Death is inevitable. So is the grief that comes with it. The pain of losing someone special is inexplicable. The hard truth is that we have to move on. Holding a funeral, memorial service, and other cultural gatherings in memory of the dead is one of the oldest traditions of humankind that we continue to this day.
It can be challenging to organise a gathering when you have just lost someone very special to you. But holding such a gathering, like a memorial service, is a meaningful way to celebrate the life of the deceased one. It also helps those who remain to find the strength to move on. Here are some reasons to hold a memorial service for a dearly departed.
1. Opportunity to Offer Condolences & Pay Respects
For a family member who might have recently passed away, one could hold a memorial service to allow others to offer their condolences and pay their respects. When you hold a memorial service and invite everyone, you provide one dedicated day to friends and family to offer their sympathies. If you choose not to do this, you might hear condolences randomly over the phone or in person.
2. Honour Their Memory
A memorial service is also an opportunity to remember, with love and honour, the life of the departed. At such an event, family and friends can share their fond memories, the achievements and contributions the departed has made to the family and society, and pay tribute to their life’s work. Remembering the good deeds of one’s life and sharing them is one of the best ways to honour their memory. It is also a fitting way to say goodbye to your loved one.
3. Begin the Healing Process
Nothing hurts like the death of a loved one. Whether you are expecting it or not, it is heart breaking. A memorial service brings you to the reality of death. One often goes into denial at the departure of a loved one. But with the help of the community and your friends and family, you can come to terms with reality, have closure and begin the healing process.
4. Reuniting of Loved Ones
A funeral brings together your family that has spread apart over the years. This public expression of grief helps you and your family move on. Grieving together helps the family move on together. It also strengthens the bond between family and friends, as they offer comfort and support to one another.
5. A Chance to Say Goodbye
Death often comes unexpectedly. There might be things you left unsaid, or you may not have said a proper goodbye when they lived. Memorial service presents you with the opportunity to say goodbye to them. You can remember how much you love them and how much they love you.
Memorial services are a necessary part of funeral traditions. Whether you organise them at funeral homes or your own home, the importance of such a social event is immense.
