Just like the disposal of your remains, the choice to have formal services in your name can depend on your background and personal preferences. The most common types of services include: Visitation: A visitation, or viewing, takes place before or instead of a funeral. Family and friends gather to express their sympathies and say their final goodbyes, sometimes in the presence of the body. Funeral: A funeral is a formal ceremony that can include eulogies, prayers, songs, or special readings. It can be religious or secular, depending on your wishes. A religious ceremony is typically held in a house of worship, while secular ceremonies are more often held at funeral homes or funeral parlors. Graveside Service: A graveside service typically follows a funeral but can also function as a sole event. It can be limited to family or open to anyone. The service is held at the place of interment, usually a grave, but sometimes a mausoleum or an urn garden. Memorial Service: A memorial service gives family and friends the opportunity to remember the deceased. It often takes place after the burial or cremation, meaning that unlike a visitation, there is no body present. Note that you can also have more than one service. For example, you can have a visitation prior to the funeral, followed by a graveside service.