Glossary B

Glossary B

Backfilling expenses

The cost of filling in the burial site after the funeral.

  • Mortuary Science: Vault vs. Liner (Casket Protection)
  • Balloon Release/Sky Lanterns/Light Show – Releasing balloons/sky lanterns/light show as an expression honoring your loved one’s memory

    Awareness discrepancy – The difference in awareness and understanding of grief and loss between individuals.

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

  • Understanding Mourning vs. Grieving (Emotional Journey)
  • Beliefs about the afterlife

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

  • Open Casket vs. Closed Casket (Viewing Decisions)
  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Mortuary Science: Burial vs. Interment (Clarifying Terms)
  • Understanding Funeral Mass vs. Memorial Service (Religious Considerations)
  • Understanding Mortician vs. Funeral Director (Roles Defined)
  • Understanding Thanatology vs. Mortuary Science (Study of Death)
  • Bereavement care

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

  • 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.

  • Mortuary Science: Entombment vs. Interment (Burial Methods)
  • Bereavement overload

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

  • Understanding Mourning vs. Grieving (Emotional Journey)
  • Bereavement Support

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

  • Mortuary Science: Last Rites vs. Extreme Unction (Sacramental Services)
  • Understanding Mourning vs. Grieving (Emotional Journey)
  • Mortuary Science: Eulogy vs. Obituary (Honoring the Deceased)
  • Mortuary Science: Pallbearer vs. Honorary Pallbearer (Roles Explained)
  • Bereavement support groups

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

  • 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.

  • Understanding Embalmer vs. Mortician (Job Specifications)
  • Biodegradable liners and urns

    Environmentally friendly options for burial and cremation.

  • Mortuary Science: Vault vs. Liner (Casket Protection)
  • Biodegradable materials

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

  • Mortuary Science: Urn vs. Cremation Jewelry (Ashes Storage)
  • Biodegradable urn- An eco-friendly alternative to traditional urns which are designed to break down naturally over time once buried

    Biodegradable casket – An environmentally friendly alternative to traditional caskets made from biodegradable materials.

  • Mortuary Science: Decedent vs. Deceased (Terminology Explained)
  • Biodegradable urns

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

  • Interment vs. Inurnment in Mortuary Science (Final Resting Place)
  • Mortuary Science: Urn vs. Cremation Jewelry (Ashes Storage)
  • Biographical information

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

  • Mortuary Science: Eulogy vs. Obituary (Honoring the Deceased)
  • Biopsy

    Biopsy – A medical procedure where a small sample of tissue is removed from the body for examination and diagnosis.

  • Mortuary Science: Autopsy vs. Necropsy (Purpose Clarified)
  • Bleaching agents

    Used to whiten and disinfect the deceased.

  • Mortuary Science: Shroud vs. Pall (Funeral Fabrics)
  • Bloat stage

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

  • 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.

  • Understanding Coroner vs. Medical Examiner (Role Clarification)
  • Blood Pooling

    The accumulation of blood in the body after death.

  • Mortuary Science: Rigor Mortis vs. Livor Mortis (Postmortem Changes)
  • Body donation to science

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

  • Columbarium vs. Mausoleum in Mortuary Science (Final Resting Options)
  • Body positioning

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

  • Open Casket vs. Closed Casket (Viewing Decisions)
  • Body positioning during the process

    The placement of a body during the preparation process.

  • Wake vs. Funeral in Mortuary Science (Event Order)
  • Body Preparation

    The process of preparing a body for burial or cremation.

  • Understanding Embalmer vs. Mortician (Job Specifications)
  • Mortuary Science: Shroud vs. Pall (Funeral Fabrics)
  • 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.

  • Mortuary Science: Funeral Home vs. Mortuary (Facility Differences)
  • Body Preparation and Preservation

    The process of preparing and preserving a body for burial or cremation.

  • Understanding Mortician vs. Funeral Director (Roles Defined)
  • Body Preparation Expert

    A professional who specializes in preparing bodies for burial or cremation.

  • Understanding Mortician vs. Funeral Director (Roles Defined)
  • Body Preparation Options

    Different options for preparing a deceased person’s body, such as embalming or natural burial.

  • Open Casket vs. Closed Casket (Viewing Decisions)
  • Body Preparation Procedures

    The process of preparing a deceased person’s body for burial or cremation.

  • Open Casket vs. Closed Casket (Viewing Decisions)
  • Body Preparation Techniques

    Methods used to prepare a body for burial or cremation.

  • Mortuary Science: Embalming vs. Cremation (Understanding Processes)
  • Body present vs absent

    The decision to have a body present or absent at a funeral or memorial service.

  • Mortuary Science: Funeral vs. Memorial Service (Event Timing)
  • Body preservation

    Techniques used to delay the decomposition of a body.

  • Mortuary Science: Embalming vs. Cremation (Understanding Processes)
  • Body Temperature Drop

    The decrease in body temperature after death.

  • Mortuary Science: Rigor Mortis vs. Livor Mortis (Postmortem Changes)
  • Body temperature drop after death

    The gradual decrease in body temperature after death.

  • 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.

  • Mortuary Science: Embalming vs. Cremation (Understanding Processes)
  • Boutonnieres and corsages

    Floral arrangements worn at funerals and memorial services.

  • Wake vs. Funeral in Mortuary Science (Event Order)
  • Brain activity

    The electrical and chemical processes that occur in the brain.

  • Understanding Wake vs. Viewing (Event Definitions)
  • Brain activity variation

    Differences in brain activity between individuals.

  • Understanding Wake vs. Viewing (Event Definitions)
  • Brain function

    The activity and processes of the brain.

  • Understanding Wake vs. Viewing (Event Definitions)
  • Brass

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

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

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

  • Casket vs. Coffin in Mortuary Science (Shape Matters)
  • Mortuary Science: Urn vs. Cremation Jewelry (Ashes Storage)
  • Bronze casket

    A casket made of bronze.

  • Mortuary Science: Vault vs. Liner (Casket Protection)
  • Burial

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

  • Columbarium vs. Mausoleum in Mortuary Science (Final Resting Options)
  • Interment vs. Inurnment in Mortuary Science (Final Resting Place)
  • Mortuary Science: Burial vs. Interment (Clarifying Terms)
  • Mortuary Science: Decedent vs. Deceased (Terminology Explained)
  • Mortuary Science: Eulogy vs. Obituary (Honoring the Deceased)
  • Mortuary Science: Funeral vs. Memorial Service (Event Timing)
  • Mortuary Science: Pallbearer vs. Honorary Pallbearer (Roles Explained)
  • 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.

  • Mortuary Science: Decedent vs. Deceased (Terminology Explained)
  • Mortuary Science: Death Mask vs. Memorial Portrait (Remembrance Items)
  • Mortuary Science: Funeral vs. Memorial Service (Event Timing)
  • Burial at sea

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

  • Interment vs. Inurnment in Mortuary Science (Final Resting Place)
  • Burial chamber

    An underground room or vault used for burial.

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

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

  • Casket vs. Coffin in Mortuary Science (Shape Matters)
  • Mortuary Science: Vault vs. Liner (Casket Protection)
  • Burial container specifications

    Specifications for burial containers, including size and material.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Mausoleum vs. Crypt in Mortuary Science (Types of Burial)
  • Mortuary Science: Shroud vs. Pall (Funeral Fabrics)
  • Burial Garments

    Clothing worn by the deceased for burial.

  • Mortuary Science: Shroud vs. Pall (Funeral Fabrics)
  • Burial insurance

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

  • Mortuary Science: Funeral Home vs. Mortuary (Facility Differences)
  • Mortuary Science: Vault vs. Liner (Casket Protection)
  • Understanding Preneed vs. At-Need (Planning Ahead)
  • Burial insurance policies

    Insurance policies designed to cover the cost of burial expenses.

  • Mortuary Science: Vault vs. Liner (Casket Protection)
  • Burial/interment

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

  • Mortuary Science: Funeral Home vs. Mortuary (Facility Differences)
  • Burial Methods

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

  • 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.

  • Mortuary Science: Death Mask vs. Memorial Portrait (Remembrance Items)
  • Mortuary Science: Decedent vs. Deceased (Terminology Explained)
  • Understanding Embalmer vs. Mortician (Job Specifications)
  • Burial Options Comparison

    Comparing different burial options and their associated costs.

  • Mortuary Science: Grave vs. Tomb (Resting Place Terminology)
  • Burial or cremation arrangements

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Understanding Thanatology vs. Mortuary Science (Study of Death)
  • Burial permits

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

  • Mortuary Science: Funeral vs. Memorial Service (Event Timing)
  • Understanding Embalmer vs. Mortician (Job Specifications)
  • Burial plot

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

  • Mortuary Science: Grave vs. Tomb (Resting Place Terminology)
  • Interment vs. Inurnment in Mortuary Science (Final Resting Place)
  • Mausoleum vs. Crypt in Mortuary Science (Types of Burial)
  • Mortuary Science: Funeral Home vs. Mortuary (Facility Differences)
  • Understanding Preneed vs. At-Need (Planning Ahead)
  • Burial plot preparation

    The preparation of the burial site for the deceased.

  • Mortuary Science: Vault vs. Liner (Casket Protection)
  • Burial Practices

    Customs and traditions surrounding the burial of the deceased.

  • Mortuary Science: Shroud vs. Pall (Funeral Fabrics)
  • Burial preparations

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

  • Open Casket vs. Closed Casket (Viewing Decisions)
  • Mortuary Science: Funeral Home vs. Mortuary (Facility Differences)
  • Burial process overview

    A general description of the steps involved in burying a deceased person.

  • Interment vs. Inurnment in Mortuary Science (Final Resting Place)
  • Burial Rituals

    The various customs and practices surrounding burial and mourning.

  • Mortuary Science: Shroud vs. Pall (Funeral Fabrics)
  • Cenotaph vs. Tombstone in Mortuary Science (Monument Types)
  • Burial Services

    The various services provided by funeral homes and other organizations to facilitate burials.

  • Mortuary Science: Death Certificate vs. Death Notice (Document Differences)
  • Mortuary Science: Eulogy vs. Obituary (Honoring the Deceased)
  • Burial Site

    The location where the deceased is buried.

  • Mortuary Science: Grave vs. Tomb (Resting Place Terminology)
  • Burial site markers

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

  • Cenotaph vs. Tombstone in Mortuary Science (Monument Types)
  • Burial traditions

    Customs and practices related to the interment of human remains.

  • Understanding Thanatology vs. Mortuary Science (Study of Death)
  • Burial traditions across different cultures

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

  • Cenotaph vs. Tombstone in Mortuary Science (Monument Types)
  • Burial vault costs (if applicable)

    The cost of purchasing a burial vault, which is a container that is placed around a casket or coffin to protect it from the elements.

  • Understanding Direct Cremation vs. Traditional Cremation (Service Options)
  • Burial vault or liner

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

  • 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.

  • Casket vs. Coffin in Mortuary Science (Shape Matters)
  • Columbarium vs. Mausoleum in Mortuary Science (Final Resting Options)
  • Interment vs. Inurnment in Mortuary Science (Final Resting Place)
  • Mortuary Science: Funeral vs. Memorial Service (Event Timing)
  • Mortuary Science: Grave vs. Tomb (Resting Place Terminology)
  • Mortuary Science: Vault vs. Liner (Casket Protection)
  • Mortuary Science: Entombment vs. Interment (Burial Methods)
  • Burial vessel shapes

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

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