Understanding the distinction between a funeral and a memorial service can be as confusing as trying to tell apart a pair of identical twins at a family reunion. At first glance, they seem almost the same—both honor the life of a loved one who has passed away.
But look a little closer, and you’ll see they’re different in crucial ways. A funeral typically has the guest of honor—the dearly departed—present in a casket, while a memorial service can take place with or without the ashes and often occurs after the deceased has been laid to rest.
