Holding a memorial or funeral service is not because everyone is doing it but it is the first step of recovering from a loss. No matter how it is being arranged, this kind of service is helping the bereaved family to cope. Read more: How to Cope After a Loss
This is also the right time to show the grieving family your support, care, and love to them. During this period, the family might be so overwhelmed, scared and confused. Knowing that there are friends or an extended family to lean on in this difficult time makes moving forward faster and less depressing.
The main purpose of holding a service whether a memorial or funeral service is to remember and honor the deceased. The funeral service is common and remains the preferred service in the Philippines. In the city, it is becoming normal that the viewing service is being held at the funeral chapel. In the provinces, it is expected to be held at the family’s residence.
Funeral service is when the body of the deceased is present in the casket. There will be a viewing service that can take up to seven days. During this time, there will be a novena for the dead especially when the family is Catholic. Other religions have their own arrangements as well as holding a Bible study.
Memorial service, on the other hand, is when the body of the deceased is not present. There is no casket but it can be an urn if the deceased is cremated. Or, you will see a framed photo of the deceased in front. Unlike the funeral service which is held before the body has been buried, memorial service can be held depending on the family. It can be right after the cremation or a month later.
Either way, both of these services are important especially to the family of the deceased because it is their first step of accepting the loss of a loved one. During the service, people usually talk about their fond memories of the deceased, like how they met, who this person in their life, etc.
In the Philippines, traditional funeral service is still the preferred service, however, memorial service is becoming popular these days. Since the cost of funeral service is not getting any cheaper, memorial service is more economical (but not cheap at all). Learn more How much is the funeral service in the Philippines
For example, some churches do not support cremation. In some tragic circumstances, when the body cannot be recovered like calamity-related death, memorial service is being held to remember the deceased person.
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