What type of service typically does not include a viewing of the body?

A memorial service is characterized by the absence of the body or casket. Instead, it focuses on celebrating the life of the deceased through remembrance and storytelling, allowing friends and family to gather and pay their respects in a more informal setting. This type of service highlights the memories and positive experiences shared with the deceased, rather than the physical presence of the body.

In contrast, a traditional funeral service generally includes a viewing, allowing attendees the opportunity to pay their final respects to the deceased before burial or cremation. A graveside service may include a viewing or the opportunity to say final goodbyes at the gravesite, while a visitation service is specifically designed for people to gather before the funeral, where the body is typically present for viewing. Thus, the memorial service is distinctly identified by not including a viewing of the body.