Information is power. When you’re planning a funeral, understanding some of the phrases and terms from the industry can help you make decisions. You won’t be so overwhelmed with unfamiliar expressions at a time when your emotions are running high. Here are some key terms that you might hear when you’re talking to the funeral home.
- Aftercare – resources provided to the family for after the funeral service, such as grief counselors or support groups.
- Burial – the act of burying the deceased.
- Celebration of life – a non-traditional service that is highly personalized to the individual. You don’t necessarily have to hold the service in a church or the funeral home.
- Cemetery services – services provided by the cemetery as part of the funeral, such as opening and closing the grave, placing a headstone or long-term maintenance of the grave.
- Cremation – the process in which a body is reduced to ashes in a high-temperature environment.
- Direct disposition – an option in which the deceased’s body is directly buried or cremated without a service first. You can always hold a service later.
- Epitaph – a short quote that is inscribed on a headstone or grave marker.
- Eulogy – a speech given at a funeral, whether it’s prewritten poetry, religious passages or just sincere words spoken from the heart.
- Green burial – an earth-friendly option in which sustainability is emphasized. If this is important to you, discuss the options in Canada for a green burial with your funeral director.
- Interment – the act of burying your loved one’s remains. An inurnment refers to placing the cremated remains in the urn.
- Officiant – the person who leads the service. Although the officiant of a funeral is traditionally a religious leader or priest, you may hire an officiant or ask a loved one to lead the service.
- Statement of funeral goods and services – a list of everything you’ve decided to purchase for the funeral or cremation services.
Planning a Funeral or Memorial Service
The funeral director is a good resource to help you plan the funeral that suits your loved one. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to get the information you need.
Direct Cremation serves Montreal and all of Québec. Contact us to find out more about funeral planning, pre-planning a funeral and a range of other services.
