Our Affordable Memorial Services in Rochester
What is a Memorial Service?
Memorial services are ceremonies that honor the deceased but are much less structured than traditional funerals. There is no set format to the service, however most include music, prayers, readings, and a eulogy. Caskets are not present at memorial services but cremation urns might be on display. Memorial services can take place weeks or even months after the death. Memorial services do not necessarily need to take place at a funeral home or at a church. Essentially they can take place anywhere. Often families choose a place that was important or special to their loved one. Memorial services can be further personalized and given more flexibility if you choose to have a celebration of life.
Why a Memorial Service?
A memorial service gives you the flexibility and creative space to plan a ceremony that displays an individual’s personality, values, and accomplishments. Some families choose a memorial service because it gives you the opportunity to tell your loved one’s life story and what they were passionate about. Also memorial services gives you an extended time frame to organize the ceremony. Unlike a traditional funeral that takes place fairly soon after the death has taken place, a memorial service can take place weeks or even months after the death.
Memorial Service Ideas
The best way to gain memorial service ideas is to talk to your loved ones before they pass away. This way you are not left guessing when organizing the memorial service after you loved one has left you.
Below are some questions you should ask your loved one. These should help generate a whole bunch of ideas for the service:
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?
What are your most important values?
How do you want to be remembered?
What would you want your memorial service to consist of?
What are you most passionate about?
How would you describe your personality?
Also consider the following when starting to plan a memorial service:
- Think of a place that is special or important to your loved one where the memorial service could be held
- Serve the deceased’s favorite food or beverage
- Have your loved one’s favorite songs being playing
- Set up a memorial stone station, where guests write memories onto stones with permanent marker and put them into a vase
- Gather the photos you want to be displayed. These could be displayed digitally in a slideshow or an old fashioned collage could be created
A Celebration of LifeWhat is a celebration of life? Learn about celebrations of life, how they differ from funerals, and get some celebration of life ideas.
Looking for information on cremation services? Visit our Rochester Cremation Packages page, or our affordable cremation services page.
