In funerary terms, a memorial is a religious or secular service without a body present. A memorial is also a way for people to help preserve the memory and honor their loved ones.  Memorializing a loved one after their death is important to all of us. It’s the one lasting way that we can show our appreciation for the role they played in our life. It is also a wonderful way to deal with overcoming the loss. Memorials can take many different forms. Some are places of national attention that attract visitors, like the Tomb of the Unknown Solider, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. They can also take the form of a personal marker, or even an online memorial complete with pictures and messages of love. Either way, they serve to symbolize and preserve the memory of loved ones.