A memorial or funeral ceremony honors the life of a loved one and fulfills the needs of family and friends to say goodbye and mourn their loss. Gathering with a community of people who share grief acknowledges the life and death of people we love. To plan the memorial service the family meets with an Ethical Society leader. The memorial ceremony tells the personal story of the deceased loved one from family of birth through the stages and challenges of his or her life. Various speakers help the family to see their loved one from different perspectives.
Mourners honor the achievements and appreciate even the failures for the lessons they provide.
The ceremony also reminds us what is meaningful in our own lives and affirms the importance of our interdependence with people. By allowing this purified memory to dwell in our minds, we can encourage this special quality in our own personalities and in people we meet. Thus we honor loved ones by keeping their spirit alive.