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

Most of us don’t attend funerals regularly, so funeral terminology can be confusing. When it comes to funeral terminology, the most commonly misunderstood terms are funeral service and memorial service.  While many people use the phrase "funeral service" and "memorial service" interchangeably, they are actually, two different things.

A funeral service and memorial service both serve the same purpose – to honor and celebrate the life of your loved one with friends and family. Both types of services last approximately 30 minutes and are usually accompanied by a eulogy delivered by a family member or clergy member. 

A funeral service is an official ceremony that takes place in the with the body present. 

A memorial service, on the other hand, is any official ceremony that takes place without the body being present. Instead, an urn containing the cremated remains may serve as the main focal point of the service, or the memorial service will feature a photograph or portrait of the deceased displayed on an easel.

With the main difference between the two being whether or not the body the present, there are also a few more key differencecs including when the service is held, the formality of the service, cost of each service, and finally, the overall purpose of each ceremony.

TIME 

Funerals feature the body of the deceased (either in a closed or open casket) and are therefore normally held within a week of the death. Memorial services, however, may be held at any time following the funeral. Some memorial services are held immediately following the funeral service, while others are held months or even years after an individual has passed away.

FORMAL VS. INFORMAL

Funerals are typically formal, traditional affairs with a structured order of service details. Memorial services, however, tend to be less formal and are not as traditional.

COST

A funeral service involves the burial of the body and cemetery costs can be high.  A service with the body present followed by burial means using the services of a funeral home (which can cost anywhere between $1,000 and $5,000, depending on the services chosen and location of service), and using the services of a cemetery (which can cost anywhere from $3,000 and up).  Memorial services, however, do not require the use of a funeral home or a cemetery and can be held in a park, a private home or any other location, making them significantly cheaper.

PURPOSE AND PROCEEDINGS

Another difference between a funeral and a memorial service is the purpose they serve. Funerals involve a short service, often led by a priest or a minister; speeches by loved ones of the deceased and, finally, the burial of the body. For a memorial service, there is no body to be buried, therefore the main focus of the service is to commemorate the life of the deceased. Some memorial services will feature the deceased's favorite music, favorite foods and slideshows of her life and can have a significantly less somber mood and atmosphere.

In conclusion, the term funeral service is usually a more traditional service commemorating a deceased person with their body present, normally within a week of the death.  A memorial service is a service commemorating a deceased person, without their body present, with the option to have it whenever the family sees fit.  In any case, a funeral and memorial service both serve the same purpose – to honor and celebrate the life of your loved one with friends and family.