Funeral Industry Glossary

Funeral services that are arranged after a death has occurred, as opposed to pre-need arrangements made in advance.

Medical examination of a body to determine cause of death, typically required in cases of unexpected or unexplained death.

Legal document required by most jurisdictions before a body can be buried or cremated, typically obtained from local health authorities.

Legal authorization required to transport human remains across state lines or to different jurisdictions.

A rectangular container designed to hold human remains for burial or viewing, typically made of wood, metal, or other materials.

Legal document that grants the right of burial in a specific cemetery plot, establishing ownership or usage rights.

A structure designed to house cremated remains in individual compartments called niches, often found in cemeteries or memorial gardens.

Brief ceremony conducted at the graveside or place of final disposition, often following a funeral service.

Cremated remains of a deceased person, also known as ashes, typically weighing 3-8 pounds for an adult.

Process of reducing human remains to ash through high-temperature burning, typically taking 2-3 hours.

Official document that records the occurrence of a death, required for burial permits, insurance claims, and legal proceedings.

Legal term for a deceased person, commonly used in funeral industry documentation and legal proceedings.

Burial without a funeral service or viewing, typically conducted within 24-48 hours of death for cost efficiency.

Cremation without a funeral service or viewing, the most economical option for final disposition.

Chemical preservation process used to temporarily delay decomposition of human remains, often required for viewing or transportation.

Perpetual care fund established to maintain cemetery grounds and facilities in perpetuity, typically funded by a portion of burial plot sales.

All property, assets, and liabilities left by a deceased person, managed through probate or estate administration.

Speech or written tribute honoring a deceased person, typically delivered during a funeral or memorial service.

Initial contact made to a funeral home to report a death and begin funeral arrangements, often the first step in the funeral process.

Licensed professional who coordinates and manages all aspects of funeral services and arrangements.

Facility that provides funeral and burial services, including preparation of remains, viewing areas, and coordination of services.

Concrete or metal container placed in the grave to support the casket and prevent ground settlement, required by many cemeteries.

Funeral service conducted at the cemetery gravesite, often in addition to or instead of a funeral home service.

Specialized vehicle designed to transport caskets from funeral home to church and/or cemetery.

Burial that takes place shortly after death without embalming, viewing, or funeral service.

Legal inquiry into the cause of death, typically conducted by a coroner or medical examiner.

The act of burying or placing human remains in their final resting place, whether in the ground, mausoleum, or columbarium.

Above-ground burial structure with crypts for caskets, offering an alternative to in-ground burial.

Ceremony held to remember and honor the deceased, typically without the body present, as opposed to a funeral service.

Licensed professional trained in embalming and funeral service, also known as an undertaker or funeral director.

Facility where bodies are kept before burial or cremation, may include preparation rooms and viewing areas.

The closest living relative or legally designated person responsible for making decisions regarding the deceased's remains and arrangements.

Individual compartment in a columbarium designed to hold an urn containing cremated remains.

Published notice of death, typically including biographical information and funeral service details.

Person who helps carry or escort the casket during funeral services, traditionally six individuals.

Individual burial space in a cemetery, typically sold with perpetual rights for interment of human remains.

Funeral arrangements and payments made in advance of death, allowing individuals to plan their own services and reduce burden on families.

Legal process of validating a will and distributing assets of a deceased person under court supervision.

Transportation of the deceased from the place of death to the funeral home, typically the first service provided after death occurs.

Dispersal of cremated remains in a meaningful location, subject to local regulations and property permissions.

In-ground burial following embalming, viewing, and funeral service, the most common form of disposition.

Movement of deceased from place of death to funeral home, or between funeral home, church, and cemetery.

Container designed to hold cremated remains, available in various materials, sizes, and designs for permanent memorialization.

Sealed container placed around a casket in the grave to protect against water and ground pressure, more protective than a grave liner.

Period when the deceased is presented for visitation by family and friends, also called visitation or wake in some regions.

Time set aside for family and friends to pay respects to the deceased and offer condolences to the family.

Traditional gathering to honor the deceased, often held the evening before the funeral service.

Legal document specifying how a person's assets should be distributed after death and naming an executor.