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Common Funeral Terminology
- Casket
- A metal or wood four-sided container designed to encase human remains, usually constructed of steel, stainless steel, copper, bronze or hardwood.
- Coffin
- A six-sided container designed to encase human remains, usually constructed of wood.
- Cremation
- The reduction of human remains by intense heat and flame to basic bone fragments. (Usually about 5% of pre-cremation body weight)
- Cremation Casket
- Similar to a casket, however designed specifically for cremation, typically simpler in design and constructed mostly of combustible materials.
- Cremation Container
- A basic container designed to preserve the dignity of human remains prior to cremation and to assist with the placement of the remains into the crematory. It can be constructed of cardboard, flakeboard, wood or similar material.
- Embalming
- The temporary preservation of the body for viewing and transportation. Embalming is not required by law under certain circumstances, such as when there is no public viewing and refrigeration is available.
- Funeral Director
- Individual licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors to embalm and to conduct funeral services.
- Funeral Home
- Physical building licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors to embalm and otherwise prepare the human dead for viewing, burial, entombment and cremation.
- Funeral Service
- A service held with the body present to commemorate the life of the deceased.
- General Price List
- A price list with standardized features that is a requirement of all funeral providers pursuant to the Federal Trade Commission "Funeral Rule".
- Hearse
- Specialized vehicle designed to transport human remains.
- Memorial Service
- A service held without the body present to commemorate the life of the deceased.
- Undertaker
- Term used following the Civil War to describe those who "undertook" the preparation of the dead for final rites and burial, which many times included construction of the coffin.
- Urn
- Container designed to hold cremated remains.
- Viewing
- A social gathering held with the body present. A time for family and friends to express condolences and share support for one another.
- Visitation
- A social gathering held with or without the body present. A time for family and friends to express condolences and share support for one another.
Still have questions?
For more information please contact PCCFA using our contact form.
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100 South 21st Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104
717-236-9970 Tel 717-238-2799 Fax