Muslim, Jewish, Liturgical, Episcopal Funeral Rite Glossary Quiz Review

Acolyte

an altar attendant

Al-Ghusl (Ghusl)

practical and ceremonial washing of a deceased Muslim

Allah

in the Islam faith, the name for God.

Altar

an elevated place or structure on which sacrifices are offered or at which religious rites are performed

Aron

Hebrew meaning container; a casket made entirely of wood with no metal parts.

Cantor

a religious singer who assists the clergy; one who assists the Rabbi in the Jewish faith; or one who assists the priest in the Eastern Orthodox faith

Chevrah Kadisha

Hebrew meaning "Holy Society"; a group of men or women who care for the dead; they may be referred to by laymen as the "washers". In the past, they took care of all funeral arrangements and preparations for Jewish funerals

committal service

that portion of the funeral conducted at the place of disposition of dead human bodies.

Crucifer

one who carries the crucifix/cross during an ecclesiastical procession.

Foyer (Narthex, Vestibule)

the entry way into a church, funeral establishment or other public building; entrance hall

Genuflect

the act of bending the right knee as an indication of reverence or as an act of humility

Gratuity

gift or small sum of money tendered (tip) for a service provided.

Honorarium

compensation or recognition for service performed.

Imam

in the Islam faith, the leader of the local congregation

Jinazah

in the Islam faith the funeral or funeral prayer.

Kafan

burial garments utilized by Muslims.

Kippah (Yamaka, Yarmulke)

in the Jewish faith, the skull cap worn by males at temple and funeral services

Koran (Quran)

- the holy book of the Islamic faith as revealed to Mohammed by the angel  Gabriel.

Kriah

Hebrew term meaning rending or tearing; a symbol of grief; a tear in the upper corner of the garment or a tear on a symbolic ribbon which is worn by the survivors

Levaya

vv in the Jewish faith, the funeral procession.

Masjid (Mosque)

local Islamic religious facility containing no icons, statutes, symbols, chairs or musical instruments

Mecca

the holiest city in the Islamic faith; Muslims are buried facing this city

Qiblah

direction of mecca

Muslim

the name given to a member of the Islamic faith.

Nave

the seating or auditorium section of a church.

Pall

a symbolic cloth placed over the casket.

Rabbia

a teacher or ordained leader in the Jewish faith.

Shivah

in the Jewish faith, a seven (7) day mourning period

Sholoshim

meaning 30 in the Jewish faith; the 30-day mourning period.

Shomer

in the Jewish faith, a watcher; one who sits with the deceased reading Psalms until burial

Synagogue

a place of religious worship in the Jewish faith; may also be referred to as Temple or Shul

Tachrichim

a hand-sewn white linen shroud in which the deceased members of the Jewish faith are dressed

Taharah

in the Jewish faith, the ceremonial washing the deceased before the burial; a ritual purification or cleansing of the deceased which should be performed by the Chevra Kaddisha.

Tallith

a prayer shawl worn by Jewish males during the morning prayer service.

Transepts

wings of the main part of the church which may serve as small chapels for baptism, weddings, and even small funeral services.

Yahrzeit

in the Jewish faith, the anniversary of the death.

Catholic Faternal Organization

the knights of colombus

Free masons

oldest and largest organization in the world 

attire: dressing is provided by family, white lamb skin apron, sprig of evergreen on their lapel (for funeral) 

woman branch of masonic

order of the eastern star