I think this may vary with the particular denomination. I'm used to there being an opportunity given for *anyone* who wants to get up and speak about their memories of the deceased to do so. And at my sister's funeral, there was also a slide/film show of her life, a biographical booklet about her with photographs and a poem written by one of her daughters, and a card enclosed for the attendees to write down their memories of her to share with the family. Also, IIRC, several of her children played and sang her favorite hymns. They made quite a do of it.

I've already left instructions with my lawyer that my memorial service is to be a party, with birthday cake and salted nuts and my CD of U2 music played by string quartet. :)