Funeral, memorial and graveside services
Funeral homes use a few words for the gatherings families hold after a death. They overlap, and providers don’t always use them the same way. This page explains the usual meaning of each and how they can fit before, after, or around a burial or cremation.
A funeral usually has the body present. A memorial service usually doesn’t. A graveside service is held at the burial place. A family can choose one, combine them, or hold none.
What a service is for
A service is for the people who are still here. Gathering with family and friends gives people a place to remember the person, share stories, receive support, and say goodbye, and it can include people outside the immediate family. Some families find that a ceremony or gathering gives structure to the first days after a death. Others prefer something quiet or private. Either is a valid choice, and cremation doesn’t change that: the family can hold a service before the cremation, after it, or both.
Funeral service
A funeral service is a gathering to honor the person, usually with the body present in a casket, open or closed. It is often held at a funeral home, church, or other place of worship, and it usually comes before the burial or cremation. Some families hold a viewing or visitation beforehand. See viewing and saying goodbye.
Memorial service
A memorial service is a gathering to honor the person, usually without the body present. It can happen days, weeks, or months after the death, and it can be held almost anywhere: a funeral home, a place of worship, a home, a park. Families who choose cremation often hold a memorial with the urn present. Some providers and families call this a celebration of life.
What is a graveside service?
A graveside service is a gathering at the grave, held at the time of burial. It is often shorter than a funeral and may include prayers, readings, a eulogy, or military honors. It can follow a funeral or stand on its own as the only service. A family can also hold one for cremated remains being buried in a cemetery.
How they can fit together
These are common combinations, not a complete list or a requirement:
Types of funeral services at a glance
| Body present? | Usual timing | Usual place | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funeral | Usually | Before burial or cremation | Funeral home or place of worship |
| Memorial | Usually not | Any time after | Almost anywhere |
| Graveside | Yes, or the urn | At the burial | The cemetery |
Terms vary. Ask a provider what their version of each service includes.
Body present or not?
If the body will be present at a funeral or viewing, preparation may matter, and some funeral homes require embalming for a public viewing. The FTC says embalming is not required by law in most cases, and you can ask whether a private family viewing is possible without it. See preparation and embalming.
Questions to ask a provider
- What does your funeral, memorial, or graveside service include?
- Can the service be held somewhere other than your building?
- Can we hold a memorial later, and would you help with it?
- If the body is present, what preparation do you require, and why?
- How long does each service usually last, and are there timing charges?
“Which of these services can we combine, and when would each one happen?”
Ready to see how these choices apply to your situation?
Your Wayfinder Plan can help organize the options you’re considering and give you a clearer picture of what to ask and compare.
Build My Wayfinder Plan- Embalming and viewing: FTC Funeral Rule (consumer guidance).
Service names and formats vary by provider, faith, and family. This page provides general information and is not legal advice.