Today’s
Terminology

In thinking of death care services, there is a vocabulary that is used when discussing options. It is helpful for you to understand these common terms to simplify the arrangements.

Visitation, Visiting Hours or Calling Hours
A specified time where friends and family may gather at a specified location for the purpose of expressing condolences for the loss of a loved one. This rite usually precedes either a funeral service or memorial service.
Funeral Service
A funeral service is a ceremony for celebrating, respecting, sanctifying, or remembering the life of a person who has died, and their body is present during the ceremony.
Memorial Service
The memorial service is a ceremony given celebrating, respecting, sanctifying, or remembering the life of a person who has died, and the body is not present, or the cremated remains are present.
Burial (or interment)
This rite is the act of placing a deceased person’s body into the ground, using a casket; or of placing the deceased person’s ashes into the ground, using an urn.
Cremation
The process of incineration of the deceased person’s body. This can occur after a funeral service or before a memorial service.
Direct Burial
The act of placing a deceased person’s body into the ground, usually within a casket, with no prior viewing, visitation or ceremonies.
Direct Cremation
The process of incineration of a deceased person’s body, with no prior viewing, visitation or ceremonies.
Pre-Arrangement
Outlining your funeral service and burial choices in writing. This is a helpful step to take so that your family will know your desires and so that they have fewer decisions to make during their grieving. A file is kept at the funeral home to access when needed.
Pre-Payment
Pre-arranged funerals may also be paid for in advance. If you choose this option, the funds are placed in trust and remain yours until they are needed to pay for the services you have chosen.