Summary
The document is a “Death Care Dictionary” providing definitions and explanations of terms related to the funeral industry. It includes terms ranging from “Alkaline Hydrolysis” (water cremation) to “Wake” (a pre-funeral vigil) and provides links to related resources. The dictionary also includes contact information for further inquiries: calling or texting 512-222-8000.
One of the things we decided early on as a funeral home was to be a true resource for Texans. Over the years, as we’ve helped innovate the funeral industry and bring more eco-friendly funeral services to families, we’ve also worked to create a variety of online resources.
The funeral industry is definitely changing, and innovation means a lot of new terminology. So with that in mind, we created this Death Care Dictionary. It’s a go-to resource for easy explanations of terminology that’s commonly used in the death care industry but is often unfamiliar among the general public.
A
Alkaline Hydrolysis – Alkaline hydrolysis is the technical term for water cremation, a water-based alternative to flame cremation. It uses heat, pressure and an alkaline solution to break down body tissue. It’s currently legal in the majority of states.
Anatomical Donation – This is the technical term for voluntarily donating a body for medical research or education, which is almost always prearranged through a licensed facility.
B
Burial Plot – A small plot of land in a cemetery purchased or reserved for the purpose of burial.
Burial Vault – A burial vault is a protective outer container that’s placed in the ground to prevent the ground from collapsing in on a casket.
Body Donation Program – A coordinated program, often run by universities or medical centers, that accepts whole-body donations for scientific study.
C
Casket – A container that’s used to securely hold the body for burial or cremation. Materials vary from simple pine wood to ornate metal.
Cemetery – A designated area where bodies and/or cremated remains are buried or held. All perpetual care cemeteries are regulated under Texas law by the Texas Department of Banking.
Cremains – Commonly referred to as “ashes”, cremains are actually the remaining bone fragments after cremation that are ground into a fine powder substance and typically placed in an urn or scattered.
Cremation – Cremation is the process of using high heat to incinerate tissue and reduce a body to bone fragments.
Cremation Permit – Legal authorization that is required in Texas before a cremation can proceed.
D
Death Certificate – An official document that’s used to certify the cause, manner, date and location of death for an individual. Death certificates are required for post-mortem legal and financial processes.
Direct Burial – A burial that occurs without a viewing, visitation or embalming is considered a direct burial.
Direct Cremation – A cremation that occurs without any formal funeral service, viewing or embalming is considered a direct cremation.
Disposition – The final handling of human remains in a manner to ensure public safety. Examples include burial, cremation and natural organic reduction.
E
Embalming – This is the process of using various techniques to temporarily preserve a body using chemicals that delay decomposition. Embalming is not legally required in Texas, except in rare cases.
Eulogy – A speech honoring and remembering the deceased is known as a eulogy. It’s typically delivered at a funeral or memorial service.
F
Family Plot – A section of a cemetery that’s been reserved for multiple members of the same family. Plots can be sold as family plots or neighboring burial plots can be combined.
Final Arrangements – All the decisions and plans that have to be made that are related to the disposition of an individual.
Funeral Director – A licensed professional who oversees funeral arrangements and the care of remains while managing the funeral home. Texas funeral directors are licensed by the Texas Funeral Service Commission (TFSC).
Funeral Home – A state-regulated facility that has been authorized to arrange and conduct funeral services.
G
Grave Marker – A grave marker is a plaque or stone that’s used to identify the deceased and marks their resting place.
Green Burial – An eco-friendly burial that doesn’t involve embalming or non-biodegradable materials. There are conservation cemeteries in Texas that only allow green burials.
Graveside Service – A ceremony held at the burial site is referred to as a graveside service. It’s often simpler than a full funeral service.
H
Headstone – An engraved stone that’s placed at the top of a grave. The headstone usually lists the deceased’s name, birth date and death date.
Hearse – A hearse is a vehicle that’s designed and designed for transporting a casket from a funeral site to another location.
I
Interment – Internment is the act of placing a person’s remains in the ground or a tomb.
Inurnment – Inurnment is the act of placing cremated remains in an urn or similar container.
J
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K
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L
Last Will and Testament – A legal document that is create in order for an individual to state their wishes for how their funeral services, estate, finances and other related matters should be handled after their death. In particular, a will can specify the type of disposition that should be used and who receives certain assets.
Living Will – A legal document that is created with the intent of stating a person’s end-of-life medical preferences.
M
Mausoleum – A building used to house a single casket or multiple caskets that are kept above ground.
Memorial Service – A memorial service is a ceremony that honors someone after their death, usually without the body present.
Mortuary – A facility that prepares bodies for burial or cremation is known as a mortuary.
N
Natural Burial: Another term for Green Burial.
Natural Organic Reduction: A form of disposition that involves placing the deceased in a stainless steel container that has an organic mixture with microbes that slowly decompose the body into soil.
O
Obituary – A public statement announcing a death that’s often published in the local newspaper and online. Obituaries contain various levels of information about the deceased, their death, their life and the funeral services.
P
Pallbearer – A person who helps carry or escort the casket during a funeral service is known as a pallbearer.
Pre-Need Funeral Plan – Funeral arrangements made in advance of a person’s death that can include payment and service preferences.
Private Cemetery – A non-public burial ground, often family-owned and maintained. Private cemeteries are legal but subject to Texas regulations.
Q
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R
Remains – A term that’s used for a deceased body.
S
Scattering Garden – A scattering garden is a designated space in a cemetery for scattering cremated remains.
State Registrar – The Texas official responsible for recording vital statistics like death certificates.
T
Traditional Funeral – A full-service event with viewing, ceremony at a funeral home or church and burial. Typically the process will include embalming and a casket.
Transport Permit – Required documentation for legally moving human remains within or out of Texas.
U
Urn – A container that is designed to hold cremated remains. Urns are available in many sizes and styles, including urns that can hold the cremains of multiple people.
V
Viewing – A service that allows loved ones to view the body of the deceased before burial or cremation.
W
Wake – A vigil held before the funeral services, often including prayers or storytelling.
X
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Y
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Z
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If you have questions about any of the terms found here, contact us at any time by calling or texting 512-222-8000.