A
A court appointed person or body put in charge of the estate of a person who died without a will.
A meeting of the family members and/or friends of the deceased to finalise funeral arrangements. During this meeting the funeral director will discuss the family’s wishes and budget, and make the necessary arrangements for the service. They will also prepare a binding contract for the funeral goods and services selected by the family. This meeting usually takes place at the funeral home, however, it may also be held at a hospital or the family’s home.
A meeting room at the funeral home used to make the necessary funeral arrangements with the family of the deceased.
Refers to services rendered at the time of death, in contrast to ‘Pre-need’, which include planning and other services offered prior to, or in preparation for, a death.
This is a medical procedure used to determine the cause of death, because the cause of death is unknown, or following a sudden, violent, accidental or unexpected death (including during or soon after a hospital procedure such as surgery). In most cases, a doctor or the police will refer a death to the coroner for an autopsy to be performed. In some instances, a hospital doctor will perform an autopsy to find out more about an illness or the cause of death, or to further medical research and understanding.
B
Any recipient of the proceeds of a will or insurance policy.
Any gift of property made in a will.
(n) The immediate family of the deceased, (v) suffering from grief upon the death of a loved one.
The act of placing a dead person in the ground.
Some states and territories require a permit or certificate for human remains to be buried or cremated. This can be provided by your funeral director.
C
A container of wood, metal, cardboard or other material designed specifically for holding human remains for burial or cremation.
The fixed stand (not transportable) on which the casket/ coffin can rest during a viewing and the funeral service. (See Trolley – collapsible stand).
An individual who officiates at a funeral service. Generally they have visited the family, and will conduct the funeral or memorial service and either speak of the deceased on behalf of the family, or just support the family who wish to speak.
An area of ground set aside for the burial or entombment of the deceased.
A legalized copy of the original death certificate (See Death Certificate). A certified copy is a copy (often a photocopy) of a primary document that has on it, an endorsement that it is a true copy of the primary document. It is required for the purpose of substantiating various claims by the family of the deceased, such as matters in settling the deceased’s estate, insurance and other death benefits.
A large room in a funeral home or other location in which the funeral or memorial service can be held.
The body of people ordained or recognized by a religious community as ritual or spiritual leaders, who will conduct a funeral service.
A structure or building with niches designed to house cremated remains in urns.
The concluding rite of a funeral service is the committal, whereby the final words are said by the officiant. This can take place at the funeral service, a graveside, or in the case of a cremation, in the crematorium chapel.
A coroner is a lawyer whose duty it is to investigate a death if it appears to be from other than natural causes, or if there was no doctor in attendance for a long time prior to death.
The procession of people or vehicles led by the hearse, which travels from the funeral service to the cemetery or crematorium or other final resting place.
The remains of the body after a cremation, sometimes called ashes.
A regulated process using intense heat in a specially designed chamber to render human remains into ash.
Some states and territories require a permit or certificate for human remains to be buried or cremated. This can be provided by your funeral director.
A furnace used for the cremation process.
A building or facility with the equipment needed for cremating human remains, and usually with a chapel for conducting funeral services.
An individual chamber in a mausoleum (See Mausoleum), that can contain casketed human remains.
D
A certificate stating details of the deceased that have been gathered from the family, which is issued by the Births, Deaths and Marriages section of the State or Territory government. A ‘certified copy’ (see Certified Death Certificate) is required for the purpose of substantiating various claims by the family of the deceased, such as matters in settling the deceased’s estate, insurance and other death benefits.
This is a notice in the classified section of a newspaper, or on the internet, publicising the death of a person. A Death Notice is different from a Funeral Notice (See Funeral Notice) and Obituary. (See Obituary)
(n) One in whom all physical life has ceased; (v) dead.
Cremation of a deceased person without a funeral service taking place beforehand.
Disbursements are costs that are out of the control of the funeral director. These usually include newspaper notices, church and clergy fees, and cemetery and crematorium costs.
A room in a funeral home in which caskets and coffins are displayed for selection.
E
An embalmer is a person who has attained qualifications specifically for embalming. They have acquired the technical skills to embalm a deceased person and can also undertake complex reconstructive work, necessary when a deceased person has been physically traumatised prior to death.
The process of preserving a deceased person by means of sanitizing and circulating a preservative embalming fluid through the veins and arteries.
Placement of a deceased person in a casket/coffin into an aboveground structure called a mausoleum.
The executor of a Will is responsible for carrying out the wishes of a person after they die. The role of the executor is to manage the estate within the terms of the Will and protect the assets of the estate. The executor of an estate must comply with various laws and rules that govern the administration of deceased estates.
To remove human remains from the place of burial.
F
A limousine or sedan for the use of the immediate family for transportation to the service venue, cemetery or crematorium.
A specially arranged room in a funeral home, designed to provide the family privacy on the day of the funeral service.
Flowers displayed at a funeral service that have been sent by family and friends.
Metal or wooden racks/stands used outside of venues for the storage of delivered flowers
A professional person who provides competent and empathetic support with the arrangement of a funeral or memorial service, and the respectful care and preparation of the deceased person. (Sometimes referred to as an Undertaker).
A business that provides funeral services to the community including arranging funeral services and caring for the deceased person. Some funeral homes have a chapel on their premises.
This is a notice in the classified section of a newspaper, or on the internet, publicizing the death of a person and giving the details of the funeral or memorial service that the family wish to have published. A Funeral Notice is different from a Death Notice (See Death Notice) and an Obituary. (See Obituary)
A ceremony held after a person’s death to honour their life. (See Memorial Service)
G
An excavation in the earth for the purpose of burying a deceased person.
A structure made of concrete, metal or wood that is placed inside the grave to prevent the collapse of a grave before burial, and/or as an extra precaution in protecting the deceased person from the elements.
A temporary method of identifying the occupant of a grave, usually using a wooden cross, until such time as a permanent headstone or plaque is put in place.
A funeral service conducted at the grave site.
If the deceased person was a member of the Defence or Emergency Services, community organisation or club, the members attending the service may wish to form a guard of honour, as a mark of respect. This involves a group of people arranging themselves in either one or two rows to honour the deceased person, as their casket/coffin is being moved. Most commonly, this happens at the end of the funeral service when the casket/coffin is being moved to the hearse, or alternatively approaching the graveside.
H
A headstone is also known as a gravestone, tombstone or cornerstone. They are made of various materials including marble, granite, bronze, sandstone and concrete. They are placed at the head of a grave and inscribed with details of the deceased person including their name, dates of birth and death and sometimes quotes and religious scriptures.
A vehicle designed and used to carry the casket/coffin from the service location to the cemetery or crematorium.
Hospice is a unique type of care for people with advanced illness and their family. Patients receive treatment (known as palliative care) to assist with pain relief and other symptoms, and also psychological and spiritual care. Sometimes a facility that provides this specialised care is referred to as a ‘Hospice’.
I
An inquest is a court hearing conducted by a coroner to gather more information about the cause and circumstances of a death. Coroners may also make recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths in the future. An inquest is not a trial and there is no jury.
The placing of a deceased person in a grave or burial chamber.
L
A mechanism used for lowering a casket/coffin into a grave. Two or more straps are placed over the open grave to support the casket/coffin, and upon release of the mechanism the straps unwind from cylinders and slowly lower the casket/coffin into the grave.
M
An above-ground structure or building, often in a cemetery, that holds caskets and remains.
A Memorial Guest Book allows those attending the funeral service to record their attendance. There is also space for entering other data such as name, dates of birth and death of the deceased, family names, name of the officiating person, time and date of the service, and place of interment etc.
A service conducted in memory of the deceased person without the deceased person being present.
Memorial Websites found on-line allow families and friends to celebrate the life of a loved one by writing a life biography, sharing stories, leaving tributes, compiling photo, audio and video albums in their memory.
A moment of silence is an expression used for a period of silent contemplation, reflection, meditation or prayer. The person conducting the funeral service may ask those gathered to observe ‘one minute’s silence’ to reflect on their memories of the deceased.
These are usually government operated facilities, where deceased persons are held for different reasons, including identification by their next of kin, an autopsy, and pending instructions regarding arrangements for a funeral service.
A mortician is someone who prepares a deceased person’s body for a funeral.
A building where funeral staff provide for the care and preparation of deceased persons for their final resting place.
A person who is present at a funeral service out of affection or respect for the deceased person.
Encouraging mourners to take an active part in the ceremony is a way of personalising a service. Some examples are mourner’s are asked to wear the deceased’s favourite colour, hand around coloured post-it-notes during the service for messages to be placed on the coffin, or invite mourners to write on the coffin in texta pens that are provided. Other alternatives are giving mourners a memento as they leave the service such as a sprig of rosemary which is a symbol of remembrance, a bookmark with the deceased’s photo or a collection of the deceased’s favourite music on a CD.
A limousine or sedan for the use of the immediate family for transportation to the service venue, cemetery or crematorium.
N
A small space in a wall made for the placing of urns containing cremated remains, or inside a building for this purpose called a columbarium.
O
An obituary is a news article that reports the recent death of a person, typically along with an account of the person’s life and sometimes information about the upcoming funeral service. In large cities and larger newspapers, obituaries are written only for people considered significant. In local newspapers, an obituary may be published for any local resident upon death.
An Order of Service Booklet is the printed document that outlines the key points in the funeral or memorial service, and is used as a lasting keepsake for family and friends.
P
Family and/or friends of the deceased person who carry the casket/coffin when necessary during the funeral service.
A wooden or metal column used for placing flower arrangements, photos or personal items during a service.
A photo presentation made up of a collection of photos/ and or videos which is usually edited to music on a DVD or USB to honour the deceased person. It can be shown before, during or after the funeral service. PLOT A specific area of ground in a cemetery for the purpose of burying deceased persons.
The RSL may conduct a funeral ritual segment for its members that highlights the services of the deceased to their country, both in conflict and in peace. Poppy services ensure that those who have given so much for us are remembered and honoured with the dignity they deserve. The service will include the deceased’s service record, distribution of poppies, reading of The Ode, The Last Post, one minutes silence and Reveille/Rouse.
This is a medical procedure used to determine the cause of death, because the cause of death is unknown, or following a sudden, violent, accidental or unexpected death (including during or soon after a hospital procedure such as surgery). In most cases, a doctor or the police will refer a death to the coroner for an autopsy to be performed. In some instances, a hospital doctor will perform an autopsy to find out more about an illness or the cause of death, or to further medical research and understanding.
Powers of Attorney allow a person to give someone else the legal authority to look after their affairs on their behalf, whilst they are still alive. An Enduring Power of Attorney is a legal document where a person of their choice can be appointed to manage their assets and financial affairs if they are unable to do so due to illness, an accident or in their absence. A Medical Power of Attorney allows them to appoint someone to make decisions about their medical treatment if they become mentally or physically incapable of deciding for themselves. Both types of Power of Attorney remain valid until the principal (the person appointing another person to act on their behalf) either revokes the document or dies.
Funeral arrangements completed by an individual prior to his/her death.
Funding for the funeral has been arranged by an individual prior to his/her death by either funeral insurance, funeral bonds or a trust.
Funeral arrangements completed and paid for by an individual prior to his/her death.
Refers to planning and other services offered prior to, or in preparation for a death, in contrast to ‘At-need’ which refers to services rendered at the time of death.
R
Rigidity caused by chemical changes in the muscles after death, causing the limbs of the corpse to become stiff and difficult to move or manipulate. This is a temporary condition and gradually dissipates.
S
A room in a funeral home in which caskets and coffins are displayed for selection.
T
This is a note expressing gratitude for the support and kindnesses extended to the deceased persons family during a stressful time. It can be on personalised stationery, a blank or pre-printed card, or sent by email.
This is a notice in the classified section of a newspaper, or on the internet, thanking those people who supported the deceased’s family with a short note.
The collapsible stand on which the casket/coffin can rest during a viewing and the funeral service, and can be transported in a hearse. (See Catafalque – fixed stand). Undertaker – (See Funeral Director).
U
A specially designed container into which cremated remains (sometimes referred to as ashes) are placed. Urns are made of various materials including marble, metal and wood.
V
Above-ground vaults are concrete cells erected on a concrete slab for the interment of deceased persons. They can be purchased singly, in pairs or at a family’s individual request. Underground vaults are concrete lined chambers for the interment of deceased persons.
A scheduled time during which a deceased person is present in an open or closed casket/coffin, when family and friends can view the body, share memories of the deceased, and lend comfort and support to each other in their grief. This usually takes place in a special room either within the funeral home or church/chapel.
A Roman Catholic religious service celebrated between the time of death and the funeral service, often on the day before or the evening before the funeral Mass. The vigil may take place in the home of the deceased person, at the funeral home, or in the church. A priest, deacon, or layperson may preside at this liturgy.
W
Modern wakes vary from culture to culture. In Australia and New Zealand ‘the wake’ commonly refers to the gathering of mourners after the funeral service has taken place, to share food and drinks and offer support to the family of the deceased. In other countries, ‘the wake’ can refer to a scheduled time that family and friends spend with the deceased in an open or closed casket/coffin, to view the body, share memories of the deceased, and lend comfort and support to each other in their grief. (Also see Viewing)
A Will is a document that states how a person would like their assets to be distributed when they die, and the person or organisation they would like to be responsible for carrying out their wishes.