A memorial service is a meaningful way to celebrate a loved one’s life — without the body present. It can take place days, weeks, or even months after a death, allowing families time to plan something personal, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in their loved one’s story.
At Dancy Funeral Home, we help families design memorial services that reflect the individual — not just the moment of loss, but the life they lived. Whether it’s a gathering at the funeral home, a church service, a backyard celebration, or something entirely your own, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
You don’t need to know exactly what you want to begin planning. You just need someone who will listen, offer ideas, and walk with you through the process. That’s what we’re here for.
A traditional funeral typically takes place within a few days of death, with the body present for visitation and/or a service, followed by burial or cremation.
A memorial service, on the other hand, is held after the burial or cremation has taken place. The body is not present, which gives families more flexibility in timing, location, and planning. Some are held within days, while others take place weeks or even months later — giving loved ones time to gather, reflect, and plan something that feels right.
Memorial services can be as formal or informal as you wish. Some are held in houses of worship with prayers and eulogies. Others take place in a backyard, a favorite restaurant, or beside the water, with music, stories, or shared meals.
Families choose a memorial service for many reasons:
At its heart, a memorial service is about bringing people together — to remember, to support one another, and to begin healing.
One of the greatest strengths of a memorial service is its flexibility. With no casket, families can plan a gathering that reflects what mattered most to their loved one.
Memorial services can be held in many places, including:
At Dancy Funeral Home, our place in the heart of Caldwell offers a welcoming, neutral space that can be personalized to reflect your family’s vision.
Our rooms are:
We often work with families who want to create a service that feels like a comfortable gathering: quiet music, storytelling, a slideshow of photos, and shared memories over coffee.
Whether you’d like to host the service with us or elsewhere, we’ll help coordinate every detail — from the practical to the personal.
No matter what form it takes — from a formal church service to an intimate gathering around the kitchen table — coming together matters. And we’re here to help you do it with grace, warmth, and meaning
A memorial service is a chance to tell your loved one’s story — through music, memory, setting, and small but powerful details. Whether the gathering is large or intimate, formal or relaxed, we’ll help you weave in elements that reflect who they were and what they meant to others.
Here are just a few of the ways families have chosen to personalize a memorial:
Consider creating a small takeaway — such as a printed poem, a favorite recipe, seed packets, or even a personalized bookmark with a photo and quote. These can be simple and heartfelt ways for guests to take a memory home.
Offer a small coffee or tea service, or serve a favorite dessert or snack — grandma’s cookies, dad’s favorite pastry, or the signature drink they always ordered. We can coordinate with local vendors or help you set up a casual self-serve station in our reception area.
Play their favorite songs, artists, or even a themed playlist during the gathering. Some families invite a live musician (harpist, pianist, acoustic guitar), while others stream a playlist of meaningful songs — from hymns to Springsteen.
Invite guests to speak, read something meaningful, or share a memory aloud. We can also help you select or print readings, prayers, poems, or written tributes to include in the program.
Create a visual timeline of your loved one’s life using photos, awards, travel souvenirs, or personal belongings. We can help you set up memory tables or easels to display items during the service.
We’re here to help bring your ideas to life, and to offer suggestions if you’re not sure where to begin.
Our online planning portal helps families collaborate, stay organized, and lighten the load — even across the miles. Start Here
One of the advantages of a memorial service is flexibility. Because the body is not present, there is no pressure to plan the gathering immediately. Some families hold a service within a few days; others wait several weeks or even months to allow time for travel, healing, or simply space to plan something thoughtful.
There’s no “right” timeline — only what works best for your family.
We’ve helped plan memorial services:
If your loved one has already been cremated or buried, it’s never too late to hold a service. And if you're not ready to plan right away, we can help you begin slowly — starting with ideas, talking through locations, or setting a future date to revisit the conversation.
We also offer support with:
Whether you’re planning ahead or responding to a recent loss, we’re here to help make the process manageable — and meaningful.
Planning a memorial service isn’t just about logistics — it’s about creating space to honor a life, share memories, and begin healing. Whether you’re gathering in a few days or a few months, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
From choosing a location and designing a personalized tribute to coordinating travel, music, or catering, we’re here to make the process feel manageable, meaningful, and uniquely yours.
Let’s plan something beautiful — together.
