is common to read favorite poems, passages from religious texts, and even the writings of the deceased in a memorial service. Decide on the readings that you wish to include, and on who will read them, or invite guests to bring favorite passages with them to share at the ceremony.^[10]
- Think of friends and loved ones yous can specifically invite to deliver readings. Many people who might be as well shy to volunteer would be happy to participate if asked.
- Information technology is a nice touch to include a copy of any prearranged readings in a handout for guests to follow along with, or to brandish them on a Power Point slide.
3
Select music for the service. Not all memorial services include music, merely many practise. The music should fit the type of service your are belongings, but should as well reflect the tastes of the deceased and the talents of friends and loved ones. Fifty-fifty a formal service tin can be concluded with a rousing rendition of the deceased'south favorite jazz standard or rock anthem.^[eleven]
- Enlist or rent whatsoever musicians you might need as soon as you have a date to work with.
- Consider request those closest to the deceased to make suggestions for music to play at the service.
- Remember to arrange for whatever audio equipment you might need. A portable stereo volition work, but depending on the size and nature of the event, this might exist the time to become all out and rent some professional speakers or even hire a DJ.
- Creating and distributing mix-CDs of the music played at the service can be a meaningful memento of the deceased.
4
Create a commemorative photograph display or slide-bear witness. It is mutual to display photographs of the deceased before and during a memorial service. Consider bringing a large portrait of the deceased to brandish, or creating a photograph display board. You lot may likewise inquire guests to bring favorite photos of the deceased to share, or to ship image files to include in a PowerPoint slide show.^[12]
- Helping to create a memorial slide show or video is a great way for friends and family members experience included.
5

Arrange to have flowers or other decorations at the service. If something is preferred in lieu of flowers, such as making contributions to a favored charity or memorial fund, make sure to include this information when announcing the memorial service to guests.^[13]
6
Set up a memorial service programme to give to guests. Virtually memorial service programs include a photo and biographical information near the deceased, and information well-nigh the service. Many also include inspirational quotes, the text of any shared readings, information nearly surviving relatives, etc.^[14]
- Yous can find free templates on-line to create and print your own programme at home, or you can have them done upwardly professionally.
7

Provide a guestbook for people to sign. You might also encourage people to include phone numbers or other contact information then that relatives who have lost impact can reconnect.^[15]
8

Add together personal touches to service wherever possible. The best memorial services actually capture the spirit and personality of the deceased. If the deceased was known for wearing zany ties or Hawaiian shirts, encourage guests to do the aforementioned. If the deceased had a sweet tooth, provide personalized processed favors for the guests. Use your imagination, the possibilities are endless!

i

Program to provide refreshments after the service. Low-cal refreshments should be provided at the memorial service fifty-fifty if an off-site reception volition as well be taking place. Refreshments might include coffee, cookies and juice, or something more elaborate. Having refreshments on manus volition encourage people to linger and talk, and continue remembering the deceased in a more relaxed setting.^[xvi]
2

Cull the type of reception you wish to have. A post-memorial reception can have many forms, from a potluck at the home of a nearby relative, to a raucous afterward-party at the favorite bar of the deceased.^[17]
3

Choose a location for the reception. The reception should have place fairly near the location of the memorial service. Make any necessary reservations ahead of fourth dimension, and ready maps or articulate directions to the reception site to distribute to guests at the memorial service.
4

Brand arrangements for food and drinkable. If the reception will be a potluck, be sure to notify guests alee of time and effort to coordinate dishes. Hiring a caterer for the reception is another selection that is often less stressful on the family of the deceased.^[18]
5

Assign or rent someone to be in accuse of managing the refreshments and the reception. If at all possible, delegate this task to a friend or associate who volition not mind missing the memorial service to ensure that the refreshments are in place and kept stocked, and that the reception venue is in order.
6
Allow sufficient travel fourth dimension to the reception site. Allow for at to the lowest degree a half an 60 minutes betwixt the end of the memorial service and the beginning of the reception to allow people time to rest, freshen up, and change clothes if they would similar.
- If the reception volition be an adults-only effect, consider helping to adapt childcare for any parents who would similar to nourish.

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Question

How tin y'all reduce the cost of a memorial service?

David I. Jacobson is the founder of Chicago Jewish Funerals, an contained Jewish owned funeral provider that evolved into ii funeral homes in the Chicagoland area. With over 30 years of feel serving families, David is a leading proficient on Kavod Hamet, the Jewish traditions of honoring and respecting the dead. David is an agile funeral director that serves people planning and in need of funerals, lecturing to congregations, community groups, and schools extensively well-nigh the values of the Jewish funeral too as the dying process and the value of one's legacy.

Funeral Home Director

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert reply.

Everybody may take a different opinion on what's expensive and what's not expensive, but it'due south of import that y'all get everything yous want at a fair cost so that when you walk away, yous know that yous were served actually well. In order to get the all-time value for what you lot are paying for, understand exactly what y'all want and endeavour to piece of work with somebody who can assistance y'all achieve that.
Question

What is the difference between a funeral service and a memorial service?

David I. Jacobson is the founder of Chicago Jewish Funerals, an independent Jewish owned funeral provider that evolved into ii funeral homes in the Chicagoland surface area. With over 30 years of experience serving families, David is a leading practiced on Kavod Hamet, the Jewish traditions of honoring and respecting the dead. David is an active funeral director that serves people planning and in demand of funerals, lecturing to congregations, community groups, and schools extensively near the values of the Jewish funeral as well as the dying procedure and the value of one'south legacy.

Funeral Home Director

Skilful Respond

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A memorial service, past definition, is a service without the torso present. A funeral service is a service with the body present. A memorial service is typically held if the burying is existence held elsewhere.
Question

What should you talk about in a memorial speech?

David I. Jacobson is the founder of Chicago Jewish Funerals, an contained Jewish owned funeral provider that evolved into two funeral homes in the Chicagoland area. With over 30 years of experience serving families, David is a leading expert on Kavod Hamet, the Jewish traditions of honoring and respecting the dead. David is an agile funeral managing director that serves people planning and in need of funerals, lecturing to congregations, community groups, and schools extensively about the values of the Jewish funeral as well equally the dying process and the value of one's legacy.

Funeral Home Director

Skillful Answer
Question

We are having the memorial service at our church. Our basement is too pocket-sized to suit all the people that will exist there. Is it tacky non to have refreshments after?

Maria elisa bethia

Community Respond

Nothing y'all do at a memorial service is tacky, equally everyone understands you are at maximum stress, pain and grieving. In most churches, there are a few people who will bring something to drink. Other people might bring cookies. Churches are very organized regarding things like this, and then there's no need for y'all to worry nearly it.
Question

What is the purpose of using candles in a memorial service?

Candles are often lit in remembrance or mourning, then they are ofttimes used in memorial services.
Question

How do I create a prissy, simple invitee sign in book?

Many funeral homes have these bachelor equally part of the services or to purchase. If you lot would like something more personal y'all can purchase bones sign in books of different styles and sizes at nearly hobby or craft stores. You tin can include a photo/photos of the deceased and include the bulletin/funeral notice on the within encompass. Yous may also cull to include a quote or favorite scripture. For a bit less you can observe bare or lined booklets at bargain stores with stationary or office products. You tin can add the items listed for a personal touch and include the date and nature of the service.
Question

How soon after a individual family service would it be appropiate to take a gathering for the rest of the family unit?

That is up to the immediate family. Yous could accept it the side by side day or weekend. It'due south all-time to plan it on the sooner cease so everyone can accept the closure they need.
Question

Do you pay the emcee for conducting the funeral service?

Yes, it is customary to pay a stipend to the speaker at a funeral service. More oft than not, a clergy member or family friend delivers a eulogy and invites people in omnipresence to share memories most the deceased or view the catafalque, etc. If you do non have someone, usually the funeral home has such a person on staff. The funeral home may suggest an amount, however an acceptable sum would be $100-$200, and may vary slightly depending on your location.
Question

How is the commitment of the ashes done?

Yous may say a few words before spreading the ashes somewhere.
Question

How could we arrange a small memorial gathering for the other relatives after a private family unit internment?

Why would you exclude family members? Get together everyone together and hold a private family memorial. Sometimes a funeral is a good time to bury the past -- not simply a cherished loved one.

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Be prepared for many dissimilar types of mourning at the memorial service. Some people remain stoic through their grief while others are comfy openly displaying their sadness.
Exist certain to accept an abundance of tissues available during the service.
Ever cheque local laws earlier scattering ashes in a public place.