Mort (pathology)

abcess

localized accumulation of pus

acquired

a disease, condition or abnormality that is not hereditary or innate

acute

New, usually of rapid onset and of concern, opposite of chronic

acromegaly

hyperfunction of pituitary gland after ossification has been completed

allergy

abnormal hypersensitivity acquired by exposure to an antigen

Amelia

congenital absence of one or more limbs

Anascara

generalized edema in subcutaneous tissue

Anemia

A decrease in erythrocytes or hemoglobin.

aneurysm

localized abnormal dilation of a vessel

Alpasia

the failure of an organ or tissue to develop or to function normally

arteriosclerosis

A disease of the arterial vessels marked by thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity in the arterial walls.

Atherosclerosis

a form of arteriosclerosis marked by the deposition of lipids in the inner layer of arterial walls

ascites

accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity

atrophy

to waste away

autopsy

An examination of the body after death usually with such dissection as will expose the vital organs for determining the cause of death.

cachexia

a general state of ill-health, associated with emaciation

carbuncle

several communicating boils of the skin and subcutaneous tissues with the production and discharge of pus and dead tissue

carinoma

a malignant tumor that occurs in epithelial tissue

Cavitation

The formation of cavities in an organ or tissue; frequently seen in some forms of tuberculosis.

chronic

continuing for a long time

cleft palate

congenitally malformed palate with a fissure along the midline

clinical pathology

pathology that uses clinical analysis and other laboratory procedures in the diagnosis and treatment of disease

communicable

A disease that may be transmitted directly or indirectly from one individual to another

complication

an unfavorable condition arising during the course of disease

concussion

he immediate and temporary disturbance of brain function as a result of trauma

congenital

present at birth

congestion

accumulation of an excess of blood or tissue fluid in a body part

contustion

bruise

Cretinism

congenital hypothyroidism resulting in developmental disabilities

crypotorchidism

faliure of one or both testes to sescend into the scrotum

cyanosis

A bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes.

cyst

closed sac containing fluid or semisolid material

deficiancy

condition due to lack of dietary or metabolic substance

degeneration

the deterioration of tissues with corresponding functional impairment as a result of disease or injury

Dehydration

loss of moisture from body tissue

diagnosis

he term denoting the identification of a disease or syndrome; to recognize the nature of a disease.

dilatation

the condition of the heart being enlarged, occurring normally, artificially, or as a result of disease

dry gangrene

necrotic tissue due to a reduction in arterial blood supply to a body part that remains aseptic

Dysplasia

abnormal development of tissue

END OF PATHOLOGY

END OF PATHOLOGY

Acknowledgment Cards

thank you cards

acolyte

altar attendant

Adaptive Funeral Rite

A funeral rite that is adjusted to the needs and wants of those directly involved

Aftercare (Post funeral follow-up)

services provided by a funeral service organization that occur after final disposition; those appropriate and helpful acts of counseling, personal, and/or written contact that come after the funeral.

Al-Ghusl (Ghusl)

practical and ceremonial washing of the deceased Muslim

Alkaline hydrolysis

a process that uses water, alkaline chemicals, heat and sometimes pressure and agitation, to accelerate natural decomposition, leaving bone fragments

allah

God of Islam

altar

a raised structure on which gifts or sacrifices to a god are made

Alternative Container

an unfinished wood box or other non-metal receptacle or enclosure, without ornamentation or a fixed interior lining, which is designed for the encasement of human remains and which is made of fiberboard, pressed-wood, composition materials (with or without an outside covering) or like materials.

Apostille

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

archbishop

A bishop of the highest rank, generally the bishop of an archdiocese.

aron

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

Arrangement Conference

the meeting between the funeral director and the client family during which the funeral arrangements are discussed

at need

when a death has occured

Bishop

One who has received the fullness of the Sacrament of Holy Orders and is a successor to the Apostles.

bonze

The title of the Buddhist priest

Book of Dates

A term used in the Buddhist faith to describe a calendar that is used to determine an accurate time for casketing the body.

brother

In the Roman Catholic faith, a man who is a member of a religious order without being ordained or while preparing for ordination.

brotherhood

Spiritual or social fellowship or solidarity.

Budda Altar

table or altar placed at a right angle to the deceased altar; contains an image of Buddha, incense, candles, flowers, and fruits

burial

Act of placing dead body to rest in the ground

Burial-Transit Permit (Disposition Permit)

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

Calling Hours (Visitation/Visiting Hours)

Time set aside for friends and relatives to pay respect for the deceased prior to the funeral service.

Cantor

A religious singer who assists the clergy; assists the Rabbi in the Jewish faith; assists the Priest in the Eastern Orthodox faith.

cardinal

the Roman Catholic faith, Bishops who have the right to participate in a Papal election

cash advances

any item of service or merchandise described to the purchase as a "cash advance", "accommodation", "cash disbursement" or similar term; any item obtained from a 3rd party and paid for by the funeral provided on the purchaser's behalf

casket

A rigid container that is designed for the encasement of human remains; is usually constructed of wood, metal or like material and ornamented and lined with fabric, and which may or may not be combustible.

Casketbearer (Pallbearer)

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

cause of death

the immediate reason for a person's death (such as heart attack, kidney failure)

Celebrant

the bishop, priest, or deacon who celebrates a sacrament for and with the community

cemetary

an area of ground in which dead bodies are buried, especially one which is not next to a church

Cemetary Tent

a portable shelter employed to cover the grave area during the committal.

Certified Copy of a Death Certificate

A copy of a death certificate that is certified to be a true copy of the original. A certified copy is identified by the seal of the Health Department and signature of an employee of the Health Department.

chancel

The portion of the church surrounding the altar, usually enclosing the clergy; area behind the altar or communion rail.

chapel

A building or designated area of a building in which services are conducted.

chaplin

A person chosen to conduct religious exercises for the military, the chapel of an institution or a fraternal organization.

Chevrah Kadisha

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

Christian Burial Certificate (Christian Burial Permit, Priest Lines)

letter or form from a priest stating the eligibility of the deceased for burial in a Roman Catholic Cemetery

Columbarium

A structure, room, or space in a mausoleum or other building containing niches or recesses used to hold cremated remains.

Commital Service

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

Common Carrier

A carrier that is compensated for providing transportation to the general public

Coroner

an elected, public official who investigates by inquest any death not due to natural causes

cot

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

Cremated Remains

the final product remaining after completion of the entire cremation/pulverization process. The product is never referred to as "cremains".

cremation

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

crematory

a furnace where a corpse can be burned and reduced to ashes

cross

a Christian symbol without the corpus.

Crucifer

one who carries the processional cross in ecclesiastical processions

Crucifix

a representation of a cross with a figure of Jesus Christ on it

cryonics

the practice of freezing a person who has died of a disease, with the hope of bringing him or her back to life in the future when a cure for the disease has been found

crypt

A chamber in a mausoleum, of sufficient size, generally used to contain the casketed remains of a deceased person.

Deacon

A subordinate officer in a Christian church.

death certificate

A legal document containing vital statistic, disposition, and final medical information pertaining to the deceased.

Death Notice

Usually a classified notice publicizing the death of a person and giving those details of the funeral service that the survivors wish to have published.

deceased

a dead human body

deceased alter

placed before the casket with photos, candles, oil lamp, incense vase, flowers, fruits, and food

Department of Veterans Affairs

This department administers benefit programs for our veterans.

Diocese

in the Roman Catholic faith, a geographical grouping of parishes under the jurisdiction of a Bishop

Direct Cremation

a disposition of human remains by cremation without formal viewing, visitation or ceremony with the body present.

Direct Disposition

any method of disposition of the human remains without formal viewing, visitation or ceremony with the body present.