Planning for death is rarely at the forefront of our minds. However, familiarizing yourself with key terms in the funeral, cremation, and cemetery industry can empower you to make informed decisions for yourself or loved ones. This glossary explores essential terms to navigate end-of-life planning with confidence.
Funeral Industry:
- Death care: A broad term encompassing all services related to death, including funeral arrangements, cremation, and cemetery burials.
- Funeral director/mortician: A licensed professional who guides families through funeral planning, coordinating logistics, and ensuring legal compliance.
- Embalming: The process of preserving the body with chemicals to slow decomposition. This is not required by law but may be chosen for certain types of services.
- Casket: A container used for burial, typically made of wood or metal.
Cremation:
- Cremation: The process of reducing human remains to bone fragments using intense heat.
- Crematory: A specialized facility equipped for cremation.
- Cremated remains/Ashes: The bone fragments left after cremation.
- Urn: A container used to hold cremated remains. Urns come in various materials and styles.
Cemetery:
- Cemetery: A designated burial ground for human remains. Cemeteries can be public or private and may offer various burial options.
- Plot: A designated section of land within a cemetery for burial. Plots can be single or companion-sized.
- Mausoleum: An above-ground structure containing individual crypts for casket entombment.
- Columbarium: A structure with niches designed for urn placement.
- Headstone/Marker: A stone monument placed at a grave site for identification and memorialization.
Financial and Legal Considerations:
- Estate: The total property, assets, and liabilities of a deceased person.
- Will: A legal document that specifies how a person’s estate will be distributed after death.
- Power of attorney: A legal document authorizing another person to act on your behalf in financial or legal matters, potentially including funeral arrangements.
- Trustee: The person or institution designated in a trust to manage the assets for the benefit of beneficiaries. A trust can be used to set aside funds for funeral expenses.
Planning for the Future:
By familiarizing yourself with these terms, you can make informed choices regarding your final wishes. Consider discussing these matters with loved ones and documenting your preferences in a will or advanced directive. Open communication and advanced planning can ensure your wishes are respected during a difficult time.