What is the Difference Between a Funeral, Wake, and Memorial?

When someone you love passes away, you and your family need to make a lot of decisions, from which one of the funeral homes in West Boylston, MA to use to which casket you want for the deceased. You might have to make even more decisions if the deceased didn’t leave behind instructions for their burial.

Of course, you will want to consider the type of end-of-life celebration you want to hold for the deceased. Doing this involves taking into account the deceased’s personality in life, your budget, and other circumstances.

First, you will need to understand all of your options. These can include a memorial service, a funeral, and a wake, all of which can be held at funeral homes in Boylston, MA.

What Exactly Is a Wake?

A wake, or viewing, usually takes place before the actual funeral. A casket or urn holding the remains of the deceased is usually present. Mourners will usually take this time to pay their respects and offer their condolences to relatives of the departed. Wakes can take place at funeral homes in Boylston, MA.

While members of the public who knew the deceased can attend a public wake, it is understood that attendees from the community introduce themselves to the family and tell them how they knew the deceased. In some larger wakes, a line is formed for mourners to say their goodbyes and offer their condolences to the family.

What Exactly Is a Funeral?

Funerals are formal ceremonies that honor the deceased and are followed by either a burial or cremation. Caskets or urns are placed in front of the funeral home for purposes of viewing. Some families take the opportunity to deliver eulogies that remember the deceased in their life on Earth. Unlike wakes, which can operate as community events, funerals tend to attract close friends and family.

What Exactly Is a Memorial Service?

A memorial service is a lot like a funeral. But unlike funerals, where a casket is usually seen in the front of a funeral home, an urn or photo of the deceased is seen at the front of the funeral home during a memorial service.

Unlike wakes and funerals, memorial services can take place several weeks or even months after the deceased has passed. Unlike the other two memorial options, memorial services can take place at any location that has significance to the deceased and/or their loved ones.

Whether you are looking to hold a funeral, wake, or memorial service at our funeral homes in West Boylston, MA, we can certainly help you memorialize your deceased loved one. For more information, call or visit our Worcester, MA office.