Funeral Directing

Calling hours

(visitation) time set aside for friends and relatives to pay respect for the deceased prior to the funeral service

Graveside Service

a ceremony or ritual, religious or otherwise, conducted at the grave

Crypt

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

Epitaph

a commemorative inscription on a tomb or cemetery marker

Non Liturgical Worship

a form or order of worship which has the scriptures as its central element; the actual form or order of the worship services is left to the discretion of each individual church and/or minister

Adaptive Funeral Rite

a funeral rite that is adjusted to the needs and wants of those directly involved; one which has been altered to suit the trends of the times

Humanist Funeral

a funeral rite that is in essence devoid of religious connotation

Burial Transit Permit

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

Christian Burial Certificate

a letter or form from a priest stating the eligibility of the deceased for burial in a roman catholic cemetery

Honorarium

a nominal compensation or recognition for services performed

Chaplain

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

Celebrant

a person who officiates at a ceremony or rite; the officiant who celebrates the mass in the roman catholic church

Canopy

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

Liturgical Worship

a prescribed order or form of worship specific to a particular denomination which will have the Eucharist as its central element

Receiving Vault

a structure designed for the temporary storage of bodies which are not to be immediately interred

Columbarium

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

Lot

a subdivision in a cemetery which consists of several graves or interment spaces

Trust Account

account established by one individual to be held for the benefit of another; creates a fiduciary responsibility. money paid to a funeral home for future services is placed in an account with the funeral home as trustee for the benefit of another

Non Guaranteed Contract

agreement in which the funeral home promises to apply the amount pre-[aid plus any accruals to the balance due. However, the cost of the funeral will be based upon the current price for the services and merchandise at the time the death occurs

Revocable Contract

agreement which may be terminated by the purchaser at any time prior to the death of the beneficiary with a refund of the monies paid on the contract as prescribed by state law

Irrevocable Contract

an agreement for future funeral services which cannot be terminated or canceled prior to the death of the beneficiary

Guaranteed Contract

an agreement where the funeral home promises that the services and merchandise will be provided at the time of need for a sum not exceeding the original amount of the contract plus any accruals, regardless of the current prices associated with providing the services and merchandise at the time of the funeral

Acolyte

an altar attendant

Perpetual Care

an arrangement made by the cemetery whereby funds are set aside, the income from which is used to maintain the cemetery indefinitely

Funeral Rites

any funeral event performed in a solemn and prescribed manner

Cash Advance

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; cemetery or crematory services, pallbearers, public transportation, clergy honoraria, flowers, musicians or singers, nurses, obituary, gratuities and death certificates

Acknowledgement Cards

cards of thanks and recognition sent to friends for kindness shown to a deceased's family

Temple Ordinances

ceremonial instructions of the Mormon Church, given only within a temple to worthy members of the sect

At Need Counseling

discussions between the funeral director and family/next of kin, etc. regarding arrangements, services and items of merchandise necessary for the funeral service of their choice when a death has occurred

Contemporary Funeral Rite

funeral observances that reflect present day (modern) influences in lieu of the traditional ceremonies

Cortege

historical reference for funeral procession

Elder

in the Jehovah's Witness faith, the person who typically conducts the service

Divine Liturgy

liturgical celebration of the Eucharist in Eastern Orthodox churches

Pastor

one having spiritual care over a number of people

Officiant

one who conducts a religious service or ceremony; one who leads a service or ceremony, may serve denominations as members of the clergy or serve the unaffiliated public at large

Sexton

one who is in charge of the cemetery; the caretaker of a church

Brotherhood

relating to a social or religious organization

Vestment

ritual garments worn by the clergy

Elegy

song or poem expressing sorrow or lamentation for the dead

Kingdom Hall

the appropriate term for the worship facility for the Jehovah's Witnesses

Section

the largest subdivision of a cemetery

Arrangement Conference

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

Funeral Liturgy

the name of the funeral services in the Roman Catholic church

Committal Service

the portion of the funeral which is conducted at the place of disposition of head human bodies

Funeral Service

the rites held at the time of disposition of human remains, with the body present

Nave

the seating or auditorium section of a church

Funeral Arrangements

the term applied to the completing of the service and financial details of a funeral

Aftercare

those appropriate and helpful acts of counseling, personal and/or written contact that come after the funeral

Inhume

to bury in the ground

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

Transepts

wings of the main part of the church which may serve as small chapels for baptism, weddings, and even small funeral services