The death of a loved one can be one of the most difficult things a person encounters in their life. The unfortunate reality is that it also comes with lots of quick decision-making and planning in order to put their final arrangements together. Whether they will be buried or need cremation services near Marietta, GA, you will have to decide what kind of services will be held in their honor. Some people plan ahead for their own final arrangements, which can make it easier on the family when it comes to decision-making. However, if this isn’t the case, one of the things you’ll have to decide is whether to hold a traditional funeral prior to burial or cremation, or a memorial service after the fact. Each one comes with its own features and drawbacks, and your family’s needs will help to determine which is right for your loved one.

A funeral and memorial service are ultimately different in only one way: whether or not the bodily remains are present. They can look very similar to each other or very different, but the main distinction is the presence of the body. For some religions, a funeral is required to properly lay the person to rest. Many families also find it important to have a chance to say a final goodbye to their loved one by having a viewing and/or open-casket funeral. If these aspects are considered necessary to the family, then a traditional funeral is probably the best option.

One of the drawbacks of having a funeral is that it must take place relatively quickly after the person’s death; usually within a week or so. A memorial service does not need to be planned so quickly. It can take place any time after the person’s passing, because it does not depend on the presence of the intact bodily remains. For some families, this can mean less stress and more time to focus on grieving their loss. For various reasons, you might want to plan your loved one’s memorial service during the warmer months, even if they have passed away during the winter. If you have lots of family that lives far away, it can be helpful to give them more time to make affordable travel plans. These are just a few of the reasons why a family might want to delay the memorial service for a later date.

When it comes down to it, you will have to look at what your loved one wanted for their final services as well as what will work best for your family. If religious reasoning is a priority or you wish to be able to have a chance for a final goodbye, a traditional funeral is likely the best answer. If you have reasons that cause you to need more time to plan their services, you can plan a memorial service in their honor at a later date. Your provider of cremation services near Marietta, GA, can help you figure out what will work best for your family, and then you can find peace in your decision while grieving the loss of your loved one.