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Funeral Terminology Explained

Understanding funeral terminology can help make the process of planning a funeral or memorial service less overwhelming during a challenging time.

From common phrases like “viewing” and “memorial service” to more specific terms such as “columbarium” or “cremains,” the language used in the funeral industry often carries deep significance and tradition.

Whether you’re navigating arrangements for a loved one or simply looking to deepen your knowledge, being familiar with these terms can provide clarity and confidence as you make important decisions.

Below, will walk you through essential funeral terminology to ensure you’re informed every step of the way.

  • The act of making arrangements for final disposition, including a funeral, cremation, memorial, ceremony or other service/plans prior to death. Advance Planning can involve simply recording one's wishes (preplanning), or making financial arrangements (pre-paying). Also known as "preneed." 
  • A form of scattering ashes that involves the use of planes, hot air balloons, or other airborne devices to disperse the cremated ashes while in active flight.
  • An alternate type of service that is highly personalized and follows no standard set of rules. It may be religious or non-religious, and can vary widely in content and format, depending on the plans and wishes of the deceased and their family.
  • A term used to refer to the various services (final arrangements) that are available from a funeral home or crematory following the death of a loved one.
  • A container made of unfinished wood, fiberboard, pressed wood, or composition materials, which lacks fine finish or ornamentation. Alternative containers are often chosen for cremations due to their combustible nature. Alternative containers may also be the preferred container for direct burials or green burials.
  • A meeting between the funeral director and the family or representative of the deceased for the purpose of setting up funeral arrangements.
  • Also known as "cremated remains," the ashes are the material that remains after a body has been cremated.
  • Following death, an autopsy is a complete examination of the body by a doctor to determine the cause of death.
  • Placing the body in the ground following death.
  • A flag which is furnished by the VA to honor the memory of the veteran’s service to his country, and is displayed during the funeral of the veteran.
  • A legal document used for used to authorize burial, cremation, scattering or disinterment. The funeral director usually obtains the burial permit on behalf of the family.
  • A container designed for human remains, usually constructed of wood, metal, fiberglass, or plastic. It is often ornamented and lined with fabric.
  • Land that is reserved for graves, tombs, or cremation urns. Cemeteries may be privately or publicly owned.
  • A visitation where the casket is closed, and the body is not available for viewing.
  • A structure that is used to house urns with the cremated remains (ashes) of the deceased. It may be either freestanding, or part of a chapel or mausoleum.
  • The portion of a ceremony that involves speaking last words just prior to burial.
  • A method of pet cremation in which the bodies of several animals are placed in the cremation chamber and cremated at the same time. The ashes of all the pets are mingled during the process. Ashes are not returned to the owner if this method is chosen. Also known as "group pet cremation."
  • A method of pet cremation in which the bodies of several animals are placed in the cremation chamber and cremated at the same time. The ashes of all the pets are mingled during the process. Ashes are not returned to the owner if this method is chosen. Also known as "group pet cremation."
  • A term used in the pet cremation and burial industry which refers to mass or communal burial of the bodies of deceased animals. Country burial may or may not involve cremation.
  • A term occasionally used instead of "cremated remains" or "ashes."
  • Also known as "ashes," the cremated remains are the material that remains after a body has been cremated.
  • A method used to reduce the body of a deceased human or animal down to its basic elements. The most common method of cremation involves incineration at high temperatures.
  • A special type of memorial jewellery which includes a small amount of the cremated remains (ashes) of the deceased.
  • The facility where cremation of a human or animal body takes place.
  • When a person dies, the survivors may be eligible for Social Security benefits and/or Veterans Benefits.
  • A death certificate is required by law after a person dies. Two parties must complete the death certificate – a medical professional (either a physician, coroner, or medical examiner) who will certify the death by noting the cause of death, time of death and the identity of the deceased; and a licensed funeral director, who will confirm that the body was properly handled.
  • A simple burial with no viewing or visitation, which usually involves only the transportation, care, of burial of the remains.
  • A simple cremation with no ceremony, viewing or visitation.
  • This term refers to the placement of cremated or whole remains in their final resting place.
  • The process of temporarily preserving a body through the use of chemical injections and topical applications to maintain a life-like appearance through the viewing and funeral ceremonies. Embalming should be considered a temporary measure that provides the family with time to complete funeral preparations, make travel plans, etc., rather than a long-term preservation of the body.
  • A speech delivered at a funeral service in honor of the deceased. The person delivering the eulogy is usually a close friend, member of the clergy, or family member.member, a close friend, or other person of signficance to the deceased.
  • The Funeral Rule, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), makes it possible for you to choose only those goods and services you want or need and to pay only for those you select, whether you are making arrangements when a death occurs or in advance.
  • A ceremony that honours, celebrates, and remembers the life of a person who has died.
  • At a funeral home, the staff member who works with a family to arrange burial, cremation or other funeral services.
  • Law enforcement or other individuals who escort a funeral procession to the cemetery.
  • After the funeral service is finished, the remains of the deceased are transported to the final resting place as part of a funeral procession made up of two or more vehicles.
  • The services which may be used to care for and prepare human remains for burial, cremation or other final disposition. Funeral Services also include the arranging, supervising or conducting the funeral ceremony.
  • The General Price List (GPL) is a written, itemized price list that every funeral home is required by law to provide to consumers upon request. It lists all the items and services that the funeral home offers, along with the cost of each item or service.
  • A place in the ground that is used to bury the remains of the deceased.
  • A permanent outside container, generally consisting of a concrete box and a lid. It is not intended to demonstrate any sealed protection to the casket; see also “outer burial container.”
  • Grave markers, commonly known as headstones, tombstones, or gravestones, are placed over the grave to mark the resting place of the deceased
  • The concluding rite of a funeral service; or a memorial service taking place at the site of burial.
  • In natural or green burial, the body is buried, without embalming, in a natural setting; any shroud or casket that is used must be biodegradable, nontoxic and of sustainable material; traditional standing headstones are not permitted. Instead, flat rocks, plants or trees may serve as grave markers. A “natural or green burial” may also simply mean burial without embalming, in a biodegradable casket without a vault, when permitted by a cemetery.
  • Intense sorrow experienced following the death of a loved one.
  • A marker placed at the site of a burial.
  • A specially designed vehicle provided by the funeral home to transport remains; see also funeral coach.
  • A person who is accorded the honor of escorting the casket, similar to a casket bearer, but does not actually carry the casket; also called an honorary pallbearer.
  • The custom of presenting the deceased for viewing by mourners and others, prior to or after the funeral service.
  • The placement of the deceased in a grave or a columbarium.
  • Cemetery fee for the digging and refilling of the grave.
  • The placement of cremated remains in an urn.
  • Designed to hold a small portion of cremated remains, keepsakes come in a variety of styles, including, miniature urns, jewelry, photo frames and other suitable objects. The cremated remains are placed in the keepsake and distributed among immediate family members. Also known as memento urns.
  • A permanent underground crypt usually constructed of reinforced concrete or similar material installed in multiple units for the entombment of human remains.
  • A chauffeured automobile designed to seat six or more persons behind the driver's seat; generally used to transport the immediate family from the place of the funeral service to the cemetery.
  • A mechanism used for lowering the casket into the grave.
  • A public or private building with crypts for the entombment of casketed remains or cremated remains; see also “crypt.”
  • A medically qualified public officer whose duty is to investigate deaths occurring under unusual or suspicious circumstances, to perform post-mortems and to initiate inquests.
  • Miniature urns designed to hold a small portion of cremated remains; cremated remains are placed in memento urns and distributed among immediate family members.
  • A monument or grave marker identifying a grave or graves; a nameplate or inscription identifying a crypt or niche; a marker, garden bench, statue, etc., placed in a meaningful location to honor the dead.
  • A service, held without the body present, that commemorates the life of the deceased.
  • Typically made of granite, monuments can take on various forms; they are engraved with the names of the deceased and dates of birth and death; depending on the size of the stone, anniversary dates, names of children, favorite sayings, poems, scriptures or songs may be included; sometimes called a headstone, tombstone or gravestone.
  • A trained and licensed individual who provides support to the bereaved during initial stages of their grief; arranges and directs funeral ceremonies; arranges for the removal of the deceased from the place of death; prepares the body according to the wishes of the survivors and requirements of the law; secures information for legal documents; files death certificates and other legal papers; assists survivors with filing claims for death benefits; helps individuals adapt to changes in(...)
  • The study of the dead human body and the processes related to care and preparation for final disposition.
  • To feel or express sorrow or grief.
  • In natural or green burial, the body is buried, without embalming, in a natural setting; any shroud or casket that is used must be biodegradable, nontoxic and of sustainable material; traditional standing headstones are not permitted. Instead, flat rocks, plants or trees may serve as grave markers. A “natural or green burial” may also simply mean burial without embalming, in a biodegradable casket without a vault, when permitted by a cemetery.
  • A space in a wall or structure to hold urns containing cremated remains.
  • An outdoor garden containing structures with niches.
  • A published notice of a person's death which typically contains biographical details and information about funeral or memorial services.
  • A person who leads or officiates a funeral or memorial service.
  • A public expression of sympathy for another person’s grief; typically, these tributes are posted by family and friends at the deceased person’s online obituary located on the funeral home website or other location.
  • Cemetery fee for the digging and refilling of the grave; see also “interment fee.”
  • A rigid container that protects caskets from the weight of the soil; they are often required by cemeteries because they prevent the soil from collapsing into the grave following the interment; also called a vault or grave liner.
  • One of several people who assist in carrying a casket during a funeral service.
  • A portion of the burial plot cost set aside in a trust fund for its ongoing care.
  • An area of ground in a cemetery used for the interment of human remains.
  • A funeral that has been arranged prior to a person's death; see also “preplanning.”
  • A trust fund in which money is held until needed to pay for funeral costs.
  • A room in the funeral home where remains are prepared for viewing; preparation includes embalming, clothing the body, applying cosmetics, styling the hair and placing the remains in a casket.
  • The process of working with a funeral director or preplanning consultant to plan one's funeral in advance of death; the process includes selecting the type of funeral or memorial service, methods of disposition, funeral merchandise, cemetery plot locations, memorials, songs, casket bearers, etc.; many people who preplan their funeral services may also prepay for them through an insurance policy, a trust or other investment means. Also referred to as, “advance funeral planning.”
  • A procession, usually in motor vehicles, from the church or chapel to the cemetery.
  • A book made available by the funeral director for the recording of names of people visiting the funeral home to pay their respects to the deceased, as well as those in attendance at the funeral or memorial service.
  • An individual who has graduated from a mortuary science college program and is now working full-time at a funeral home to learn and build their embalming and funeral directing skills. A registered resident works under the director supervision of an experienced, licensed funeral director for one year. The one-year residency is required to apply for a NYS funeral directing license.
  • Securing and transporting human remains from the place of death.
  • The chamber in which a body is cremated.
  • The physical process of spreading cremated remains over land or water in a random manner as a means of final disposition.
  • A room in the funeral home where caskets, urns, outer burial containers and other related items are displayed for individuals or families to select for purchase while planning a funeral or memorial service; also known as a “display room.”
  • A room in a funeral home where visitations are held; the term is derived from a body lying in state for viewing by friends and family; see also visitation room.
  • An itemized list of the goods and services the consumer has selected during the arrangement conference. The Statement allows consumers to evaluate their selections and make any desired changes.
  • Those who have outlived the deceased, especially family members.
  • A chamber excavated from earth or rock specifically for receiving human remains.
  • Typically made of granite, monuments can take on various forms; they are engraved with the names of the deceased and dates of birth and death; depending on the size of the stone, anniversary dates, names of children, favorite sayings, poems, scriptures or songs may be included; sometimes called a headstone, tombstone or gravestone.
  • A permit issued by a local or state authority allowing a body to be transported to the place of burial or cremation, usually out-of-state.
  • A term used initially the 1700s to describe a contractor which, later, referred to one whose work involved funeral services for the deceased.
  • A container designed to hold cremated remains. Urns can be made of wood, metal, glass or other natural materials.
  • A garden containing urn burial sites.
  • The permanent placement of an urn into a niche or urn burial site.
  • A permanent outside container with an interior encasement, made of concrete, plastic, fiberglass or stone materials wherein the container holding the cremated remains are placed.
  • A permanent outside container of grade better than a grave liner or concrete box, which is sealed and affords protection to the casket.
  • A memorial video created with a compilation of photographs or home movies to honor the life of a loved one; can be played during the visitation or funeral service.
  • A gathering held with the deceased's body present; a time for family and friends to express condolences and support one another; also called a viewing, wake or calling hours.
  • A Roman Catholic religious service held on the eve of the funeral service; may include the recitation of the Rosary.
  • A gathering held with the deceased's body present; a time for family and friends to express condolences and support one another; also called a viewing, wake or calling hours.
  • A room in a funeral home where the body lies prior to the funeral service so people may view the deceased; see also “state room.”
  • A gathering held with the deceased's body present; a time for family and friends to express condolences and support one another; also called a viewing, wake or calling hours.
  • Technology that allows family and friends to "attend" a funeral or memorial service from a remote location via streaming video over the Internet.

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