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Glossary B

Bargaining

Balloon Release/Sky Lanterns/Light Show – A symbolic gesture of releasing balloons, sky lanterns, or lighting candles to honor a loved one’s memory.

  1. Understanding Mourning vs. Grieving (Emotional Journey)
  2. Understanding Grief Counseling vs. Bereavement Support (Help Available)
  3. Mortuary Science: Burial vs. Interment (Clarifying Terms)

Beliefs about the afterlife

Personal or religious beliefs about what happens to a person’s soul or spirit after death.

  1. Open Casket vs. Closed Casket (Viewing Decisions)
  2. Understanding Thanatology vs. Mortuary Science (Study of Death)

Beneficiary

Bargaining – A stage of grief where individuals may try to negotiate with a higher power or fate to change the outcome of a loss.

  1. Estate vs. Inheritance in Mortuary Science (Legalities Defined)

Beneficiary designation

Beneficiary – The person or entity designated to receive assets or benefits after a person’s death.

  1. Estate vs. Inheritance in Mortuary Science (Legalities Defined)

Beneficiary designation forms

Beneficiary designation – The act of designating who will receive assets or benefits after a person’s death.

  1. Estate vs. Inheritance in Mortuary Science (Legalities Defined)

Bereavement

Beneficiary designation forms – Legal documents that designate who will receive assets or benefits after a person’s death.

  1. Understanding Grief Counseling vs. Bereavement Support (Help Available)
  2. Mortuary Science: Eulogy vs. Obituary (Honoring the Deceased)
  3. Mortuary Science: Epitaph vs. Eulogy (Honoring the Deceased)
  4. How Does Interment Function? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  5. Mortuary Science: Last Rites vs. Extreme Unction (Sacramental Services)
  6. Mortuary Science: Pallbearer vs. Honorary Pallbearer (Roles Explained)
  7. What Types of Services Should I Outsource as a Funeral Director? (9 Simple Questions Answered)
  8. Understanding Funeral Sprays vs. Wreaths (Floral Choices)
  9. Understanding Mourning vs. Grieving (Emotional Journey)
  10. How Can I Become a Certified Embalmer Through an Apprenticeship Program? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  11. How Can I Establish a Positive Reputation as an Undertaker? (9 Simple Questions Answered)
  12. What Types of Questions are on Funeral Director Licensing Exams? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  13. Understanding Thanatology vs. Mortuary Science (Study of Death)
  14. What Does A Mortician Do? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  15. What Training Do I Need To Become A Mortician? (10 Important Questions Answered)

Bereavement care

Support and counseling provided to individuals and families who have experienced a loss.

  1. Understanding Thanatology vs. Mortuary Science (Study of Death)

Bereavement counseling

Bereavement – The state of mourning and sadness that occurs after the loss of a loved one.

  1. What Types of Services Should I Outsource as a Funeral Director? (9 Simple Questions Answered)

Bereavement leave

  1. Mortuary Science: Requiem vs. Dirge (Music for Mourning)

Bereavement overload

Bereavement counseling – Professional counseling services provided to individuals who are struggling with grief and loss.

  1. Understanding Mourning vs. Grieving (Emotional Journey)

Bereavement Support

Bereavement overload – The overwhelming feeling of grief and sadness that can occur after experiencing multiple losses.

  1. Mortuary Science: Last Rites vs. Extreme Unction (Sacramental Services)

Bereavement support groups

Bereavement Support – Assistance provided to individuals who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

  1. What Strategies Should I Use to Ensure Proper Boundary Maintenance as a Mortician? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  2. Understanding Mourning vs. Grieving (Emotional Journey)

Biodegradable casket

Bereavement support groups – Groups of individuals who come together to provide emotional support and comfort to those who have experienced a loss.

  1. Understanding Embalmer vs. Mortician (Job Specifications)
  2. Interment vs. Inurnment in Mortuary Science (Final Resting Place)

Biodegradable liners and urns

Environmentally friendly options for burial and cremation.

  1. Mortuary Science: Vault vs. Liner (Casket Protection)

Biodegradable materials

Materials that can decompose naturally and are environmentally friendly, often used in eco-friendly burials.

  1. Mortuary Science: Urn vs. Cremation Jewelry (Ashes Storage)
  2. Mortuary Science: Shroud vs. Pall (Funeral Fabrics)
  3. Mortuary Science: Burial vs. Interment (Clarifying Terms)

Biodegradable urns

Biodegradable urns – Eco-friendly containers designed to hold cremated remains and break down naturally over time.

  1. Interment vs. Inurnment in Mortuary Science (Final Resting Place)
  2. Mortuary Science: Death Mask vs. Memorial Portrait (Remembrance Items)
  3. Mortuary Science: Urn vs. Cremation Jewelry (Ashes Storage)
  4. Wake vs Funeral in Mortuary Science (Event Order)
  5. Mortuary Science: Burial vs. Interment (Clarifying Terms)
  6. Mortuary Science: Decedent vs. Deceased (Terminology Explained)
  7. Understanding Direct Cremation vs. Traditional Cremation (Service Options)
  8. Understanding Funeral Pyre vs. Cremation (Fire-Based Practices)
  9. Understanding Preneed vs. At-Need (Planning Ahead)

Biodiversity loss

  1. Understanding Funeral Pyre vs. Cremation (Fire-Based Practices)

Biographical information

Biographical information – Personal details about a deceased individual, including their name, birthdate, and occupation.

  1. Mortuary Science: Death Certificate vs. Death Notice (Document Differences)
  2. Mortuary Science: Eulogy vs. Obituary (Honoring the Deceased)

Bleaching agents

Used to whiten and disinfect the deceased.

  1. How Does Embalming Affect the Appearance of a Deceased Person? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  2. Mortuary Science: Shroud vs. Pall (Funeral Fabrics)

Bloat stage

The stage of decomposition where gases build up in the body, causing it to bloat.

  1. Mortuary Science: Rigor Mortis vs. Livor Mortis (Postmortem Changes)

Blood alcohol level (BAL)

The amount of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream at the time of death.

  1. Understanding Coroner vs. Medical Examiner (Role Clarification)

Body donation to science

The act of donating a body to medical research or education.

  1. Columbarium vs. Mausoleum in Mortuary Science (Final Resting Options)
  2. Understanding Funeral Pyre vs. Cremation (Fire-Based Practices)

Body positioning

The position in which a deceased person’s body is placed during a funeral or memorial service.

  1. Open Casket vs. Closed Casket (Viewing Decisions)
  2. Wake vs Funeral in Mortuary Science (Event Order)

Body positioning during the process

The placement of a body during the preparation process.

  1. Wake vs Funeral in Mortuary Science (Event Order)

Body Preparation

The process of preparing a body for burial or cremation.

  1. Mortuary Science: Embalming vs. Cremation (Understanding Processes)

Body preparation and presentation

The process of preparing a body for viewing at a funeral or memorial service.

  1. Mortuary Science: Funeral Home vs. Mortuary (Facility Differences)

Body Preparation Techniques

Methods used to prepare a body for burial or cremation.

  1. Mortuary Science: Embalming vs. Cremation (Understanding Processes)

Body temperature drop after death

The gradual decrease in body temperature after death.

  1. Mortuary Science: Rigor Mortis vs. Livor Mortis (Postmortem Changes)

Body viewing options

Different ways to view a deceased body, such as an open or closed casket.

  1. Mortuary Science: Embalming vs. Cremation (Understanding Processes)

Boutonnieres and corsages

Floral arrangements worn at funerals and memorial services.

  1. Wake vs Funeral in Mortuary Science (Event Order)

Brain activity

The electrical and chemical processes that occur in the brain.

  1. Understanding Wake vs. Viewing (Event Definitions)

Brain function

The activity and processes of the brain.

  1. Understanding Wake vs. Viewing (Event Definitions)

Brass

A metal commonly used in the construction of caskets and urns.

  1. Mortuary Science: Urn vs. Cremation Jewelry (Ashes Storage)

Bronze

A metal alloy commonly used in the production of caskets and urns.

  1. Casket vs. Coffin in Mortuary Science (Shape Matters)
  2. Cenotaph vs. Tombstone in Mortuary Science (Monument Types)
  3. Mortuary Science: Urn vs. Cremation Jewelry (Ashes Storage)
  4. Interment vs. Inurnment in Mortuary Science (Final Resting Place)
  5. Mortuary Science: Vault vs. Liner (Casket Protection)

Buddhism

  1. Understanding Funeral Pyre vs. Cremation (Fire-Based Practices)

Burial

The act of placing a body in the ground after death.

  1. Mortuary Science: Burial vs. Interment (Clarifying Terms)
  2. What Regulations Must Be Followed When Performing a Burial as a Funeral Director? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  3. Mortuary Science: Funeral vs. Memorial Service (Event Timing)
  4. Mortuary Science: Epitaph vs. Eulogy (Honoring the Deceased)
  5. Mortuary Science: Shroud vs. Pall (Funeral Fabrics)
  6. Understanding Embalmer vs. Mortician (Job Specifications)
  7. Mortuary Science: Entombment vs. Interment (Burial Methods)
  8. Mausoleum vs. Crypt in Mortuary Science (Types of Burial)
  9. Understanding Mortician vs. Funeral Director (Roles Defined)
  10. Mortuary Science: Funeral Home vs. Mortuary (Facility Differences)
  11. What Do I Need to Know About Regulatory Compliance in the Death Care Industry? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  12. Interment vs. Inurnment in Mortuary Science (Final Resting Place)
  13. How Can I Find an Affordable Funeral Home Near Me? (8 Most Common Questions Answered)
  14. Mortuary Science: Vault vs. Liner (Casket Protection)
  15. Mortuary Science: Decedent vs. Deceased (Terminology Explained)
  16. Understanding Thanatology vs. Mortuary Science (Study of Death)
  17. Mortuary Science: Death Mask vs. Memorial Portrait (Remembrance Items)
  18. Mortuary Science: Grave vs. Tomb (Resting Place Terminology)
  19. Mortuary Science: Embalming vs. Cremation (Understanding Processes)
  20. What Does A Mortician Do? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  21. Mortuary Science: Exhumation vs. Disinterment (Grave Disturbance)
  22. Columbarium vs. Mausoleum in Mortuary Science (Final Resting Options)
  23. How Can I Become a Licensed Funeral Director? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  24. Mortuary Science: Pallbearer vs. Honorary Pallbearer (Roles Explained)
  25. Cenotaph vs. Tombstone in Mortuary Science (Monument Types)
  26. Understanding Funeral Mass vs. Memorial Service (Religious Considerations)
  27. How Can I Find Out About Local Licensing Regulations for Funeral Directors? (9 Simple Questions Answered)
  28. How Much Do Morticians Make? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  29. How Does Interment Function? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  30. Understanding Preneed vs. At-Need (Planning Ahead)
  31. What Are the Requirements of the State-Mandated Curriculum for Funeral Directors? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  32. What Types of Services Should I Outsource as a Funeral Director? (9 Simple Questions Answered)
  33. How Can I Become a Certified Embalmer Through an Apprenticeship Program? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  34. What Types of Questions are on Funeral Director Licensing Exams? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  35. Open Casket vs. Closed Casket (Viewing Decisions)
  36. Wake vs Funeral in Mortuary Science (Event Order)
  37. Understanding Wake vs. Viewing (Event Definitions)
  38. What Skills Will I Learn During a Mortuary Apprenticeship Program? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  39. Casket vs. Coffin in Mortuary Science (Shape Matters)
  40. How Can I Gain Clinical Experience as a Mortuary Technician? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  41. Understanding Funeral Pyre vs. Cremation (Fire-Based Practices)
  42. What Information is Required on a Death Certificate? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  43. How Can I Learn Facial Reconstruction Techniques as a Mortician? (9 Simple Questions Answered)
  44. Understanding Direct Cremation vs. Traditional Cremation (Service Options)
  45. Mortuary Science: Last Rites vs. Extreme Unction (Sacramental Services)
  46. How Can I Ensure Compliance with Professional Standards in the Death Care Industry? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  47. How Can I Gain Professional Experience for Embalming Certification? (9 Simple Questions Answered)
  48. What Resources Are Available to Help Pass Professional Examinations for Embalming Certification? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  49. What Are Some Unique Ways to Personalize a Coffin? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  50. Mortuary Science: Requiem vs. Dirge (Music for Mourning)
  51. Mortuary Science: Rigor Mortis vs. Livor Mortis (Postmortem Changes)
  52. What Training Do I Need To Become A Mortician? (10 Important Questions Answered)

Burial Arrangements

The process of making arrangements for a deceased person’s burial, including selecting a cemetery, purchasing a plot, and arranging for a funeral service.

  1. What Types of Services Should I Outsource as a Funeral Director? (9 Simple Questions Answered)

Burial at sea

A funeral practice where the body is disposed of in the ocean.

  1. Interment vs. Inurnment in Mortuary Science (Final Resting Place)
  2. How Does Interment Function? (10 Important Questions Answered)

Burial chamber

An underground room or vault used for burial.

  1. Mausoleum vs. Crypt in Mortuary Science (Types of Burial)

Burial container

A container used to hold a casket or coffin during burial.

  1. Mortuary Science: Vault vs. Liner (Casket Protection)
  2. Casket vs. Coffin in Mortuary Science (Shape Matters)
  3. What Do I Need to Know About Regulatory Compliance in the Death Care Industry? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  4. What Regulations Must Be Followed When Performing a Burial as a Funeral Director? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  5. Mortuary Science: Decedent vs. Deceased (Terminology Explained)
  6. Mortuary Science: Grave vs. Tomb (Resting Place Terminology)

Burial container specifications

Specifications for burial containers, including size and material.

  1. Mortuary Science: Grave vs. Tomb (Resting Place Terminology)

Burial/cremation permit

A legal document required to authorize the burial or cremation of a deceased person.

  1. Mortuary Science: Death Certificate vs. Death Notice (Document Differences)

Burial customs

The various customs and practices surrounding burial and mourning in different cultures and religions.

  1. Mausoleum vs. Crypt in Mortuary Science (Types of Burial)
  2. How Does Interment Function? (10 Important Questions Answered)

Burial insurance

Insurance policies designed to cover the costs of burial and funeral services.

  1. Understanding Preneed vs. At-Need (Planning Ahead)
  2. Mortuary Science: Vault vs. Liner (Casket Protection)
  3. Mortuary Science: Funeral Home vs. Mortuary (Facility Differences)

Burial insurance policies

Insurance policies designed to cover the cost of burial expenses.

  1. Mortuary Science: Vault vs. Liner (Casket Protection)

Burial/interment

The act of placing a deceased person’s body in the ground or a tomb.

  1. Mortuary Science: Burial vs. Interment (Clarifying Terms)

Burial Methods

The various methods used to bury a deceased person’s body, including traditional burial, natural burial, and green burial.

  1. Mortuary Science: Entombment vs. Interment (Burial Methods)

Burial options

The various options available for the disposition of a deceased person’s remains, including burial, cremation, and donation to science.

  1. Understanding Embalmer vs. Mortician (Job Specifications)
  2. Mortuary Science: Grave vs. Tomb (Resting Place Terminology)
  3. Mortuary Science: Decedent vs. Deceased (Terminology Explained)
  4. Mausoleum vs. Crypt in Mortuary Science (Types of Burial)
  5. Mortuary Science: Epitaph vs. Eulogy (Honoring the Deceased)
  6. Mortuary Science: Funeral vs. Memorial Service (Event Timing)

Burial or cremation arrangements

The various decisions and arrangements made regarding the disposition of a deceased person’s remains.

  1. Understanding Mortician vs. Funeral Director (Roles Defined)

Burial or cremation ceremony

A ceremony to honor and remember a deceased person, either through burial or cremation.

  1. Understanding Funeral Mass vs. Memorial Service (Religious Considerations)

Burial or cremation options

The choice between burying a body or cremating it, which may be influenced by cultural or religious beliefs.

  1. Understanding Thanatology vs. Mortuary Science (Study of Death)
  2. Interment vs. Inurnment in Mortuary Science (Final Resting Place)
  3. Mortuary Science: Pallbearer vs. Honorary Pallbearer (Roles Explained)
  4. Understanding Mortician vs. Funeral Director (Roles Defined)

Burial permits

Legal documents required to authorize the burial or interment of a deceased person.

  1. What Regulations Must Be Followed When Performing a Burial as a Funeral Director? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  2. How Can I Gain Clinical Experience as a Mortuary Technician? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  3. How Can I Find Out About Local Licensing Regulations for Funeral Directors? (9 Simple Questions Answered)
  4. Mortuary Science: Funeral vs. Memorial Service (Event Timing)
  5. Understanding Embalmer vs. Mortician (Job Specifications)
  6. What Training Do I Need To Become A Mortician? (10 Important Questions Answered)

Burial plot

A designated area of land where a deceased person’s body is buried.

  1. Interment vs. Inurnment in Mortuary Science (Final Resting Place)
  2. Understanding Preneed vs. At-Need (Planning Ahead)
  3. Mausoleum vs. Crypt in Mortuary Science (Types of Burial)
  4. Mortuary Science: Funeral Home vs. Mortuary (Facility Differences)
  5. How Does Interment Function? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  6. Mortuary Science: Entombment vs. Interment (Burial Methods)
  7. Mortuary Science: Exhumation vs. Disinterment (Grave Disturbance)
  8. Mortuary Science: Grave vs. Tomb (Resting Place Terminology)
  9. What Are the Requirements of the State-Mandated Curriculum for Funeral Directors? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  10. Understanding Mortician vs. Funeral Director (Roles Defined)
  11. Understanding Thanatology vs. Mortuary Science (Study of Death)

Burial plot preparation

The preparation of the burial site for the deceased.

  1. Mortuary Science: Vault vs. Liner (Casket Protection)

Burial preparations

The various tasks involved in preparing a deceased person’s body for burial or interment.

  1. Mortuary Science: Funeral Home vs. Mortuary (Facility Differences)
  2. Open Casket vs. Closed Casket (Viewing Decisions)

Burial site markers

Objects or structures used to mark the location of a burial site.

  1. Cenotaph vs. Tombstone in Mortuary Science (Monument Types)

Burial traditions

Customs and practices related to the interment of human remains.

  1. Understanding Thanatology vs. Mortuary Science (Study of Death)
  2. Cenotaph vs. Tombstone in Mortuary Science (Monument Types)

Burial traditions across different cultures

The various customs and practices surrounding burial and mourning in different cultures and religions.

  1. Cenotaph vs. Tombstone in Mortuary Science (Monument Types)

Burial vault or liner

A protective container placed around a casket or burial urn to prevent the ground from collapsing.

  1. Mortuary Science: Funeral vs. Memorial Service (Event Timing)

Burial vaults

Protective containers placed around a casket or burial urn to prevent the ground from collapsing.

  1. Mortuary Science: Vault vs. Liner (Casket Protection)
  2. Interment vs. Inurnment in Mortuary Science (Final Resting Place)
  3. Mortuary Science: Grave vs. Tomb (Resting Place Terminology)
  4. Mortuary Science: Funeral vs. Memorial Service (Event Timing)
  5. Casket vs. Coffin in Mortuary Science (Shape Matters)
  6. Understanding Direct Cremation vs. Traditional Cremation (Service Options)
  7. How Does Interment Function? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  8. What Types of Services Should I Outsource as a Funeral Director? (9 Simple Questions Answered)

Burial vessel shapes

The various shapes and designs of containers used to hold a deceased person’s remains for burial or interment.

  1. Casket vs. Coffin in Mortuary Science (Shape Matters)