FUNERAL INDUSTRY TERMS & DEFINITIONS

Bereavement: The process of mourning, usually includes grief, but not the other way around
Casket: A wooden box in which the deceased is placed and buried in. Ranges in price, size, color, and doo-dads, such as symbolic ornamentation.
Cemeteries: A designated area in which the deceased are buried and remembered.
Civil Celebrant: A person trained in the art of overseeing non-theological based ceremonies; also functions as master of ceremonies.
Coffin Cloth: Type of cloth used inside the casket and in those cute little mini-drawers.
Coffin: Same as casket but sounds much more imposing.
Columbarium: A pre-manufactured wall for the placement of standard-sized urns.
Committal Service: the service that takes place at the site of the grave
CPL: Casket Price List
Cremation: The process of burning a dead body, a.k.a., corpse, into a natural state of ashes.
Death Certificates: Paperwork for the government recognizing the deceased as deceased.
Elegies: a mournful lament or poem
Embalming: A process that inserts chemicals into a dead body for enhanced viewing purposes.
Epitaph: inscription on a tombstone
Eulogist: the person performing the eulogy.
Eulogy: a speech written in praise of one who is deceased
Funeral Director: The person who oversees all arrangements relating to the funeral service, burial process and paperwork of a deceased person; also, a counselor and caregiver to families in grief.
Funeral Home: a.k.a. Tribute Center: a socially acceptable place to mourn and cry over the celebration of a life lived and the recognition of that person's death. Usually a quiet, reverent space that offers solace and comfort.
Funeral Rule: Legislation to protect consumers with regard to funeral goods and services developed by the FTC.
GPL: General Price List
Gobo: light projector with names or inscriptions emanating from it
Grief: A feeling of inexplicable sorrow. Not fun.
Memory Board: A poster board displaying photos of the deceased strategically placed during the funeral for viewing by mourners.
Memorologist: A great event that captures the moment and the imagination of its attendees so that it becomes an event worth remembering. Coined by Richard Aaron for use in the special event marketing arena.
Mummifcation: modern day art of creating mummiforms. Average cost as of this writing equals $67,000.00
NFDA: The National Funeral Directors Association
Obituary: a notice informing the public of a death with the time and location of a funeral/tribute along with a description of the deceased. Also a plea for help from the mourners for emotional and communal support.
Paraphrase: to reflect or mirror back the meaning of another's vocal expression.
Personalization: customizing, making the ordinary extraordinary, the creation of an intimate connection
Pre-Need or Pre-Arrangement: A pre-made plan for the Time of Need.
Register Book: a book that one signs when they arrive at the funeral or tribute. It also represents an obligation to appear on behalf of the survivors.
Remembrance Reception: new phrase to describe 'viewing'
Special Event: a unique occasion concerning ceremony and ritual shaped with experience to establish memory with a determined outcome per Richard Aaron.
Special Event Planner: one who is concerned with the art of detail.
Time of Need: a.k.a. Times Up; when a person dies and is in immediate need of funeral arrangements.
Urn: A vase-like holder for the remains of a body following cremation.
Viewing: The process of viewing a dead body to know that it is in fact really dead.

Mortuary Sciences:
• Provides support to the bereaved during initial stages of grief.
• Arranges and directs funeral services.
• 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 details for filing claims for death benefits.
• Helps individuals adapt to changes in their lives through counseling and support group activities.