The Perfect Stranger's Guide to Funerals...
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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A algor mortis The cooling of the body immediately after death to room temperature and temporary stiffening of the muscles. arrangement room A room of the funeral home used to make the necessary funeral arrangements with the family of the deceased. aspirate Process of withdrawing fluids and gases from the abdominal cavity. alternative container A non-metal receptacle without ornamentation
or interior lining which is designed to hold human remains and is made
of cardboard, pressed-wood, composition materials (with or without an
outside covering), or pouches of canvas or other materials. See cremated remains. At time of death, including immediately
following or when impending. Any uninvited contact by a seller for the purpose of selling merchandise or services to the family of one whose death is impending or has just occurred. Illegal in some jurisdictions B
background drapes Decorative drapes arranged on a frame and placed behind the casket as a background. They are usually made of velour. bereaved (Noun ) The immediate family of the deceased. (Verb) Suffering from grief upon the death of a loved one. burial Placing of a dead body in an underground chamber earth burial- interment. burial certificate or permitA legal paper issued by the local government authorizing burial. The permit may authorize earth burial or cremation or removal to a distant point. burial garments Wearing apparel made especially for the dead. burial insuranceAn insurance policy in which the principal is paid in a funeral service and merchandise rather than cash. before need See preneed. See lawn crypt. See entombment, interment, and inurnment. syn.
inhumation. A legal document issued by a local authority authorizing final disposition of human remains. C
canopy
A roof like structure projecting
from the outside wall over the driveway allowing passengers to board
and alight from vehicles without being directly exposed to the elements
sometimes construed as a portable canvas shelter used to cover the grave
area during committal service.
casket A receptacle of wood, metal or plastic into which the dead human body is placed for burial. Sometimes referred to as "coffin" or "burial case." casket coachA motor coach designed and used for the conveyance of the casketed remains from the place the funeral service is conducted to the cemetery. Also known as Hearse or Funeral Coach. casketing Placing of the body in the casket upon completion of embalming, dressing and cosmetizing. casket rackA device which allows caskets to be placed one on top of the other for display purposes. casket veil A silk or net transparent covering for the casket for the purpose of keeping flies and other insects from the remains. catafalque A stand upon which the casketed remains rest while instate and during the funeral service. cenotaph An empty tomb or monument erected in memory or a person buried elsewhere. certified death certificateA legalized copy of the original certificate, issued upon request by the local government for the purpose of substantiating various claims by the family of the deceased such as insurance and other death benefits. chapel A large room of the funeral home in which the farewell service is held. church truck A collapsible catafalque used for funerals. coffinA wedge shaped burial case, usually eight- sided. Also known as "casket". columbarium A structure of vaults lined with recesses for urns containing cremated remains. committal serviceThe final portion of the funeral service at which time the deceased is interred or entombed. coroner public official and in some cases a constitutional officer whose duty it is to investigate the case of death if it appears to be from other than natural causes, or if there was no physician in attendance for a long time prior to death. cortegeThe funeral procession. cosmetology Utilization of cosmetics to restore life like appearance to the deceased. cremationReduction of the body to ashes by fire. cremation permit A certificate issued by local government authorizing cremation of the deceased. crematory A furnace for cremating remains. crypt A vault or room used for keeping remains. cotThe stretcher-like carrier used to remove deceased persons from the place of death to the funeral home. cash advance Any item of service or merchandise described
to a purchaser as a "cash advance," "accommodation," "cash disbursement,"
or similar term. A cash advance item is also any item obtained from
a third party and paid for by the seller on the purchaser’s behalf.
Cash advance items may include, but are not limited to, cemetery or
crematory services, pallbearers, public transportation, clergy honoraria,
flowers, musicians or singers, nurses, obituary notices, gratuities,
and death certificates. A rigid container for the interment of human remains.
May be made of wood, metal, or like material and are ornamented and
lined with fabric. Wooden models include cloth covered soft woods and
hardwoods finished like fine furniture. Metal caskets are most commonly
made of steel, copper, or bronze. Additionally, metal caskets may be
"protective" or "sealing" because they have a gasket around the lid.
The FTC Funeral Trade Rule and some states have specific requirements
regarding representations about sealing caskets. 1. A place dedicated to and used,
or intended to be used, for the final disposition and memorialization
of human remains. 2. A place for burial of dead human
remains. Any person, partnership, or corporation that
owns or controls a cemetery or conducts cemetery business. A memorial in honor of a deceased person who
is interred elsewhere. A container for burial of human remains, usually
applied to a hexagonal shaped container. Also see casket. A structure, room, or space in a building or structure
used, or intended to be used, for the inurnment of cremated remains. The bone fragments remaining after the cremation
process which may include the residue of any foreign materials that
were cremated with the human remains. Usually processed by crushing
or grinding to achieve a uniform consistency. A receptacle in which cremated remains are placed
after cremation. The irreversible process of reducing human remains
to bone fragments through intense heat and evaporation in a specifically
designed furnace or retort which may include any other mechanical or
thermal process whereby the bone fragments are pulverized or otherwise
further reduced in size or volume. Cremation is a process and is not
final disposition. (Note: some states don’t agree with this and
hold that cremation is a form of disposition.) cremation container An enclosed receptacle which is combustible, rigid,
and leak-resistant, and is designed to hold human remains prior to cremation;
includes non-metallic caskets. A structure containing a furnace or retort used
or intended to be used for the cremation of human remains. A concrete enclosure for interment. Mausoleum crypts are generally above ground and in buildings. Crypts in garden mausoleums also are usually above ground but are open to the outside rather than being in an enclosed building. Crypts also may be installed in large groups underground in lawn sections—See lawn crypt. Lawn crypts do not require the use of an additional outer burial container. Lawn crypts are sometimes also are referred to as garden crypts. D
death
Cessation of all vital functions
without the capability of resuscitation.
death notice A paragraph in a newspaper publicizing the death of a person and giving those details of the funeral service the survivors wish to have published. Most such notices list the names of the relatives of the deceased. deceasedOne in whom all physical life has ceased. disinter To remove the remains from the burial place; to dig up. display roomA room in the funeral home in which caskets, urns and burial garments are displayed. door badge A floral spray placed on the door of a residence wherein death has occurred. death certificate A legal document containing vital statistics
pertaining to the life and death of the deceased. Must be accepted and
filed with the proper agency before a burial permit is issued. A document conveying a right of interment in specific
cemetery property. Usually doesn't convey any fee ownership. Disposition of human remains by cremation without
formal viewing, visitation, or ceremony with the body present. Any final disposition of human remains without
formal viewing, visitation, or ceremony with the body present. Removing human remains that have been interred. Also see interment. E
A procedure where human remains are chemically treated by injection and/or topical application for temporary preservation, including, but not limited to, the act of disinfecting, preserving, and restoring the human remains to a natural life-like appearance. The preservation is intended to allow for adequate time to plan a funeral service and for friends and family to travel from out-of-town, rather than for any long-term protection from decomposition. embalmer One who disinfects or preserves dead human bodies by the injection or external application of antiseptics, disinfectants or preservative fluids; prepares human bodies for transportation which are dead of contagious or infectious diseases; or uses derma surgery or plastic art for restoring mutilated features. embalming fluidLiquid chemicals used in preserving a dead body. emblming table An operating table upon which the remains are placed for embalming. ethicsThe moral code which guides the members of the profession in proper conduct of their duties and obligations. exhume To dig up the remains; to remove from the place of burial. embalmer A person authorized by law to engage in embalming. A procedure where human remains are chemically
treated by injection and/or topical application for temporary preservation,
including, but not limited to, the act of disinfecting, preserving,
and restoring the human remains to a natural life-like appearance. The
preservation is intended to allow for adequate time to plan a funeral
service and for friends and family to travel from out-of-town, rather
than for any long-term protection from decomposition. The maintenance, repair, and care of all places
in the cemetery, subject to the rules and regulations of the cemetery
authority. May also be known as endowed care, perpetual care, improvement
care, permanent care, etc. An irrevocable trust fund set aside by law with
a trustee, with the earnings therefrom to provide for the long-term
care of the cemetery. Sometimes be referred to as a "Perpetual Care
Fund." The act of placing human remains in a crypt. F
family car
That limousine in the funeral procession
set aside for the use of the immediate family.
family room A specially arranged room in the funeral home which affords the family privacy at the time of the funeral service. flower carA vehicle used for the transportation of flower pieces from the funeral home to the church and/or cemetery. flower racks and stands Wooden or metal stands and racks of varying heights used for banking flowers around the casket. final rites The funeral service. funeral coach See Casket Coach. funeral arrangements Completing financial and service details of a funeral. funeral director A professional who prepares and supervises the disposition of deceased bodies and counsels with survivors. Synonyms: mortician, undertaker. funeral home A building used for arranging and conducting funerals. funeral spray A collective mass of cut flowers sent to the residence of the deceased or to the funeral home as a floral tribute to the deceased. final disposition The lawful disposal of human remains whether
by interment, burial at sea, scattering, etc. In 1982, the Federal Trade Commission promulgated
a set of regulations requiring disclosure of price and other information
by mortuaries and other sellers of funeral services and merchandise. A person who manages a mortuary. In many states,
this person is also an embalmer. This definition varies according to
individual state laws and regulations. The ceremony held commemorating the deceased with
the remains present. Services provided by a funeral director and staff,
which may include consulting with the family on funeral planning; transportation,
shelter, refrigeration, and embalming of remains; preparing and filing
notices; obtaining authorizations and permits; and coordinating with
the cemetery, crematory, or other third parties. See mortuary. See mortuary. See memorial society. G
An excavation in the earth for the purpose of burying the deceased . grave liner A receptacle made of concrete, metal or wood into which the casket is placed as an extra precaution of protection. grave marker Also called Memorial Marker. A method of identifying the occupant of a particular grave. Permanent grave markers are usually of metal or stone which gives such data as the name of the individual, date and place of birth, date and place of death. garden crypt See lawn crypt. An outdoor mausoleum. Sometimes called "wall crypts"
because of the configuration of the crypts and to avoid confusion with
indoor mausolea. Also see mausoleum. See outer burial container A space of ground in a cemetery that is used or
intended to be used for ground burial. A service to commemorate the deceased held at
the cemetery prior to burial. A contract with a fixed price for services or merchandise purchased before death. Also see non-guaranteed price prepaid contract. H
hearse
See Casket Coach.
honorary pallbearers Friends or members of a religious, social or fraternal organization who act as an escort for the deceased. Honorary pallbearers do not carry the casket. I
inquest
An official inquiry or examination
usually before a jury to determine the case of death.
in state The custom of availing the deceased for viewing by relatives and friends prior to or after the funeral service. inter To bury a dead body in a grave or tomb (in the ground). immediate burial Disposition of human remains by burial without
formal viewing, visitation, or ceremony with the body present, except
for a graveside service. 1. Final disposition by burial
in ground, entombment in a mausoleum, or placement of cremated remains
in a niche (inurnment). 2. The process of making an interment,
including all administrative, clerical, legal, and mechanical services
performed by the cemetery authority in conjunction with the opening
of an interment space and closing of the interment space after the remains
have been placed in the space. The right to inter human remains in a particular
interment space within the cemetery. The person or persons who lawfully possess an
interment right. There is a presumption of ownership in favor of the
person listed as the owner in the records of the cemetery. syn. property
owner. A space intended for the final disposition of
human remains, including, but not limited to, a grave space, mausoleum
crypt, garden crypt, columbarium, and lawn crypt, or a private family
mausoleum. The act of putting cremated remains in an urn and placing the urn in a niche. L
It leads the procession to the church and/or cemetery. lowering device A mechanism used for lowering the casket into the grave. lawn crypt A pre-placed enclosed chamber, which is usually constructed of reinforced concrete, poured in place or precast unit installed in quantity, either side by side or multiple depth, and covered by earth or sod and also may be known as a garden crypt (not the above ground type), below ground crypt, or turf-top crypt. M
mausoleum
A permanent above ground resting
place for the remains. A public or private building especially designed
to receive entombments.
medical examiner A government official, usually appointed, who has a thorough medical knowledge and whose function is to perform an autopsy on bodies dead from violence, suicide, crime, etc., and to investigate circumstances of death. memorial marker See Grave Marker. memorial service A religious service conducted in memory of the deceased without the remains being present. minister's room A room in the funeral home set aside for the clergyman wherein he can robe and make any last minute preparations for the funeral service. morgue A place to where bodies found dead are removed and exposed pending identification by relatives. mortician See funeral director. mortuary A building specifically designed and constructed for caring for the dead. A synonym for funeral home mourner One who is present at the funeral out of affection or respect for the deceased. marker See memorial. A chamber or structure used, or intended to be
used, for entombment. A building that houses crypts for burial. A community
mausoleum is for many families, and a private mausoleum is generally
sold for the use of a single family. Some vendors sell what they call
private or family mausoleums with only a few spaces. Many of these are
more correctly called sarcophagi. The physical identification of an interment space.
Generally has at least the name, date of birth, and date of death of
the deceased and may include an epitaph or commemoration of the life,
deeds, or career of the deceased person. These may be in the form of
bronze,bronze on granite or granite tablets flush with the ground, upright
monuments, individual cut out bronze letters applied to the front of
a mausoleum crypt, statuary, benches, or other artwork or architectural
features. Other terms that might be used are memorial tablet (flush
bronze memorial), marker, headstone, crypt plate, or garden plaque.
Also see cenotaph. The existence of a memorial or the process of
erecting a memorial. A cemetery which has adopted a park like style
and abolished the use of upright memorials. As envisioned by Hubert
Eaton who coined the term, a memorial-park has "sweeping lawns" and
must also be inspirational, "...a place that uplifts and educates a
community." Some cemeteries continue to allow upright memorials but
call themselves memorial-parks because they have some sections where
upright memorials are not allowed. A ceremony commemorating the deceased without
the remains present. A membership organization which distributes information
about funerals. May promote methods of prearrangement, changes to funeral
laws, and offer referrals to specific funeral homes. Generally, not
regulated. Any personal property offered or sold by any
seller for use in connection with the funeral, final disposition, memorialization,
or interment of human remains. An upright memorial, including what used to be
called a tombstone, also includes large structures like obelisks, usually
made from granite. A place of business used in the care, planning, and preparation for final disposition or transportation of human remains. Operations may include arranging and conducting funerals, sales of services and funeral merchandise, and embalming. N
niche A space within a columbarium used
or intended to be used for inurnment of cremated remains. A prepaid contract where the seller reserves the right to charge additional fees in the future in addition to the price stated in the prepaid contract. Also see guaranteed price prepaid contract. O obituary
A notice of the death of a person,
particularly a newspaper notice, containing a biographical sketch.
opening and closing See interment. A container which is designed for placement in the grave space around the casket, including, but not limited to, containers commonly known as burial vaults, grave boxes, and grave liners. P
pallbearers Individuals whose duty is to carry the casket when necessary during funeral service. Pallbearers can be close friends and relatives of the deceased. plot An area of ground in a cemetery . It usually contains two or more graves. prearranged funeral Funeral arrangements completed by an individual prior to his/her death. preparation room A room in a funeral home designed and equipped for preparing the deceased for final disposition. preparation table An operating table located in the preparation room upon which the body is dressed or prepared for embalming. procession Funeral Ritual where the mourners follow the casket as it is brought into and taken out of the church. It is also the vehicle movement of the funeral from the place where the funeral service was conducted to the cemetery. purge A discharge from the deceased through the mouth, nose and ears of matter from the stomach and intestine caused by improper or ineffectual embalming, due to putrefaction. putrefaction The decomposition of the body upon death. perpetual care Generally replaced by the term "endowment
care." See endowment care. A cemetery for paupers. The term
comes from Matthew 27:7 when the chief priests determined what to do
with the thirty pieces of silver returned by Judas: "So they took counsel,
and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in." Designated areas or buildings within
a cemetery that have been mapped and planned for future construction,
but are not yet completed. Making plans for a funeral or interment
prior to death or impending death. A broad term which can encompass
both preplanning and prepaid purchases. See prepaid purchase and
prepaid contract. Prior to death or prior to an impending
death. Not at need. A written contract to purchase merchandise
or services from the seller on a preneed basis. Also see guaranteed
price prepaid contract and non-guaranteed price prepaid contract. Purchasing cemetery or funeral commodities
or services preneed. Purchase may be for a lump sum or on an installment
contract. Not necessarily a price guarantee but often perceived to include
one. Also see guaranteed price prepaid contract and non-guaranteed price
prepaid contract. Making and recording the preneed
decisions for interment or funeral services. Does not necessarily include
a preneed purchase. Also see prepaid purchase and prearrangement. The grinding or pulverizing of the
bone fragments remaining from a cremation to achieve a more uniform
consistency. Also see cremation. See Interment right holder. R
register A book made available by the funeral director for recording the names of people visiting the funeral home to pay their respects to the deceased. Also has space for entering other data such as name, dates of birth and death of the deceased, name of the officiating clergyman, etc. remains The deceased. reposing room A room of the funeral home where a body lies in state from the time it is casketed until the time of the funeral service. restorative artDerma surgery: the process of restoring mutilated and distorted features by employing wax, creams, plaster, etc. rigor mortis Rigidity of the muscles which occurs at death. residue Cremated remains which are imbedded
in cracks and uneven spaces of the cremation chamber or in the cremated
remains container and cannot be removed through reasonable manual contact
with sweeping or scraping equipment. Rules adopted by a cemetery to govern uses, care, control, and management as well as other restrictions deemed necessary by the governing board for protection of the cemetery. S
service
car
Usually a utility vehicle to which
tasteful ornamentation may be added in the form of a metal firm name
plate, post lamps, etc. Utilized to transport chairs, church trucks,
flower stands, shipping cases, etc.
spiritual banquet A Roman Catholic practice involving specific prayers, such as masses and rosaries offered by an individual or a group. survivor The person(s) outliving the deceased. sarcophagus - pl. -gi. A structure of marble or stone,
or covered with marble or stone, for entombment of one or more casketed
human remains. May be indoors. Any services which may be used to
care for and prepare human remains for burial, cremation, or other final
disposition and to arrange, supervise, or conduct the funeral ceremony
or the final disposition of human remains. Any care provided, or to be provided, in excess of endowment care in accordance with the specific directions of any donor of funds for such purposes. Funds for special care may be held in a trust fund similar to an endowment care fund. T
A licensed embalmer who is not employed by the funeral home, but does the embalming for several firms either on a salary or per case basis. transit permit A legal paper issued by the local government authorizing removal of a body to a cemetery for interment. Some cities also require an additional permit if the deceased is to be cremated. tombstone See monument. A cemetery which allows or requires traditional upright memorials. See memorial-park. U
undertaker See funeral director. A receptacle for cremated remains. Should not be confused with an alternative container or cremation container. V
visitation An opportunity for survivors and friends to view the deceased in private. This can be held in a special room at home or within the funeral home. vault A burial chamber underground. Includes the outside metal or concrete casket container. vigil A Roman Catholic religious service held on the evening of the funeral service. W |
