How to plan a funeral or memorial service

Funerals
A traditional funeral is a ceremony that's usually held in a funeral home's chapel or a church. The body may be present in either an open or closed casket, or it may not be present.

Memorial services
A memorial service is generally a more informal ceremony held to commemorate someone who has died. Settings vary from mortuaries to religious buildings to homes to outdoor settings to restaurants. Because these ceremonies are usually convened some time after burial or cremation, the body is not usually present.

How to plan
Deciding whether to hold either or both depends on custom, preference, and religion -- and, most importantly, on the wishes of the deceased and surviving family members. For help on planning the details, see Planning a Funeral or Memorial Service.