These days, it is becoming more common to come across the term memorial service on obituaries or death notices, or in conversations with someone after a loved one dies, yet many do not understand that there is a difference between this form of service and the traditional funeral. A funeral service, sometimes called a memorial service or celebration of life, is a beautiful way of acknowledging, celebrating, and honoring the life of a loved one who has passed. Some families conduct a memorial service as a way of remembering their loved one, while others consider a memorial service a celebratory occasion in which the deceased family and friends may assemble in memory, share memories, and offer each other support during the time of mourning.

If cremation has been performed, often a memorial service is held to bury or spread cremated remains, simultaneously with the celebration of the life of the deceased. After a direct cremation, the funeral home or crematorium returns the remains to the family, which may or may not decide to hold a memorial service at some point in the future. Once the lower-cost direct cremation is performed, the family is free to make its own arrangements for the memorial, which could greatly lower funeral costs.