Terms and Definitions

Funeral Service: service involving the casketed remains of the deceased 

Memorial Service: service without the presence of the deceased remains

Viewing: the open casket or other presentation of deceased remains

Calling Period: gathering to greet mourners usually prior to a ceremonial service without the deceased remains present or viewable 

Embalming: the temporary preservation of remains

Cremation: the expedited decomposition of remains through heat and in-direct flame

Casket: a rectangular box used to encase remains for viewing and burial

Coffin: a six-sided box used to encase remains

Cremation Casket: a casket specifically designed to be used for both viewing and then cremation

Rental Casket: a casket shell with a replaceable liner to be used for cremation

At-Need Arrangements: arrangements done after the death had occurred, anything at-need refers to after death

Pre-Need Arrangements: arrangements made and paid for prior to death

Pre-Planning: funeral plans prior to death without being paid

Irrevocable Burial Account: account where pre-paid funeral funds are placed that can only be accessed after the beneficiary death

Memorial Folders: bi-fold folder used to memorialize the deceased, usually protestant

Prayer Cards: single card used to memorialize the deceased, usually catholic

Register Book: book for guests to sign

Interment: burial below ground in a cemetery

Entombment: burial above ground in a Mausoleum

Inurnment: burial of an urn in a Niche or a Columbarium 

Niche: a recess in a wall for the purpose of storing or displaying an urn

Columbarium: an above ground structure of Niches specifically for urns, similar to a Mausoleum 

Disposition: the disposing of human remains whether through earth-burial, at sea burial, cremation or other means 

Outer Burial Container: container placed in a grave to encase a casket

Vault: sealed outer container