Funeral Directing – Glossary Review

A comprehensive set of flashcards for key terms related to funeral directing.

Acknowledgment cards

Thank you cards.

Acolyte

An altar attendant.

Adaptive funeral rite

Funeral rite that is adjusted to the needs and wants of those directly involved.

Aftercare

Acts of counseling and contact that come after the funeral.

Al-Ghusl (Ghusl)

Practical and ceremonial washing of a deceased Muslim.

Alkaline hydrolysis

A process to accelerate natural decomposition using water, chemicals, heat, and agitation.

Allah

The name for God in the Islam faith.

Altar

An elevated place for sacrifices or religious rites; in Christianity, a table for Eucharist.

Alternative container

An unfinished wooden box or other non-metal receptacle for encasing human remains.

Apostille

Certification/legalization of a document for international use under the Hague Convention.

Archbishop

Head of an archdiocese in the Roman Catholic faith.

Aron

A casket made entirely of wood with no metal parts.

Arrangement conference

Meeting to discuss funeral arrangements with the family.

At need

When a death has occurred.

Bishop

Leader of multiple churches in a denomination or head of a diocese in the Roman Catholic faith.

Bonze

Title of a Buddhist priest.

Book of Dates

A calendar used in Buddhism to determine service timing.

Brother

A member of a religious order in the Roman Catholic faith who is not ordained.

Brotherhood

Relating to a social or religious organization.

Buddha altar

An altar containing an image of Buddha and offerings.

Burial (Interment)

The act of placing a dead body in the ground.

Burial-Transit Permit

Legal document authorizing the disposition of a dead body.

Calling hours

Time set for friends and relatives to pay respect before the funeral.

Cantor

A religious singer assisting the clergy during services.

Cardinal

Bishops who can participate in a Papal election in the Roman Catholic faith.

Cash Advance(s)

Items described as cash advances, including various funeral services.

Casket

A rigid container for encasing human remains, usually made of wood or metal.

Casketbearer (Pallbearer)

One who carries the casket during the funeral service.

Cause of death

Diseases, injuries, or complications resulting in death.

Celebrant

A person who officiates a personalized ceremony or rite.

Cemetery

An area dedicated for the final disposition of dead human remains.

Cemetery tent

Portable shelter covering the grave area during the committal.

Certified copy of a death certificate

A legal replica of the original death certificate.

Chancel

The area surrounding the altar in a church.

Chapel

A building for conducting services.

Chaplain

Someone designated to conduct religious exercises in institutions.

Chevrah Kadisha

A group caring for the dead in the Jewish tradition.

Christian Burial Certificate

A form from a priest stating eligibility for burial in a Catholic cemetery.

Columbarium

A structure holding niches for cremated remains.

Committal service

Part of the funeral conducted at the place of disposition.

Common carrier

Any carrier required by law to convey passengers or freight.

Coroner

Officer investigating questionable deaths, often without medical training.

Cot

A portable stretcher for moving the deceased.

Cremated remains

Bone fragments resulting from the cremation process.

Cremation

The process of reducing a human body to bone fragments by heat.

Crematory

A furnace for cremating dead human bodies.

Cross

A Christian symbol representing the faith.

Crucifer/Crossbearer

One who carries the crucifix during services.

Crucifix

A cross bearing the figure of Christ.

Cryonics

Freezing human remains for potential future restoration of life.

Crypt

A chamber in a mausoleum for casketed remains.

Deacon

A subordinate officer in a Christian church.

Death Certificate

A legal document containing important information about the deceased.

Death Notice

A newspaper item publicizing a person's death.

Deceased

A dead human body.

Deceased altar

A table placed before the casket with memorial items.

Dentures

False teeth.

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Agency administering veteran benefits.

Diocese

A geographical grouping of parishes in the Roman Catholic faith.

Direct Cremation

Cremation without formal viewing or ceremony.

Direct Disposition

Any disposition method without formal viewing or ceremony.

Dismissal

Procedures to facilitate an organized departure.

Disposition Permit

Same as Burial-Transit Permit.

Divine Liturgy

Liturgical celebration of the Eucharist in Eastern Orthodox churches.

Ecclesiastic

Pertaining to the church or clergy.

Elegy

A song or poem expressing sorrow for the dead.

Elder

Governing officer of a church with pastoral duties.

El Malei Rachamin

A memorial service in the Jewish faith.

Entombment

Placing remains in a crypt.

Epistle Side

Right side of the church for readings and prayers.

Epitaph

A commemorative inscription on a tomb.

Escort

Leader of the procession or guardian of the group.

Eucharist

Consecrated elements of Holy Communion.

Eucharistic Minister

Layperson authorized to administer Holy Communion.

Eulogy

An oration praising an individual after death.

Final Commendation

Ending portion of the Funeral Mass in Catholic faith.

First call

Notification received by the funeral establishment of a death.

First viewing (Preview)

Private time for the family to view the deceased.

Forwarding remains

Service for transferring the deceased to another provider.

Foyer (Narthex, Vestibule)

Entryway into a church or public building.

Fraternal

Relating to a social organization.

Funeral coach (Hearse)

Vehicle for transporting casketed remains.

Funeral liturgy (funeral mass)

The funeral service in the Roman Catholic Church.

Funeral procession

Movement of vehicles from funeral to disposition.

Funeral rites

Any funeral event performed.

Funeral service

Rites held with the deceased present at the time of disposition.

Gatha

Verses sung at a Buddhist funeral service.

General Price List (GPL)

List of goods and services with retail prices offered by funeral providers.

Genuflect

Bending the knee in reverence.

Ghusl

See Al-Ghusl.

Gospel Side

Left side of the church for Gospel readings.

Gratuity

A gift or sum of money for a service.

Grave

Excavation in the earth for interment.

Graveside service

Ceremony conducted at the grave.

Grave straps

Material used for lowering the casket into the grave.

Green burial

Disposition without toxic chemicals or non-biodegradable materials.

Green cemetery

Bans toxic materials and may require natural monuments.

Green funeral

Minimizes energy use and bans hazardous materials.

Guaranteed contract

Agreement ensuring services at a pre-paid price regardless of future costs.

Hearse

See Funeral coach.