Memorial Service

The memorial service is the opportunity for loved ones of the deceased to express their love and respect for the recently departed. A typical service often includes one or more song or hymn selections and at least one eulogy delivered by someone who knew the deceased well.

The service may be religious or secular in nature. If the funeral is of a veteran at a military cemetery, the form, content and length of the service may be controlled by the cemetery.

When considering the elements to include in the service, think of the deceased, how he or she lived and his or her personality. If the person was deeply religious, work with his spiritual leader to include the appropriate elements that may be required or expected. If the person was humorous or a practical joker, include humor in the eulogy. If you have anecdotes from events in her life, include them as well. The best stories to include are those that are personal to you and the deceased. Others attending may not have heard these events before and would appreciate hearing these new stories.

If you are unsure how to prepare for a service, reach out to someone who can help you. This may be a relative who has done so in the past, a religious leader or a funeral director. Seek out and choose the ideas you like best and personalize the service the way you feel most comfortable.