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Glossary H

Habitat destruction

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

Hair styling

Preparing the hair of the deceased for viewing.

  1. Open Casket vs. Closed Casket (Viewing Decisions)
  2. How Can I Become a Certified Embalmer Through an Apprenticeship Program? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  3. What Training Do I Need To Become A Mortician? (10 Important Questions Answered)

Hairwork

Hairwork – The practice of creating jewelry or other decorative items using human hair.

  1. Understanding Postmortem Photography vs. Memento Mori (Historical Practices)

Hallucination

A sensory experience that seems real but is not based on external stimuli.

  1. Understanding Wake vs. Viewing (Event Definitions)

Handcrafted details

Personalized touches added to the casket or urn.

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

Handles and hardware

The components used to secure and transport a casket or urn.

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

Handling legal paperwork and permits

The process of obtaining necessary legal documents and permits required for burial or cremation.

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

Headstone

A permanent marker placed at the head of a grave to identify the deceased and provide a place for loved ones to pay their respects.

  1. Cenotaph vs. Tombstone in Mortuary Science (Monument Types)
  2. Mortuary Science: Grave vs. Tomb (Resting Place Terminology)
  3. Mortuary Science: Burial vs. Interment (Clarifying Terms)
  4. Interment vs. Inurnment in Mortuary Science (Final Resting Place)
  5. Understanding Direct Cremation vs. Traditional Cremation (Service Options)
  6. Columbarium vs. Mausoleum in Mortuary Science (Final Resting Options)
  7. What Regulations Must Be Followed When Performing a Burial as a Funeral Director? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  8. How Can I Find an Affordable Funeral Home Near Me? (8 Most Common Questions Answered)
  9. Mortuary Science: Epitaph vs. Eulogy (Honoring the Deceased)
  10. Mortuary Science: Funeral vs. Memorial Service (Event Timing)
  11. Mortuary Science: Pallbearer vs. Honorary Pallbearer (Roles Explained)

Headstone or grave marker

A permanent marker placed at the head of a grave to identify the deceased and provide a place for loved ones to pay their respects.

  1. Interment vs. Inurnment in Mortuary Science (Final Resting Place)
  2. Mortuary Science: Funeral vs. Memorial Service (Event Timing)

Healing process

The emotional and psychological process of coping with the loss of a loved one.

  1. Understanding Mourning vs. Grieving (Emotional Journey)
  2. Mortuary Science: Decedent vs. Deceased (Terminology Explained)
  3. How Can I Develop My Grief Counseling Skills Through Active Listening? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  4. Mortuary Science: Epitaph vs. Eulogy (Honoring the Deceased)
  5. Understanding Embalmer vs. Mortician (Job Specifications)
  6. Understanding Grief Counseling vs. Bereavement Support (Help Available)

Health and safety protocols

The procedures and guidelines in place to ensure the safety and well-being of funeral home staff and visitors.

  1. Mortuary Science: Exhumation vs. Disinterment (Grave Disturbance)
  2. What Types of Questions are on Funeral Director Licensing Exams? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  3. What Skills Will I Learn During a Mortuary Apprenticeship Program? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  4. What Are the Requirements of the State-Mandated Curriculum for Funeral Directors? (10 Important Questions Answered)

Health and safety standards

  1. What Do I Need to Know About Regulatory Compliance in the Death Care Industry? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  2. Understanding Funeral Pyre vs. Cremation (Fire-Based Practices)
  3. What Types of Questions are on Funeral Director Licensing Exams? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  4. How Can I Find Out About Local Licensing Regulations for Funeral Directors? (9 Simple Questions Answered)
  5. What Strategies Should I Use to Ensure Proper Boundary Maintenance as a Mortician? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  6. What Are the Requirements of the State-Mandated Curriculum for Funeral Directors? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  7. What Training Do I Need To Become A Mortician? (10 Important Questions Answered)

Healthcare decision-making authority

The legal authority to make healthcare decisions on behalf of another person.

  1. Understanding Preneed vs. At-Need (Planning Ahead)

Healthcare proxy

A legal document that designates a person to make healthcare decisions on behalf of another person.

  1. Understanding Preneed vs. At-Need (Planning Ahead)

Health concerns related to handling human remains

The potential health risks associated with handling deceased individuals.

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

Health risks associated with handling unembalmed bodies

Health risks associated with handling unembalmed bodies – The potential health hazards associated with handling unembalmed bodies, including exposure to infectious diseases.

  1. Understanding Direct Cremation vs. Traditional Cremation (Service Options)

Hearse

  1. Understanding Mortician vs. Funeral Director (Roles Defined)
  2. Understanding Funeral Mass vs. Memorial Service (Religious Considerations)
  3. Mortuary Science: Epitaph vs. Eulogy (Honoring the Deceased)

Hearse transportation services

Services that provide transportation for the deceased in a hearse.

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

Heirs-at-law

Individuals who are entitled to inherit property from a deceased person.

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

Hematology

The study of blood and blood-forming tissues.

  1. Mortuary Science: Autopsy vs. Necropsy (Purpose Clarified)

Hinduism

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

Histology

The study of the microscopic structure of tissues and organs.

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

Histopathological evaluation

The process of examining tissue samples to diagnose diseases and conditions.

  1. Mortuary Science: Autopsy vs. Necropsy (Purpose Clarified)

Histopathology

The study of the microscopic structure of tissues and organs.

  1. Mortuary Science: Autopsy vs. Necropsy (Purpose Clarified)
  2. Mortuary Science: Decedent vs. Deceased (Terminology Explained)

Historical influences

The impact of cultural and historical traditions on funeral practices.

  1. Mortuary Science: Shroud vs. Pall (Funeral Fabrics)

Historical practices

Historical practices – Traditional funeral practices and customs from different cultures and time periods.

  1. Understanding Postmortem Photography vs. Memento Mori (Historical Practices)

Historical preservation efforts

The efforts to preserve and protect historical funeral homes, cemeteries, and other related sites.

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

Historical research

The study and documentation of historical events and individuals related to funeral services and mortuary science.

  1. Mortuary Science: Exhumation vs. Disinterment (Grave Disturbance)

Historical traditions

Customs and practices that have been passed down through generations.

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

Hobbies and interests

Activities that a person enjoys doing in their free time.

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

Holy Communion

A religious sacrament often performed during funeral services.

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

Holy Water Sprinkling

A Catholic tradition where holy water is sprinkled on the casket or urn.

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

Home funeral

A funeral service that takes place in the home of the deceased or their family.

  1. Understanding Funeral Pyre vs. Cremation (Fire-Based Practices)
  2. Cenotaph vs. Tombstone in Mortuary Science (Monument Types)
  3. Columbarium vs. Mausoleum in Mortuary Science (Final Resting Options)
  4. Mortuary Science: Decedent vs. Deceased (Terminology Explained)

Homestead exemption

A legal provision that allows a person to protect their home from creditors.

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

Honorary Pallbearer

A person who is given the honor of carrying the casket during a funeral service, but does not have any actual duties or responsibilities.

  1. Mortuary Science: Pallbearer vs. Honorary Pallbearer (Roles Explained)

Honor guard

A group of individuals who perform ceremonial duties at funerals and other events.

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

Honorific title

A title given to a person as a mark of respect or distinction.

  1. Mortuary Science: Pallbearer vs. Honorary Pallbearer (Roles Explained)

Honoring the Deceased

Showing respect and reverence for the deceased through funeral services and rituals.

  1. Mortuary Science: Epitaph vs. Eulogy (Honoring the Deceased)
  2. Mortuary Science: Eulogy vs. Obituary (Honoring the Deceased)

Hospice Care

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

Hospice care/end-of-life planning resources

Resources for individuals and families to plan for end-of-life care and decisions.

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

Hospice services

Medical and emotional support provided to individuals with terminal illnesses and their families.

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

Human composting

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

Human remains

The physical remains of a deceased person.

  1. What Types of Questions are on Funeral Director Licensing Exams? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  2. Mortuary Science: Embalming vs. Cremation (Understanding Processes)
  3. What Do I Need to Know About Regulatory Compliance in the Death Care Industry? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  4. How Can I Become a Licensed Funeral Director? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  5. Understanding Embalmer vs. Mortician (Job Specifications)
  6. How Can I Become a Certified Embalmer Through an Apprenticeship Program? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  7. Mortuary Science: Exhumation vs. Disinterment (Grave Disturbance)
  8. What Are the Requirements of the State-Mandated Curriculum for Funeral Directors? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  9. Understanding Thanatology vs. Mortuary Science (Study of Death)
  10. How Can I Find Out About Local Licensing Regulations for Funeral Directors? (9 Simple Questions Answered)
  11. What Strategies Should I Use to Ensure Proper Boundary Maintenance as a Mortician? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  12. Mortuary Science: Rigor Mortis vs. Livor Mortis (Postmortem Changes)
  13. How Can I Ensure Compliance with Professional Standards in the Death Care Industry? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  14. Understanding Funeral Pyre vs. Cremation (Fire-Based Practices)

Human Remains Handling

The process of preparing, transporting, and caring for deceased individuals.

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

Hymns

  1. What Are the Best Songs to Play During a Funeral Service? (7 Core Questions Answered)
  2. Mortuary Science: Requiem vs. Dirge (Music for Mourning)
  3. Mortuary Science: Funeral vs. Memorial Service (Event Timing)
  4. What Are Some Unique Ways to Personalize a Coffin? (10 Important Questions Answered)
  5. Understanding Funeral Mass vs. Memorial Service (Religious Considerations)

Hypnotherapy

A type of therapy that uses hypnosis to help individuals access and process unconscious thoughts and emotions.

  1. Understanding Grief Counseling vs. Bereavement Support (Help Available)

Hypodermic embalming

The process of injecting embalming fluid into a deceased person’s body using a hypodermic needle.

  1. Mortuary Science: Funeral Home vs. Mortuary (Facility Differences)
  2. Mortuary Science: Entombment vs. Interment (Burial Methods)
  3. Wake vs Funeral in Mortuary Science (Event Order)
  4. Mortuary Science: Burial vs. Interment (Clarifying Terms)

Hypodermic injection

  1. Mortuary Science: Requiem vs. Dirge (Music for Mourning)
  2. How is Arterial Embalming Performed? (10 Important Questions Answered)