
When it comes to Traditional Services there are generally 2 main options.
A Funeral Service is a popular option in certain Christian denominations. The main factor that defines this type of service is that the coffin needs to be present. The priest/minister is usually required by the tradition of the church to do a ‘Committal’ of the deceased hence the presence of the coffin. Many feel that there is also therapeutic value in having the deceased at the service. An unattended cremation usually follows at some point after the funeral.
A church service without a coffin is classified as a Memorial Service. This is a preference among a number of denominations. In this scenario some families prefer to have an attended cremation for the immediate family followed at a later date by a memorial service that is open to all.
It is best to speak to the priest/minister of the church you intend using before making up your mind about the type of Service. Both Services would probably include components such as prayer, scripture reading, eulogies/tributes and a spiritual message.