Glossary A
Above-ground burials
Burials in which the casket or urn is placed above ground, often in a mausoleum or columbarium.
Acceptance
The process of coming to terms with and embracing a difficult or challenging situation.
Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT)
A type of therapy that helps individuals accept difficult emotions and commit to taking action towards their values and goals.
Accessibility
The ease of access or availability of resources, information, or services to individuals with disabilities or limitations.
Accessibility for Scattering Ashes
The ease with which a location can be accessed for the purpose of scattering a deceased person’s ashes.
Accounting requirements
The financial reporting and record-keeping requirements for businesses and organizations.
Accuracy and completeness of information
The degree to which information is correct and comprehensive.
Achievements and accomplishments
Personal or professional successes and accomplishments.
Acknowledging achievements and contributions
Recognizing and honoring a deceased person’s accomplishments and contributions to their community or society.
Actin and myosin filaments
Proteins that are involved in muscle contraction and movement.
Active decay stage
The stage of decomposition in which the body begins to break down and release gases.
Active listening
A communication technique that involves fully focusing on and understanding the speaker’s message.
Adipocere
A waxy substance that can form on the skin of a corpse during decomposition.
Advance directives
Legal documents that outline an individual’s wishes for medical treatment and end-of-life care.
Advance directives/healthcare proxy/power of attorney – legal documents that allow individuals to appoint someone else to make healthcare decisions or manage financial affairs in the event they become incapacitated
Legal documents that allow individuals to appoint someone else to make healthcare decisions or manage financial affairs in the event they become incapacitated.
Aesthetics
The visual appearance and design of caskets, urns, and other funeral-related items.
Aftercare Support
Services provided to families and loved ones after a funeral or memorial service, including grief counseling and support groups.
Aftercare support services
Services provided to the family members of a deceased person after the funeral or memorial service, such as grief counseling or support groups.
Afterlife beliefs
Beliefs about what happens to a person’s soul or spirit after death, which may vary across cultures and religions.
Air scattering
The scattering of cremated remains into the air, often as part of a memorial service.
Algor Mortis Effect
The cooling of the body after death, which can be used to estimate the time of death.
Alignment and placement methods
Techniques used to properly position the deceased in the casket.
Altered states of consciousness
A change in the normal functioning of the brain, resulting in altered perceptions, thoughts, and behaviors.
Alternative methods for preserving or preparing a body for cremation
Methods other than embalming that can be used to prepare a deceased person’s body for cremation, such as refrigeration or dry ice.
Ambrotype process
A photographic process used in the 19th century to create a positive image on a glass plate.
Ammonia accumulation
The buildup of ammonia in the body, which can be toxic and lead to health problems.
Anaerobic metabolism
The process by which cells produce energy without the use of oxygen.
Analytical chemistry
The branch of chemistry that focuses on the identification and quantification of chemical compounds and elements.
Anatomy and physiology
The study of the structure and function of living organisms, including humans and animals.
Ancestor veneration
The practice of honoring and respecting deceased ancestors, often through rituals and offerings.
Ancestral veneration
The practice of honoring and remembering one’s ancestors, often through rituals or ceremonies.
Anger
A strong emotion characterized by feelings of hostility, frustration, and irritation.
Animal health
The overall well-being and condition of animals, including their physical, mental, and emotional health.
Animal health monitoring
The process of observing and assessing the health of animals, including pets and livestock.
Animal pathology
The study of diseases and conditions that affect animals, including those used in mortuary science.
Animal welfare
The ethical treatment of animals used in mortuary science, such as for research or education.
Anointing of Sick
See Anointing of the Sick.
Anointing of the Sick
A religious sacrament in which a priest anoints a sick or dying person with oil and offers prayers for healing.
Anthropology examination
The study of human remains to determine identity, cause of death, and other information.
Anticipatory grief
The grief experienced before the actual death of a loved one.
Aquamation (water cremation)
A method of cremation that uses water and alkaline solutions instead of fire.
Arrangement of seating and decor in funeral home or church
The placement and arrangement of seating and decor in a funeral home or church for a funeral service.
Arranging funeral services
The process of planning and organizing funeral services for a deceased individual.
Arterial injection
The injection of embalming fluid into the arterial system of the deceased.
Art/music therapy programs/classes/workshops/etc
Programs and classes that use art and music to help individuals cope with grief and loss.
Art Therapy
A form of therapy that uses art-making to promote emotional healing and self-expression.
Ashes
See “Ashes or Cremated Remains.”
Ashes disposal
The process of disposing of a deceased body’s ashes.
Ashes Disposition
The final resting place or method of disposal of a deceased body’s ashes.
Ashes from cremation
The remains of a deceased body after cremation.
Ashes or cremains
See “Ashes or Cremated Remains.”
Ashes or Cremated Remains
The remains of a deceased body after cremation.
Ashes storage
The storage of a deceased person’s ashes in an urn or other container.
Ash scattering
The act of scattering a deceased body’s ashes.
Ash scattering ceremony
A ceremony held to scatter a deceased body’s ashes.
Ash scattering guidelines
Rules and regulations regarding the scattering of a deceased body’s ashes.
Ash scattering laws
Laws and regulations regarding the scattering of a deceased person’s ashes.
Asset protection
Measures taken to protect the assets and property of a funeral home or mortician.
ATP depletion
The depletion of adenosine triphosphate, a molecule that provides energy to cells, in deceased bodies.
Attention
The act of focusing on and attending to specific tasks and details during funeral arrangements.
Attentional focus variance
The ability to shift focus and attention to different tasks and details during funeral arrangements.
Attention to detail
The ability to notice and attend to small details in funeral arrangements.
Authorization form
A legal document that grants permission for funeral arrangements and disposition of remains.
Autolysis
The breakdown of cells and tissues in a deceased body due to the release of digestive enzymes.
Autolysis prevention
Techniques used to delay or prevent autolysis in deceased bodies.
Autolysis Reaction
The process of self-digestion of cells and tissues after death.
Autopsy
Autopsy report – A document that provides information about the cause, manner, time, date, and place of death after an autopsy.
Autopsy- Examination performed on a corpse to determine cause (s)of death
Biodegradable urn- An eco-friendly alternative to traditional urns which are designed to break down naturally over time once buried.
Autopsy/Post-Mortem Examination
Autopsy Report – A document that provides information about the cause, manner, time, date, and place of death after an autopsy.
Autopsy Procedures
Autopsy – A medical examination performed on a deceased individual to determine the cause of death.
Autopsy process
Autopsy- Examination performed on a corpse to determine cause (s)of death.
Autopsy report
Autopsy Procedures – The specific techniques and methods used during an autopsy to examine the body.
Autopsy Report – Medical examination performed on deceased individuals which provides information about cause/manner/time/date/place/etc., often required prior to authorizing disposition options like burial/cremation
Autopsy process – The steps taken during an autopsy to examine and determine the cause of death.
Avoidance behaviors
Autopsy/Post-Mortem Examination – A medical examination performed on a deceased individual to determine the cause of death.
Awareness
Avoidance behaviors – Coping mechanisms where individuals avoid confronting their grief and loss.
Awareness discrepancy
Awareness – Understanding and knowledge of grief and loss.