Some words associated with funerals and generally surrounding the subject concerning the death of a loved one can be confusing. Here is a short definition of what some of those words mean.
Ashes
The remains of the dead person after being cremated
Bier
A frame on which the coffin or dead body is placed to carry them to the place of burial or cremation.
Casket
An American term for a coffin
Catafalque
A stand (often one that can be moved) on which the coffin is placed in the church. A decorated catafalque is often used to hold the coffin when an important person is lying in state.
Cemetery
A large burial ground, often one that is not in the grounds of a church
Coffin
The box in which the dead person is placed for burial or cremation. It may be made of wood, metal or cardboard.
Condolences
To show sympathy and compassion to a person - usually to one who is grieving the death of a loved one.
Cortège
The funeral procession including people and cars.
Cremains
The remaining ashes after a body has been cremated
Cremation
The burning of a dead person's body until only ashes remain.
Crematorium
The building where cremation of a dead person's body takes place
Dirge
A mournful slow song that is often sung at a funeral service
Embalm
This procedure is taken on by an "embalmer" and it is to preserve a dead person's body using chemicals.
Epitaph
Usually an inscription on a grave, an epitaph is a phrase or poem written in memory of a dead person.
Eulogy
A speech usually delivered by a family member or close friend at the funeral
Executor
The person who has been instructed to carry out the wishes of the person who has died.
Executrix
The same as an executor but in this case is the female version.
Funeral
A ceremony held after someone has died. It can be religious or non-religious and includes taking the body to the place of burial or cremation
Funeral Director
See "undertaker"
Funeral home
The building where a dead person's body is kept prior to a funeral and where it is on display for family members to visit.
Grant of probate
The official legal documents issued to either the Executor or Administrator which certifies they have the authority to deal with the deceased's legal and financial affairs. Find out more about what a grant of probate is and how it works here...
Graveyard
A burial ground that is most often associated with a church.
Hearse
The vehicle which carries the coffin to the funeral.
Inter
To bury a person who has died
Internment
The burial of a dead person
Lay out
Preparation of a dead person's body for viewings prior to burial or cremation
Lay someone to rest
The ceremonial burying of a dead person's body.
Morgue / Mortuary
Where dead bodies are temporarily kept
Mortician
In the UK a mortician is known as an undertaker or funeral director. See "undertaker"
Mourner
Someone who attends the funeral, usually a family member or close friend of the person who has died.
Pall
The coffin in which the deceased's body rests
Pallbearer
One of the people who carries the coffin at a funeral
Pay your respects
Attend the funeral
Probate
The process of sorting out the financial and legal affairs of a person after they have passed away.
Shroud
The wrapping of a dead person's body in cloth
Undertaker
Someone who is in the business of funeral arrangement and preparation of the dead body for cremation or burial. Also known as a "Funeral Director". In the US, the term "mortician" is used.
Urn
The container in which a dead person's ashes are kept.
Wake
A gathering of family and friends of a person who has died, usually before the funeral.
Will
A legal document that explains your wishes you would like to have carried out after you have died relating to your money, assets, property or children.
Wreath
An circular arrangement of flowers to put on the grave as remembrance of the person who has died.
