Glossary H

Glossary H

Hair styling

Preparing the hair of the deceased for viewing.

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

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

  • Understanding Postmortem Photography vs. Memento Mori (Historical Practices)
  • Hallucination

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

  • Understanding Wake vs. Viewing (Event Definitions)
  • Handcrafted details

    Personalized touches added to the casket or urn.

  • Mortuary Science: Urn vs. Cremation Jewelry (Ashes Storage)
  • Handles and hardware

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Cenotaph vs. Tombstone in Mortuary Science (Monument Types)
  • Mortuary Science: Grave vs. Tomb (Resting Place Terminology)
  • Headstone/gravestone

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

  • Interment vs. Inurnment in Mortuary Science (Final Resting Place)
  • Headstone/Monument/Marker

    A permanent marker placed at a burial site to commemorate the deceased.

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

  • Mortuary Science: Funeral vs. Memorial Service (Event Timing)
  • Headstone or grave marker design options

    Various styles, materials, and engravings available for personalizing a headstone or grave marker.

  • Interment vs. Inurnment in Mortuary Science (Final Resting Place)
  • Healing process

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

  • Understanding Mourning vs. Grieving (Emotional Journey)
  • Health and safety protocols

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

  • Mortuary Science: Exhumation vs. Disinterment (Grave Disturbance)
  • Healthcare decision-making authority

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

  • 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.

  • Understanding Preneed vs. At-Need (Planning Ahead)
  • Health concerns related to handling human remains

    The potential health risks associated with handling deceased individuals.

  • 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.

  • Understanding Direct Cremation vs. Traditional Cremation (Service Options)
  • Hearse Driver

    The person who drives the hearse during funeral processions.

  • Understanding Mortician vs. Funeral Director (Roles Defined)
  • Hearse transportation services

    Services that provide transportation for the deceased in a hearse.

  • Casket vs. Coffin in Mortuary Science (Shape Matters)
  • Heirs-at-law

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

  • Estate vs. Inheritance in Mortuary Science (Legalities Defined)
  • Hematology

    The study of blood and blood-forming tissues.

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

    The study of the microscopic structure of tissues and organs.

  • Understanding Coroner vs. Medical Examiner (Role Clarification)
  • Histopathological evaluation

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

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

    The study of the microscopic structure of tissues and organs.

  • Mortuary Science: Autopsy vs. Necropsy (Purpose Clarified)
  • Histopathology Report

    A report that details the findings of a tissue sample examination.

  • Mortuary Science: Decedent vs. Deceased (Terminology Explained)
  • Historical evolution of funeral fabrics

    The changes in funeral clothing and accessories over time.

  • Mortuary Science: Shroud vs. Pall (Funeral Fabrics)
  • Historical influences

    The impact of cultural and historical traditions on funeral practices.

  • Mortuary Science: Shroud vs. Pall (Funeral Fabrics)
  • Historical practices

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Mortuary Science: Exhumation vs. Disinterment (Grave Disturbance)
  • Historical significance of burial sites

    The cultural and historical importance of burial sites and their preservation.

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

    Customs and practices that have been passed down through generations.

  • Open Casket vs. Closed Casket (Viewing Decisions)
  • Hobbies and interests

    Activities that a person enjoys doing in their free time.

  • Mortuary Science: Death Certificate vs. Death Notice (Document Differences)
  • Holy Communion

    A religious sacrament often performed during funeral services.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Cenotaph vs. Tombstone in Mortuary Science (Monument Types)
  • Columbarium vs. Mausoleum in Mortuary Science (Final Resting Options)
  • Mortuary Science: Decedent vs. Deceased (Terminology Explained)
  • Homestead exemption

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

  • 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.

  • Mortuary Science: Pallbearer vs. Honorary Pallbearer (Roles Explained)
  • Honorary Role

    A position or title given as an honor, without any actual duties or responsibilities.

  • Mortuary Science: Pallbearer vs. Honorary Pallbearer (Roles Explained)
  • Honor guard

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

  • Mortuary Science: Funeral vs. Memorial Service (Event Timing)
  • Honorific title

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

  • Mortuary Science: Pallbearer vs. Honorary Pallbearer (Roles Explained)
  • Honoring the Deceased

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

  • Cenotaph vs. Tombstone in Mortuary Science (Monument Types)
  • Understanding Funeral Mass vs. Memorial Service (Religious Considerations)
  • Hospice care

    End-of-life care provided to individuals with terminal illnesses.

  • Mortuary Science: Eulogy vs. Obituary (Honoring the Deceased)
  • Understanding Preneed vs. At-Need (Planning Ahead)
  • Understanding Thanatology vs. Mortuary Science (Study of Death)
  • 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.

  • Mortuary Science: Grave vs. Tomb (Resting Place Terminology)
  • Hospice services

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

  • Mortuary Science: Last Rites vs. Extreme Unction (Sacramental Services)
  • Human Anatomy

    The study of the structure and function of the human body.

  • Mortuary Science: Autopsy vs. Necropsy (Purpose Clarified)
  • Human remains

    The physical remains of a deceased person.

  • Mortuary Science: Exhumation vs. Disinterment (Grave Disturbance)
  • Human Remains Handling

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

  • Mortuary Science: Embalming vs. Cremation (Understanding Processes)
  • Mortuary Science: Exhumation vs. Disinterment (Grave Disturbance)
  • Humectants and surfactants

    Chemicals used in the embalming process to preserve and disinfect a deceased person’s body.

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

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

  • 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.

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