Funeral Directing (Notification, Transfer, Arrangement)
Burial-Transit Permit (Disposition Permit)
- a legal document, issued by a governmental agency, authorizing transportation and/or disposition of a dead human body.
Arrangement Conference
- the meeting between the funeral practitioner and the client family during which funeral arrangements are discussed, and may refer to pre-need or at-need situations.
green burial
Disposition without the use of toxic chemicals or materials that are not readily biodegradable
Transfer of remains
The moving of the dead human body from the place of death to the funeral home or other designated place.
Deceased
a dead human body
Death Certificate
a legal document containing vital statistics, disposition, and final medical information pertaining to the deceased.
Death Notice
a newspaper item publicizing the death of a person and giving service details. In some parts of the United States, can contain the same information as an obituary.
Non-Guaranteed Contract
agreement in which the funeral home promises to apply the amount pre-paid 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 establishment 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.
Direct disposition
any method of disposition of the human remains without formal viewing, visitation or ceremony with the deceased present.
Direct cremation
disposition of human remains by cremation, without formal viewing, visitation or ceremony with the deceased present.
Pre-planned funeral arrangements
funeral arrangements made in advance of need that do not include provisions for funding or prepayment
Pre-funded funeral arrangements
funeral arrangements made in advance of need that include provisions for funding or prepayment
Memorial Service
funeral rites with the body not present
Home funeral
one that takes place within the residence of the deceased as was commonly done in the United States until the mid-20th century.
informant
one who supplies vital statistics information about the deceased
Kin
one's blood relatives
Burial (Interment)
the act of placing the dead human body in the ground.
Transfer Vehicle
the automobile generally used for transporting the uncasketed dead human body from the place of death to the mortuary
Initial notification of death
the first contact a funeral establishment receives regarding a death.
Manner of death
the mode of death, such as accident, homicide, natural, suicide, or unknown
Alkaline hydrolysis
the reduction of a dead human body to essential elements through a water-based dissolution process using alkaline chemicals, heat, agitation, and pressure to accelerate natural decomposition; the processing of the hydrolyzed remains after removal from the alkaline hydrolysis vessel; placement of the processed remains in a hydrolyzed container; and release of the hydrolyzed remains to an appropriate part.
Aftercare
those appropriate and helpful acts of counseling, personal and/or written contact that come after the funeral.
obituary
traditionally, a news item concerning the death of a person which usually contains a biographical sketch. Can appear in media other than newspapers such as online sources and service programs. Is sometimes used interchangeably with death notice or funeral notice.
At need
when a death has occured
First Call
when the funeral establishment receives notification of death.
