Definitions and Descriptions of Funeral Related Terms | Zaagman Memorial Chapel

2nd Rite of Interment

Using a single grave space for an additional burial. Commonly, cemeteries that allow a 2nd Rite of Interment on a single grave space allow a combination of either: one casket + one urn, or two urns.

Aftercare

A program that offers bereavement support to persons who have lost a loved one by providing support, resources, and education on how to journey through the grieving process. Based on providing grief support, a program that utilizes various means of education, resources, and care to bereaved persons

Air Tray

A container used for the transportation of a casket when air travel is neccessary. The air tray is a wood bottomed tray with a cardboard top and the casket rests inside this tray during transportation.

Alkaline Hydrolysis

Alkaline hydrolysis (also called biocremation, resomation, flameless cremation, aquamation or water cremation) is a process for the disposal of human and pet remains using lye and heat and is an alternative to burial or cremation.

Alternative Container

A simple, unfinished container used to hold human remains prior to cremation.

Arrangement Conference

A meeting between the funeral director and the family members of the deceased to prepare/finalize funeral arrangements. During this meeting, the funeral director will explain options, discuss the decedent’s wishes and written directions, and prepare a contract for the goods and services selected for the funeral service. This meeting usually takes place at the funeral home a day or two after the death.

Autopsy

A postmortem examination of a deceased human being to discover the cause of death or extent of disease.

Bereaved / Bereavement

(n.) A person who has suffered the death of a loved one.
(adj.) Suffering the death of a loved one.

Bereavement

The fact or condition of being bereaved. The bereaved experiences the suffering and loss of a loved one through the bereavement process.

Bier

A moveable stand that a casket is placed on during visitation or viewing.

Body Donation

Body donation, also referred to as anatomical donation or body bequest, is the process of donating one’s deceased human remains for scientific research and medical education by an institute of higher learning or a private program.

Block

A term used to describe a large area in a cemetery. This area is made up of many “lots” which are comprised of individual graves.

Bronze marker

A type of grave marker that is formed from bronze and then affixed to a granite or concrete base.

Bulletin

A printed order of service that is handed out at a funeral or memorial service.

Burial at Sea

A form of disposition practiced by navies and private parties where a body (or cremains) are laid to rest in the water, usually from a boat, ship, or aircraft.

Burial Transit Permit

A permit required for the transportation and any manner of disposition of human remains including interment, storage or cremation.

Cash Advance Item

Any goods and services that a funeral home must purchase from a third-party vendor on behalf of and paid for by the funeral director on the family’s behalf. These items are typically listed separately on the Statement of Goods and Services and may include such things as honorariums, cemetery charges, obituary listings and certified copies of death certificates.

Casket

A container that is made from wood or metal and is designed to hold a body for burial.

Casket Price List

A required document which lists the description and retail price of caskets offered by a funeral home.

Casket Spray

A bouquet of flowers that is specifically mad to rest on top of a casket.

Celebrant

A Funeral Celebrant serves by organizing and leading the spoken words and rites at a funeral or memorial service. Often synonymous with clergy, pastor, reverend, chaplain, officiant, etc.

Chapel

A main room located at a funeral home where the funeral or memorial service takes place. Chapels are also rooms utilized in churches and cemeteries.

Celebration of Life

A modern term for the type of ceremony held to honor and celebrate the life of the deceased. Many times a celebration of life is held in “memory of” and no body is present. It is known as a more joyous gathering that a “funeral” and the focus of the service is on the life lived and not so much on the more somber notes of a traditional funeral service.

Cemetery

A cemetery (aka: burial ground, gravesite, graveyard) is a place where the remains of a deceased person is buried, or otherwise interred.

Church Truck

A stand with wheels that is placed under a casket to assist the funeral director and pallbearers when moving the casket to and from the church or funeral home for services.

Columbarium

A room or building with niches to store urns holding cremated remains.

Combination Unit

A receptacle used for air travel/shipment of human remains when a casket is not used. The combination unit is made up of a wood bottomed container with reinforced wood sides and a cardboard top.

Companion Marker

A gravestone, marker or monument that is extra wide and spans two grave spaces. It contains the names and information of two decedents on one maker.

Committal

The moment during a service where words are spoke and the final goodbyes are said before an individual is buried or cremated.

Coroner

A government official that investigates the cause of death if it appears to be from causes other than natural, or if there was no physician care at (or leading up to) the time of death.

Cremains

Ash and other elements of the deceased that remain following cremation.

Cremation

A process that utilizes intense heat and flame to reduce human remains to ash and bone fragments.

Cremation Authorization

A form signed by the next of kin that expresses their consent for a cremation to take place.

Cremation Casket

A casket designed with minimal metal parts that can be mostly consumed during the cremation process.

Cremation Permit

A permit that is issued by the local government that authorizes the cremation process to move forward.

Crematory

A facility where cremation takes place.

Crypt

A space in a mausoleum for a casket to be entombed. For a crypt in the ground, see “lawn cyrypt”.

Death Certificate

A legal document, signed by a doctor and licensed funeral director, certifying the death of an individual.

Death Notice

A brief statement announcing the death of an individual, typically placed in a printed newspaper.

Direct Cremation

The body is cremated shortly after passing without embalming, viewing or services.

Disinter

To remove or exhume from a burial site.

Disposition

he means of laying human remains to rest; methods of disposition may include earth burial, entombment in a crypt, cremation, etc.

Door Person

A funeral home employee that greets and directs visitors upon arrival for a viewing, visitation or service.

Double Depth Grave

Some cemeteries accommodate a burial of two caskets in a single grave space in certain sections of the cemetery. The first casket is buried, and the second casket is buried on the top of the first casket.

Embalming

The process by which a trained and licensed embalmer chemically treats a body to reduce the presence and growth of microorganisms, retard organic decomposition and restore an acceptable physical appearance; embalming offers temporary preservation of a deceased person's body and allows for funerals to be held several days after the death has occurred by keeping the body in a viewable state.

Entombment

The placement of human remains into a crypt or tomb.

Epitaph

A phrase or group of words written and typically inscribed on a marker or other monument in memory of someone that has died.

Escrow

In relation to the funeral industry, the act of holding, investing and distributing funds received under a prepaid contract by a third-party.

Escrow Agent

In relation to the funeral industry, the entity or “third-party” that holds, invests, and distributes funds received under a prepaid contract.

Eulogy

The speech at a funeral or memorial service that reflects upon, pays respect, and honors the life of the deceased.

Eulogist

A person who gives the eulogy at a funeral or memorial service.

Exhumation

The act of removing human remains from a burial site, typically for relocation or further medical investigation.

Funeral Coach

Also widely known as a “hearse”, a vehicle that is specifically used to transport casketed remains to a funeral service or place of burial.

Funeral Director

A trained and licensed individual who provides support to the bereaved during initial stages of their grief; arranges and directs funeral ceremonies; arranges for the removal of the deceased from the place of death; prepares the body according to the wishes of the survivors and requirements of the law; secures information for legal documents; files death certificates and other legal papers; assists survivors with filing claims for death benefits; helps individuals adapt to changes in their lives following a death through after care services.

Funeral Home

A building and place of business specifically designed for the purpose of embalming, arranging and conducting services, and welcoming visitors for visitations and funeral services.

Funeral Insurance

A specific type of life insurance designed to pay for merchandise and funeral service costs.

Funeral Rule

A rule established by the Federal Trade Commission and enacted in 1984, the “rule” protects consumers’ rights.

Funeral Service

The rites and services conducted prior to the burial of human remains.

Funeral Trust

A trust fund in which money is held in escrow, specifically for the payment of funeral services and merchandise upon the death of the beneficiary.

Garden

In relation to cemeteries, a modern term used to name the land for where burials take place instead of the macabre-sounding word “cemetery”. Usually, the garden is well-kept, and has flat grave markers. It can also be a specific area where ashes are scattered or buried.

General Price List (GPL)

A price list of all goods and services provided by a funeral home, including disclosures required by the Federal Trade Commission; see “funeral rule.”

Granite Marker

A stone that has been quarried, cut, polished and engraved for the placement on a grave to identify the grave of a deceased person.

Grave

A small, rectangular portion of land used for the burial of human remains or ashes.

Grave Liner

A permanent outside container, generally consisting of a concrete box and a lid. It is not intended to demonstrate any sealed protection to the casket; see also “outer burial container.”

Grave Marker

A method of identifying the occupant of a particular grave, usually including such data as the name of the individual, date of birth and date of death.

Graveside Service

The concluding rite of a funeral service; or a memorial service taking place at the site of burial.

Green Burial

In natural or green burial, the body is buried, without embalming, in a natural setting; any shroud or casket that is used must be biodegradable, nontoxic and of sustainable material; traditional standing headstones are not permitted. Instead, flat rocks, plants or trees may serve as grave markers. A “natural or green burial” may also simply mean burial without embalming, in a biodegradable casket without a vault, when permitted by a cemetery.

Grief

Intense sorrow experienced following the death of a loved one.

Headstone

A marker placed on a grave at one’s burial site. The placement of the stone is not necessarily always at the “head” end of the grave.

Hermetically Sealed

A container that is sealed tightly enough to not allow air to leave or enter.

Honor Guard

A group of individuals (ie: active military or veterans) assigned to a ceremonial duty at a funeral service or burial.

Honorary Pallbearer

A pallbearer that is unable to be present at the service, or physically unable to perform the pallbearing duty at a funeral or burial service.

Immediate Burial

Disposition by burial where no viewing, visitation, services or other rites are performed. This is the most basic of burial dispositions.

Interment

The burial of human remains in the earth.

Interment Fee

The monetary cost associated with opening and closing the grave location during the burial process.

Inurnment

The placement of cremains (cremated human remains) into an urn or other receptacle and subsequent placement into a grave, niche, or other location in a cemetery.

Keepsake

A small item (or token) to remember a loved one after passing away. Generally, you will see a miniature “keepsake” urn or “keepsake” jewelry.

Lawn Crypt

A designated area within a cemetery where a permanent underground crypt (usually constructed of reinforced concrete or similar material) has been installed in multiple units for the entombment of human remains.

Limousine

A chauffeured automobile designed to seat six or more persons behind the driver's seat; generally used to transport the immediate family from the place of the funeral service to the cemetery.

Livestream

A real-time “live” transmission of a funeral event over the internet. This allows a person to “attend” the service from a remote location. Also known as a webcast.

Lowering Device

A mechanism used at a cemetery to lower a casket into the grave.

Mausoleum

A building with crpyts for the entombment of casketed human remains and cremains.

Medical Examiner

A medically qualified pathologist appointed to a particular jurisdiction whose duty is to conduct and investigate deaths that may have come from unusual circumstances.

Medicaid

A health insurance program designed for those with limited income and resources and is usually ran by the individual state of residency.

Medicare

A health insurance program run by the federal government for those 65 years of age and older as well as for some younger with qualifying disabilities.

Memorial Folder

A small, folded pamphlet customized with a picture or scene on the front and information about the deceased on the inside. There is often a poem, verse, saying, or obituary text that is included as well.

Memorial Service

A service held in remembrance of one’s life, without the physical body present.

Message

The spoken portion of a Christian funeral or memorial service when the officiant orates about the meaning of life, death, and what it means to their particular religious beliefs. Often referred to as a homily or sermon.

Monument

A larger granite tablet that was created to represent and mark the place of burial for a particular person and/or their family. Typically made of granite, monuments can take on various forms; they are engraved with the names of the deceased and dates of birth and death; depending on the size of the stone, anniversary dates, names of children, favorite sayings, poems, scriptures or songs may be included; sometimes called a headstone, tombstone or gravestone.

Mortician

Mortuary

Synonymous with “funeral home”, a building used for the purpose of embalming, arranging and conducting funerals.

Mortuary Science

The study of the dead human body and the processes related to care and preparation for final disposition.

Next of Kin

In respect to funerals, the next of kin are the survivors of the deceased who (according to a defined hierarchy within each state) are responsible for making decisions regarding the disposition of a particular deceased person.

Niche

A space in a wall or structure to hold urns containing cremated remains.

Obituary

A published notice of a person's death which typically contains biographical details and information about funeral or memorial services.

Online Condolences

A public expression of sympathy for another person’s grief; typically, these tributes are posted by family and friends at the deceased person’s online obituary located on the funeral home website or other location.

Opening & Closing

The term used to describe the burial process (ground burial or entombment) which involves physically preparing the area for the remains of a decedent.

Organ Donation

The act of taking organs from one individual and transplanting them into another living person.

Ossuary

A structure designed for the final resting place of skeletal remains or cremains.

Outer Burial Container

A rigid container that protects caskets from the weight of the soil; they are often required by cemeteries because they prevent the soil from collapsing into the grave following the interment; also called a vault or grave liner.

Pall

A symbolic cloth spread over a casket.

Pallbearer

One of several people who assist in carrying a casket during a funeral service.

Perpetual Care

In relation to a cemetery, a portion of a cost of purchasing a grave that is placed in a trust to fund the ongoing care of each individual burial space.

Prearrangements / Preplanning

Arrangements for funeral or memorial service which are made prior to a person passing away. This includes, working with a funeral director or preplanning consultant to plan one's funeral in advance of death; the process includes selecting the type of funeral or memorial service, methods of disposition, funeral merchandise, cemetery plot locations, memorials, songs, casket bearers, etc.; many people who preplan their funeral services may also prepay for them through an insurance policy, a trust or other investment means. Also referred to as, “advance funeral planning.”

Procession

A procession of motor vehicles from the funeral home (or church) to the cemetery (or other final resting place).

Register Book

A book signed by visitors that come to the church or funeral home to pay their respects at a visitation or service.

Register Stand

The stand on which the register book rests.

Reinter

The process of burying human remains in a place other than where the first burial took place or in the same space after a disinterment.

Removal

Securing and transporting human remains into the care of the funeral home from the place of death.

Removal from State

Form of disposition, when human remains are transported from the state in which they passed and the final disposition takes place in another location, often under the supervision of another funeral provider.

Resomation

See “alkyline hydrolysis”.

Retort

The name of the chamber in a cremation unit where the cremation process takes place.

Scattering

The physical method of distributing cremains into the water or over land, as means of final disposition.

Scattering Garden

A designated area of land where the family and friends can gather to spread the cremains of a loved one.

Scattering Tube

A cylindrical receptacle for cremains that has an easily removable lid, for the intent of scattering the ashes.

Selection Room

A room in the funeral home where caskets, urns, outer burial containers and other related items are displayed for individuals or families to select for purchase while planning a funeral or memorial service; also known as a “display room.”

Sexton

The person in charge of all aspects of caring for a cemetery.

Slideshow

A compilation of scanned still images and/or videos for presentation on a television screen during a visitation or service that serves as a remembrance and tribute to a person’s life.

Space

In relation to cemeteries, space is another term for grave, an area of land designated for the burial of human remains or cremains.

Statement of Funeral Goods & Services

An itemized list of the goods and services the consumer has selected during the arrangement conference. The Statement allows consumers to evaluate their selections and make any desired changes.

Temporary Container

A container, usually made of plastic, that holds cremains after the cremation process takes place. The ashes are normally placed into a plastic bag, sealed, and labeled before placement into the temporary container.

Tomb

A structurally enclosed interment place for the permanent receiving of human remains. The form of disposition when put into a tomb is entombment.

Tissue Donation

The process of harvesting, or removing, tissues (ie: corneas, bone, skin) from a deceased human being for transplant to another living human being within a reasonable time after death.

Undertaker

An older, more macabre term for funeral director, or mortician.

Urn

A container designed to hold cremated remains. Urns can be made of wood, metal, glass or other natural materials.

Urn Placement

The permanent placement of an urn into a niche or urn burial site.

Urn Vault

A permanent outside container made of concrete, plastic, fiberglass or stone that holds and protects an urn for earth burial. An urn vault may or may not be required by the cemetery.

Vault

A permanent outside container of grade better than a grave liner or concrete box, which is sealed and affords protection to the casket. A vault is often required by most cemeteries.

Vault Price List

A required document which lists the description and retail price of vaults offered by a funeral home.

Video Tribute

See “slideshow”.

Viewing or Visitation (aka: gathering/wake/calling hours):

A gathering held with the deceased's body present; a time for family and friends to express condolences and support one another; also called a viewing, wake or calling hours.

Visitation Room

A designated room within a funeral home where the public gathers to pay respects to the individual who has passed away. The visitation room may be with or without the presence of a casketed body or urn.

Webcasting

See “Livestream”.

Waterborne (Biodegradable) Urn

An urn that dissolves or breaks down when place into water. The dissolved urn releases the cremains into the water column for final disposition.