The difference is simple:
- A funeral is a service with a viewing — the body is present, in a casket.
- A memorial service is a service without the body present (sometimes with an urn or photos).
Traditions often vary based on the region you live in and your religion — what is customary in one community may be unfamiliar in another, and both are entirely proper.
A memorial service can happen days, weeks, or months later, at any location — which gives faraway family time to travel and usually costs much less. Both can include the same things: speakers, music, prayer, photos, and time together.