A memorial service is an event held in remembrance of a deceased person without the body present. Many families who choose cremation services in Freer, TX, for the final disposition of their loved one often organize a memorial service. 

It is a rather flexible service that doesn’t have to be arranged immediately. You decide its elements, and it can cost less than a traditional funeral. Here are the basics of planning a memorial service for a loved one after cremation: 

Consider the style 

Memorial services can take any form from funereal to the more upbeat tone of a celebration of life. The style you pick, along with your preferences and capacity for personalization, will determine everything from the setting to what happens at your memorial event. 

Decide what elements to include in the service 

A memorial service does not have to be complicated. You might want to have programs and readings, or you might prefer a more informal gathering with music and pictures. You might also want to include elements of your loved one’s culture in the service, such as food and drinks. 

You can also honor your loved one with lasting memorial tributes. This can be in the form of charitable donations or other memorial gifts that reflect what was important to your deceased loved one in life. 

Some meaningful ways to give tribute at a memorial service include sharing keepsakes, photo tributes, plaques, frames, personalized memorial jewelry, and flowers. 

Choose a location 

Since it is not a funeral, the setting can be as informal or formal as you wish. You can hold a memorial service at home, a funeral home chapel, or any other meaningful location. 

Notwithstanding, consider accessibility for everyone you’d want to attend your memorial event before deciding on a venue. Suppose you’re holding it outdoors, such as at a park. In that case, you might want to think about the weather and plan accordingly. 

Decide on a date 

You can plan the service any time after the cremation. Remember, when planning a memorial, you can afford to accommodate the schedule and needs of those attending, e.g., from out of town. 

So, if you need to, check the availability of those whose attendance matters to you before finalizing the date. 

Invite guests 

Depending on your preferences and budget, you have friends or acquaintances of the deceased there along with family members at a memorial service. You might also want to invite clergy or members of your community as per the theme of the gathering. 

Plan a reception 

This is an opportunity to round your loved one’s life celebration on a familiar note and offer guests some refreshments. 

You may have a potluck reception where guests bring and share a communal meal or use a caterer. Another option is to plan an intimate gathering at the deceased’s favorite spot, such as a restaurant or bar. 

The good news is that you don’t have to have it all figured out to arrange a meaningful memorial when you work with our Freer, TX, cremation service. Schedule a meeting with us to discuss more, or call us today for more immediate needs.