Planning a funeral can be an emotionally challenging and overwhelming task, especially when you're faced with unfamiliar terms. To make this process easier and less confusing, The Farewell Guide has compiled an extensive A-Z glossary of commonly used funeral-related terms. Whether you are organising a funeral through The Farewell Guide or simply exploring our website for information, this glossary serves as a helpful reference for understanding key words, phrases, and concepts you may come across. From terms related to funeral services, cremation, burial options, and legal matters, to more specific terminology tied to religious or cultural traditions, this guide aims to provide clear, concise definitions to support you every step of the way.
A
At-Need
Services or arrangements made at the time of a person’s death, as opposed to pre-planning or pre-need arrangements.
B
Bereavement
The period of grief and mourning after the death of a loved one.
Burial
The act of placing a deceased person’s body into the ground, often in a cemetery plot, with or without a casket.
Burial Certificate
A document issued after death, confirming that the body can legally be buried.
C
Casket
A rectangular container in which the deceased is placed for burial or cremation. Often used interchangeably with "coffin," though coffins tend to have six or eight sides.
Celebrant
A person who leads or officiates a funeral or memorial service. Celebrants can be religious, non-religious, or humanist.
Chapel of Rest
A quiet room in a funeral home where the deceased’s body is kept so loved ones can visit and pay their respects before the funeral.
Coffin
A container for a deceased person’s body for burial or cremation. Coffins usually have a more tapered shape than a casket.
D
Death Certificate
A legal document issued by a government official, stating the cause of death and other vital details.
Direct Cremation
A simple cremation without a funeral service. The body is cremated soon after death, and the ashes are returned to the family.
Disbursements
Third-party costs incurred during the funeral process, such as cremation fees, burial plots, and floral tributes, that are passed on to the family by the funeral director.
E
Embalming
A process that preserves the body for public viewing by using chemicals to slow down decomposition.
Eulogy
A speech or tribute given at a funeral, highlighting the life, personality, and accomplishments of the deceased.
F
Funeral Director
A professional who helps families plan and arrange the funeral, manage legal paperwork, and ensure the smooth running of the funeral service. To find a local funeral director near you, you can use our free search and compare tool to locate and contact hundreds of local funeral directors.
Funeral Procession
The group of vehicles or people following the hearse to the burial or cremation site.
G
Green Burial
An environmentally friendly burial option that avoids traditional embalming and uses biodegradable materials for the casket or shroud.
H
Hearse
A vehicle designed to transport the deceased’s body in a casket or coffin to the burial or cremation site.
Humanist Funeral
A non-religious funeral service that focuses on celebrating the deceased’s life rather than religious rites or beliefs.
I
Interment
The act of placing a body into a grave or tomb. It can also refer to placing cremated remains in a niche or burying an urn.
Intestate
When a person dies without leaving a valid will, their estate is distributed according to the laws of intestacy.
L
Living Will
A legal document that outlines a person’s wishes regarding medical treatment and end-of-life care if they become unable to communicate.
M
Memorial Service
A service held in memory of the deceased, typically without the body present, often taking place after the funeral or cremation.
Mourning
The outward expression of grief, which may involve customs like wearing black clothing or adhering to cultural rituals.
N
Next of Kin
The closest living relative(s) of the deceased, often responsible for making funeral arrangements if no pre-planned instructions are in place.
Niche
A space in a columbarium where urns containing cremated remains are stored.
O
Obituary
A public notice, often in a newspaper or online, that announces the death of an individual and provides details about the funeral or memorial service.
P
Pallbearer
A person, often a close family member or friend, who helps carry or escort the coffin during a funeral service.
Pre-Need
Funeral arrangements made in advance of death, sometimes paid for through a pre-paid funeral plan. You can arrange a pre-need funeral through The Farewell Guide and find an FCA regulated provider.
R
Repatriation
The process of returning a deceased person’s body to their home country or place of origin for burial or cremation.
Requiem Mass
A Catholic funeral service that includes a special Mass for the repose of the soul of the deceased.
S
Scattering
The act of dispersing cremated remains in a meaningful location, such as a garden of remembrance, the sea, or a place of personal significance.
T
Tomb
A burial chamber above or below ground, often elaborate, that houses the remains of the deceased.
The Farewell Guide
The Farewell Guide is a free-to-use online platform that allows those looking to plan a funeral and find funeral directors close to you through our search and comparison tool. You can safely and securely store important documents, contacts, and input your personalised funeral wishes.
U
Urn
A container used to hold the ashes of a cremated person, often made of ceramic, metal, or wood.
V
Viewing
An opportunity for family and friends to see the deceased before the funeral, typically at a funeral home or chapel of rest.
W
Wake
A social gathering, often held before or after the funeral service, where family and friends can celebrate the life of the deceased. It may be solemn or more of a celebration, depending on cultural traditions.
Will
A legal document that outlines a person’s wishes regarding the distribution of their estate and possessions after their death.
Understanding funeral-related terms helps to make planning and arranging a funeral easier. The Farewell Guide is here to help answer any questions you may have whether they are related to planning a funeral, end of life matters or on to plan a funeral with The Farewell Guide.
Here are some other support guides that maybe of interest:
How to compare funeral directors
How to plan a funeral