Glossary of funeral terms

A
Death certificate

Official document issued by the civil registry certifying a person’s death. It is essential for certain administrative procedures, such as inheritance or closing accounts.

Post-death administration

All administrative procedures to be completed after the death of a loved one, including contract cancellations, inheritance, and notifications to official bodies.

Aerosolization

A process used in certain embalming practices to disinfect or preserve the body by spraying products in mist form.

Mortuary alliance

A symbolic practice in which the deceased spouse’s wedding ring is worn on a chain or incorporated into a piece of jewelry by the surviving spouse.

Amphitheater (or “Mortuary Chamber” “Morgueo”)

Refrigerated room or temporary storage area for bodies in hospitals or funeral homes.

Medical history

Reconstruction of the deceased’s medical or personal history, often necessary for embalming.

Obituaries

Public announcement in a newspaper or on a website to inform relatives, friends, or the community of a person’s death.

Symbolic farewell

A personalized moment to say a final goodbye to a deceased person, often in the form of a meaningful gesture or ritual.

Autopsy

Medical examination performed after death to determine the cause of death or collect information for legal or scientific investigations.

Funeral arch

A decorative structure used in certain funeral ceremonies, often adorned with flowers or spiritual symbols.

B

Commemorative balloons

Biodegradable balloons released into the sky during ceremonies in memory of the deceased, symbolizing letting go or spiritual connection.

Funeral bas-relief

A shallow carving on a gravestone or tombstone, often used to represent an important image or symbol.

Beer (Coffin trolley)

A carriage or stand on which the coffin is transported or displayed.

Memorial candle

A candle lit during a ceremony to honor the memory of the deceased. It may be kept as a memento by the family.

Death notice

Medical certificate officially attesting to death, signed by a physician.

C

Secular ceremony

A funeral ritual devoid of any religious connotations, designed according to the values and wishes of the deceased or their family.

Funeral home (funeral parlor)

Area dedicated to the temporary resting place of the deceased before the ceremony or burial.

Eco-friendly coffin

Coffin made from environmentally friendly materials such as cardboard, untreated wood, or bamboo.

Columbarium

Structure composed of niches designed to hold funeral urns.

Condoléances

Expression of support and sympathy addressed to a person who is grieving.

Funeral procession

Organized transportation of the deceased’s body between several locations (residence, church, cemetery) during the ceremony.

Cremation

Procédé de réduction du corps en cendres par combustion dans un crématorium.

Catafalque

A raised platform or decorated stand on which the coffin rests during a funeral ceremony.

Funeral concession

Right to use a plot of land in a cemetery for the burial of a deceased person, granted for a fixed term or in perpetuity.

D
Death certificate

Official procedure for reporting a death to government authorities.

Funeral arrangements

All administrative and practical formalities related to the organization of funerals.

Final tribute

A personal or collective act to honor the memory of a loved one, often during a funeral ceremony.

Drying out

A method of dehydrating tissue used in certain conservation practices.

Grief

The emotional and psychological process associated with the loss of a loved one.

Provisional deposit

A temporary location where the body of the deceased is placed pending burial or cremation.

 

Appointment of a funeral representative

Official selection of a person responsible for organizing and supervising the funeral according to the wishes of the deceased.

E
Eulogy

Speech or testimony delivered in tribute to the deceased during the ceremony.

Embalming

Temporary treatment of the body to preserve its appearance for presentation.

Epitaph

Text engraved on a gravestone to pay tribute to the deceased, often in the form of a personal message.

Exhumation

Legal procedure involving the removal of a coffin or urn from a burial site for specific reasons.

Burial plot

A specific area in a cemetery designated for a coffin, urn, or grave.

F

Death notice

A card or written message sent to relatives to inform them of the death and funeral details.

Funeral flowers

Floral arrangements used to honor the memory of the deceased, often chosen for their symbolic meanings.

Mass graves

Shared burial spaces, generally for economic reasons or in exceptional circumstances.

Cold room

Historical term referring to a cold or refrigerated room where bodies were stored before the invention of modern techniques.

G
Grief management

Emotional and psychological support to help families through the grieving process.

Recumbent

Sculpture representing the deceased, usually lying down, on a funerary monument.

Honor guard

Persons designated to accompany the coffin or the deceased during a ceremony, often in a military or official setting.

Succession genealogy

Search for the legal heirs of a deceased person when they cannot be immediately identified.

H
Funeral heraldry

Symbols or coats of arms engraved on monuments to reflect the heritage or values of the deceased.

Virtual tribute

Tribute paid to the deceased via online platforms or social media.

High pit

Shallow burial, often used in situations where traditional burial is not possible.

Burial

Burial of the coffin or urn in the ground, a vault, or a grave.

Post-mortem inventory

List of the deceased’s assets drawn up for inheritance purposes.

Crematorium

Specialized apparatus or facility for the cremation of bodies, regulated by strict standards.

Simultaneous burial

Collective burial of several coffins or urns in the same plot, usually for members of the same family.

J

Memorial garden

Area designated for the scattering of ashes in certain cemeteries.

L
Shroud

Fabric used to wrap the body before burial or cremation.

Condolence book

A register made available at funerals, allowing guests to leave messages of sympathy for the family.

Universal legatee

A person named in a will to receive all of a deceased person’s property.

M

Mausoleum

A funeral building constructed to house one or more coffins and urns.

Memorial

A structure erected in honor of a deceased person or group of people, often in a public or historic location.

Placing in a coffin

The act of placing the body of the deceased in the coffin, carried out with care and respect.

N

Obituary

Text published in newspapers to honor the life and achievements of a deceased person.

Funeral niche

Compartment in a columbarium designed to hold an urn.

Non-funeral site

A space or absence of a specific place to commemorate the deceased, for example, in the case of scattering ashes at sea or in nature.

O
Funeral

All funeral rites organized in honor of the deceased.

Funeral ornaments

Decorative elements placed on graves or monuments.

Obituary

List or register containing the names of the deceased, often used in religious or community contexts.

P
Tombstone

Stone slab placed on a grave, bearing inscriptions in memory of the deceased.

Prearranged funeral services

Planning funerals in advance to ease the burden on loved ones.

Cinerary plaque

A small plaque placed on a funeral urn or in a columbarium, bearing the name and dates of the deceased.

Provisional funeral plan

A document detailing a person’s wishes regarding the arrangements for their funeral, often associated with a funeral contract.

R

Contemplation

A moment of silent reflection to honor the deceased.

Body reduction

The practice of reducing remains to free up space in a burial vault.

Distribution of ashes

The practice of dividing the ashes of a deceased person into several urns to share among family members.

Funeral relics

Objects or fragments associated with a deceased person, kept for spiritual, cultural, or family reasons.

S

Sealing of ballot boxes

The act of permanently sealing a funeral urn.

Burial

Place of burial of the deceased.

Unmarked grave

A grave or burial space bearing no inscription, often used for legal or symbolic reasons.

Cinerary stele

A vertical monument erected in a memorial garden or cremation area, often engraved with commemorative inscriptions.

T
Thanatopraxy

A set of techniques for the temporary preservation of bodies.

Cinerary tomb

Tomb intended to hold a funeral urn.

Funeral table

A flat surface or horizontal gravestone engraved with inscriptions or tributes to the deceased.

Funeral transfer

Transportation of the deceased between several locations, such as from the hospital to a funeral home or from the home to the cemetery.

U
Funeral urn

Container intended to hold the ashes of the deceased after cremation.

Jewelry box

A small jewel-like container designed to hold a tiny portion of the deceased’s ashes, often carried by loved ones.

Handcrafted funeral urn

A custom-made urn, often made of ceramic, glass, or wood, for a personalized tribute.

V
Funeral veil

A symbolic cloth sometimes used to cover a coffin or urn.

Commemorative greetings

Written or spoken messages expressing affectionate thoughts or memories in honor of the deceased.

Tribute video

Video montage created to celebrate the life of the deceased, often shown at funerals or shared with family members.

Funeral vigilance

Service or device for monitoring a burial site or columbarium to ensure its security.

Testimonial video

Enregistrement audiovisuel réalisé par la famille ou les amis pour partager leurs souvenirs et rendre hommage au défunt.

W
Grief webinar

Online session organized to help bereaved families better understand the grieving process or to share testimonials.

Will (testament)

Legal document expressing a person’s last wishes regarding the disposition of their property after their death.

Wake (Funeral vigil)

English term for a traditional wake, often accompanied by prayers and sharing among loved ones.

X
Funeral woodcut

The art of engraving designs or inscriptions on wood to decorate coffins or gravestones.

y
Symbolic closed eyes

A ritual that involves closing the eyes of the deceased to symbolize their eternal rest.

Z

Cinerary area

A specific area in a cemetery dedicated to the storage or scattering of ashes.

Post-death zenitude

A spiritual or psychological concept aimed at creating an atmosphere of serenity around funerals and mourning.

Memory area

Public or private space dedicated to commemorating the deceased, often associated with monuments, gardens, or plaques.