The Memorial Service

Although the body is not present during a memorial service, if a body is available a viewing may be held beforehand.

Just as in a funeral, the body may be buried or cremated.

Because the body is not present at the memorial, disposition may take place either before or after the service.

You can hold a memorial service instead of a funeral, or in addition to it.

For instance, you might have a funeral in the town where the person lived and died, and a memorial service later in the town where she grew up.

A celebration of her life

Nicolle Poirier, of Regina, Saskatchewan, sent me this story about a special service held for her Mom.

"My Mom had specifically stated in a will written years prior that she did not want a funeral or memorial service.

We wanted to bring friends together in honour of my Mom (June Poirier), but wanted to remain in accordance with her wishes.

We decided to have a 'Celebration of Her Life' and rented the church which June had attended a few times (Unitarian Church) and wrote out our own service.

The service consisted of songs which were June's favorites, and which stressed peace and love. The service also stressed world peace and moving on toward the future.

The service was in a medium-sized room, and chairs were faced inward in an oval shape so that people could see one another, a very unique arrangement."