When planning a farewell, many families in Western cultures are surprised by how many types of funeral services are available today.
From traditional funeral services to more personalized gatherings, understanding your options can help you choose a meaningful way to honour the life and legacy of your loved one.
This guide explains common types of funeral service, with practical tips to help you decide what feels right.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Funeral Service
- Memorial Service
- Committal (or Graveside) Service
- Viewing and Visitation
- Funeral Reception
- Celebration of Life
- Scattering of Ashes
- How Love Lives On Can Help
Funeral Service
A funeral service is the most traditional and widely recognized types of funerals. It is often based on the religious and cultural beliefs of the deceased.
This type of service usually takes place within a few days of the death, at the home of the deceased, in a funeral home, place of worship, or some other meaningful location.
At this type of ceremony, the deceased’s body must be present and must not be cremated, (though cremation may take place after the funeral service).
The funeral service centres on readings and poems, prayers, hymnal or classical music, eulogies, and a structured order of events led by a clergy member or celebrant.
One of the main benefits of a funeral service is that it provides a clear, shared ritual for mourning.
For many families, especially those with religious or cultural traditions, this structure offers comfort and familiarity during an emotionally overwhelming time.
Funeral services also allow friends, coworkers, and extended family to gather in one place to express sympathy and support.
When considering this type of funeral, think about timing and logistics. Funeral services usually occur within days of the death, which may be challenging if loved ones need to travel.
You may also need to decide whether you want burial or cremation beforehand, as this can affect the presence of a casket or urn at the service.
Costs can vary depending on venue, staffing, transportation, and optional elements like music or printed programs.
A helpful tip is to ask the funeral home for a detailed price list and discuss which elements are most meaningful to you.
Remember that a funeral service does not have to be elaborate to be heartfelt.
Personal touches — such as favourite songs, photos, or stories — can make this traditional option feel deeply personal while still honouring time-tested customs.
Memorial Service
A memorial service is a popular choice when it comes to types of funerals. It serves as a crucial, and often more personalized, alternative to a traditional funeral.
The body of the deceased is not present a memorial service as it is often held after cremation or burial has already taken place.
If cremation has already occurred, the cremated remains of the deceased may be present during the memorial service, usually in a decorative urn that is displayed in a visible and prominent position.
Memorial services can occur days, weeks, or even months after a death, offering families greater flexibility in planning.
Because there is no casket present, memorial services often feel less formal and more focused on reflection and remembrance.
Photos, videos, personal mementos, and shared stories commonly play a central role.
The ceremony may be centred around a theme that reflects the passions that were held the person that passed away — as examples, gardening, golf, or travel.
These types of funerals can be held almost anywhere — funeral homes, community halls, places of worship, private homes, or outdoor settings.
One practical advantage of having a memorial service is timing.
Families can choose a date that works best for those who wish to attend, making it easier for out-of-town guests.
This flexibility can reduce stress and allow more thoughtful planning, particularly if the death was sudden or if family members need time to process their grief.
When deciding if a memorial service is right for you, consider how important the physical presence of the deceased is to your grieving process.
Some people find comfort in seeing the casket, while others prefer to focus on memories rather than the body.
Memorial services also tend to be more adaptable to non-religious or highly personalized formats, making them a popular choice among the many types of funeral available today.
Committal (or Graveside) Service
A committal or graveside service is a brief ceremony held at the final resting place, such as a cemetery plot, mausoleum, or columbarium.
These types of funerals may take place on its own or immediately following another type of funeral service. The focus is on the act of laying the body or ashes to rest.
These services are usually shorter and simpler, often lasting 15 to 30 minutes.
They may include a few words from a celebrant or clergy member, a prayer, poem or reading, and a moment of reflection.
Flowers are often placed upon the casket by loved ones before the grave is filled with soil.
For some families, the simplicity of a graveside service feels intimate and grounded.
Committal services can be a good option for families who prefer a private farewell or who want to limit costs and planning complexity.
They are also common when burial traditions emphasize the importance of the final placement.
Practical considerations include weather, accessibility, and seating, as graveside services are often held outdoors.
It is wise to ask the cemetery what accommodations are available and whether there are restrictions on decorations or music.
Among the different types of funerals, the committal stands out for its quiet focus on closure and finality.
Viewing and Visitation
Viewings and visitations provide an opportunity for friends and family to see the deceased and offer condolences to the immediate family.
These gatherings may occur before a funeral service or stand alone as one of the more informal types of funeral events.
Family visitations can provide family and friends with the opportunity to share their grief with one another in a more personal and intimate setting, outside of the formal ceremony.
This helps ease the grieving process and can provide some sense of closure to family and friends suffering a loss.
What is a Viewing?
A viewing can be organized if you are choosing to have an open casket funeral.
A viewing is an event that gives family and friends, and acquaintances the opportunity to see the person who has died for the last time and say their goodbyes.
Viewings usually occur before or during Visitation.
What is a Visitation?
A visitation is an event that gives family, friends, and acquaintances the opportunity to express sympathy to the family of the deceased.
It is generally held at the funeral home but can be held at a family home, church, or some other venue.
A visitation can occur whether the body is present or has been cremated, whereas a viewing is for open casket funerals.
A viewing and visitation sometimes are collectively referred to as a Wake.
Practical Advice
For some, seeing the deceased can help make the loss feel real and support the grieving process.
For others, it may feel unnecessary or uncomfortable. There is no right or wrong choice — only what feels best for those closest to the loss.
When planning a viewing or visitation, consider cultural, religious, and personal preferences.
You can also set boundaries, such as limiting the duration or choosing a private family-only viewing.
These gatherings can be meaningful complements to other types of funeral service or serve as a simpler alternative.
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Funeral Reception
While not always considered to be formally on the list of types of funerals, funeral receptions nevertheless play an important role in helping mourners feel connected and supported.
A funeral reception, which is often held immediately after another type of funeral service, provides guests and family members the opportunity to spend time together and remember the person they have lost in a more casual setting.
Many receptions are held at the funeral home, a church hall, a restaurant, a private home, or some other type of venue with a warm and comforting environment.
Receptions are less about ceremony and more about community. Like a viewing or visitation, a funeral reception can really help the healing process for those who are grieving the loss.
They allow people to relax, share stories, and support one another in a less structured environment.
Food and drink are usually served, but receptions can be as simple or elaborate as you wish. A funeral reception ranges from events with tea, coffee and sandwiches, all the way up to a formal, sit-down dinner that is a fine-dining experience.
From a practical standpoint, receptions can be planned by the funeral home, a family, or a catering service.
Setting a budget and deciding whether the event will be public or private can help guide planning.
Invitations to the funeral reception may be extended formally — for example, in a personalized funeral reception invitation.
It may also be extended informally — for example, by email, social media, text message, or in the funeral service program.
Celebration of Life
A celebration of life is a modern and increasingly popular option among the many types of funerals available.
Rather than focusing on mourning, it emphasizes honouring the personality, passions, and legacy of the deceased.
These types of funerals are highly customizable.
A celebration of life may include music, storytelling, displays of hobbies or artwork, and even themed elements that reflect the person’s interests.
The number of creative ideas that can be incorporated into a celebration of life ceremony is limitless.
Celebrations of life can be held indoors or outdoors and often feel uplifting and personal.
These types of funerals are well-suited to individuals who valued creativity, informality, or non-traditional approaches.
When planning a celebration of life, consider how to balance celebration with acknowledgment of grief.
Giving attendees space to reflect as well as rejoice can create a meaningful experience for everyone.
Scattering of Ashes
A scattering of ashes ceremony involves the release of cremated remains in a meaningful location.
Examples of meaningful locations include under a dedicated tree, in a garden, body of water, or at a designated scattering of ashes area within a cemetery.
These types of funerals may be a stand-alone event, or may take place after another type of funeral service. (For example, after a celebration of life.)
A scattering of ashes ceremony may be private or open to family and friends.
(For example, everybody may be invited to the celebration of life, but only the immediate family attend the scattering of ashes ceremony.)
Scattering of ashes ceremonies are often officiated by a celebrant and are simple and deeply symbolic.
Words may be spoken, music played, or moments of silence observed. Some families incorporate rituals like flower petals or written messages.
Before planning, it is important to check local laws and regulations, as the scattering of ashes is not permitted everywhere.
Funeral home professionals can help guide you through the requirements for the scattering of ashes.
As one of the more personal types of funerals, a scattering of ashes ceremony can offer a peaceful and lasting sense of connection to a place that mattered.
How Love Lives On Can Help
We hope you found this guide on the various types of funerals helpful. Our goal was to make this task less daunting, especially given that it may be an overwhelming and difficult time for you.
Here are some other articles on Love Lives On you might useful:
- How to Plan a Funeral
- How to Choose a Funeral Home
- 100+ Best Celebration of Life Ideas
- Curated List of Beautiful Songs for a Funeral Service
- Guidebooks on How to Design a Funeral Service Around a Theme
- What to Wear to a Funeral for Women
- What to Wear to a Funeral for Men
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