Funeral Directing vocab Flashcards
acknowledgment cards
thank you cards
acolyte
an altar attendant
adaptive funeral rite
funeral rite that is adjusted to the needs and wants of those directly involved
aftercare
those appropriate and helpful acts of counseling, personal and/or written contact that come after the funeral
Al-Ghul (Ghusl)
practical and ceremonial washing of a deceased muslim
alkaline hydrolysis
a process that uses water, alkaline chemicals, heat and sometimes pressure and agitation, to accelerate natural decomposition, leaving bone fragments
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 practitioner 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 mormons, bishop of the ward is leader of a single congregation
bonze
the title of the buddhist priest. dates - a 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
buddha altar
table or altar placed at a right angle to the deceased altar; contains an image of buddha, incense, candles, flowers, and fruits
burial (interment)
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 (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 advances
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 purchasers behalf. items may include cemetery or crematory services, pallbearers, public transportation, clergy honoraria, flowers, musicians or singers, nurses, obituary notices, gratuities, and death certificates
casket
a rigid container which is described for the encasement of human remains and which is usually constructed of wood, metal, fiberglass, plastic, or like material, and ornamented and lined with fabric
casketbearer (pallbearer)
one who actively bears or carries the casket during the funeral service and at the committal service
cause of death
diseases, injuries, or complications that result in death
celebrant
a person who designs and officiates a personalized ceremony or rite; the officiant who celebrates the mass in roman catholic church
cemetery
an area of ground set aside and dedicated for the final disposition of dead human remains
cemetery tent
a portable shelter employed to cover the grave area during the committal
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, an institution or a fraternal organization
chevrah kadisha
hewbrew meaning “holy society”; a group of men or women who care for the dead; they may be referred by laymen as the “washers”. in the past, they 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
the portion of the funeral conducted at the place of disposition
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)
coroner
usually an elected officer without medical training whose chief duty is to investigate questionable deaths
cot
a portable stretcher commonly employed in a transfer vehicle for the moving of the deceased
cremated remains
the result of the reduction of a dead body 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
a furnace or retort for cremating dead human bodies; a building that houses a retort
cross
a christian symbol without the corpus
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)
cryonics
the freezing and storing of human remains for possible restoration of life in the future
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
a newspaper item publicizing the death of a person and giving service details. in some parts of the US, can contain the same information as an obituary
deceased
a dead human body
deceased altar
table or altar placed before the casket with photos of the deceased, candles, oil lamps, incense vase, flowers, fruits, and food
department of veterans affairs or VA
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 human remains by cremation, without formal viewing, visitation or ceremony with the deceased present
direct disposition
any method of disposition of the human remains without formal viewing, visitation or ceremony with the deceased present
dismissal
procedures or invitation intended to facilitate an organized departure
divine liturgy
liturgical celebration of the eucharist in eastern orthodox churches
ecclesiastic
pertaining to the church or clergy
elegy
song or poem expressing sorrow or lamentation for the dead
elder
governing officer of a church, often having pastoral or teaching functions; specific duties dependent upon various denominations
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
entombment
the placing of remains in a crypt in a mausoleum
epistle side
the right side of the church as the congregation faces the altar from which readings and prayers are often proclaimed
epitaph
a commemorative inscription on a tomb or cemetery marker
escort
a leader 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
when the funeral establishment receives notification of death
first viewing (preview)
a private time for the family to view the deceased before the public visitation begins
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 (narthex / vestibule)
the entry way into a church, funeral establishment or other public building; entrance hall
fraternal
relating to a social organization
funeral coach (hearse)
specialty vehicle designed to transfer casketed remains
funeral liturgy (funeral mass)
name of the funeral service in the roman catholic church; formerly called the mass of christian burial
funeral procession
the movement of vehicles from the place of the funeral to the place of disposition
funeral rites
any funeral event performed
funeral service
the rites held at the time of disposition of human remains, with the deceased present
gatha
the first 2 and last 2 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. the 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
gospel side
the left side of the church as the congregation faces the altar; a place for the reading of the gospels and delivery of the homily by the minister
gratuity
gift or sum of money tendered (tip) for a service provided
grave
an excavation in the earth as a place for interment; interment space
graveside service
a ceremony or ritual, religious or otherwise, conducted at the grave
grave straps
webbing or similar material used for lowering the casket into the grave
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 us of aesthetically natural monuments
green funeral
deathcare that minimizes the use of energy in service offerings/products and that bans the use of toxic/hazardous materials
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
hesped
a eulogy or true evaluation of the deceased’s life that is a part of a jewish funeral service
holy water
water blessed by a priest
home funeral
one that takes place within the residence of the deceased as was commonly done in the US until the mid 20th century
honorarium
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
humanistic 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 on wood
iconostasis (iconostas, iconostation)
the partition that extends across the front of an eastern orthodox church separating the sanctuary from the solea
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 deceased present, except for a graveside service
informant
one who supplies vital statistics information about the deceased
initial notification of death
the first contact a funeral establishment receives regarding a death
inter
to bury in the ground
inurnment
placing cremated remains in an urn or 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, peace, submission to gods (allahs) will, and obedience to his law
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, and children) for the first time at the interment service. it is subsequently recited by children for parents at every service for 11 months and on yahrzeits. all other categories of mourners have the obligation to say the kaddish for 30 days
kafan
burial garments utilized by muslims
kin
ones blood relatives (legally, the surviving spouse is not kin)
kingdom hall
the worship facility for jehovahs witnesses
kippah / yamaka / yarmulke
in the jewish faith, the skullcap worn by males at temple and funeral services
kneeler / prayer rail / prie dieu
a small bench placed in front of the casket or urn to allow a person to kneel for prayer
koran (quran)
the holy book of the islamic faith as reveled 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
last kiss
physical contact with the deceased and the icon during the final pass by the casket (eastern orthodox)
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, a bedside prayer which may be performed by the bonze just before funeral arrangements are made
manner of death
the mode of death, such as accident, homicide, natural, suicide, or unknown
masjid (mosque)
local islamic religious facility containing no icons, statutes, symbols, pews, chairs, or musical instruments
mass
the liturgical celebration of the eucharist in the roman catholic church
mass card
of the written request for a mass for a specific intention
mausoleum
a building containing crypts or vaults for entombment
mecca
the holiest city in the islamic faith; muslims are buried facing this city
medical examiner
a forensically trained physician who investigates questionable or unattended deaths (has replaced the coroner in some jurisdictions)
memorial book (register book)
a book signed by those attending a visitation or 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 without the deceased present
memorial park
a cemetery, or section of a cemetery, with only flush to the ground type markers
memorial service
funeral rites without the remains present
menorah
in the jewish faith, a candelabrum with a central stem bearing seven candles; the oldest symbol in judaism
military escort
military personnel assigned to accompany remains following an active duty death
mogen david (star of david)
in the jewish faith, a hexagram formed by the combination of 2 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 in 571 C.E.; considered by muslims to be gods messenger but he is not worshipped or considered divine
monsignor
an honorary title conferred upon a roman catholic priest
moslem (muslim)
the name given to a member of the islamic faith
mother church
oldest original church from which other like minded congregations have sprung
national cemetery
cemetery created and maintained under an act of congress for burial of veterans of military service and their eligible family members
natural organic reduction
the contained, accelerated decomposition of human remains
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
nirvana
the buddhist idea of heavenly peace or pure land
non guaranteed contract
agreement in which the funeral establishment 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 services and merchandise at the time 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 worship service is left to the discretion of each individual church and/or minister
non sectarian
not related to a specific religious group or organization
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
traditionally, an ew 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
officiant
one who conducts or leads a service or ceremony
outer burial container
any container designed for placement in the grave around the casket including containers commonly known as burial vaults, grave boxes, and grave liners
pagoda
the buddhist place of worship
pall
a symbolic cloth placed over the casket
panachida
a rubric for the eastern orthodox community
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
practitioner / reader
in the church of christ, scientist, one authorized to read the lessons and scriptures
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
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 chose to contract with (ex. funeral establishment vehicles and livery)
procession / processional
the movement, in an orderly fashion, at the beginning of a service
rabbi
a teacher or ordained leader in the jewish faith
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 have been provided by another firm at the locale of death. funeral rule requires package pricing of this service with a description of the components included
receiving vault
a structure designed for the temporary storage of bodies not to be immediately interred
recession / recessional
the movement, in an orderly fashion at the end of a service
relief society
a women’s group for mormons
relief society room
a room designated for the ladies of the relief society to meet. from a funeral standpoint, often the room where the casket is placed prior to the service
retort
the burning chamber in a crematory, also referred to as the cremator; the total mechanical unit for the cremation process
reverend
title used to address member of the clergy
revocable contract
agreement which may be terminated by the purchaser at any time prior to the death of the beneficiary with a refund of 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 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
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 deceased
sexton
the 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 saturday
shivah
in the jewish faith, a 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 deceased reading psalms 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 US 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 or shul
tachrichim
a hand sewn white linen shroud in which the deceased members of the jewish faith are dressed
taharah
in the jewish faith, the ceremonial washing the deceased before the burial; a ritual purification or cleansing of the deceased which should be performed by the chevra kaddisha
tallith
a prayer shawl worn by jewish males during the morning prayer service
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
temples
a building dedicated to be the house of the lord; a sacred structure on earth used for instruction by members of mormons
temple clothing
garments worn by endowed members of the mormons at the temple and for burial
temple ordinances
ceremonial instructions or mormons, given only within a temple to worthy members of the sect
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
3rd party contracts
agreements which involve the funeral practitioner/funeral establishment because the family being served has contracted with someone else (3rd party) for services or merchandise also available from the funeral establishment ex. caskets, vaults, urns, pre need insurance, etc
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 of remains
see the moving of the dead human body from place of death to the funeral establishment or other designated place
transfer vehicle
the automobile generally used for transporting the uncasketed dead human body form the place of death to the mortuary
trisagion
in the eastern orthodox faith, 3 short services or blessings that are part of the funeral rite
trust account
account established by one individual to be hold for the benefit of another (as a method of payment for funeral expenses); creates a fiduciary responsibility. money paid to a funeral establishment for future services is placed in an account with the funeral establishment as trustee for the benefit of another
urn
permanent container for cremated remains meant for decorative or inurnment purposes
urn lowering device
a mechanical device used to lower an urn into the ground
vestments
ritual garments worn by the clergy
veteran
one who has served 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 establishment the evening before the funeral
vigil lights
in the roman catholic faith, set of 2 candles that may be placed, one at the head and one at the foot of the casket, during the visitation period
vital statistics
data concerning birth, marriage, divorce, sickness, and death
wake
historically, a watch kept over the deceased; an all night vigil
ward
group of mormon members sharing familial, linguistic, or cultural characteristics
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 4 times a year
