A memorial service is a funeral term describing a ceremonial service or gathering to honor the memory and life of the deceased
A memorial service is an event held in honor of a deceased person or several deceased people when their bodies are unavailable for the ceremony.
If the human remains of the departed cannot be located, a memorial service is typically held in a place of a funeral. However, unlike a funeral that only occurs once, a memorial service can be held for the same person many times as desired.
Notably, many institutions hold annual memorial services to honor organ donors or veterans who have died in combat because their loss of life guaranteed the livelihood of those who remain living.
A memorial service is generally more somber than a “celebration of life” event. The latter is much more informal and focuses on the joy the departed person created in themselves and those around them.
Memorial services can be organized with varying levels of formality. A popular version of the more informal variety is a candlelight vigil. Although purposes differ from case to case, a candlelight vigil is often held in response to death due to social injustice or tragedy.
