Funeral Service Practices - Exam 2

Allah

in the Islam faith, the name for God

Jinazah

in the Islamic faith, the funeral or funeral prayer

Imam

in the Islamic faith, the leader of the local congregation

Masjid or Mosque

the local Islam religious facility; contains no icons, statues, symbols, pews, chairs or musical instruments

Muslim (Moslem)

the name given to a member of the Islamic faith

Islam

the religion of Muslims (Moslems) that began at the time of Mohammed; Muslims believe that it stands for purity, peace, submission to God's (Allah's) will, and obedience to his laws.

Bonze

title of Buddhist Priest

Makura-gyo

traditional Buddhist bedside prayer

Shriner Symbol

"Fez" is the official headgear

Quaker practices

"Religious Society of Friends"; Worship in silence; Sexes Segregated; "Overseer" leads worship; For committal: no guidelines or restrictions; either burial or cremation

WEST

(black / sage). Sun Setting, this is where the day comes to fulfillment. It is associated with autumn, the adult and fulfillment. It is also the direction from which come the thunders who bring us water, which gives life. Sage purifies and sends evil away.

SOUTH

(red / cedar). Where the sun is at its highest and warmest, it brings us the gifts of summer, growth, the young and women. Cedar heals, brings God's blessings and calls His attention to our prayers.

NORTH

(white / tobacco) From here come the harsh cold winds of winter; associated with hardship, cleansing, the elders and purification. If you can face this direction and stand firm you will learn patience and endurance. Tobacco is an offering used to carry our prayers to the Creator.

EAST

(yellow / sweetgrass). Where the sun rises; new light, new beginnings, and understanding. Also the direction of spring, birth, and babies. Brings the Creator's blessings.

Patriots Guard Riders Objectives

1-Show respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities. 2-Shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors (through strictly legal and non-violent means.)

Shriners

All are Masons, but not all Masons are them; Fraternity was started as a way to incorporate fun and fellowship into their order unlike Masonry which has a big emphasis on ritual; Main focus is philanthropy

Rosicrucian practices

Always cremated; No embalming

I AM practices

Always cremated; No embalming; No autopsy but cannot be denied if authorized

Religions desiring Burial (No Cremation)

Amish, Hmong, Baha'i, Islam

Incorporating Military Services

Based on family wishes and type of services held; Components: American Flag; Military Honors (Taps); Military Cemeteries; Involvement of a VSO at funeral or visitation; Funeral Home or family makes initial contact

Eligibility Requirement VA Cemetery

Based on military service; States have same or similar to 3 national ones; States May have residency requirement for burial

Masonic Emblem

Blue lodge-square and compass

Nirvhana

Buddhist idea of heavenly peace or Pure Land

Pagoda

Buddhist place of worship

Service of Encasketing

Buddhist service performed when casketing the body

Military Honors Performed

Can be conducted at cemetery or place of funeral; Usually at end of funeral or end of committal service; Number of burial detail members will vary based on group's availability; If VSO is present, they usually present empty gun shells to spouse or next-of-kin after flag presentation

Presidential Memorial Certificate

Can be requested to honor the memory of any deceased veteran who was discharge under honorable conditions.

Masonic Members

Composed of various religions; Three degrees: 1-Entered Apprentice, 2-Fellow Craft (Intermediate), 3- Master (Third Degree-Highest Degree attainable); When a member has completed the third and final degree he becomes a Master and is then eligible to become a Shriner; Additional courses of study: Scottish Rite and the York Rite

Military Honors Types

Consists of all or some of the following: Firing detail (3 round volley); Taps played (live or recorded); Ceremonious folding of the flag by active duty military, with presentation to spouse or next-of-kin (if none, then whoever requests it)

Hindu practices

Cremation preferred; Family escorts body to retort chamber, places it inside, and starts process

Military Honors Eligibility

Currently serving on active duty or Reserves; Veteran discharged from active duty under conditions other than "dishonorable."; Completed at least one term of enlistment or period of initial obligation

Native American Death Beliefs

Death is not an end, just beginning another journey... a "spiritual journey"; Food and gifts are left in casket for journey; Every tribe is unique; Locally, burial is typical; Green burial if allowed

Hmong practices

Embalming done due to viewing and length of service (not required by religion but generally by funeral home); Visitation is 3 to 4 days; Animals may be sacrificed; Family may sleep, play cards, feed visitors during visitation; Earth burial preferred

Veterans Service Organizations (VSO)

Examples: The American Legion; Veterans of Foreign War (VFW)

Native American Funeral Ceremony

Families offer tobacco as payment (tradition); Catholic in nature yet everything looks and sounds different.; Statue of Virgin Mary is draped in an woman's dance shawl; Statue of Sacred Heart is wrapped in a colorful wool blanket; Foot of the altar has large hand-woven basket where four traditional medicines of tobacco, sage, sweet grass, and cedar are burned in a sacred fire.

DD214

Form - Official Code for Military Discharge (honorably or not)

Not eligible for national VA cemetery burial

Former Spouses, Other Family Members (with some exceptions), Disqualifying Characters of Discharge (dishonorable); Discharge from Draft; Found guilty of Capital Crime; Committed Subversive Activities; Active or Inactive duty for training only

Eagles

Fraternal, social and humanitarian organization with thousands of member lodges, called "aeries", in most American States and Canadian Provinces; Often have facilities for luncheons

Knights of Columbus

Fraternity of Catholics; Founded to give financial aid to members and their families (still well know insurance provider); Have service for deceased member's funerals or visitation

Jehovah's Witness practices

Funeral Worship takes place in Kingdom hall or funeral home; Simple service, no religious items used; Earth burial or cremation

Arranging VA Cemetery Interment

Funeral director or next-of-kin contacts national cemetery to request interment.; Scheduling office will set tentative date pending verification of service; Interment can only happen on announced date

Fraternal order/organization

Groups that are formed based on a common bond or goal

Smudging

Hands are used. Eagle feather is used when making available to others. Ceremonial process helps clear minds and bodies so that good decisions can be made without negative interfering

Masonic Visitation/Service Procedures

Have meeting area ready for group; Service is incorporated into the visitation (similar to a vigil service); Lodge members enter the chapel; Master of the Lodge conducts service; Lodge members may be seated in a reserved area or stand at the front of the chapel during the service

Religions desiring Cremation (No Burial)

I AM, Rosicrucians, Hindu

Religions prohibiting embalming

Islam, I AM, Rosicrucians, Baha'i

Masonic Society Facts

Many "groups"- Bodies, Rites and Orders; Not a religion-but it is "religious"; basic "unit" is called the Lodge or "Blue Lodge"; Order of the Eastern Star (O.E.S.) is the "female" version; "Worshipful Master" conducts the service; "Worthy Matron" conducts the O.E.S. ritual; "Eminent Commander" conducts the Knights Templar ritual (Christian in nature)

Buddhist practices

Monks are in charge of everything; family member selected to assist; Series of chants/gong-like bells are used; faith includes placing food in casket, in mouth of deceased and a meal is taken to grave for 10 days; Flower color used indicates role deceased played in family

Native American Four Directions

NORTH (white / tobacco); EAST (yellow / sweet grass); SOUTH (red / cedar); WEST (black / sage)

Entitlement to VA Burial Benefits

No charge in burial in national cemetery; Government pays for opening/closing grave, headstone or marker with authorized inscriptions, and maintenance plus grave liners for new graves.

Islam (Muslim) practices

No embalming unless required; Burial desired; Family will wash body (ghusl) and wrap in material; simplest wooden casket used {similar to green burial}; Prayers called "Janaazah Namaaz" at funeral home; Casket placed head to south; deceased face turn east; Casket cap may be removed, top of grave liner must be used in place; ties and oils are used

American Flag (Obtaining)

Only 1 per deceased; Provided, at no cost, by the VA for a deceased veteran who served honorably in the US Armed Forces; Meant to be used during funeral services, and/or as a keepsake for next-of-kin; Usually obtained by funeral home at post office or provided by VA Hospital if death occurs there.

Baha'i practices

Place of interment no greater than 1 hour from place of death; Cremation is forbidden

Church of Christ Scientist practices

Prefer "Passed On" instead of dead or deceased; Do not seek medical help; Reader or Practitioner officiates

Fraternal

Relating to a social organization

Masonic guidelines

Service can be held anywhere; The contact person is termed the "Master of the Lodge" or "Worshipful Master"; The service may be alone or in conjunction with a religious service; Services must be requested by the family of the deceased member

Smoke

Sign of love from the Holy Spirit.; Fragrant; rises up and spreads out to all the people as a sign of prayer going upward to the Creator and outward to those worshiping; Purifies, blesses, and makes holy: people, things and places; sweetgrass, tobacco, or dried cedar are used to create it

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) practices

Special dress also bring in a Green Apron; No use of cross, candles, etc (Nothing religious); Earth burial or cremation

Space Assignment for VA Cemetery

Strict space assignments; No reservation made before burial

Masonic funerals

The Lambskin (white apron) will be placed on the deceased (symbolic of membership); Evergreen sprig "Acacia" placed on the lapel of the deceased; The apron may be tied to the outside of the casket when the casket is closed

Drum circles

Used in nearly every aspect of Native culture, from births to funerals

VA Burial Reimbursements

VA will not pay for anyone not a veteran; Will pay monetary burial and funeral expenses if vet was eligible or passed in VA facility; person who incurs expenses may submit for payment

Military Visitation Options

VSO hat, hat from uniform, pins, metals, military photos, etc. may be displayed in the casket or by urn; VSO Participation: May provide post colors (flags) to be displayed near casket; Members may do a ''walk by" where they process into the room as a group and salute the casket one by one; May read a short "memorial service"

Military Funeral Service Options

VSO ritual can be incorporated into any religious services; Entire service may be conducted by the Legion Post or VFW; Post Chaplain may act as the clergy person if necessary

Fraternal Order Examples

Veterans (American Legion, VFW); Police Dept.; Fire Dept; Charitable/Philanthropy; Religious Based; Academic interest; WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service); WAC (Women's Army Corps - women's branch of the US Army)

WI Wood National Cemetery

Veterans cemetery; Closed to new burials

Mennonite (Amish) practices

Visitation held at home; Hand built simplistic casket and rough box used for burial; Burial desired; deceased dressed in white (women in wedding dress); family may assist in casketing; usually takes place at home; embalming allowed

Patriots Guard Riders

Volunteer, federally registered non-profit organization which ensures dignity and respect at memorial services honoring Fallen Military Heroes, First Responders and Honorably Discharged Veterans; Attends the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family

Masonic Symbols

White leather apron (called a "Iambskin") is the "badge" of the order / varying levels; The Acacia sprig is a symbol of immortality for the membership; Stone carving tools and implements used during service

American Flag (Proper Use)

With casket: Triangle fold placed by left shoulder of deceased; Draped over casket (open or closed); Draping on open - 3 folds; With cremation: Triangle fold placed next to urn or picture

Lions Club

World's largest service club organization; Works to eradicate blindness (Eyeglass recycling); Have Remembrance Service/Memorial Service

Koran (Quran)

a holy book of the Islamic faith, revealed to Mohammed by the angel Gabriel

Mohammed (Muhammad)

a prophet of the Islamic religion born 571 A.D.; considered by Muslims to be God's messenger, but not worshiped or considered to be divine.

Words of Appreciation

brief expression of gratitude to the congregation for their presence at a Buddhist service

Book of Dates

calendar used to determine an accurate time for casketing the body, services and disposition in the Buddhist faith

Ghusl

ceremonial act of washing a deceased Muslim

Gatha

first and last two verses of a Buddhist hymn sung at a funeral