Funeral Directing Flashcards
Acknowledgment Cards
thank you cards
Acolyte
an alter attendant
Adaptive funeral rite
a funeral rite that is adjusted to the needs and wants of those directly involved
Aftercare (Post funeral follow-up)
those appropriate and helpful acts of counseling, personal and/or written contact that come after the funeral.
Allah
in the Islam faith, the name for God
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.
Alternative container
an unfinished wood box or other non-metal receptacle or enclosure, without ornamentation or a fixed interior lining, which is designed for the encasement of human remains and which is made of fiberboard, pressed-wood, composition materials (with or without an outside covering) or like materials.
Apostille
certification/legalization of a document for international use (under terms of the 1961 Hague Convention)
Archbishop
in the Roman Catholic faith, the head of an archdiocese
Aron
Hebrew meaning container; a casket made entirely of wood with no metal parts.
Arrangement conference
the meeting between the funeral director and the client family during which funeral arrangements are discussed, and may refer to pre-need or at-need situations
At need
when a death has occurred
Bishop
leader of multiple churches in a particular denomination;
in the Roman Catholic faith, the head of a diocese;
in the LDS faith, Bishop of the ward is leader of a single congregation.
Bonze
the title of the Buddhist priest
Book of Dates
term used in the Buddhist faith to describe a calendar that is used to determine an accurate time for casketing the deceased, services and disposition.
Brother
in the Roman Catholic faith, a man who is a member of a religious order without being ordained.
Brotherhood
relating to a social or religious organization
Burial (Interment / Inhumement)
the act of placing the dead human body in the ground.
Burial-Transit Permit (Disposition Permit)
a legal document, issued by a governmental agency, authorizing transportation and/or disposition of a dead human body.
Calling hours
Also called Visitation / Visiting hours. Time set aside for friends and relatives to pay respect for the deceased prior to the funeral service.
Cantor
a religious singer who assists the clergy; one who assists the Rabbi in the Jewish faith; or one who assists the priest in the Eastern Orthodox faith.
Cardinal
in the Roman Catholic faith, Bishops who have the right to participate in a Papal election.
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, but are not limited to: cemetery or crematory services; pallbearers; public transportation; clergy honoraria; flowers; musicians or singers; nurses; obituary notices; gratuities and death certificates.
Casketbearer (Pallbearer)
one who actively bears or carries the casket during the funeral service and at the committal service.
Celebrant
a person who officiates at a ceremony or rite; the officiant who celebrates the Mass in the Roman Catholic Church
Cemetery
an area of ground set aside and dedicated for the final disposition of dead human remains
Certified copy of a death certificate
a legal copy of the original death certificate
Chancel
the portion of the church surrounding the altar, usually enclosing the clergy; area behind the altar or communion rail.
Chapel
a building or designated area of a building in which services are conducted.
Chaplain
a person chosen to conduct religious exercises for the military, the chapel of an institution or a fraternal organization.
Chevrah Kadisha
Hebrew 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 preparations for Jewish funerals.
Christian Burial Certificate
(Christian Burial Permit, Priest Lines) a letter or form from a priest stating the eligibility of the deceased for burial in a Roman Catholic Cemetery.
Columbarium
a structure, room or space in a mausoleum or other building containing niches or recesses used to hold cremated remains.
Committal service
that portion of the funeral which is conducted at the place of disposition of dead human bodies.
Common carrier
any carrier required by law to convey passengers or freight without refusal if the approved fare or charge is paid (airline, train, etc.)
Contemporary funeral rite
funeral observances that reflect present day (modern) influences in lieu of (or in addition to or as part of) the traditional ceremonies.
Coroner
a public officer whose chief duty is to investigate questionable deaths. (Also see: Medical Examiner)
Cortege
historical reference for funeral procession
Cot
a portable stretcher commonly employed in a transfer vehicle for the moving of the deceased.
Cremated remains (cremains)
the result of the reduction of a dead to inorganic bone fragments by intense heat.
Cremation
the reduction of a dead human body to inorganic bone fragments by intense heat in a specifically designed retort or chamber.
Crematory (Crematorium)
a furnace or retort for cremating dead human bodies; a building that houses a retort.
Cross
a religious emblem consisting of two plain bars which intersect at right angles to each other.
Crucifer/Crossbearer
one who carries the crucifix/cross during an ecclesiastical procession.
Crucifix
a cross with a figure or image representing the body of Christ (Corpus).
Crypt
a chamber in a mausoleum, of sufficient size, generally used to contain the casketed remains of a deceased person.
Deacon
a subordinate officer in a Christian church.
Death Certificate
a legal document containing vital statistics, disposition, and final medical information pertaining to the deceased.
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.
Deceased
a dead human body
Dentures
false teeth
Department of Veterans Affairs or VA (previously known as Veterans Administration)
a federal agency that administers benefits provided for veterans of the armed forces.
Diocese
in the Roman Catholic faith, a geographical grouping of parishes under the jurisdiction of a Bishop.
Direct Cremation
disposition of a human body by cremations, without formal viewing, visitation or ceremony with the body present. [16 CFR 453(g)]
Direct Disposition
any method of disposition of the human remains without formal viewing, visitation or ceremony with the body present.
Dismissal
procedures or invitation intended to facilitate an organized departure.
Disposition Permit
Burial Transit Permit
Divine Liturgy
liturgical celebration of the Eucharist in Eastern Orthodox churches.
Ecclesiastic
pertaining to the church or clergy.
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.
Elder
governing officer of a church, often having pastoral or teaching functions; specific duties dependent upon various denominations
Elegy
song or poem expressing sorrow or lamentation for the dead.
Entombment
the placing of remains in a crypt in a mausoleum
Epitaph
a commemorative inscription on a tomb or cemetery marker.
Escort
a leader(s) of the procession or guardian of the group, such as a military escort, police escort, etc.
Eucharist
the consecrated elements of Holy Communion.
Eucharistic Minister
layperson sanctioned to administer Holy Communion and other assigned tasks.
Eulogy
an oration praising an individual, usually after death.
Final Commendation
in the Roman Catholic faith, the ending portion of the Funeral Mass
First Call
funeral home receives notification of death
Forwarding remains
one of the categories required to be itemized on the GPL (if the funeral provider offers the service). This involves services of the funeral provider in the locale where death occurs and preparation for transfer to another funeral provider as selected by the family (consumer). Funeral Rule requires package pricing of this service with a description of the components included.
Foyer (Lobby, Narthex, Vestibule)
the entry way, funeral home or other public building; entrance hall.
Fraternal
relating to a social organization
Funeral arrangements
the term applied to the completing of the service and financial details of a funeral
Funeral Liturgy (Funeral Mass)
the name of the funeral service in the Roman Catholic Church.
Funeral procession
the movement of vehicles from the place of the funeral to the place of the disposition.
Funeral rites
any funeral event performed
Funeral service
the rites held at the time of disposition of human remain, with the body present.
Gatha
the first two and last two verses of a Buddhist hymn sung at the funeral service
General Price List (GPL)
a printed list of goods and services offered for sale by funeral providers with retail prices. GPL is considered the keystone of the Funeral Rule.
Genuflect
the act of bending the right knee as an indication of reverence or as an act of humility
Gratuity (tip)
gift or small sum of money tendered for a service provided.
Grave
an excavation in the earth as a placement for interment; interment space.
Grave straps
webbing or similar material used for lowering the casket into the grave.
Graveside service
a ceremony or ritual, religious or otherwise, conducted at the grave.
Great Panachida (Parastas)
vigil service associated with eastern Orthodox funerals
“Green”
ecologically friendly
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 cost current prices associated with of providing the services and merchandise at the time of the funeral.
Hesped
in the Jewish faith, a eulogy or true evaluation of the deceased’s life that is a part of the funeral service.
Holy Water
water blessed by a priest
Honorarium (plural: honoraria, honorariums)
a nominal compensation or recognition for service performed
Honorary casketbearers (Honorary pallbearers)
friends of the family or members of an organization or group who act as an escort or honor guard for the deceased. They do not carry the casket.
Humanist funeral
a funeral rite that is in essence devoid of religious connotation
Icon
in the Eastern Orthodox faith, a holy picture; usually mosaic or painted wood.
Iconostasis (Iconostas, Iconostation)
in the Eastern Orthodox church, the partition that extends across the front of the church separating the sanctuary from the solea.
IHS
the first three letters in the Greek word for Jesus
Imam
in the Islam faith, the leader of the local congregation.
Immediate Burial
disposition of human remains by burial, without formal viewing, visitation or ceremony with the body present, except for a graveside service. [16 CFR. 453.1(k)]
Informant
one who supplies the vital statistics information concerning the deceased.
Inhume (inter)
to bury in the ground
INRI
an abbreviation for the Latin term meaning “Jesus of Nazareth, King of Jews”.
Inurnment
placing cremains in an urn. (CANA definition) act of placing cremated remains in a niche or grave.
Irrevocable contract
an agreement for future funeral services which cannot be terminated or canceled prior to the death of the beneficiary.
Islam
the religion of Muslims (Moslems) that began at the time of Mohammed; Muslims believe that Islam stands for purity, peach, submission to God’s (Allah’s) will, and obedience to his laws.
Jinazah
in the Islam faith the funeral or funeral prayer.
Kaddish
in the Jewish faith, 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 subsequently recited by children for parents at every service for eleven months. All other categories of mourners have the obligation to say Kaddish for 30 days.
Kever
in the Jewish faith, the grave.
Kevurah
in the Jewish faith, the burial
Kin
one’s relatives; referring to blood relationship (legally, the surviving spouse is not kin).
Kingdom Hall
the appropriate term for the worship facility for the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Kippah
(Yamaka, Yarmulke) in the Jewish faith, the skull cap worn by the men at temple services and funeral services.
Kneeler
(Prayer Rail, Prie Dieu,) a kneeling rail.
Koran (Quaran)
the holy book of the Islam faith as revealed to Mohammed by the angel Gabriel.
Kriah
Hebrew term 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.
Levaya
in the Jewish faith, the funeral procession
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.
Lot
a subdivision in a cemetery which consists of several graves or interment spaces.
Lowering device
a mechanical device used to lower a casket into the ground.
Makura-gyo
traditionally, in the Buddhist faith, ad bedside prayer which may now be performed by the bonze just before funeral arrangements are made.
Masjid
(Mosque) in the Islamic faith, the local religious facility: contains no icons, statutes, symbols, pews, chairs or musical instruments.
Mass
the liturgical celebration of the Eucharist in the Roman Catholic Church.
Mass card
a document indicating the offering of a Mass for a specific intention.
Mausoleum
a building containing crypts or vaults for entombment
Medical Examiner
a forensically-trained physician whose duty it is to investigate questionable or unattended deaths (has replaced the coroner in some states)
Memorial book
(register book) a book signed by those attending a visitation/service.
Memorial folder (service folder)
a pamphlet made available at the funeral service giving details about the deceased and the funeral arrangements.
Memorial gathering
a scheduled assembly of family and friends following a death
Memorial park
a cemetery, or section of a cemetery, with only flush to the ground type markers.
Memorial service
funeral rites without the body present.
Menorah
in the Jewish faith, a candelabrum with a central stem bearing seven candles; it is the oldest symbol in Judaism.
Military escort
military personnel assigned to accompany a body following an active duty death.
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.
Mohammed (Muhammad)
a prophet of the Islamic religion born 571 C.E.; considered by Muslims to be God’s messenger but it not worshipped or considered to be divine.
Monsignor
in the Roman Catholic faith, an honorary title conferred upon a priest.
Moslem (Muslim)
the name given to a member of the Islamic faith.
National Cemetery
a cemetery created and maintained under an Act of Congress for burial of veterans of military service and their eligible family members.
Nave
the seating or auditorium section of a church
Niche
a recess or space in a columbarium used for the permanent placing of cremated remains.
Nirvhana
the Buddhist idea of heavenly peace or Pure Land
Non-guaranteed contract
agreement in which the funeral home promises to apply the amount of 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.
Non-liturgical (scripture centered) worship
a form or order of worship which has the scriptures as its central element; the actual form or order of the worship service is left to the discretion of each individual church and/or minister.
Nun (Sister)
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.
Obituary
a news item concerning the death of a person which usually contains a biographical sketch.
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.
Outer burial container
any container which is designed for placement in the grave around the casket including, but not limited to, containers commonly known as burial vaults, grave boxes, and grave liners.
Pagoda
the Buddhist place to worship
Pall
a symbolic cloth placed over the casket
Paschal candle
in the Roman Catholic faith, a candle placed near the casket during the Funeral Mass that signifies the everlasting light of Christ.
Pastor
one having spiritual care over a number of people
Perpetual care
an arrangement made by the cemetery whereby funds are set aside, the income from which is used to maintain the cemetery indefinitely.
Pope
the head of the Roman Catholic Church and the Bishop of Rome
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.
Pre-funded funeral arrangements
funeral arrangements made in advance of need that include provisions for funding or prepayment.
Pre-planned funeral arrangements
funeral arrangements made in advance of need that do not include provisions for funding or prepayment
Priest
a title conferred to clergy upon ordination in various religions.
Private carrier
those who transport only in particular instances and only for those they choose to contract with (e.g. funeral home vehicles and livery)
Procession/Processional
the movement, in an orderly fashion, at the beginning of a service
Rabbi
a teacher of ordained leader in the Jewish faith.
Reader
in the Church of Christ, Scientist, one authorized to read the lessons and scriptures.
Receiving remains
one of the categories required to be itemized on the GPL (if the funeral provider offers the service). This involves services of the funeral provider after initial services has been provided by another firm at the locale of death. Funeral Rule requires package pricing of the service with a description of the components included.
Receiving vault
a structure designed for the temporary storage of bodies which are not to be immediately interred.
Recession/Recessional
the movement, in an orderly fashion, at the end of a service.
Removal
(transfer of remains) the moving of the dead human body from the place of death to the funeral home or other designated place.
Retort
the burning chamber in a crematory, also referred to as the cremator; the total mechanical unit for the cremation process
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.
Rosary beads
a chain of adjoining beads and a crucifix used as an aid in the recitation of prayers.
Rosary prayers
a series of prayers in the Roman Catholic faith
Rosary service
a service at which rosary prayers are recited.
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.
Rubrics
in liturgical churches, stated directions in a prayer book or liturgical manual regarding the order of service as approved by the denomination.
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.
Sanctuary
the part of the church surrounding the altar, inside the chancel; (this term may also be used to describe the area of the church where people sit for the services).
Scapular
in the Roman Catholic faith, a piece of cloth or a medal having religious significance usually worn around the neck.
Section
the largest subdivision of a cemetery
Service of Encasketing
in the Buddhist faith, a service performed as a part of casketing the body.
Sexton
one who is in charge of the cemetery; the caretaker of a church
Shabbat
the Jewish Sabbath; begins at sundown Friday and ends at sundown Sunday.
Shivah
in the Jewish faith, a seven (7) day mourning period.
Sholoshim
meaning 30 in the Jewish faith; the 30-day mourning period.
Shomer
in the Jewish faith, a watcher; one who sits with the body until burial.
Shroud
a cloth or garment in which a dead person is wrapped or dressed for burial.
Sign of the cross
a symbolic sign of the Cross, made with the right hand.
Social Security Administration
a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services which provides benefits for retirement, survivors and disability, and includes Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicare.
Solea
in the Eastern Orthodox church, the open area (sometimes raised) before the altar.
Survivor(s)
one who outlives another person or event
Synagogue
a place of religious worship in the Jewish faith; may also be referred to as Temple.
Tachrichim
a hand-sewn white linen shroud in which the deceased members of the Jewish faith are dressed.
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 Kaddisha.
Tallith
a prayer shawl worn by men during the morning prayer service in the Jewish faith.
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.
Temple Ordinances
ceremonial instructions of the Mormon Church, given only within a Temple to worthy members of the sect.
Tomb
a general term designating those places suitable for the reception of a dead human body.
Transepts
wings of the main part of the church which may serve as small chapels for baptism, weddings, and even small funeral services.
Transfer vehicle
the automobile generally used for transporting the uncasketed dead human body from the place of death to the mortuary
Trisagion
in the Eastern Orthodox faith, three short services or blessing that are part of the funeral rite.
Trust Account
account established by one individual to be held for the benefit of another (as a method of payment for funeral expenses); 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.
Vestments
ritual garments worn by the clergy
Veteran
one who has served a prescribed period of time with the armed forces and who is no longer an active member of the armed forces.
Vigil (Vigil service, Wake Service)
a prayer or scripture service usually held at the funeral home the evening before the funeral.
Vigil lights
in the Roman Catholic faith, set of two candles that may be placed, one at the head and one at the foot of the casket, during the visitation period.
Vital Statistics
the collection, tabulation and interpretation of data concerning birth, marriage, divorce, sickness and death.
Wake
historically, a watch kept over the deceased; an all night vigil.
Words of Appreciation
a brief expression of gratitude to the congregation for their presence at the Buddhist service.
Yahrzeit
in the Jewish faith, the anniversary of the death.
Yizkor
in the Jewish faith, a memorial service recited four times a year.
Al-Ghusl (Ghusl)
practical and ceremonial washing of a deceased Muslim
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. Alkaline hydrolysis is a form of final disposition
casket
a rigid container which is designed for the encasement of human remains and which is usually constructed of wood, metal, fiberglass, plastic, or like material, ornamented and lined with fabric. (FTC definition).
cause of death
diseases, injuries, or complications that resulted in death
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
first viewing (preview)
a private time for the family to view the deceased before public visitation begins
funeral coach (hearse)
specialty vehicle designed to transfer casketed remains
green burial
disposition without the use of toxic chemicals or materials that are not readily biodegradable
green cemetery
a place of interment that bans the use of metal caskets, toxic embalming, and concrete vaults and may also require the use of aesthetically natural monuments
green funeral
death care that minimizes the use energy in service offerings/products and that bans the use of toxic/hazardous materials
initial notification of death
the first contact a funeral establishment receives regarding a death
kafan
burial garments utilized by Muslims
last kiss
physical contact with the deceased and the icon during the final pass by the casket
Mecca
the holiest city in the Islamic faith; Muslims are buried facing this city
panchida
a rubric for the Eastern Orthodox funeral service
parastas (parastasis)
the watch or all-night vigil over the deceased in the Eastern Orthodox community
temple clothing
garments worn by endowed members of the LDS at the Temple and for burial
temporary container
a receptacle for cremated remains, usually made of cardboard, plastic, or similar materials designed to hold cremated remains until an urn, other permanent container is acquired, or other disposition is made
third party contracts
agreements which involve the funeral practitioner/funeral establishment because the family being served has contracted with someone else (a third party) for services or merchandise also available from the funeral establishment i.e. caskets, vaults, urns, pre-need insurance, etc.
transfer of remains
see the moving of the dead human body from the place of death to the funeral establishment or other designated place
ward
group of LDS members sharing familial, linguistic, or cultural characteristics
urn
a permanent container for cremated remains for decorative or inurnment purposes
