AAMI Funeral Home Directing

Chevra Kadisha

"Burial Society" Holy Brotherhood of men or women from a synagogue who care for the deceased. Sometimes they are know as "washers."

Monsignor

"My Lord;" an honorary title bestowed upon a priest.

Kriah

"Rending or tearing" a symbol of grief, a tear in the upper corner of the garment or on a symbolic ribbon.

Aron

"container" A coffin or casket made entirely of wood and containing no metal parts.

Eucharist

"thanksgiving;" Body and Blood of Christ (consecrated elements of holy communion.

Liturgical Worship

(Eucharist Centered) the prescribed order or form of worship used by some churches, with the Eucharist or Holy Communion as the central element.

Parastas

(Great Panachida) book of worship.

Christian burial permit

(Priest Lines) a letter form from a priest stating the eligibility of the deceased for funeral rites according to the laws of the Church.

Shabbat

(Sabbath) Jewish Sabbath which begins at sundown Friday and ends at Sundown on Saturday.

Non-liturgical Worship

(Scripture Centered) a form or order of worship having the scriptures as the central element with the actual order of worship determined by the local congregation and clergy.

Mogen David

(Star of David) A hexagram formed by the combination of two triangles, symbolizing a new hope for Jewish people.

Narthex

(Vestibule) the entry way to the church.

Prayer rail

(prie dieu / kneeler) a kneeling rail where a mourner can kneel to pray an pay their respects to the deceased.

Islamic Funeral Rite

At the time of death the eyes should be closed. Prayers are recited. The body should be covered and the Imam notified. No restrictions on the removal of the remains. Embalming is prohibited except when required by civil law. Ceremonial washing of the body. The body is washed an odd number of times, but at least 3 times. Men wash men, women wash women. Family members maybe present and participate. Wrapped in a white cloth that covers the entire body. The wrapping should be 3 pieces for men and 5 pieces for women. The body may be put in a casket of buried uncasketed. Viewing is optional. Once the body is wrapped it shouldn't be unwrapped for viewing. The jinazah should occur as soon as the body is prepared. Placed on a bier and carried to the place where the funeral prayer will be performed. The burial occurs immediately following the funeral prayer. The beir is carried to the grave and the body is placed in the grave with the right side facing east. The ties of the wrapping cloth should be loosened. The grave should be mounded to be 1 foot above the ground. Cremation is forbidden.

Rosary

Beads and a crucifix used as an aid in the recitation of prayers. The Rosary as a prayer service may be offered during the wake.

Kevurah

Burial

Hashkava

Ceremony of the Laying Down

Japanese Buddhist Death Ritual

Japan recognized 5 sets of Buddhism. The standard for the death ritual was set by the Jodo Shinshu Sect. Beliefs: The world is imperfect, full of suffering and sorrow. Homage is paid to Buddha, a mortal who became "enlightened." At death the soul joins and becomes a Buddha in Nirvhana, the pure land. Everyone will become enlightened when they die and exist in forever bliss. Makura-gyo funeral prayer may be offered at the place of death. This prayer ritual began in Japan 300 years ago by the shogunate and a means of keeping a job. Service is held at night. Casket is open and parallel to the altar. Order of service is always the same. Eulogy permitted. No restrictions or recommendations on disposition.

Lutheran Funeral Rite

Liturgical Protestant Funeral Rite. The officiant is the Pastor. Cremation is discouraged. Flower petals or earth are used to make the sign of the cross on the casket. Rubrix can be found in the Book of Worship or hymnal.

Amish Funeral Rite

Non-Liturgical. Mennonites are a denomination of the evangelical Protestant Christians. Know for extremely conservative views. Ministry consists of Bishops, Elders, and Ministers who are pastors. Embalming is permitted. Deceased dressed in white. Men handle men. Women handle women.

INRI

an abbreviation for the Latin phrase meaning "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews"

Epitaph

an inscription on a grave marker, headstone.

Protestant

any Western Christian who is not adherent of the Roman Catholic Faith.

Consecrated

blessed or made holy; set aside for holy purpose.

Synod

branch of the Lutheran Church.

Niftar

deceased. (Jewish)

Ark

focal point of the service in a synagogue or temple.

Fraternal Organizations

heighten sense of belonging. Fraternities and Sororities fit into the "modified extended family unit." Determine a contact person and get service details. If a religious service is involved the fraternal one with go last. Can take place at the funeral home, graveside, or any other location. Rarely takes place in a house of worship. Funeral Director will coordinate the details with the organization leader and the clergy. Clergy always goes first.

Eucharistic Minister

helps to distribute Holy Communion.

Wake Service

historically a watch kept over the deceased.

Icon

holy pictures.

Military Funerals

if eligible, services are provided by the branch or service the deceased served. Funeral Director must contact the specific branch to coordinate the details. Active Duty military will have additional benefits.

Veterans Organizations

nature of the service may vary with religious beliefs. Most VA groups have Chaplains that will lead the service. Similar to a military funeral, smaller scale. Members of the organization perform the service at the funeral home and graveside. Funeral Director should coordinate details with the clergy, post commander, and cemetery personnel.

Crucifer

one who carries the Crucifix in a religious procession.

Lector or Reader

proclaim the Sacred Scriptures.

Divine Liturgy

proper name for the liturgical celebration.

Iconostasis

screen or wall that holds the icons.

Royal Doors

separates the congregation from the altar.

Sanctuary

that part of the chancel containing the alter.

Genuflect

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

Final Commendation

the final portion of the Funeral Mass.

IHS

the first three letters in the Greek word Jesus.

Jinazah

the funeral prayer.

Mosque

the house of worship. (Islamic) Masjid

Mass

the liturgical celebration of the Eucharist in the Roman Catholic Church.

Nave

the main body of the church where seating is provided.

Allah

the name for God. (Islamic)

Solea

the open area before the alter in an Orthodox Church.

Chancel

the place about the altar of the church, usually enclosing the clergy and other officials.

Bimah

the portion of the synagogue or temple raised above the congregation seating.

Mohammed

the prophet who founded Islam.

Islam

the religion of Muslim people

Imam

the religious leader of the Islamic faith.

Koran

the sacred scriptures. (Islamic)

Vigil Lights

those candles that appear at the head and the foot of the casket during the Wake Service.

Trisagion

three short services or blessings, conducted as the funeral home the evening before the funeral service, on the day of the funeral service before leaving the funeral home, and at the cemetery following the funeral service.

Daven

to pray. (Jewish)

Holy Water

used to sprinkle the casket recalling the "death" of baptism. This takes place in the narthex of the Church just prior to the covering of the casket with the pall.

Pagoda

where the Bonze is called.

Acolyte

altar server.

Muslim

a follower of the Islamic religion.

Diocese

a geographical grouping of parishes under the jurisdiction of a bishop.

Elegy

a long, mournful song or poem.

Deacon

a member of the clergy just below the priest.

Avelim

a mourner. (Jewish)

Prie Dieu

a nifty French term for a kneeler that goes alongside the casket.

Sholoshim

30 day mourning period

Shivah

7 day mourning period beginning the day of burial.

Menorah

A candelabrum with a central stem bearing seven candles. The oldest symbol in Judaism.

Hesped

A eulogy; a true evaluation of an individual's life sanctioned by Jewish tradition as part of their funeral service.

Levaya

A funeral cortege

Tachrichim

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

Yizkor

A memorial service recited four times a year.

Kaddish

A prayer recited for the deceased by the direct mourners (parents, siblings, spouse, children) for the first time at the conclusion of the interment service. It is recited by children for their parents at every service for 11 months.

Tallith

A prayer shawl worn by Orthodox Jewish men during the prayer service.

Cardinal

A prince of the Church. An honorary title bestowed upon Archbishops and other clergy.

Cantor

A religious singer who assists the Rabbi.

Rabbi

A teacher or ordained leader of the Jewish faith.

Mormon Funeral Rite

Also known at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Special clothing for decedents who have been through the temple. The dress is white garments with the Green Apron. The officiant is the Bishop or Speaker of the Ward. No honorarium is given. Service is devoid of religious objects. May not be held in the temple.

Altar

An elevated place or structure on which sacrifices are offered or at which religious rites are preformed; in the Christian faith, a table on which the Eucharist or Holy Communion is offered.

Christian Science (Church of Christ Scientist)

Funeral is never held at a Church. The officiant is called a Reader or Practitioner. Uses passed on instead of death or deceased.

Jehovah's Witness Funeral Rite

Funeral may take place at the funeral home or Kingdom Hall. The Elder of the Congregation conducts the service. (15-30 minutes) Non-Jehovah's Witness are no allowed to participate. Cremation is permissible. Mourners wear simple clothes of muted colors when they attend funerals.

Buddhist Funeral Rite

Rice and 3 gold pieces in the mouth for the first stage of the journey to a new life. Bonze conducts the Ceremony of the Declaration of Death. Family all in white including hoods or turbans. Bonze begins the Service of Encasketing with prayers and benediction. Consults the "Book of Dates".

Yahrzeit

The anniversary of death.

Taharah

The ceremony performed by the Chevra Kadisha of washing the deceased before the burial; rite of purification of the body.

Kever

The grave

Bishop

The head of the territorial unit of the Church.

El Molei Rachamin

The last prayer of a funeral service. In the Jewish faith, a memorial service; literally meaning "God full of compassion."

Celebrant

The officiant who celebrates Mass in the Roman Catholic Church.

Yarmulke/Kippah/Yamakah

The skull cap worn by men at temple/funeral service.

Scapular

a piece of cloth or a medal with religious significance usually worn around the neck.

Shomer

The watcher (sitter) who remains with the body until burial. The watch is called the "shimra."

Shirma

Watch

Pall

a symbolic cloth covering placed over the casket in the narthex (vestibule) of the Church signifying that in the eyes of God all people are created equal.

Bonze

a Buddhist Priest.

Paschal candle

a candle placed near the casket during the Funeral Mass that signifies the everlasting light of Christ.

Prayer Cards

a card with the name of the deceased and a prayer offered as a remembrance of the deceased. Usually found near the register book.

Crucifix

a cross with a figure or image representing the body of Christ (Corpus Christi) on it.

Bat Minen

a deceased female.

Bar Minen

a deceased male.