Initial Call, Transfer of Remains and Arrangement Conference

First call (Initial Notification of Death)

when the funeral establishment receives notification of death.

Transfer of remains

the moving of the dead human body form the place of death to the funeral establishment or other designated place.

Deceased

a dead human body.

Medical examiner

a forensically-trained physician who investigates questionable or unattended deaths (has replaced the coroner in some jurisdictions).

Coroner

usually an elected officer without medical training whose chief duty is to investigate questionable deaths.

Transfer vehicle

the automobile generally used for transporting the uncasketed dead human body from the place of death to the mortuary.

Cot

a portable stretcher commonly employed in a transfer vehicle for the moving of the deceased.

Dentures

false teeth

Arrangement conference

the meeting between the funeral practitioner and the client family during which funeral arrangements are discussed, and may refer to pre-need or at-need situations

General Price List (GPL)

a printed list of goods and services offered for sale by funeral providers with retail prices. The GPL is considered the keystone of the Funeral Rule.

Vital statistics

data concerning birth, marriage, divorce, sickness and death.

Casketbearer (pallbearer)

one who actively bears or carries the casket during the funeral service and at the committal service.

Burial (Interment)

the act of placing the dead human body in the ground.

Cremation

the reduction of a dead human body to inorganic bone fragments by intense heat in a specifically designed retort or chamber.

Alkaline hydrolysis

the reduction of a dead human body to essential elements through a water-based dissolution process using alkaline chemicals, heat, agitation, and pressure to accelerate natural decomposition; the processing of the hydrolyzed remains after removal from the alkaline hydrolysis vessel; placement of the processed remains in a hydrolyzed container; and release of the hydrolyzed remains to an appropriate part. Alkaline hydrolysis is s form of final dispositio

Cash advances

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 funeral provider 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.

Informant

one who supplies vital statistics information about the deceased.

Death certificate

a legal document containing vital statistics, disposition, and final medical 11 information pertaining to the deceased.

Certified copy

a legal copy of the original death certificate.

Death notice

a newspaper item publicizing the death of a person and giving service details. In some parts of the United States, can contain the same information as an obituary.

Obituary

traditionally, a news item concerning the death of a person which usually contains a biographical sketch. Can appear in media other than newspapers such as online sources and service programs. Is sometimes used interchangeably with death notice or funeral notice.

Survivors

one who outlives another person or event.

Burial-transit permit (disposition permit)

a legal document, issued by a governmental agency, authorizing transportation and/or disposition of a dead human body.

Acknowledgment cards

thank you cards.

Apostille

certification/legalization of a document for international use (under terms of the 1961 Hague Convention).

Common carrier

any carrier required by law to convey passengers or freight without refusal if the approved fare or charge is paid (airline, train, etc.).

Private carrier

those who transport only in particular instances and only for those they chose to contract with (e.g. funeral establishment vehicles and livery).