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ABLUTION, ABLUERE
Rinsing of the mouth, Eucharistic vessels and fingers after touching the sacred host.
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ABSOLUTION
Sacramental remission of sin.
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ACCLAMATION
Peoples response, in liturgical worship.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT CARDS
Cards of recognition sent to friends for kindness shown to a deceased's family.
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ACOLYTE
An altar attendant.
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ADAPTIVE FUNERAL RITE
A funeral rite that is adjusted to the needs and wants of those directly involved; one which has been altered to suit the trends of the times.
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AFTERCARE (POST FUNERAL FOLLOW-UP)
Those appropriate and helpful acts of counseling that come after the funeral.
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ALAR HASHALOM
Phrase used after the name of a departed male meaning, "Peace be upon him".
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ALEHAW HASHALOM
Phrase used after the name of a departed female meaning, "Peace be upon her".
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ALB, TUNICA ALBA
White undergarment of linen, reaching to the feet.
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ALLAH
In the Islam Faith, the name for God.
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ALTAR, ALTARIA
An elevated place or structure on which sacrifices are offered or at which religious rites are performed; in the Christian faith, a table on which the Eucharist or Holy Communion is offered.
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ALTERNATIVE CONTAINER
An unfinished wood box or other non-metal receptacle or enclosure, without ornamentation or a fixed interior lining, which is designed for the encasement of human remains and which is made of fiberboard, pressed wood, composition materials (with or without an outside covering) or like materials.
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AMBO
A raised place between the sanctuary and nave. For reading of the lessons/sermons.
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AMEN
So be it, let it happen.
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AMICE
Shoulder cloth, Rectangular linen cloth with straps (30" x 20") worn under the alb.
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APSE, APSIS
Semicircle end of the presbytery.
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ARCHBISHOP
in the Roman Catholic faith, the head of an archdiocese.
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ARCHDIOCESE
A geographical grouping of one or more diocese under the jurisdiction of an archbishop.
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ARON
Hebrew meaning container; a casket made entirely of wood and contains no metal pans.
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ARK
Focal point of service in a synagogue or temple, the receptacle of the Torah (written law). It may be portable or an opening in a wall.
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ARON
Hebrew meaning "container". A coffin or casket made entirely of wood and containing no metal parts,
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ARRANGEMENTS CONFERENCE
The meeting between the funeral director and the client family during which the funeral arrangements are discussed.
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ARTIFICIAL GRASS
An imitation of grass made in mat form and used at the cemetery to cover the earth around the grave.
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AT NEED COUNSELING
A death has occurred and the funeral director is counseling with the family as they select the services and items of merchandise in completing arrangements for the funeral service of their choice.
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AVELIM
A mourner; (Abel, Avel, Ovel) The nearest of seven blood relatives; father, mother, husband, wife, son, or daughter, brother and sister.
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BAIS HAKEVOROUS
Burial grounds.
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BAR MINEN
A deceased male.
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BAT MINEN
A deceased female.
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BENEDICTION
a ritual blessings offered at the conclusion of a service.
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BET OLAN
To bury; (Bais Olam, Bet Almin) everlasting home, graveyard or burial grounds.
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BIMAH
The portion of the synagogue or temple raised above the congregation seating.
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BISHOP
in the Roman Catholic faith, the head of a diocese.
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BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER
the text containing recitations, prayers and prescribed orders of worship in the Episcopal Church.
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BOW
An inclination of the body made while standing during Liturgical prayer.
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BRANDEUM
A cloth that has been laid upon the grave of a saint and then used as a substitute for a relic.
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BREAKING OF BREAD
The fractioning of the altar breads before the communion.
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BROTHER
in the Roman Catholic faith, a man who is a member of a religious order without being ordained or while preparing for ordination.
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BROTHERHOOD
Relating to a social or religious organization.
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BURIAL TRANSIT PERMIT (DISPOSITION PERMIT)
A legal document, issued by a governmental agency, authorizing transportation and/or disposition, of a dead human body.
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CALLING HOURS
SEE VISITATION
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CANOPY (CEMETERY TENT)
A portable shelter employed to cover the grate area during the committal.
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CANTOR
A religious singer who assists the clergy; assists the Rabbi in the Jewish faith; assists the Priest in the Eastern Orthodox faith.
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CARDINAL
In the Roman Catholic faith, a dignity conferred upon Bishops making them Princes of the church.
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CASH ADVANCE
Any item of service or merchandise described to a purchaser as a �cash advance,� �accommodation,� �cash disbursement,� or similar term. A cash advance item is also any item obtained from a third party and paid for by the funeral provider on the purchaser�s behalf. Cash advance items may include, but are not limited to: cemetery or crematory services; pallbearers; public transportation; clergy honoria; flowers; musicians or singers; nurses; obituary notices; gratuities and death certificates.
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CASKET BEARER (PALLBEARER)
One who actively bears or carries the casket during the funeral service and at the committal service.
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CASSOCK, ALB
A garment reaching the ankles, black worn by secular priests (white in the tropics), purple worn by bishops, red worn by cardinals and white worn by the Pope.
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CELEBRANT
The officiant who celebrates the Mass in the Roman catholic church.
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CEMETERY
An area of ground set aside and dedicated for the final disposition of dead human bodies.
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CEREMONIES
Sacred public worship.
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CERTIFIED COPY OF A DEATH CERTIFICATE
A legal copy of the original death certificate.
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CHALICE, CALIX
A vessel in which wine is consecrated at mass. Composed of the cuppa (cup), nodus (stem) and the base (foot).
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CHANCEL
The place about the altar of the church, usually enclosing the clergy and other officials.
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CHANT
The singing or intoning of all liturgical portions of a service.
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CHAPEL
A building or designated area of a building in which services are conducted.
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CHAPLAIN
An ecclesiastic attached to the military or to the chapel of an institution.
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CHASUBLE, CASULA
Outer garment worn by a priest during a Mass.
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CHEVRAH KADISHA
Hebrew meaning "Holy Society". Holy Brotherhood of men or women from a synagogue who care for the dead. (Often referred to as "washers" by laymen.)
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CHRISTIAN BURIAL CERTIFICATE
SEE CHRISTIAN BURIAL PERMIT
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CHRISTIAN BURIAL PERMIT
A letter or form from a Priest stating the eligibility of the deceased, for burial in a Roman Catholic Cemetery.
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CHRISTIAN WAKE
A prayer service.
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COLUMBARIUM
A structure, room, or space in a mausoleum or other building containing niches or recesses used to hold cremated remains.
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COMMENTATOR, PRECENTOR
A lay person who leads prayer and/or reads scripture.
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COMMITTAL SERVICE
That portion of the funeral, which is conducted at the place of disposition of dead human bodies.
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COMMON CARRIER
Any carrier required by law to convey passengers or freight without refusal if the approved fare or charge is paid (airline, train, etc.)
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COMMUNION
Reception of the Eucharist (body and blood of Christ).
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COMMUNION CHANT
The chant that accompanies the distribution of communion.
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COMMUNION PATEN
A flat plate held under the chin at communion.
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CONCELEBRATION
Corporate celebration of the same Mass by several priests.
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CONSECRATED GROUND
Ground set aside for a special purpose, blessed by the clergy.
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CONTEMPORARY FUNERAL RITE
funeral observances that reflect present day (modern) influences in lieu of (or in addition to or as part of) the traditional ceremonies.
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COPE
Semi circle cloak reaching the feet and provided with a hood.
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CORONER
A public officer whose chief duty is to investigate questionable deaths. (Also see: Medical Examiner)
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CORPORAL
A cloth upon which the Eucharist is placed.
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CORPUS CHRISTI
From the Latin meaning, "the body of Christ".
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CORTEGE
The procession of vehicles from the place of the funeral to the place of interment.
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COT
A portable stretcher commonly employed in an ambulance or transfer vehicle for the moving of the sick, injured, or deceased.
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CREMAINS
Cremated human remains.
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CREMATION
The reduction of a dead human body to inorganic bone fragments by intense heat in a specifically designed retort or chamber.
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CREMATORIUM
SEE CREMATORY
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CREMATORY (CREMATORIUM)
A furnace or retort for cremating dead human bodies; a building that houses a retort.
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CROSS
A religious emblem consisting of two plain bars, which intersect at right angles to each other.
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CROSSBEARER
SEE CRUCIFER/CROSSBEARER
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CRUCIFER/CROSSBEARER
One who carries the crucifix/cross during an ecclesiastical procession.
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CRUCIFIX
A cross with a figure or image representing the body of Christ (corpus christi) on it.
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CRYPT
A chamber in a mausoleum, of sufficient size, generally used to contain the casketed remains of a deceased person.
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DALMATIC
The deacon's vestment.
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DEACON
In the Roman Catholic faith, a member of the clerical order clergy) just below a Priest. Also defined as a subordinate officer in a Christian church.
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DEATH CERTIFICATE
A legal document containing vital statistic, disposition, and final medical information pertaining to the deceased.
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DEATH NOTICE
classified notices publicizing the death of a person and giving those details of the funeral service that the survivors wish to have published.
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DECEASED
One in whom all physical life has ceased.
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DEPARMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OR VA (previously known as VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
A federal agency that administers benefits provided by law for veterans of the armed forces.
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DIOCESE
In the Roman Catholic faith, a geographical grouping of Parishes under the jurisdiction of a Bishop.
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DISPOSITION PERMIT
SEE BURIAL TRANSIT PERMIT
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DIVINE LITURGY
Liturgical celebration of the Eucharist in eastern Orthodox churches.
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ECCLESIASTIC
Of the church or clergy.
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ECUMENICAL
an epithet applied to a council regarded as representing the whole of Christendom.
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ELEGY
Song or poem expressing sorrow or lamentation for the dead.
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EL MOLEI RACHAMIN
In the Jewish faith, a memorial service; literally "God full of compassion"; usually the last prayer of the funeral service; sometimes referred to as the Molei.
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ENTOMBMENT
The placing of a remains in a crypt in a mausoleum.
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ENTRANCE RITE
Approach of the celebrant and his assistants to public worship.
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EPISTLE
the right side of the church ( as the congregation faces the altar ) from which readings and prayers are often proclaimed.
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EPISTLE SIDE
That side of the chancel containing the lectern, from which the Old Testament and Epistle lessons, are read.
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EPITAPH
A commemorative inscription on a tomb or cemetery marker.
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ESCORT
To accompany, as a leader of the procession or guardian of the group.
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ETERNAL LIGHT
Traditionally an oil lamp.
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EUCHARIST
The consecrated elements of Holy Communion.
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EUCHARISTIC MINISTER
Layperson sanctioned to administer Holy Communion and other assigned tasks.
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EULOGY
An oration praising an individual, usually after death.
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EXEQUIES
Liturgy of the dead.
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FINAL COMMENDATION
In the Roman Catholic faith, the ending portion of the Funeral Mass.
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FIRST CALL
SEE TRANSFER OF REMAINS
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FIRST CALL CAR
SEE TRANSFER VEHICLE
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FORWARDING REMAINS
One of the categories required to be itemized on the GPL (if the funeral provider offers the service). This involves services of the funeral provider in the locale where death occurs and preparation for transfer to another funeral provider as selected by the family (consumer). Funeral Rule requires package pricing of this service with a description of the components included.
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FRATERNAL
Belonging to a brother; of or relating to a brotherhood.
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FUNERAL MASS (Mass of Christian Burial or Funeral Liturgy)
The name of the funeral service in the Roman Catholic Church.
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FUNERAL SERVICE
The rites held at the time of disposition of human remains, with the body present.
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FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
The term applied to the completing the financial and service details of a funeral.
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FUNERAL PROCESSION
The procession of vehicles from the place of the funeral to the place of disposition.
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GENUFLECT
The act of bending the knee as an indication of reverence or as an act of humility.
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GILGUL HANEFESH
Transmigration of the soul.
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GOSPEL
the left side of the church (as the congregation faces the altar) from which sermons are preached.
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GRATUITY (TIP)
Gift or small sum of money tendered for a service provided.
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GRAVE
An excavation in the earth as a place for interment.
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GRAVE STRAPS
webbing or similar material used for lowering the casket into the grave.
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GUARANTEED CONTRACT
one where the funeral home guarantees that the services and merchandise will be provided at the time of need for an amount not exceeding the original amount of the contract plus any accruals, regardless of the cost of providing the services and merchandise at the time of the funeral.
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HESPED
In the Jewish faith, a eulogy or true evaluation of the deceased's life that is a part of the funeral service.
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HOLY WATER
Consecrated (blessed) water.
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HOMILY, SERMON
Preaching the word of God by the clergy.
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HONORARIUM (PLURAL: HONORARIA; HONORARIUMS)
a nominal compensation or recognition for service performed.
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HONORARY CASKET BEARERS (HONORARY PALLBEARERS)
Friends of the family or members of an organization or group who act as an escort or honor guard for the deceased. They do not carry the casket.
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HONORARY PALLBEARERS
SEE HONORARY CASKETBEARERS
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HOST
The consecrated bread of the Eucharist.
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HUMANISTIC FUNERAL
A funeral rite that is in essence devoid of religious connotation.
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ICON
In the Eastern Orthodox faith, a holy pictures; usually mosaic or painted on wood.
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ICONOSTASIS
In the Eastern Orthodox church, the partition that extends across the front of the church separating the sanctuary from the solea.
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INCENSE
A mixture of various resins burned to produce a pleasant odor; used in Church rituals.
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IHS
The first three letters in the Greek word for Jesus.
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IMAM
In the Islam faith, the leader of the local congregation.
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INFORMANT
One who supplies the vital statistic information concerning the deceased.
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INRI
An abbreviation for the Latin term meaning "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews....
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INTER (INHUME)
To bury in the ground.
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INTERMENT (BURIAL, INHUMEMENT)
The act of placing the dead human body in the ground.
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INURNMENT
The act of placing cremains in an um.
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IRREVOCABLE CONTRACT
contract for future funeral services which cannot be terminated or canceled prior to the death of the beneficiary.
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ISLAM
The religion of Muslims (Moslems) that began at the time of Mohammed; Muslims believe that Islam stands for purity, peace, submission to God�s (Allah�s) will, and obedience to his laws.
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JEWISH STAR
SEE MOGEN DAVID
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JINAZAH
In the Islam faith, the funeral or funeral prayer.
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JUDAISM
The monotheistic religion of the Jewish people.
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KADDISH
In the Jewish faith, a prayer recited for the deceased by the direct mourners (parents, siblings, spouse, and children) for the first time at the conclusion of interment service. It is subsequently recited by children for parents at every service for eleven months. All other categories of mourners have the obligation to say the Kaddish for 30 days.
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KEVER
In the Jewish faith, the grave.
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KEVURAH
In the Jewish faith, the burial.
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KIN
One's relatives; referring to blood relationship (legally the surviving spouse is not a kin).
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KISS OF PEACE
Mutual embrace.
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KORAN (QURAN)
The holy book of the Islam faith as revealed to Mohammed by the angel Gabriel.
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KRIAH
Hebrew meaning rending or tearing; a symbol of grief, a tear in the upper corner of the garment or a tear on a symbolic ribbon which is worn by the survivors.
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LECTOR
The individual who reads out the scriptures.
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LEVAYA
In the Jewish faith, the funeral cortege.
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LIBERA
The last responsory prayers after the Mass.
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LITURGICAL (EUCHARIST CENTERED) WORSHIP
A prescribed order or form of worship specific to a particular denomination which will have the Eucharist or Holy Communion as its central element.
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LOT
subdivision in a cemetery, which consists of several grave or interment spaces.
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LOWERING DEVICE
a mechanical device used to lower a casket into the ground.
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