Funeral & Memorial Glossary
100+ terms defined in plain, compassionate language. Because understanding the process should never add to the burden.
Important Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Last reviewed: April 12, 2026
Reviewed by
Linkora Editorial Team
Memorial care research and end-of-life education
Anatomical donation
The donation of a body to a medical school or research institution for scientific study. After research is completed (typically 1 to 3 years), the remains are cremated and returned to the family. Anatomical donation is different from organ donation.
Aquamation
Also known as alkaline hydrolysis or water cremation, aquamation is an eco-friendly alternative to flame cremation. The body is placed in a pressurized vessel with water and an alkaline solution, which accelerates natural decomposition. The process uses approximately one-tenth the energy of traditional cremation.
Arrangement conference
A meeting between the bereaved family and a funeral director to discuss and plan the details of the funeral or memorial service. This includes choosing services, selecting a casket or urn, setting the schedule, and reviewing costs.
At-need
Funeral arrangements made at the time of death, as opposed to pre-need (pre-planned) arrangements. At-need planning often happens under time pressure and emotional stress, which is why many advisors recommend pre-planning.
Beneficiary
A person designated to receive assets from an estate, life insurance policy, retirement account, or trust after the account holder's death. Beneficiary designations on financial accounts typically override instructions in a will.
Bereavement
The state of having lost a loved one through death. Bereavement encompasses the period of grief and mourning that follows a loss. Many employers offer bereavement leave, typically 3 to 5 days for immediate family members.
Body preparation
The process of preparing a deceased person's body for viewing, burial, or cremation. This may include washing, dressing, cosmetic application, and possibly embalming, depending on the family's wishes and legal requirements.
Burial permit
A legal document issued by a local government authority that authorizes the burial or cremation of a deceased person. The funeral director typically obtains the burial permit on behalf of the family after the death certificate is filed.
Burial vault
An outer container, typically made of concrete, steel, or fiberglass, that encloses the casket in the grave. Most cemeteries require a vault or grave liner to prevent the ground from settling over time. Vaults are sealed; grave liners are not.
Calling hours
A designated period when the public may visit the funeral home to view the deceased and offer condolences to the family. Calling hours are the same as a visitation or viewing and may take place the day or evening before the funeral.
Casket
A rectangular container used for viewing and burial of the deceased. A casket is distinguished from a coffin by its shape: caskets are rectangular with a split lid, while coffins are tapered (wider at the shoulders, narrower at the feet). In the U.S., "casket" is the more commonly used term.
Celebration of life
A memorial event that focuses on honoring and celebrating the life of the deceased, rather than mourning their death. Celebrations of life are typically less formal than traditional funerals, may be held weeks or months after the death, and often take place in non-traditional venues.
Cemetery
A designated area of land set aside for the burial of the dead. Cemeteries may be public (operated by a municipality), private (operated by a religious organization or corporation), or national (operated by the federal government for veterans).
Cenotaph
A memorial monument erected to honor a person whose remains are buried elsewhere or were never recovered. Cenotaphs are common in military contexts and at sites of mass disasters.
Chapel
A room or building within a funeral home, hospital, or cemetery designated for religious services and ceremonies. Many funeral homes have one or more chapels of varying sizes to accommodate different types of services.
Coffin
A tapered container, wider at the shoulders and narrower at the feet, used for burial. While often used interchangeably with "casket" in everyday language, a coffin is technically a different shape. Coffins are more common in European and Jewish traditions.
Columbarium
A structure, often a wall or freestanding building, with small compartments called niches designed to hold urns containing cremated remains. Columbariums are found in cemeteries, churches, and memorial gardens.
Committal service
A brief ceremony held at the final resting place (graveside, mausoleum, or columbarium) during which the remains are committed to their final disposition. This is often the last formal part of the funeral process.
Condolence
An expression of sympathy and sorrow to someone who has experienced a loss. Condolences may be offered in person, by card, by phone, or through a digital memorial page.
Coroner
A public official (in some jurisdictions, an elected one) responsible for investigating deaths that are sudden, unexplained, or potentially the result of criminal activity. The coroner determines the cause and manner of death and may order an autopsy.
Cortege
A funeral procession, typically a line of vehicles traveling from the funeral home or place of worship to the cemetery. The hearse leads the procession, followed by the immediate family and other mourners.
Cremains
An informal term for cremated remains, the bone fragments left after cremation. The remains are processed into a fine, uniform powder and typically weigh 3 to 7 pounds for an adult.
Cremation
The process of reducing a body to bone fragments through high-temperature burning (typically 1,400 to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit). Cremation has surpassed burial as the most common form of disposition in the United States, with a rate exceeding 60% as of 2023.
Crematorium
A facility where cremation takes place. A crematorium houses one or more cremation chambers (retorts) and may be part of a funeral home, cemetery, or standalone facility.
Crypt
An enclosed space within a mausoleum used for entombment of a casket. Crypts can be at various levels, with eye-level and above-ground positions typically being more expensive.
Death certificate
An official government document that records the date, time, location, and cause of a person's death. Certified copies are required for many legal and financial processes, including filing insurance claims, accessing bank accounts, and settling the estate. Most families need 10 to 15 certified copies.
Death doula
Also called an end-of-life doula or death midwife, a trained companion who provides non-medical support to dying individuals and their families. Services may include emotional support, legacy projects, vigil planning, and guidance through the dying process.
Decedent
A legal term referring to a person who has died. This term is commonly used in legal documents, death certificates, and estate proceedings.
Direct burial
Burial shortly after death without a formal viewing or funeral service beforehand. The body is placed in a simple container and buried, usually within 24 to 48 hours. Direct burial is typically the least expensive burial option.
Direct cremation
Cremation performed shortly after death without a prior viewing or ceremony. The body is placed in a simple container and cremated, with the remains returned to the family. Direct cremation is the least expensive cremation option, typically ranging from $1,000 to $3,000.
Disinterment
The removal of buried remains from a grave. Synonymous with exhumation. Disinterment typically requires a court order and notification of the local health department.
Disposition
The final handling of the remains of a deceased person. Common forms of disposition include burial, cremation, entombment, aquamation, and donation to science. Laws governing disposition vary by state.
Embalming
A preservation process where blood is replaced with a chemical solution (typically formaldehyde-based) to temporarily slow decomposition and restore a natural appearance for viewing. Embalming is not legally required in most states, though some funeral homes may require it for an open-casket viewing.
Endowment care
A fund maintained by a cemetery to cover the long-term maintenance of the grounds. A portion of every plot purchase typically goes into the endowment care fund. Also called perpetual care.
Entombment
The placement of a casket in a crypt within a mausoleum or other above-ground structure, as opposed to in-ground burial.
Epitaph
An inscription on a headstone or memorial marker, typically a brief phrase or sentiment honoring the deceased. Famous epitaphs range from solemn to humorous.
Estate executor
The person named in a will to carry out the deceased's wishes and manage their estate through probate. Also called a "personal representative" in some states. The executor is responsible for inventorying assets, paying debts, filing taxes, and distributing property to beneficiaries.
Eulogy
A speech or written tribute honoring a deceased person, typically delivered during a funeral or memorial service. Eulogies often share personal stories, celebrate the person's character and achievements, and offer comfort to those grieving.
Exhumation
The legal process of removing a buried body from the ground. Exhumation typically requires a court order and may be done for reburial in a different location, legal investigation, or identification purposes.
Final disposition
The ultimate placement or handling of a deceased person's remains. This is the legal term used on death certificates and other documents to record how the body was handled (burial, cremation, donation, etc.).
Final expenses
The costs associated with a person's death, including funeral services, burial or cremation, medical bills, legal fees, and outstanding debts. The median cost of a funeral with viewing and burial in the U.S. was $7,848 in 2023, not including the cemetery plot.
First call
The initial contact made to a funeral home to report a death and request their services. During the first call, the funeral home arranges to transport the deceased from the place of death to their facility.
Flowers of remembrance
Floral arrangements sent to a funeral or memorial service as a gesture of sympathy. Common types include casket sprays (placed on top of the casket), standing sprays, wreaths, and basket arrangements.
Funeral director
A licensed professional who manages all aspects of a funeral, including body preparation, paperwork (death certificate, permits), coordinating services, and supporting the family. Licensing requirements vary by state but typically include education and an apprenticeship.
Funeral home
A licensed establishment that provides funeral services, including body preparation, viewing facilities, ceremony space, and coordination of burial or cremation. Also known as a mortuary or funeral parlor.
Funeral Rule
A regulation enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that requires funeral homes to provide itemized price lists, allows consumers to choose only the services they want, and prohibits funeral homes from requiring embalming in most cases.
Grave liner
A basic outer container placed in a grave to prevent the ground from settling. Unlike a burial vault, a grave liner is not sealed and offers minimal protection from the elements. Most cemeteries require either a vault or liner.
Graveside service
A funeral or memorial service conducted at the grave site rather than in a funeral home or place of worship. Graveside services are typically shorter and may serve as the entire service or as a committal following a larger ceremony.
Green burial
An environmentally conscious approach to burial that avoids embalming chemicals, uses biodegradable containers (or a simple shroud), and allows the body to decompose naturally. Green burial cemeteries typically prohibit headstones in favor of natural markers like trees or native plants.
Grief counseling
Professional support to help individuals process their grief after a loss. Grief counseling may be provided by licensed therapists, social workers, religious leaders, or peer support groups. Many funeral homes offer or can recommend grief counseling services.
Ground burial
The traditional practice of placing a casket or container in the earth. Also called in-ground burial or earth burial. Ground burial may take place in a cemetery, church yard, or in some states, on private property.
Guest book
A register or book at a funeral or memorial service where attendees sign their names, often with a brief message of condolence. Digital guest books on memorial websites serve the same purpose for those who cannot attend in person.
Hearse
A specially designed vehicle used to transport the casket or coffin from the funeral home to the place of service and then to the cemetery. Modern hearses are typically modified luxury vehicles.
Honorarium
A payment made to clergy, musicians, or other participants in a funeral service as a token of gratitude for their time and services. Honorariums are typically arranged by the funeral director and paid from the family's funds.
Hospice
A type of end-of-life care focused on comfort and quality of life rather than curative treatment. Hospice care is available to patients with a terminal illness and a life expectancy of six months or less (as certified by a physician). Services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance.
Human composting
Also called natural organic reduction (NOR), a process that transforms human remains into nutrient-rich soil over 30 to 45 days. The body is placed in a vessel with organic materials like wood chips, alfalfa, and straw. Legal in a growing number of states including Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, California, and New York.
In lieu of flowers
A request, often included in an obituary, asking that mourners make a charitable donation instead of sending flowers to the funeral. The phrase is typically followed by the name of a specific charity or cause meaningful to the deceased or their family.
Interment
The act of placing remains (a casket, urn, or body) in a final resting place. Interment can refer to burial in the ground, placement in a mausoleum, or inurnment in a columbarium.
Interment rights
The legal right to use a specific burial plot, niche, or crypt. Purchasing interment rights does not mean owning the land itself, but rather the right to be buried in that specific space, subject to the cemetery's rules.
Inurnment
The act of placing cremated remains (in an urn) in a final resting place, such as a columbarium niche, mausoleum, or burial plot.
Jewish mourning practices
Jewish tradition follows a structured mourning process: shiva (seven days of intensive mourning at home), shloshim (30 days of reduced mourning), and the first yahrzeit (anniversary of the death). Burial typically occurs within 24 hours, the body is not embalmed, and a simple wooden casket is used.
Kaddish
A Jewish prayer recited by mourners during and after the mourning period. The Mourner's Kaddish is traditionally recited daily for 11 months after the death of a parent and for 30 days after the death of other close relatives. It is also recited on the yahrzeit (anniversary of the death).
Keepsake urn
A small urn designed to hold a portion of cremated remains, allowing family members to each keep some of the ashes. Keepsake urns come in many forms, including jewelry, small vessels, and glass art pieces.
Legacy contact
A person designated to manage a deceased individual's digital accounts. Major platforms like Apple, Facebook, and Google allow users to name a legacy contact who can access or memorialize their account after death.
Lying in state
The practice of placing the body of a deceased person in a public or government building so that the public may pay their respects. In the United States, lying in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda is an honor typically reserved for government officials, military leaders, and other notable citizens.
Mausoleum
An above-ground structure containing one or more crypts for entombment of caskets. Mausoleums may be community structures (housing many crypts), family-sized, or individual. They offer an alternative to in-ground burial.
Medical examiner
A licensed physician (usually a forensic pathologist) appointed to investigate deaths that are sudden, violent, suspicious, or unexplained. Unlike a coroner, a medical examiner is always a physician. They determine the cause and manner of death.
Memorial plaque
A flat tablet, typically made of bronze or stone, placed at a memorial site to honor the deceased. Memorial plaques may be mounted on walls, benches, trees, or other structures and often include the person's name, dates, and a brief inscription.
Memorial service
A ceremony honoring the deceased held without the body present. Memorial services may take place days, weeks, or even months after the death and are often held when cremation has already occurred or when the body has been donated to science.
Memorialization
The act of creating a lasting tribute to a deceased person. This can include headstones, memorial plaques, digital memorials, planted trees, named scholarships, or dedicated benches. Memorialization helps keep the person's memory alive for future generations.
Monument
A permanent marker placed at a grave site, typically made of granite, marble, or bronze. Monuments include headstones (vertical markers), flat markers (flush with the ground), and ledger stones (covering the entire grave).
Next of kin
A person's closest living relative, who is typically responsible for making funeral arrangements and other decisions regarding the deceased. The legal definition and order of priority for next of kin vary by state.
Niche
A small compartment in a columbarium designed to hold one or more urns containing cremated remains. Niches come in various sizes and may feature a glass front, engraved plate, or space for photos and small mementos.
Notification
The process of informing family, friends, employers, and institutions of a person's death. Notifications may be made by phone, email, letter, or through an obituary. Many families find this to be one of the most difficult tasks after a death.
Obituary
A published notice announcing a person's death, typically including biographical information, surviving family members, and details about funeral or memorial services. Obituaries may appear in newspapers, online obituary sites, or on a funeral home's website.
Obituary notice
A paid announcement in a newspaper or online publication informing the public of a person's death. Obituary notices typically include the person's full name, age, date of death, and service details. Costs vary widely but can range from $200 to $2,000 or more depending on the publication and length.
Opening and closing
Cemetery charges for excavating (opening) a grave for burial and filling (closing) it afterward. These fees are separate from the cost of the burial plot itself and typically range from $1,000 to $3,000.
Organ donation
The process of surgically removing organs or tissues from a deceased person for transplantation to a living recipient. One organ donor can save up to eight lives. Organ donation does not prevent an open-casket funeral.
Pallbearer
A person who helps carry or escort the casket during a funeral service. Traditionally, six pallbearers carry the casket, though some services use honorary pallbearers who walk alongside. Being asked to serve as a pallbearer is considered an honor.
Perpetual care
An ongoing maintenance agreement for a cemetery plot, funded by a one-time fee paid at the time of purchase. Perpetual care covers mowing, landscaping, and general upkeep of the cemetery grounds in perpetuity.
Power of attorney
A legal document that authorizes another person to act on your behalf in financial, legal, or medical matters. A power of attorney becomes void upon the death of the person who created it, at which point the executor takes over.
Pre-need
Funeral arrangements made in advance of death, also called pre-planning. Pre-need arrangements allow individuals to specify their wishes and, in many cases, lock in prices. Pre-need plans may be funded through insurance policies, trusts, or pay-over-time installments.
Probate
The legal process of validating a will and distributing a deceased person's estate under court supervision. Probate involves identifying assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining property to beneficiaries. The process can take several months to over a year depending on the complexity of the estate.
Procession
The formal movement of mourners, typically in vehicles, from the funeral service to the cemetery or place of final disposition. In many states, funeral processions have the legal right-of-way and may be escorted by police.
QR memorial
A digital memorial accessed by scanning a QR code, typically placed on a headstone, memorial plaque, bench, or keepsake. The QR code links to an online memorial page where visitors can view photos, read stories, leave tributes, and learn about the person's life.
Repast
A meal or gathering held after a funeral or memorial service, providing an opportunity for mourners to share food, comfort one another, and share memories. The repast may be held at a family home, community center, restaurant, or place of worship.
Repatriation
The process of transporting a deceased person's remains from the country where they died to their home country for burial or cremation. Repatriation involves significant paperwork, embalming (usually required for international transport), and coordination between funeral homes and consulates.
Requiem
A Mass or church service for the dead in the Catholic tradition, or more broadly, a musical composition written in memory of the deceased. Famous requiems include those by Mozart, Brahms, and Faure.
Resomation
A trademarked name for alkaline hydrolysis (also called aquamation). The process uses water and an alkaline solution in a pressurized vessel to reduce the body to bone ash, which is returned to the family. The term is primarily used in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe.
Retort
The chamber inside a crematorium where the actual cremation takes place. Modern retorts are lined with heat-resistant brick and can reach temperatures of 1,400 to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit.
Scattering
The dispersal of cremated remains in a meaningful location, such as a garden, body of water, mountain, or designated scattering area within a cemetery. Laws governing scattering vary by state and locality. Scattering at sea is regulated by the EPA and must occur at least three nautical miles from shore.
Sexton
A cemetery caretaker responsible for maintaining the grounds, digging graves, and managing burial records. In some traditions, the sexton also maintains the church building and rings the church bells.
Shiva
A seven-day mourning period observed in Judaism following the burial. During shiva, the immediate family stays home and receives visitors who come to offer condolences. Mirrors are covered, mourners sit on low chairs, and the community brings food for the family.
Slumber room
A private viewing room at a funeral home where the family can spend time with the deceased before or after the public viewing. Slumber rooms offer a quieter, more intimate setting than the main visitation area.
Survivor benefits
Financial benefits available to the surviving spouse, children, or dependents of a deceased person. Sources include Social Security (up to $255 lump-sum death benefit plus monthly payments), employer life insurance, veterans' benefits, and pension plans.
Transfer of remains
The process of moving a deceased person's body from the place of death to a funeral home, crematorium, or other facility. The first transfer is often called the "first call" and is typically performed by the funeral home.
Tribute
An expression of honor or remembrance for a deceased person. Tributes can take many forms, including speeches, written messages, photo displays, charitable donations, planted trees, and digital memorials.
Trust
A legal arrangement in which one party (the trustee) holds assets on behalf of another (the beneficiary). Trusts are often used in estate planning to avoid probate, minimize taxes, and provide for heirs according to specific conditions set by the creator of the trust.
Undertaker
An older term for a funeral director, still used in some regions and traditions. The term originated in the 17th century when individuals would "undertake" the responsibility of preparing the dead for burial.
Urn
A container designed to hold cremated remains. Urns come in a wide variety of materials (ceramic, wood, metal, biodegradable), sizes, and designs. Some are intended for permanent display, while others are designed for burial, placement in a columbarium, or scattering.
Vault
See "Burial vault." An outer container that encloses the casket in the grave. Vaults are sealed to protect the casket from the weight of the earth and moisture, and they prevent the ground from settling.
Vigil
A period of watchful waiting, often held the evening before a funeral. In the Catholic tradition, the vigil (also called a wake or rosary vigil) includes prayers and often takes place at the funeral home. Other traditions may hold a vigil at the home of the deceased or a place of worship.
Visitation
A scheduled time for friends and family to view the deceased and pay their respects before the funeral service. Also called a viewing, calling hours, or wake (depending on the tradition). Visitations may be open-casket or closed-casket.
Wake
A gathering held before the funeral where friends and family view the body and pay their respects. The term historically referred to the practice of "watching" over the body through the night. In modern usage, "wake" and "visitation" are often used interchangeably, though cultural connotations may differ.
Will
A legal document in which a person (the testator) specifies how their assets should be distributed after death, names an executor to manage the estate, and may designate guardians for minor children. A will must typically be witnessed and may need to go through probate to be enforced.
Yahrzeit
The anniversary of a death in the Jewish tradition, observed according to the Hebrew calendar. On the yahrzeit, family members light a special memorial candle that burns for 24 hours, recite the Kaddish prayer, and may visit the grave. The word comes from Yiddish and means "time of year."
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Related Resources
What To Do When Someone Dies
40-item interactive checklist organized by timeline
GUIDEFuneral Etiquette Guide
Dress code, behavior, cultural variations
CHECKLISTEstate Executor Checklist
Step-by-step guide with legal requirements
GUIDECelebration of Life Guide
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Sources & References
- [1]National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) — Industry standards, statistics, and consumer resources (accessed Apr 2026)
- [2]Funeral Consumers Alliance — Consumer education on funeral rights and terminology (accessed Apr 2026)
- [3]International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) — Cemetery and cremation industry terminology and standards (accessed Apr 2026)
- [4]Merriam-Webster Dictionary — Standard English definitions referenced for general terms (accessed Apr 2026)
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