Funeral Arrangements and Directing
Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in Mortuary Science course at Greenwich School of Business and Finance. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Abandonment refers to the act of leaving a deceased person in a mortua… #
This can be due to various reasons, including financial constraints or family disputes. In such cases, the funeral director or mortician must take responsibility for the deceased and ensure they are treated with dignity and respect.
Accessory refers to any item or product used in conjunction with f… #
These items can be used to personalize the funeral service or to provide a meaningful way to honor the deceased.
Aftercare refers to the support and services provided to the fa… #
This can include counseling, grief support groups, and practical assistance with tasks such as probate and estate administration.
Alkaline hydrolysis is a process of disposition that uses a che… #
This method is also known as resomation or biocremation and is considered a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional burial or cremation.
Anatomical gift refers to the donation of a person's body or organs</b… #
This can be arranged through a living will or advance directive, and is typically facilitated by a funeral home or mortuary.
Aquamation is a process of disposition that uses water to <… #
This method is also known as alkaline hydrolysis or resomation and is considered a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional burial or cremation.
Ashes refer to the remains of a person who has been cremated #
These can be scattered in a designated area, buried in a cemetery, or kept in an urn as a memorial to the deceased.
Autopsy refers to the examination of a deceased person's body to deter… #
This can be required by law in certain circumstances, such as suspicious or unexplained deaths.
Burial refers to the act of placing a deceased person's body in a… #
This can be done in a traditional cemetery or in a green burial ground, which is designed to be more environmentally friendly.
Casket refers to a container used to hold a deceased person's body… #
Caskets can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, metal, or plastic.
Cemetery refers to a place where deceased people are buried #
Cemeteries can be public or private, and may have rules and regulations governing burial and visitation.
Certified death certificate refers to an official document that confir… #
This document is typically issued by a government agency and is required for various purposes, such as probate and estate administration.
Columbarium refers to a structure used to store urns containing th… #
Columbariums can be found in cemeteries, churches, or other locations.
Coroner refers to a public official who is responsible for inve… #
The coroner may order an autopsy to be performed in order to determine the cause of death.
Cremation refers to the process of burning a deceased person's bod… #
Cremation can be performed in a crematorium or at a funeral home.
Crematorium refers to a facility where cremation takes place #
Crematoriums are typically equipped with specialized equipment and staff who are trained to perform cremations.
Death certificate refers to an official document that confirms a p… #
Death certificate refers to an official document that confirms a person's death.
Death notice refers to a public announcement of a person's death, typical… #
Death notices usually include biographical information about the deceased and details of the funeral service.
Direct burial refers to the act of burying a deceased person's bod… #
This can be a cost-effective option for families who do not wish to hold a traditional funeral.
Direct cremation refers to the act of cremating a deceased person'… #
Direct cremation refers to the act of cremating a deceased person's body without holding a funeral service.
Disposition refers to the act of dealing with a deceased person's… #
Disposition refers to the act of dealing with a deceased person's body, whether through burial, cremation, or other means.
Donation refers to the act of giving a person's body or organs<… #
Donation refers to the act of giving a person's body or organs for medical research or transplantation.
Eco #
friendly funeral refers to a funeral service that is designed to be environmentally friendly, such as a green burial or a biodegradable casket.
Embalming refers to the process of preserving a deceased person's… #
Embalming is often performed to delay the natural process of decomposition and to prepare the body for viewing.
Eulogy refers to a speech or tribute given in honor of a de… #
Eulogies can be given by family members, friends, or other individuals who were close to the deceased.
Exhume refers to the act of digging up a deceased person's body, t… #
Exhume refers to the act of digging up a deceased person's body, typically for the purpose of reburying them in a different location or for forensic analysis.
Family meeting refers to a gathering of a deceased person's family … #
Family meeting refers to a gathering of a deceased person's family and loved ones to discuss funeral arrangements and other related matters.
Funeral director refers to a professional who is responsible for <… #
Funeral directors may work in a funeral home or mortuary, and are typically trained to provide emotional support and practical assistance to grieving families.
Funeral home refers to a business that provides funeral services,… #
Funeral homes are typically staffed by funeral directors and other professionals who are trained to provide emotional support and practical assistance to grieving families.
Funeral service refers to a ceremony or ritual held to honor</i… #
Funeral service refers to a ceremony or ritual held to honor a deceased person, typically including eulogies, music, and other tributes.
Grave refers to a hole or space in the ground where a deceased per… #
Graves can be marked with a headstone or other memorial to identify the deceased.
Green burial refers to a type of burial that is designed to be … #
Green burial refers to a type of burial that is designed to be environmentally friendly, using biodegradable materials and minimizing the use of chemicals and other substances.
In Memoriam refers to a tribute or dedication to a deceased person… #
In Memoriam refers to a tribute or dedication to a deceased person, typically published in a newspaper or online.
Inurnment refers to the act of placing a deceased person's ashe… #
Inurnment refers to the act of placing a deceased person's ashes in an urn or other container.
Mausoleum refers to a building or structure used to house t… #
Mausoleums can be public or private, and may have rules and regulations governing visitation and other activities.
Memorial refers to a structure or object used to honor a de… #
Memorial refers to a structure or object used to honor a deceased person, such as a headstone, monument, or plaque.
Memorial service refers to a ceremony or ritual held to honor</… #
Memorial service refers to a ceremony or ritual held to honor a deceased person, typically without the presence of the body.
Mortician refers to a professional who is trained to prepare</i… #
Mortician refers to a professional who is trained to prepare and care for deceased bodies, including embalming and other funeral services.
Mortuary refers to a business or facility that provides funeral… #
Mortuary refers to a business or facility that provides funeral services, including preparation and care of deceased bodies.
Niche refers to a small space or compartment used to sto… #
Niche refers to a small space or compartment used to store an urn or other container holding a deceased person's ashes.
Obituary refers to a notice or announcement of a person's death, t… #
Obituary refers to a notice or announcement of a person's death, typically published in a newspaper or online.
Organ donation refers to the act of donating a person's organs<… #
Organ donation refers to the act of donating a person's organs for medical research or transplantation.
Pallbearer refers to a person who is responsible for carrying</… #
Pallbearer refers to a person who is responsible for carrying or escorting a deceased person's casket during a funeral service.
Pre #
arranged funeral refers to a funeral service that is planned and paid for in advance, typically through a funeral home or mortuary.
Pre #
need funeral refers to a funeral service that is planned and paid for in advance, typically through a funeral home or mortuary.
Probate refers to the legal process of settling a deceased person'… #
Probate refers to the legal process of settling a deceased person's estate, including the distribution of their assets and the payment of their debts.
Receiving vault refers to a temporary storage facility for decease… #
Receiving vault refers to a temporary storage facility for deceased bodies, typically used when a funeral service is delayed or when the body is being transported to a different location.
Resomation refers to a process of disposition that uses a chemi… #
This method is also known as alkaline hydrolysis or biocremation and is considered a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional burial or cremation.
Scattering refers to the act of releasing a deceased person's a… #
Scattering refers to the act of releasing a deceased person's ashes into the environment, typically in a designated area such as a garden or park.
Service folder refers to a program or brochure that outlines the <… #
Service folder refers to a program or brochure that outlines the order of events for a funeral service, typically including eulogies, music, and other tributes.
Urn refers to a container used to hold a deceased person's ashe… #
Urn refers to a container used to hold a deceased person's ashes, typically made of metal, wood, or other materials.
Visitation refers to the act of viewing a deceased person's body,… #
Visitation can be public or private, and may be restricted to family and close friends of the deceased.
Wake refers to a gathering of family and friends to pay<… #
A wake can be held in conjunction with a funeral service or as a separate event.