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Types of Funerals & Memorials for End-of-Life Planning

By: Claire Beutel • Subject Matter Expert Reviewed by: Marisa Akerman, MS, LMHCA • 3 cited sources • Updated Nov 11, 2024

Planning for the end of a loved one’s life—or even your own—can be one of the most challenging tasks you’ll ever face. The emotional weight of such decisions is often compounded by the overwhelming number of options available. From traditional funerals rooted in cultural and religious practices to personalized memorials that celebrate individuality, understanding the different types of services can help you navigate this difficult time with clarity and purpose. 

Key Takeaways

• Various types of funerals, including traditional, non-religious, and military options, offer unique ways to honor the deceased.
• In-person and online memorial services provide meaningful ways to remember loved ones.
• Creative memorial ideas, like permanent markers and living tributes, offer lasting ways to celebrate a loved one’s life and legacy.

Understanding Different Types of Funeral Services

A funeral ceremony is a formal event that allows family and friends to pay their respects and celebrate the life of the deceased. There are various types of funeral services to choose from, however the ultimate decision will depend on the deceased’s wishes and you and your family’s personal beliefs and values. Religious and cultural traditions heavily influence the choice of funeral services, impacting aspects such as service style, burial methods, and overall funeral arrangements. 

Traditional Funerals (Full-Service)

A traditional funeral, also called full-service funeral, typically adheres to rituals and ceremonies unique to a specific faith, such as Christian, Jewish, or Muslim practices. This type of funeral usually occurs shortly after death and involves embalming or dressing the body, a viewing or visitation, a formal ceremony at a funeral home or place of worship, and a burial or cremation. While it is among the most costly options, a traditional funeral can provide a structured and traditional way to honor the deceased through familiar rituals^[1].

Non-Religious Funerals

Also known as humanist funerals, non-religious funerals focus on celebrating the deceased’s life without focusing on religious elements, and oftentimes, without a traditional burial. These funerals are usually held in a funeral home, outdoor space, or private venue and are personalized to honor the deceased through tributes, readings, music, and more. 

Understanding Direct Cremations & Direct Burials

For those seeking a simple and cost-effective option, direct burials and direct cremations provide a respectful way to honor a person’s life. Direct burial involves a prompt burial without a formal service or viewing, while direct cremation occurs without a preceding ceremony. These choices allow families to focus on grieving and, if desired, plan a memorial or celebration of life at a later time that feels right for them.

Financial stressors during funeral planning tend to distract people from grieving by shifting their focus to cost rather than emotions. This can prolong the grieving process. Simple, cost-effective options are a way to reduce stress surrounding a complex and emotional event.

Marisa Akerman, MS, LMHCA

Military Funerals 

For those who served in the military services, whether active service members, veterans who were honorably discharged, or certain military retirees, military funerals are available. The service usually takes place in a national or military cemetery and includes specific traditions and honors such as a flag-draped coffin and the playing of “Taps”. By law, the military is required to provide at least a two-person uniformed detail to present the core elements of a funeral honors ceremony^[2].

Green Funerals

A ‘green funeral’ or green burial is an eco-friendly funeral option that minimizes environmental impact by utilizing biodegradable materials for coffins. Green burials prioritize natural burial practices to reduce carbon emissions and conserve resources.

Understanding Different Types of Memorials

While memorials are similar to funerals and celebrations of life, there are some distinct differences to understand. Memorials are commemorative events, structures, or objects created to honor the deceased. Memorial events can occur with or without the presence of your loved one’s body, and are sometimes held long after the funeral, burial, or cremation. These events usually include traditional elements like eulogies, hymns, and prayers, depending on the beliefs and preferences of the deceased or their family.

“A memorial service can be held at any time, any place for whatever the particular reason.”

–  William Mariani, funeral director with Rossi Funeral Home

In-Person Memorial Services

A memorial service is an event held in the memory of the deceased and may include things like speeches, readings, shared remembrances, and music. It can be held in a church, funeral home, community hall, or even the deceased’s family’s backyard. A graveside memorial service, on the other hand, is held at the cemetery and includes eulogies, and prayers, offering an alternative to traditional ceremonies.

Since the body of the deceased will not be in view, the main focus of the event may be a cremation urn, enlarged photograph, or a table of treasured keepsakes. Cremated remains can be handled in various ways, such as placing them in urns, burying them, or scattering them in meaningful locations.

These special ceremonies provide flexibility if additional time is needed to mourn the death of a loved one, and can offer people that could not attend a funeral a chance to say goodbye.  Memorial services have become more prevalent among people in the United States due to the lesser cost of cremation. According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the cremation rate in 2023 stood at 60.5% of deaths^[3].

Online Memorial Services

For those that want to host a memorial service but have family and friends that live far away and likely won’t be able to attend an in-person event, online memorial services are a great option. To plan a virtual memorial service, you’ll want to decide on a date and time that will work best for most attendees. You’ll then want to plan who will host the memorial service and if there will be dedicated speakers. From there, you’ll want to choose a video conferencing platform like Zoom or Skype to host it on. Keep in mind that many online platforms have guest limits and time restrictions.   

Memorial Ideas to Honor the Deceased

When someone we love passes away, finding ways to honor their memory can be a comforting and meaningful part of the grieving process. Memorials allow us to celebrate their life, preserve their legacy, and keep their spirit alive in our hearts.

Permanent Memorials

Many people find solace in permanent memorials, as they provide a lasting place or structure to honor their lost loved one. Permanent memorial ideas include things such as headstones, plaques, or other personalized markers.  

Living Memorials

Living memorials are a beautiful way to honor a loved one in an ongoing, life-affirming manner. The main idea behind living memorials is that they continue to grow or benefit others overtime, which can represent the ongoing impact of the  deceased’s life. Planting a tree is one of the most common living memorials, as it symbolizes life and growth. Establishing a scholarship in the name of a loved one or donating to a charitable foundation is also considered a living memorial, as it allows the deceased to live on by helping others achieve their educational goals. 

Memorials serve a great purpose in honoring a loved one and providing family and friends with a place to go for remembrance and closeness. Lack of this space may create prolonged grief, as one may struggle with feeling disconnected from the deceased or struggle with finding meaning in the loss, both of which can result in emotional numbness.

Marisa Akerman, MS, LMHCA

Honoring a Loved One Through a Funeral or Memorial

Planning a funeral or memorial is a deeply personal journey that reflects the life, values, and beliefs of the one who has passed. By understanding the various types of funeral and memorials, you can make thoughtful decisions that provide comfort and meaning while also celebrating the unique impact the deceased had on the world. Remember, it’s not just about marking an end, but about cherishing and celebrating the life that was lived.

Written by Claire Beutel

My name is Claire Beutel, and I bring over a decade of experience in digital marketing. I specialize in crafting and executing SEO strategies that deliver measurable organic results for businesses of all sizes. Beyond my technical expertise, I am deeply passionate about supporting mental health and wellness causes—a mission close to my heart shaped by my lifelong battle with depression. When Kevin approached me about creating a resource to help individuals navigate the overwhelming challenges of major life decisions, I immediately recognized it as a perfect opportunity. It was a chance to use my skills to truly make a difference in people's lives by providing guidance and support during some of their most difficult moments. I feel privileged to be involved in such a meaningful cause.

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Subject Matter Expert Marisa Akerman, MS, LMHCA

Marisa Akerman holds a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Purdue University, Fort Wayne. With over 10 years of experience in clinical settings, Marisa specializes in supporting clients dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, gender and sexual identity issues, and other mental health conditions.