American Wilbert Vault Corp
Frequently Used Funerary Terms
AARP
Financial Planning/Retirement Information about financial issues facing
retirees and end of life decisions; end of life resources deal with difficult
decisions around death and dying. Topics include estate planning, hospice,
palliative care, final wishes, and wills.
www.aarp.org/families/end_life/
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After Care
After Care programs are established to meet the needs of families affected
by a death of a loved one by providing support, education, and resources
in a community context. Several funeral homes and cemeteries provide
these services. Considered by some to be an altruistic extension of the at
need services provided.
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Anatomical Donation
The act of contributing the organs or tissue of a recently deceased person
to another person to improve their life such as lungs, kidneys, heart, liver,
skin tissue, and bone marrow. The act of contributing ones body to
“science” (i.e. contribution to a medical school to further the educational
process for students or to be examined for sources, causes, and cures of
diseases.)
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Artificial Reefs
Method where the cremated remains of a person are to be mixed with
concrete in the natural shape and texture of a reef which would then be
sunk in an ocean environment that would provide a habitat for sea life.
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At Need
A term referring to the time of death, when funeral arrangements are
effected.
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Terms
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AARP
Aftercare
Anatomical
Donation
Artificial Reefs
At Need
Balloon Release
Burial Vault
CANA
Carapace
Casket
Celebration of
Life
Cemetery
Lettering
Coffin
Columbarium
Cremated
Remains
Cremation
Cremation
Casket
Cremation
Chamber
Cremation
Choices ®
Cremation
Container
Crematory or
Crematorium
Cryonics
Crypt
Dirge
Dove Release
Embalmer
Embalming
Entombment
Epitaph
Estate
Estate Tax
Family Car
Funeral Director
Funeral Home
Funeral Rule
Funeral Service
Balloon Release
At the end of the graveside, church or other committal service family and
friends release balloons that ascend into the sky as a remembrance of the
deceased.
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Burial Vault
A rigid outer container that protects the casket from ground elements and
immense weight after interment.
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CANA
The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) was founded in
1913 as an international organization of over 1500 members, composed of
cemeterians, cremationist, funeral directors, industry consultants and
suppliers. CANA members believe that cremation is preparation for
memorialization. www.cremationassociation.org
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Carapace
The top level of a vault cover adorn with decorative plastic or metals,
containing emblems, nameplates and / or lettering
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Casket
A metal or wood four-sided container designed to encase human remains,
usually constructed of steel, stainless steel, copper, bronze or hardwood.
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Celebration of Life
Celebration of Life is a reflection on the life of the dead rather than the
death. Frequently friends and family of events that bring back the essence
of the deceased and the differences they made during their lifetime tell
stories. A way for people attending the funeral to show appreciation and
gratitude for what the deceased may have done to enrich their life.
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Cemetery Lettering
The act of adding a name, date, verse or simple design to an existing
Terms
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Graveside
Service
Head Stone
Hearse
ICFA
Interment
Interment Right
Interment Space
Inurnment
Last Testament
Lawn Crypt
Liner
Mausoleum
Memento Urns
Memorial
Memorial
Service
Military Funeral
Honors
Monument
Mortician
Mortuary
Motorcycle
Escort
Neptune Society
NFDA
Niche
Obituary
OGR
Onsite
Engraving
Opening &
Closing Grave
Organ Donation
Ossuary
Pallbearer
Personalization
Plot
Pre-Need
Reinforced
Retort
Scattering
Sea Burial
Sealed Unit
Social Security
Death Benefit
State Room
memorial, by performing on-site work at the cemetery without removing
the monument or marker from the cemetery.
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Terms
Coffin
Six-sided container designed to encase a human remains, usually
constructed of wood.
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Columbarium
A structure made of concrete or granite with columns and rows of cubicles
(niches) that are used to inter cremated remains in a receptacle for
permanent memorialization. Typically, these columbaria are found in
cemeteries or churches.
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Cremated Remains
The remains of a dead human body after cremation and after processing
comprised of ash and bone fragments.
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Cremation
The reduction of human remains by intense heat and flame to basic bone
fragments.
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Cremation Casket
Similar to a casket, however designed specifically for cremation, typically
simpler in design and constructed mostly of combustible materials.
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Cremation Chamber
The enclosed space within which the cremation process takes place. The
oven itself is referred to as a retort.
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Cremation Choices ®
Selection of cremation products offered through Wilbert Funeral Services,
Inc.
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Strentex®
Taps
Time Capsule
Tissue Donations
Tombstone
Tribute
Undertaker
Urn
Urn Vault
VA Death
Benefits
VA Markers
Veterans Funeral
Video Tribute
Viewing Room
Viewing/
Visitation or
Wake
Warranty
Wilbert
WilbertWay
Will
Worsham
College
www.wilbertonline.com
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Cremation Container
Designed to preserve the dignity of human remains prior to cremation and
to assist with the placement of the remains into the crematory. It can be
constructed of cardboard, flake board, wood or similar material.
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Crematory or Crematorium
The building that houses the cremation chamber.
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Cryonics
Cryonics is the practice of preserving dead human bodies under very low
temperatures to halt the decay process.
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Crypt
A space in a mausoleum of sufficient size used, or intended to be used, to
entomb human remains.
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Dirge
A funeral hymn or lament, mournful poem or musical composition.
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Dove Release
At the end of the committal service family members and friends may
release doves. The flock ascends into the sky and circles away. A family
member then releases moments later a single white dove representing the
loved ones spirit. The spirit dove joins the flock and together they make
the symbolic spiritual flight home.
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Embalmer
One who disinfects or preserves dead human bodies by the injection or
external application of antiseptics, disinfectants or preservative fluids.
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Embalming
The temporary preservation of the body for viewing and transportation.
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Entombment
The placement of casketed human remains in a crypt.
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Epitaph
An inscription on or at a tomb or grave in memory of the one buried there,
a brief statement commemorating or epitomizing a deceased person or
something past.
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Estate
The assets, liabilities and net worth left by a person at death.
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Estate Tax
A tax in the form of a percentage of the taxable estate that is imposed on a
property owner's right to transfer the property to others after his or her
death. Estates are typically taxed at both federal and state levels.
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Family Car
A limousine used in the funeral procession set aside for the use of the
close family and friends typically provided by the funeral director.
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Funeral Director
Individual typically licensed by State Board of Funeral Directors to
conduct funeral services.
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Funeral Home
A generic name for a location where funeral services are held. The word
funeral home came about in the early days when people held funerals and
prepared bodies in their homes.
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Funeral Rule
The Federal Trade Commission established a funeral rule in 1984
requiring funerals to among other things publish a general price list for
consumers to review and comparison shop.
www.ftc.gov/bcp/rulemaking/funeral/
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Funeral Service
A service held with the body present to commemorate the life of the
deceased. Also called committal service.
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Graveside Service
Formal committal services conducted at the cemetery typically with a tent,
chairs for the family, and lowering device for the casket and vault. Family,
friends, and clergy to commit the deceased normally attend the graveside
service.
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Head Stone
A monument or memorial made of granite, marble, bronze, or other lasting
materials to mark a grave.
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Hearse (Funeral Coach)
Typically a luxury vehicle converted to a station wagon with specialized
rollers and turntables to facilitate the transportation of the casketed
remains. Typically provided by the funeral director. The hearse typically
leads the procession from the funeral home to the church and cemetery.
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ICFA
International Cemetery and Funeral Association (ICFA) was founded in
1887 and is now composed of more than 6,000 cemeteries, funeral homes,
memorial designers, crematories and related businesses worldwide. The
primary goal of the ICFA is assist their members in meeting their business
needs by offering a variety of benefits and services.
www.icfa.org
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Interment
The disposition of human remains by burial, entombment, or inurnment.
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Interment Right
The particular right to inter the remains of a deceased person in a specific
interment space within a cemetery, subject to the limitations set forth by
the cemetery.
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Interment Space
The particular grave, crypt, niche or lawn crypt with the cemetery to
which a particular Interment Right relates. An owner of an Interment
Right, does not, by virtue of such ownership, acquire ownership of the
interment space or of any land or improvements within the cemetery.
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Inurnment
The placement of cremated remains typically in an urn into a niche.
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Last Testament
A document, which provides the manner in which a person’s property will
be distributed after death. It must meet certain formal requirements as
provided by the laws of each state.
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Lawn Crypt
Pre installed, below the ground concrete chambers, either single or double
depth, covered by earth and sod.
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Liner
A highly engineered seamless plastic or composite barrier bonded to the
concrete base of the vault creating a protection for the casket from
cemetery activities and environmental elements from within and without.
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Mausoleum
A public or private building especially designed to receive entombments
of full caskets and human remains typically built with granite or marble
shutters to be engraved with the personal information of the deceased.
May be a cemetery mausoleum or a separate individual mausoleum.
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Memento Urns
Miniature urns created for families wishing to memorialize their loved one
with a personal remembrance. Each Memento Urn is designed to hold a
small portion of cremated remains. Frequently cremated remains are
placed in Memento urns and distributed among immediate family
members.
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Memorial
A monument, tombstone, grave marker, tablet or headstone identifying a
grave or graves or a nameplate or inscription identifying a crypt or niche.
It can also be a marker, garden bench, statue, etc., that is placed in a
meaningful place.
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Memorial Service
A service held without the body present to commemorate the life of the
deceased.
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Military Funeral Honors
Military Funeral Honors have always been provided whenever possible for
deceased veterans. However, the law now mandates the rendering of
Military Funeral Honors for an eligible veteran if requested by the family.
As provided by law, an honor guard detail for the burial of an eligible
veteran shall consist of not less than two members of the Armed Forces.
One member of the detail shall be a representative of the parent Service of
the deceased veteran. The honor detail will, at a minimum, perform a
ceremony that includes the folding and presenting of the American flag to
the next of kin and the playing of Taps. Taps will be played by a bugler, if
available, or by electronic recording.
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Monument
Typically a piece of granite shaped into various forms which could be
polished then sandblasted with the family name and the names of those
buried in the plot along their dates of death and other information
depending on the size of the stone. Frequently included are anniversary
dates, names of children, favorite sayings, poems, or songs.
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Mortician
An undertaker or funeral director
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Mortuary
A building built specifically for the purpose of conducting funerals and
embalming dead human bodies.
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Motorcycle Escort
If the funeral procession is anticipated to be large, typically a funeral
director will recommend the services of motorcycle escorts to halt traffic
at intersections and to provide guidance so the processional chain is not
broken from one point to another, driving to the church and cemetery.
Typically provided by the funeral director from an outside service
comprised of off duty or retired policeman.
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Neptune Society
The Neptune Society, Inc., and its predecessor companies, has been
providing cremation services for more than 30 years. They have locations
in 49 states. The Neptune Society primarily provides the cremation of the
deceased and also water burials.
www.neptunesociety.com
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NFDA
The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) provides advocacy,
education, information, products, programs and services to help members
enhance the quality of service to families. NFDA members (with more
than 20,300 members) stand for credibility, ethics, excellence and trust.
www.nfda.org.
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Niche
An alcove like space (typically 12 ” x 12” x 12”) in a wall made for the
placing of urns containing cremated remains. Urns are placed in these
niches as final resting place. See also Columbarium.
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Obituary
A notice of a person's death usually with a short biographical account that
is typically published in local newspapers.
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OGR
The International Order of the Golden Rule is an international, not-forprofit membership organization of more than 1,000 locally family owned
funeral homes. Members come together to share common goals of
providing unsurpassed care and compassion to families in their time of
need, for continuing professional development, and to exchange ideas
through a variety of forums.
www.ogr.org.
Onsite Engraving
To carve, cut, or etches on already existing memorials, natural stone,
brick, wood, glass and many other materials.
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Opening and Closing of Grave
Locating the grave and laying out the boundaries, excavating, and back
filling the space after the interment takes place. Today grave openings are
typically preformed by machinery such as backhoes. In the past they were
typically hand dug, but even today some difficult to access cemetery
spaces need to be hand dug.
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Organ Donation
The removal of specific tissue from a human body who has recently died,
or from a living donor for the purpose of transplanting them into other
persons.
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Ossuary
An old definition is a place or receptacle for bones of the dead. More
recent is a receptacle typically buried in a cemetery having a locked access
portal that is used as a common burial site for cremated human remains.
Frequently, there are memorialization opportunities adjacent to the
receptacle's portal like a wall, benches, or stepping-stones to engrave the
name of the deceased whose ashes are buried there.
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Pallbearer
One of the people walking beside or carrying the casket at a funeral.
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Personalization
The use of images to create a unique and personal remembrance for the
deceased reflected on the vault cover carapace or urn vault carapace.
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Plot
A space in the cemetery used, or intended to be used, for the interment of
human remains. The term includes and applies to one or more adjoining
graves one or more adjoining crypts or more or more adjoining niches.
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Pre Need
Planning ones funeral in advance of the death, usually consisting of a list
of your preferences for funeral arrangements including selection of funeral
merchandise, cemetery plot locations, memorials, songs, pallbearers etc.
Frequently funding for Pre Need contracts is done with an insurance
policy or prepaid into a trust or other investment means. Pre Need
contracts can be purchased through funeral homes, cemeteries, and certain
Pre Need insurance companies. Pre Need laws vary by state.
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Reinforced
Term used for highly engineered concrete combined with metal mesh to
form a strong and lasting container designed to withstand great pressures.
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Retort
The common name for the machine that the body is placed in for
cremation. The interior and stack are lined with high-density firebrick.
Most have a primary burner and after burner and are fueled by natural gas
or propane. The controls are electronic and exteriors are typically stainless
steel.
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Scattering
Term referring to the placement of cremated human remains into a
location or environment, which may have been requested by the deceased.
Many cemeteries have scattering gardens specifically for this purpose,
while there is no typical prohibition against scattering; it is advisable to
obtain permission from landowners before scattering. There are services
that will scatter cremated remains from an airplane or boat over areas
designated by the family.
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Sea Burial
Burial at sea that typically comes about by one dying at sea or for
members of the Navy. The navy has specific requirements for sea burials.
The EPA also has guidelines that stipulate sea burials- they shall take
place three miles from land in water at least 600 feet deep. The EPA
encourages that you add weight to the casket so that it sinks rapidly and
permanently. They also request you fill out a form within 30 days of
burial at sea.
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Sealed Unit
Term used for burial vault that contains at least two protective barriers
combined with a cover that is sealed into place with the application of
adhesive system intended to create a comprehensive protection, a barrier
from cemetery activities and environmental elements from within and
without.
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Social Security Death Benefit
Currently the social security administration provides a $250 death benefit
to anyone who qualifies with adequate earnings if they have paid in a total
of 40 quarters or 10 years. This amount maybe adjusted periodically for
cost of living. Typically the funeral home where services are provided will
process the paperwork for this benefit.
www.ssa.gov/pubs/deathbenefits.htm
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State Room
Term referring to a room in a funeral home or mortuary that would be
used while a body lies in state for viewing and visitation purposes by
friends and family.
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Strentex®
A highly engineer composite plastic used in the creation of a burial vaults
liner set formulated for a molecular reaction when combined with a
specially designed adhesive to establish a permanent bond to concrete.
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Taps
A bugle call played at military funerals.
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Time Capsule
A tribute or memorialization contained in a secured container intended to
be accessed in a future period by family members or an entire community.
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Tissue Donations
See Anatomical Donations.
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Tombstone
A gravestone, burial monument, or memorial inscribed and set at a place
of interment.
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Tribute
An acknowledgement of gratitude, respect, or admiration of the
deceased; evidence attesting to some praiseworthy quality or
characteristic.
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Undertaker
A funeral director; someone whose business is to manage funerals, burials
and cremations.
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Urn
A vessel in which the cremated ashes of one or more individuals are
placed. Typically made of wood, metal, glass or other natural materials.
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Urn Vault
A lined and sealed container made of concrete where the urn is placed as
protection from cemetery activities and environmental elements when
buried underground.
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VA Death Benefits
The Department of Veteran Affairs or state/local government agencies
offer veteran burial services to eligible veterans in State or Federal
cemeteries. All Veterans and their spouses, with honorable discharge &
with one day of active duty are entitled to free cemetery property,
headstone, open and close of the grave and perpetual care at any National
Cemetery.
www.va.org.
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VA Markers
VA furnishes upon request, at no charge to the applicant, a standard
Government headstone or marker for the grave of any deceased eligible
veteran in any cemetery around the world. If Veteran chooses cremation
an engraved niche cover (shutter) will be provided.
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Veterans Funeral
A veteran's burial service for those men and women who served their
country in the military. .
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Video Tribute
A memorial DVD that uses photographs or home video to remember a
loved one; played at a funeral and may be produced by the funeral home.
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Viewing Room
A room that provides ample space for families and friends to see their
loved one, one last time, together and reminisce.
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Viewing/Visitation or Wake
A social gathering held with or without the body present; a time for family
and friends to express condolences and share support for one another.
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Warranty
A promise, either written or implied, that the material and workmanship
of a product are without defect or will meet a specified level of
performance over a specified period of time. Wilbert vaults carry
warranties of varying lengths. Please refer to the product descriptions for
the exact length.
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Wilbert
Term used to refer to Wilbert H. Haase, Wilbert, Inc., Wilbert Funeral
Services, Inc., the Wilbert licensee network or the patented burial vaults.
Wilbert burial vaults are manufactured with only the highest quality
components that meet and exceed all specification providing an envelope
of care and protection for the deceased.
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WilbertWay
A patented manual mechanical devise used in lowering caskets into the
burial vaults at a graveside ceremony.
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Will
A legal document that controls the disposition of your property at death
and may provide for guardianship for your children after your death. A
will is not effective until death. As long as you are living, your will has no
effect and no property or rights to property are transferred by it.
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Worsham College
Located in Wheeling Illinois, Worsham College of Mortuary Science,
founded in 1911, is a private institution offering an Associates Degree. The
American Board of Funeral Service Education accredits Worsham.
Worsham is located at 495 Northgate Parkway, Wheeling, IL 60090 (847)
808-8444
www.worshamcollege.com
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