Common Funeral Industry Terms: Death Dictionary
Our Own Death-Related Dictionary
Part 1 in a 2-Part Series
Have you ever heard a funeral director use unfamiliar terminology? We thought so. Like many entrepreneurs, we work far more than 40 hours a week. In fact, we relate to Sandra Bullock’s character in Miss Congeniality, who says, “I am the job.” Mortuary terminology is like a second language to us. So, we invite you to take a peek into our world by reviewing these terms, all of which are related in some way to death.
Burial
The action or practice of interring a dead body.
Chapel
A room or recess in a church or funeral home for meditation and prayer or small religious services.
Columbarium
A structure of vaults lined with recesses for cinerary urns.
Cremation:
- The reduction of remains into small bone fragments through intense heat.
- The body is generally placed in a cremation container.
- There can be no doubts as to the identity of the deceased.
- Each crematory (retort) can only receive one body at the time.
- The deceased’s name is identified in three places.
- Cremation takes about two hours. It is done using takes place temperatures of 900° C.
- The ashes are then put into a sealed urn.
- Sometimes, a small quantity of ashes may be put into a keepsake urn or cremation jeweler or designer who makes ash-based artwork.
Crematory
The building where cremation takes place.
Crypt
A chamber (such as a vault) wholly or partly underground or a vault under the main floor of a church, or a chamber in a mausoleum
Death
An individual is dead if the he or she has sustained either: irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions; or irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem. Don’t worry; we make absolutely sure death has occurred before embalming, cremating or otherwise handling human or animal remains.
Donation “In Memory Of” (In Memorium)
A donation made to honor the deceased, given to a cause or an organization, in particular. Such donations may often be made in lieu of gifts.
Double Crypt
A crypt (see above) designed for two caskets lying side by side.
Embalming
The process of preserving a body by circulating preservative and antiseptic fluid through the veins, arteries and body cavities. Owner Manny Godoy is a licensed embalmer who handles this process for all of our clients (who have died).
Check back next week, when we will share part 2 in this 2-part series. Bet you didn’t know there were so many words and phrases dedicated to death.
About Foothill Funeral & Cremation
Whether or not you choose to use Medical ID, feel free to contact us now or at your time of need (626) 335-0615. Or, if you prefer, reach us by email or drop by our Glendora showroom. Our relationship with United Methodist Church is the perfect place for mourners to host funerals and memorials. You’ll love the grandiose yet intimate setting. We proudly serve the San Gabriel Valley, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles Basin, Orange County and the Inland Empire. Finally, working in the mortuary industry since 1996, our reputation is one of quality, sincerity and trust. Please allow us to help you at your time of need or in the future. Call today (626) 335-0615 or contact us via email.
