Funeral vs Memorial Services in Southern California | 2025
Written by Troy Centazzo, Founder and CEO, and Elaine Valdez, COO, Opal Cremation
Choosing Between a Traditional Funeral and Memorial Service? Here’s Your Complete Guide to Service Options, Cremation Services, and Costs in Los Angeles and Orange County
Table of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- Introduction: Choosing Funeral and Cremation Services in California
- Types of Services in California
- Cremation in CA: Traditional vs Direct, Costs
- How to Choose the Right Service for Your Family – Decision Framework
- Planning Steps: Venues, Ceremony Types, Examples
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Additional Resources from Opal
Key Takeaways
- Traditional funeral services typically involve the body and are held shortly after death; memorial services can be scheduled later and often follow cremation.
- Celebration of life events, which can be similar to memorial services, offer a third option: more casual, creative, and often joyful.
- Direct cremation is the most affordable option in California, especially in Los Angeles and Orange County, where prices can vary widely.
- Understanding your loved one’s wishes, family preferences, budget, and timeline are critical in choosing the right type of service.
- Families can honor their loved one meaningfully regardless of the formality, timing, or setting.
- This Opal Guide is designed to help you understand and compare options and confidently choose a path that fits your needs.
Introduction: Choosing Funeral and Cremation Services in California
If you’re located in Los Angeles, Orange County, or anywhere in Southern California and exploring cremation services and memorial options, you may be wondering whether a funeral, memorial service, or celebration of life makes the most sense for your family.
Or maybe you’re wondering what these terms even mean. We’ve got you.
According to a recent study, most funeral home customers feel like they didn’t receive nearly enough education about their service options from funeral home professionals. Only 35% said they felt they were properly educated. And about 40% said they still don’t know enough to make an informed decision about funeral and memorial services.
This Opal Guide aims to assist families who are considering their memorial options and translate industry jargon into plain English.
Whether you’re seeking a simple direct cremation or plan to hold a later celebration of life, we break down your options and help you choose with confidence.
Need help now? Call us at 888-963-2299 or send us a message and we’ll get back to you immediately.
Types of Services in California
In 2025, there are countless ways to memorialize a loved one who has passed. Some service options are considered “traditional” while others are more informal and personalized for the person whose life is being remembered and honored.
Service options include funerals, memorial services, and celebrations of life.
Death care, much like other professions, has developed its own jargon to describe its work, particularly with cremation, to establish its differences to burial and related practices and products. However, that jargon may be confusing rather than increasing understanding when talking with consumers.
Next, we’ll walk through each service option and explain what they include and the key differences – and common aspects – among them.
What Is a Traditional Funeral Service?
A funeral service is a traditional ceremony usually held before burial, typically with the body present. In the Los Angeles and Orange County areas, many funerals follow cultural or religious customs and are scheduled within days of death. They may include a viewing, embalmed body, a casket, formal eulogy, prayers, or other rites depending on family beliefs.
This type of service is what most people still think of when they hear the term “funeral.”
Though traditional funerals are generally associated with a burial of the deceased in a cemetery, the rise in the cremation rate has led to more services known as “traditional cremation” services. Traditional cremation services involve several of the same aspects of a traditional funeral, such as a visitation or wake, the deceased is embalmed and present in a casket, and other common aspects of a funeral.
Common Features of Funeral Services:
- Body present in a casket
- Often includes visitation or wake
- Held at a funeral home, church, or place of worship
- Typically followed by burial or cremation (or both)
- A family get-together, such as a luncheon, repass, or memorial brunch
- Higher costs due to embalming, transportation, and venue
- Common structure: Viewing → Funeral Ceremony → Burial or Cremation
- Service provider: funeral home
According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), in 2024 about 28% of funeral services in California involved traditional burial funerals, a rate which has been declining steadily in recent years.
What is a Memorial Service?
A memorial service occurs after burial or cremation and does not include the body, as it’s defined by the funeral profession. It offers more flexibility and may be scheduled weeks or even months after death. A memorial is a formal gathering where family and friends come together to honor the deceased after the body has been cremated or buried, focusing on mourning and paying respects.
Depending on the family’s preferences, a memorial may include elements that are similar a traditional funeral without a wake, such as religious customs, readings, eulogy, prayers, and songs.
Memorial services are a popular option for families choosing cremation in California, especially those who want time to plan a gathering. According to a recent study by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), almost 75% of people surveyed have attended a memorial service.
Common Features:
- No body present (cremated remains may be displayed)
- Held at flexible venues: churches, homes, event spaces
- Often includes storytelling, music, and photo displays
- Can be more affordable and personalized
- Can incorporate religious or non-religious elements
The table below provides a summary of the differences between traditional funerals and memorial services.
Key Differences: Funeral vs Memorial Service
| Feature | Funeral Service | Memorial Service |
| Presence of body | Yes | No |
| Viewing or visitation | Usually included | Rare |
| Timing | Soon after death | Flexible (days to months later) |
| Venue | Funeral home, church | Any location (home, park, etc.) |
| Cost | Higher (due to logistics) | Lower (especially with cremation) |
| Ideal for | Religious/traditional ceremonies | Personal, flexible gatherings |
What Is a Celebration of Life?
We like to think of a celebration of life service as a type of memorial service, but one that is more of an informal, upbeat event held after cremation to focus on joyfully remembering the deceased.
Like memorial services, celebrations of life are held after the remains have been cared for. These gatherings, or celebrations, are especially popular among families looking to highlight individuality and shared memories rather than traditional ceremony.
When it comes to planning a celebration of life, there are truly no “rules” a family must follow.
Common Features:
- Casual tone and flexible format
- Colorful attire instead of formal dress
- Often held at a favorite location: beach, park, event hall
- Includes music, photo slideshows, storytelling, memory boards
- May involve symbolic acts like butterfly releases, planting a tree, or scattering ashes
Despite the similarities between memorial services and celebrations of life, there are key differences between them based on the formal definitions of the two types of services.
A memorial service is a formal gathering where family and friends come together to honor the deceased after the body has been cremated or buried, focusing on mourning and paying respects. A celebration of life, on the other hand, is a more informal and uplifting event that focuses on celebrating the deceased’s life, their accomplishments, and their unique personality. Memorial services can be more somber or reflective, while celebrations of life are often more uplifting and joyful.
The table below provides key differences between a memorial service and a celebration of life.
| Memorial Service | Celebration of Life | |
| Focus | Mourning, paying respects, and sharing memories. | Celebrating the deceased’s life, their passions, achievements, and personality. |
| Structure | Typically more formal and structured, with a predetermined program and possible religious readings or prayers. | Can be more flexible and less structured, with room for personalized activities and memories. |
| Mood | Can be somber or reflective. | Uplifting, positive, and often joyful. |
| Timing | Often held after the body has been cremated or buried. | Can be held at any time after the death, and sometimes before cremation or burial. |
| Example Features | Eulogies and prayers, religious service, or a formal gathering to honor the deceased. | A gathering with food, music, and shared memories, or a more informal party-like celebration. |
| Ideal for | Religious/traditional ceremonies. | Personal, flexible gatherings. |
Many families choose direct cremation and then plan a memorial or celebration of life several weeks or months later. This approach offers cost savings and ample time for creative planning. Also, many families are now taking of do-it-yourself (DIY) approach to planning celebrations of life and memorial services.
According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), almost 40% of people surveyed would feel confident or very confident when planning a funeral without the help of a funeral director, a large recent increase likely due to experiences during the Pandemic when families had to organize funerals when funeral homes were closed.
Cremation in CA: Traditional vs Direct, Costs
Cremation can be part of funerals, memorial services, and celebrations of life. In California, cremation is now chosen by more than 65% of US families, with a growing preference for direct cremation, or a simple cremation with no services, due to simplicity and cost.
In California, cremation has become the dominant choice for final disposition. According to Funeral Convergence¹, the state’s cremation rate reached 69.3% in 2024, and the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA)² projects it will climb to 81.5% by 2035.
Figure 1: Historical and projected cremation rate in California from 2005 to 2035. Data based on NFDA and Funeral Convergence reports.
This shift is part of a national trend toward simpler, more flexible memorial options. Families are moving away from traditional services and choosing cremation for its affordability, sustainability, and the freedom it offers to personalize end-of-life tributes.
But cremation doesn’t mean one type of service. Cremation can include “traditional” cremation, a cremation followed by a memorial service, and direct cremation – or include various aspects of different types of services based on the preferences of the family.
Traditional Cremation
- Involves funeral service before cremation
- Body may be embalmed and presented for viewing
- Costs often $5,000 to $12,000 in CA
Cremation with Memorial Service
- The body is cremated first, and the ashes (cremated remains) are returned to the family
- A memorial may be held days, weeks, or months after the cremation
- Costs often $3,000 to $6,000 in CA
Direct Cremation
Direct cremation—also referred to as simple cremation or basic cremation—refers to the simplest and most cost-effective form of disposition: cremation without embalming, a viewing, or a formal funeral service beforehand. It includes only the essential services—transportation, completion of paperwork, the cremation itself, and return of the ashes to the family.
- No viewing or formal service beforehand
- Cremation occurs promptly after paperwork is complete
- Prices in Los Angeles & Orange County range from about $1,100 to $3,800, depending on provider
- Often followed by a memorial or celebration of life ceremony later
Learn more:
How Long Does Cremation Take in California?
How to Choose the Right Service for Your Family – Decision Framework
Choosing between a funeral, memorial, or celebration of life is a deeply personal decision. In 2025, the options to memorialize and celebrate the life of a loved one are virtually endless, but each family (and likely individual family members) has several important factors to consider when making this important decision.
Consider the following:
- Cultural or religious customs: Do these guide your choices?
- Budget: Can you comfortably afford a formal funeral?
- Timeline: Is there urgency to hold a service soon?
- Preference for remains: Would you prefer cremation and flexibility?
- Emotional needs: Does your family want closure with the body present?
Which Option Fits Your Situation?
| Family Preference | Best Option |
| Religious tradition, casket viewing | Funeral Service |
| Flexibility after cremation | Memorial Service |
| Personal, informal, joyful vibe | Celebration of Life |
Planning Steps: Venues, Ceremony Types, Examples
Popular Venues in Southern California:
- Home-based gatherings
- Parks or gardens (Griffith Park, Huntington)
- Event venues for life celebrations
Common Ceremony Types:
- Religious or spiritual services
- Storytelling and video tributes
- Ash scattering rituals
- Live-streamed virtual memorials
- Memorial tree planting
- Butterfly or dove release
- Group poetry or music circles
Personalization Tips:
- Select music and readings that reflect personality
- Use colorful attire or thematic dress codes
- Incorporate memory tables, photo collages, or a favorite meal
- Include guests in storytelling, toasts, or shared rituals
Real-Life Example
“When my wife passed away, I had no idea the options that were available to memorialize and celebrate her. Thank you Opal – with your help, we ended up combining elements of a traditional funeral that are important to us with a celebration at her favorite place: on the water off of Newport Beach.”
– Ken C., Costa Mesa
Whatever type of service you decide for your loved one, a permit for “disposition” is required in California. The word “disposition” refers to the final handling of human remains—whether through cremation, burial, scattering, or other lawful methods. Local registrars in California, such as county health departments, issue permits for disposition, generally as requested by a funeral director as part of funeral services they are providing. As of the publication date of this blog, permits are $12.
The following are examples of disposition in California:
- Cremation and keeping the urn at home
- Burial in a cemetery
- Scattering at sea
- Donation of a body to science
If scattering ashes is part of a celebration of life ceremony, for example, the permit must include certain details about the type and location of the scattering.
Below is a screenshot of a portion of a disposition permit for a sea scattering. The permit includes the type of scattering (“at sea”) and the location (“off the coast of Orange County”), all information required to scatter remains.
Also notice that the information on the permit includes a “1/4.” That means that a quarter of the remains will be scattered at sea. In California, each portion of cremated remains that is separated for scattering or storage must have its own permit for “disposition.” Another permit would have been provided for the remaining “3/4” of the ashes.
When it comes to scattering ashes in California, it is important to remember that the permit must include certain details about the scattering service. If a family decides to scatter a loved one’s ashes months after they die, they’ll need to request an updated permit from the funeral director who previously assisted them. Besides the $12 fee, some funeral homes charge for this service and others don’t.
Opal Cremation provides these services free of charge, regardless of when a family decides to organize a scattering ceremony in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between a funeral and memorial service?
A funeral occurs before cremation or burial with the body present; a memorial happens after, often without the body.
Can I hold a memorial service after cremation?
Yes. This is very common in California and allows time for planning.
How much does cremation cost in Southern California?
Direct cremation typically ranges from $950 to $2,300, depending on location and provider.
Do I need to embalm my loved one before cremation?
No. Embalming is not required for direct cremation.
Can I still have a ceremony with direct cremation?
Absolutely. Many families plan beautiful, personal memorials or celebrations of life after cremation.
Additional Resources from Opal
Planning Celebrations of Life After Cremation
How To Plan an Unforgettable Celebration of Life
6 Celebration of Life Ideas in Los Angeles: Outdoor Venues
8 Celebration of Life Ideas in LA: Banquet Venues
Celebration of Life Events in Orange County: Special Places to Visit
7 Celebration of Life Ideas in San Diego
Ash Scattering Guides
Definitive Guide to Scattering Ashes in California 2025
Scattering Ashes at Sea: 5 Service Providers in Southern California
