Can you hold a Memorial Service without a Body?
If you’ve opted for direct cremation services in Albertson, NY, or wish to do so, you might be wondering if you can hold a memorial service without the body. The answer is yes, you can.
As a matter of fact, it is the norm. Memorial services, although not always, are held after the burial or cremation. You can even have one without the cremated remains.
Of course, this is not exclusive to direct cremation. Maybe the body could not be recovered, or family and friends live far away and wish to have a memorial on their own. Perhaps the family couldn’t afford a memorial service during the funeral.
It could even simply be a matter of choice. There are several reasons why one might want to hold a memorial service without the body. Neither of them should stop you from holding one.
So, if it is possible to hold a memorial service without the body, the question then is, what kind of service can it be? Well, here are some ideas.
Memorial Service Ideas
A significant benefit of holding a memorial service without the body is more room to personalize the event. Without a body to plan around, the memorial service can be anywhere and in any form.
You can have a —
Church Memorial
It’s held in the deceased’s home church weeks after their passing. Depending on the church rules, the number of guests, and other logistical issues, you can have it in the main church or a fellowship hall.
There’s no specific format for the event. Typically, it involves prayers, scripture reading, short sermons, and spoken words from family and friends.
You can choose to have a photo display at the entrance or in front of the service. Or have the cremated remains be the focal point of the ceremony. Or both.
A dinner or luncheon might happen after the memorial for friends, family, and guests.
Achievement Memorials
As the name implies, this type of memorial focuses on the deceased’s achievements during their lifetime.
You can hold this memorial anywhere, including the person’s favorite places, be it a beach, park, or restaurant. A photo display might be present, but some people prefer going with the cremated remains to be more discreet.
During the memorial, family and friends speak about the person’s achievements and share stories about how they (and others) benefited.
This type of memorial can accompany a scattering of ashes, bio-burial, or any other activity the family chooses as the final resting place.
Celebration of Life
A celebration of life is a style of memorial service that opts for a positive and uplighting way to honor the departed. The mood is party-like, filled with laughter and storytelling rather than the somber and subdued nature of a traditional memorial.
In this memorial, family and friends focus on reliving fond memories shared with the deceased instead of mourning. Thus, it is less formal, more upbeat, and fully personalized.
It can be a themed event, with guests wearing the deceased’s favorite superhero costume or sports team colors. Or a game night based on the person’s favorite things and shared memories.
There are no limits to ways you can hold a memorial service without a body. The most important thing is working with a funeral home equipped to bring your vision to life.
That’s what we do. Alongside our cremation services in Albertson, NY, we help you create a unique meaningful ceremony to express the genuine individuality of your loved one. Contact us today to speak with any of our experienced funeral directors.
