Religion for Funeral Services

INRI

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

Altar

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

Monsignor

an honorary title conferred upon a priest

Eulogy

an oration praising an individual, usually after death

Rosary Beads

beads and a crucifix used as an aid in the recitation of prayers

Temple Ordinances

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

Royal Doors

doors in the center of the Iconostasis leading directly to the altar. Only ordained clergy are to go through these doors; never cross on the solea in front of the Royal Doors

Paschal Candle

in Roman Catholic faith, a candle placed near the casket during the Funeral Mass that signifies the everlasting light of Christ

Rubric

in liturgical churches, stated directions in a prayer book or liturgical manual regarding the order of service as approved by the denomination

Reader

in the Church of Christ, Scientist, one authorized to read the lessons and scripture

Iconostasis/Iconostas/Iconostation

in the Eastern Orthodox Church, the partition that extends across the front of the church separating the sanctuary from the solea

Solea

in the Eastern Orthodox church, the open area (sometimes raised) before the altar

Icon

in the Eastern Orthodox faith, a holy picture; usually mosaic or painted on wood

Trisagion

in the Eastern Orthodox faith, three short services or blessings that are part of the funeral rite

Jinazah

in the Islamic faith, the funeral or funeral prayer

Imam

in the Islamic faith, the leader of the local congregation

Menorah

in the Jewish faith, a candelabrum with a central stem bearing seven candles; it is the oldest symbol in Judaism

Hesped

in the Jewish faith, a eulogy or true evaluation of the deceased's life that is a part of the funeral service

Mogen David (Star of David)

in the Jewish faith, a hexagram formed by the combination of two triangles. May be called the Jewish Star. It symbolizes a new hope for the Jewish people.

Yizkor

in the Jewish faith, a memorial service recited four times a year

El Malei Rachamin

in the Jewish faith, a memorial service; literally "God full of compassion;"usually the last prayer of the funeral service; sometimes referred to as the Malei

Kaddish

in the Jewish faith, a prayer recited for the deceased by the direct mourners (parents, siblings, spouse, and children) for the first time at the conclusion of interment service. It is subsequently recited by children for parents at every service for eleven months. All other categories of mourners have the obligation to say the Kaddish for 30 days.

Shivah

in the Jewish faith, a seven-day mourning period

Shomer

in the Jewish faith, a watcher; one who sits with the body until burial

Tehillim

in the Jewish faith, prayers said before the funeral by a group of friends and the shomer. These prayers come from the book of Psalms

Yahrzeit

in the Jewish faith, the anniversary of the death

Kevurah

in the Jewish faith, the burial

Taharah

in the Jewish faith, the ceremony of washing the deceased before the burial; serves as a ritual purification or cleansing of the body and should be performed by the Chevra Kadisha

Levaya

in the Jewish faith, the funeral procession

Kever

in the Jewish faith, the grave

Yarmulke (Kippah)

in the Jewish faith, the skullcap worn by the men at temple services and funeral services

Cardinal

in the Roman Catholic faith, a dignity conferred upon Bishops making them Princes of the Church

Diocese

in the Roman Catholic faith, a geographical grouping of Parishes under the jurisdiction of a Bishop

Brother

in the Roman Catholic faith, a man who is a member of a religious order without being ordained or while preparing for ordination

Scapular

in the Roman Catholic faith, a piece of cloth or a medal having religious significance usually worn around the neck

Wake Service (Vigil Service/Rosary Service)

in the Roman Catholic faith, a prayer or scripture service usually held at the funeral home the evening before the Funeral Mass

Sacred Heart

in the Roman Catholic faith, a religious picture of Jesus Christ showing his radiant heart

Sacrament of the Sick

in the Roman Catholic faith, a sacrament given to those seriously ill or in danger of death to prepare their souls for eternity

Vigil Lights

in the Roman Catholic faith, a set of two candles that may be placed one at the head and one at the foot of the casket during the visitation period

Sister (Nun)

in the Roman Catholic faith, a woman who is a member of a religious order, especially one bound by vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience

Final Commendation

in the Roman Catholic faith, the ending portion of the Funeral Mass

Archbishop

in the Roman Catholic faith, the head of an archdiocese

Eucharistic Minister

layperson sanctioned to administer holy communion and other assigned tasks

Bishop

leader of multiple churches in a particular denomination; in the Roman Catholic faith, the head of a diocese; in the LDS (Mormon) church, Bishop of the ward is leader of a single church

Divine Liturgy

liturgical celebration of the Eucharist in Eastern Orthodox churches

Sholoshim

meaning 30 in the Jewish faith; the 30-day mourning period

Crucifer/ Crossbearer

one who carries the crucifix/ cross during an ecclesiastical procession

Sexton

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

Ecclesiastic

pertaining to the church or clergy

Rosary Prayers

prayer recited in order at a Rosary or Vigil Service

Elegy

song or poem expressing sorrow or lamentation for the dead

Allah

the Islam faith, the name of God

Shabbat

the Jewish Sabbath; Christi begins at sundown Friday and ends at sundown Saturday.

Genuflect

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

Eucharist

the consecrated elements of Holy Communion

Narthex (Lobby, Vestibule, Foyer)

the entry way into the funeral home or church

IHS

the firs three letters in the Greek word for Jesus

Pope

the head of the Roman Catholic Church and the Bishop of Rome

Mosque (Masjid)

the local church building; contains no icons, statues, symbols, pews, chairs, or musical instruments

Muslim (Moslem)

the name given to a member of the Islamic faith

Bonze

the name of a Buddhist priest

Celebrant

the officiant who celebrates the Mass in the Roman Catholic Church

Chancel

the portion of the church surrounding the altar, usually enclosing the clergy; area behind the altar or communion rail

Islam

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

Nave

the seating or auditorium section of a church

Parastas

vigil service associated with Eastern Orthodox funerals

Transepts

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

Priest

a title conferred by ordination

Acolyte

altar attendant

Tachrichim

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

Koran (Quran)

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

Christian Burial Certificate/ Christian Burial Permit

a letter or form from a priest stating the eligibility of the deceased for burial in a Roman Catholic Cemetery; aka Priestly Lines

Funeral Liturgy

Funeral Mass; Catholic Faith

Chevrah Kadisha

Hebrew phrase meaning "Holy Society," a group of men or women from the synagogue who care for the dead; they may be referred to by laymen as the "washers;" in the past, took care of all funeral arrangements and preparation for Jewish funerals

Aron

Hebrew word meaning container; a casket made entirely of wood, containing no metal parts

Kriah

Hebrew word meaning rending or tearing; a symbol of grief; a tear in the upper corner of the garment or a tear on a symbolic ribbon which is worn by the survivors

Service of Encasketing

In the Buddhist faith, a service performed as a part of casketing the body

Chaplain

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

Nirvhana

The Buddhist idea of heavenly peace or Pure Land

Pagoda

The Buddhist place of worship

Kingdom Hall

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

Gatha

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

Tallith

a prayer shawl worn by men during the Morning Prayer service in the Jewish faith

Liturgical (Eucharist-Centered) Worship

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

Makura-gyo

Traditionally, in the Buddhist faith, ad bedside prayer which may now be performed by the bonze just before funeral arrangements are made

Mohammed (Muhammad)

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

Cantor

a religious singer who assists the clergy; assists the Rabbi in the Jewish faith; assists the Priest in the Eastern Orthodox faith

Deacon

a subordinate officer in a Christian church

Rabbi

a teacher or ordained leader in the Jewish faith

Book of Dates

a term used in the Buddhist faith to describe a calendar that is used to determine an accurate time for casketing the body

Prayer Card

a card with the name of the decedent and a prayer or verse which may or may not include the dates of birth and death

Crucifix

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

Mass Card/ Spiritual Bouquet

a document indicating the offering of a Mass for a specific intention