Acknowledgment Cards - Answers cards of recognition sent to friends for kindnessshown to a
deceased's family
Acolyte - Answers an alter attendant
Adaptive Funeral Rite - Answers a funeral rite that is adjusted to the needs and wants of those directly
involved; one which has been altered to suit the trends of the times
Aftercare (Post-Funeral Follow-Up) - Answers those appropriate and helpful acts of counseling that
come after the funeral
Allah - Answers in the Islam faith, the name of God
Altar - Answers an, an elevated place or structure on which sacrifices are offered or at which religious
rites are performed; in the Christian faith, a table on which the Eucharist or Holy Communion is offered
Alternative Container - Answers an unfinished wood box or other non-metal receptacle or enclosure,
without ornamentation or a fixed interior lining, which is designed for the encasement of human
remains and which is made of fiberboard, pressed-wood, composition materials (with or without an
outside covering) or like materials.
Archbishop - Answers in the Roman Catholic faith, the head of an archdicese
Aron - Answers Hebrew word meaning container; a casket made entirely of wood, containing no metal
parts
Arrangements Conference - Answers the meeting between the funeral director and the client family
during which the funeral arrangements are discussed
Artificial Grass - Answers An imitation of grass made in mat form and used at the cemetery to cover the
earth around the grave.
At-Need Counseling - Answers counseling with the family as they select the services and items of
merchansdise in completing arrangments for the funeral service of their choice when a death has
occured
Bishop - Answers leader of multiple churches in a particular denomination; in the Roman Catholic faith,
the head of a diocese; in the LDS (Mormon) church, Bishop of the ward is leader of a single church
Bonze - Answers The name of the Buddhist faith to describe a calendar that is used to determine an
accurate time for casketing the body
Brother - Answers in the Roman Catholic faith, a man who is a member of religious order without being
ordanied or while preparing for ordination
, Brotherhood - Answers relating to a social organization
Burial - Answers see Interment and Inhumement/Inhumation
Burial-Transit Permit (Disposition Permit) - Answers a legal document, issued by a governmental agency,
authorzing transportation and/or disposition of a dead human body
Calling Hours - Answers see Visitation/Visiting Hours
Canopy (Cememtery Tent) - Answers a portable shelter used to cover the grave area during the
committal
Cantor - Answers a religious singer who assists the clergy; assiste the Rabbi in the Jewish faith; assists
the Priest in the Eastern Orthodox faith
Cardinal - Answers in the Roman Catholic faith, a dignity conferred upon Bishops making them Princes of
the Church
Cash Advance - Answers Cash advance items may include, but are not limited to: cemetery or crematory
services, pallbearers, public transportation, clergy honoraria, flowers, musicians or singers, nurses,
obituary notices, gratuities, and death certificates; sometimes called an accommodation or cash
disbursement.
Casketbearer (Pallbearer) - Answers One who actively bears or carries the casket during the funeral
service and at the committal service.
Clebrant - Answers the officiant who celebrates the Mass in the Roman Catholic Church
Cemetery - Answers an area of ground set aside and dedicated for the final disposistion of dead human
bodies
Cemetery Tent - Answers see Canopy
Certified Copy of a Death Certificate - Answers a legal copy of the original death certificate
Chancel - Answers the portion of the church surrounding the altar, usually enclosing the clegy, area
behind the altar or communion rail
Chapel - Answers a building or designated area of a building in which services are conducted
Chaplain - Answers a person chosen to conduct religious services exercises for the military, the chapel of
an institution or a fraternal organization
Chevrah Kadisha - Answers Hebrew phrase meaning "Holy Society," a group of men or women from the
synagogue who care for the dead; they may be referred to by laymen as the "washers;" in the past, took
care of all funeral arrangements and preparation for Jewish funerals.