There are different types of memorial services that happen after someone has died. Families of loved ones who opt for a traditional funeral service or a celebration of life hope that the service will bring comfort and understanding to their loved ones passing and help ease the pain of grief and loss

It can be a shock to find out that someone has died, even when a death is expected. We only know how we are able to manage and process the news when we hear the news. It is never easy to come to terms with losing a loved one, but it is essential to create a meaningful tribute that will remember and honour their life. A tribute and a memory that you will remember for the rest of your life.

A traditional funeral and a celebration of life service are times for the surviving family and friends to show their own support for each other, share in the grief of losing someone and a time to say thank you and goodbye.

A traditional funeral is a structured and a more pre-scripted service which typically includes religious readings, prayers, hymns, music and a eulogy. The family arranging the funeral can be limited to altering or including elements of the service because of preexisting limitations or constraints such as allowance, flexibility and time (service length). A traditional service could follow a belief and their passing should follow a structured path which they followed in life and now in death their hope, belief and custom continues.

A traditional funeral is still a celebration of life but it follows a system of worship and belief with a focus on death. Family and friends have a general idea of what to expect for the service when they are organising or just attending a service. It could be a service at a crematorium or cemetery or a place of worship followed by a procession to a crematorium or cemetery for the committal.

A celebration of life service also has structure but it has more emphasis on the deceased's life, their acheivements, interests and the positive impacts in varying forces upon their family, friends, work life and community. This service reflects the personality of the person with special touches, shared stories, music, photographs and reflection. Families have the freedom to decide what is said and what is relevent for their loved one with the only constraint being time (service length). It does not mean that the service is without a belief as our celebration of life ministers can lead a prayer, include religious passages and hymns if it is what the family want for their loved one.

Most venues are not really considered suitable to accommodate a funeral with the deceased present in a coffin and so celebration of life services are usually held at a crematorium, ceremonial hall or at graveside for convenience.

If you would like more information and advice on how we can help in the planning of a traditional funeral or celebration of life please contact us. You will be guided by our experienced caring professionals to create an unforgettable and fitting service for your loved one.