Why hold a service?
The funeral and the ceremony that accompanies it are indeed very important. For those who are left behind, a funeral or memorial service provides a place for family and friends to gather for support and to reminisce; an opportunity to celebrate the life and accomplishments of a loved one; a chance to say goodbye; and the focal point from which the healing process can begin. The service identifies that a person's life has been lived, not that a death has occurred. It is also important to notify the community that this person has died. There are people beyond the immediate family who have the right to grieve a death, and a service allows a time to pay respects.