Understanding the language of funerals

A

Advanced Decision

What is an advance decision?
An advance decision (also known as a living Will) is a legal document where you outline in advance which medical treatments you would refuse if you are ever unable to make or communicate your own decisions.

Ashes

What are ashes?
Ashes (also called cremated remains or cremains) are what’s left of the body after cremation. These can be kept in an urn, buried, or scattered in a place that holds meaning.

B

Beneficiary

What is a beneficiary?
A beneficiary is someone named in a Will or life insurance policy to receive money, property, or possessions when a person dies. Naming beneficiaries helps ensure your wishes are honoured and provides clarity for your loved ones.

Bereavement

What is bereavement?
Bereavement is the time of mourning and adjusting emotionally after someone you care about dies. Everyone’s experience is unique, ranging from deep sorrow and confusion to moments of relief or anger. There’s no right way to feel, and no fixed timeline for healing.

Bereavement Leave

What is bereavement leave?
Bereavement leave is time off from work following the death of someone close. It gives you essential space to grieve, make funeral arrangements, and begin to heal. Leave entitlements vary by employer and may differ based on your relationship to the person who has died.

Bequest

What is a bequest?
A bequest is a gift left to someone or a charitable organisation in a Will. This could be money, personal items, or other property. Bequests allow you to leave a meaningful legacy and support what matters most.

Body Donation

What is body donation?
Body donation is your choice to donate your body to medical research or education after death. It must be arranged ahead of time, and a medical school or authorised institution must accept it at the time of death—it’s a powerful way to leave a legacy of learning and hope.

Burial

What is burial?
Burial is the act of laying a body to rest in the ground, in settings like cemeteries, churchyards, or natural burial grounds. Often accompanied by a service, burial offers a physical resting place for remembrance—a place families can return to for comfort.

Burial Certificate

What is a burial certificate?
Also known as the “green form,” a burial certificate is a legal document issued after the death is registered. It authorises the burial to proceed and must be handed to the funeral provider, ensuring everything is conducted with respect and in line with the law.

C

Catafalque

What is a catafalque?
A catafalque is a raised platform that supports the coffin during a funeral or memorial. Positioned at the front of a chapel or memorial space, it honours the person who has died and allows mourners to pay their respects in a dignified setting.

Celebrant

What does a celebrant do?
A celebrant is a person, religious or humanist, who leads a funeral or memorial service. They work closely with families to shape a ceremony that celebrates your loved one’s personality and values, creating a farewell that feels deeply personal and meaningful.

Celebration of Life

What is a celebration of life?
A celebration of life is a ceremony that focuses on honouring someone’s personality, achievements, and memories, rather than the sadness of their passing. Often uplifting and personal, these gatherings might feature music, stories, plants, or objects that reflect who they were.

Coffin

What is a coffin?
A coffin is a container used to hold your loved one’s body for burial or cremation. Available in materials like wood, wicker, or eco-friendly cardboard, it’s a tangible expression of care and respect, chosen to reflect personal style or values.

Committal

What is a committal?
Committal is the final moment of a funeral service—when the coffin is lowered into the ground or taken for cremation. It’s a quiet, poignant goodbye, often accompanied by words, music, or a moment of shared silence to offer closure.

Compassionate Leave

What is compassionate leave?
Compassionate leave is paid or unpaid time off when someone experiences a death or a serious family emergency. It allows space to deal with arrangements and emotions. Employers typically grant it to support wellbeing and practical care in difficult times.

Coroner

What does a coroner do?
A coroner is an official who investigates unexpected, sudden, or unexplained deaths to determine how and why they occurred. Their role is essential in providing clarity, legal oversight, and sometimes support for families navigating difficult circumstances.

Cortege

What is a cortege?
A cortege is the funeral procession: the hearse carries the coffin, followed by family and friends. Whether a short journey to the crematorium or a longer route, it’s a respectful and symbolic pass through shared memories and final farewells.

Cremated Remains

What are cremated remains?
 ‘Cremated remains’ is another term for ashes. These fine particles are what remain of the body after cremation. Families can choose to keep them, scatter them, or bury them—each option offering a way to honour final wishes.

Cremation

What is cremation?
Cremation is the process where the body is reduced to ashes using high heat. It’s a widely chosen alternative to burial in the UK, offering flexibility in how ashes are cared for—whether kept in an urn, scattered, or interred in a resting place.

Cremation Forms

What are the required cremation forms?
Before a cremation can take place, several legal documents must be completed to ensure respect, compliance, and consent:

• Medical Certificate (Form 4): Confirms the cause of death, completed by a doctor.
• Cremation Application (Form 1): Filled out by the next of kin or executor, formally requesting cremation.
• Authorisation for Cremation (Form 10): Signed by the crematorium once all paperwork is checked and approved.
• Green Form (Certificate for Burial or Cremation): Issued when the death is registered and required by the crematorium.
  
  

These forms ensure every cremation meets legal, ethical, and emotional standards.

D

Death Certificate

What is a death certificate?
A death certificate is an official document confirming someone’s passing. You’ll need certified copies for legal processes, settling the estate, closing accounts, and arranging pensions. It’s a key part of managing the practical side of loss.

Death Notice

What is a death notice?
A death notice is a public announcement that someone has died, often placed in a newspaper or online. It can include funeral details, donation requests, and messages of remembrance, serving as a way to inform the community.

Direct Cremation

What is direct cremation?
Direct cremation is a simple option where the body is cremated without a formal service at the crematorium or church. It’s often more affordable and allows loved ones the freedom to hold a personalised farewell later, in a way that feels more meaningful. 

Dirge

What is a dirge?
A dirge is a mournful song or hymn performed at a funeral, written to express grief and sorrow. Its slow, solemn tone honours those we’ve lost.

Disbursements

What are disbursements? 
Disbursements are third-party costs that a funeral provider pays to others on your behalf, such as fees for the crematorium, celebrant, doctor’s certificates, or obituary notices. These are then itemised and passed on, ensuring full transparency.

Doctor’s Certificate

What is a doctor’s certificate?
A doctor’s certificate confirms the cause of death and is usually necessary before a cremation or burial can proceed. It ensures that all legal and medical requirements are met with respect and clarity.

E

Embalming

What is embalming?
Embalming is a chemical process used to preserve the body for viewing or burial. It isn’t legally required in the UK and is rarely used for direct cremations, but may be requested for certain cultural practices or longer delays before burial.

End-of-life Care

What is end‑of‑life care?
End‑of‑life care focuses on supporting comfort, dignity, and emotional wellbeing during the final stages of life, whether at home, in hospice, or in a hospital. It addresses symptoms, personal wishes, and compassionate support for both the person and their loved ones.

End‑of‑life Planning

What is end‑of‑life planning?
End‑of‑life planning means making thoughtful decisions about future care, funeral wishes, and legal matters. It might involve drafting a Will, choosing a funeral plan, appointing LPAs, and having conversations with loved ones to ease the path ahead.

Epitaph

What is an epitaph?
An epitaph is a brief inscription on a gravestone or memorial, typically featuring the person’s name, dates, and a few heartfelt words or quotes. It’s a lasting tribute that captures something of who they were.

Estate

What is an estate?
An estate comprises everything a person owned when they died, such as money, property, belongings, and debts. It’s managed and distributed according to their Will or, if there’s no Will, according to the law.

Estate Planning

What is estate planning?
Estate planning is the process of organising your assets, intentions, and end-of-life wishes during your lifetime, often including drafting a Will, appointing executors, and setting up trusts to help your loved ones carry out your wishes with care and clarity.

Executor

What is an executor?
An executor is the person you appoint in your Will to carry out your final wishes—managing the estate, settling debts, and distributing assets. It’s an important role that ensures your intentions are followed responsibly.

F

Floral Tribute

What is a floral tribute?
A floral tribute is a bouquet, wreath, or arrangement given to honour someone who has died. Often placed during the funeral or at their resting place, flowers convey love, respect, and comfort during times of loss.

Funeral

What is a funeral?
A funeral is a ceremony to honour a life and provide a space to say goodbye. It can be religious, secular, traditional, or entirely personal, crafted to reflect the life that was lived and the love that remains.

Funeral Director

Who is a funeral director?
A funeral director is a professional who supports families by arranging a funeral. They guide you through legal paperwork, practical tasks, and emotional considerations.

Funeral Notice

What is a funeral notice?
A funeral notice is an announcement, typically shared online or in a newspaper, that gives details of a funeral. It helps friends and community members know when and where to gather in memory and support.

Funeral Plan

What is a funeral plan?
A funeral plan allows you to arrange and fund your funeral in advance. It lightens the emotional and financial load on your loved ones and ensures your preferences are honoured, bringing peace of mind.

G

Grave Marker

What is a grave marker?
A grave marker is a temporary or permanent stone, plaque, or sign placed at a burial site. It typically displays a name and dates, providing a gentle, visible marker for those who come to remember.

Green Burial

What is a green burial?
Green burial is an eco-friendly choice that avoids chemical embalming and uses biodegradable coffins or shrouds. Set often in natural woodland or meadow burial grounds, it honours both the person and the planet.

Grief

What is grief?
Grief is the emotional, physical, and mental response to losing someone important. It can come in waves of sadness, confusion, and acceptance, and manifests differently in everyone. There is no “right” way to grieve and no fixed timeline.

H

Hearse

What is a hearse?
A hearse is a thoughtfully designed vehicle used to transport the coffin during a funeral procession. It carries both the coffin and the emotions of loved ones gathered, marking the journey from service to rest.

Humanist Funeral

What is a humanist funeral?
A humanist funeral is a non-religious ceremony that focuses on celebrating the values, relationships, and individuality of the person who has died. Led by a trained humanist celebrant, it’s a deeply personal and heart-centred farewell.

I

Inquest

What is an inquest?
An inquest is a public investigation by a coroner into a death that was sudden, unexplained, or unnatural. Its aim is to establish how, when, and where someone died, offering families clarity and closure.

Interment of Ashes

What is the interment of ashes?
Interment of ashes is the act of burying cremated remains in a permanent resting place, such as a grave, family plot, or memorial garden. Often accompanied by a heartfelt ceremony, it offers loved ones a place of remembrance and reflection.

Intestate

What does intestate mean?
If someone dies intestate, it means they have no valid Will. In that case, the law determines who inherits their estate, a process that may not reflect their personal wishes or relationships.

J

Janazah

What is Janazah?
Janazah refers to the Islamic funeral prayer and burial ritual. Janazah includes washing and shrouding the body, a special congregational prayer, and burial as soon as possible after death. The ceremony is usually simple and dignified, in line with Islamic teachings. It’s a deeply spiritual time, focused on prayer, community support, and honouring the life of the person who has died.

L

Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)

What is a lasting power of attorney (LPA)?
An LPA is a legal document that lets you appoint someone trustworthy to make decisions for you if you lose mental capacity. You can set up separate LPAs for health and for finances, ensuring your wishes are honoured, no matter what.

Legacy

What is a legacy?
A legacy is what you leave behind, whether financial, personal items or the impact you’ve had on those around you. It’s the story that continues in the hearts and lives of others.

Living Will

What is a living Will?
A living Will (or advance decision) is a document that specifies your wishes for medical treatment if you’re no longer able to decide. It guides healthcare teams and protects your autonomy, even when you can no longer speak for yourself.

M

Mausoleum & Crypt

What are a mausoleum and crypt?
A mausoleum is an above-ground building constructed to hold one or more caskets. Inside are crypts, individual chambers that offer a dignified resting place, often for generations.

Memorial

What is a memorial?
A memorial is a lasting tribute to someone who has died. It might take many forms, such as benches, trees, plaques, donations, or online pages, each offering a way to remember and honour their life.

Memorial Service

What is a memorial service?
A memorial service is a ceremony held after a person’s passing, often without the body present. It offers a gentle, warm opportunity to gather, share memories, and find connection through stories and reflections.

Mortuary

What is a mortuary?
A mortuary (or chapel of rest) is where a body is kept with care before a funeral or cremation. It’s a respectful space where families may visit, say goodbye, or take time to reflect.

N

Natural Burial Ground

What is a natural burial ground?
A natural burial ground is a protected area where bodies are buried without non-biodegradable markers or chemicals. Graves blend into woodland or meadow settings, nurturing nature as part of the cycle of life.

Next of Kin

Who is the next of kin?
Next of kin is usually the closest living relative, someone authorised to make decisions or be informed after a death. While legal recognition varies, they’re often the first point of contact in times of need.

O

Obituary

What is an obituary?
An obituary is a written tribute celebrating someone’s life, achievements, and personality. Published in newspapers or online, it shares their story with a wider audience and preserves memories for future generations.

Officiant

Who is an officiant?
An officiant is the person who leads the funeral service; they may be religious, non-religious, a celebrant, or clergy. Their role is to guide the ceremony with respect and meaning, helping everyone feel connected.

Order of Service

What is an order of service?
An order of service is a printed program provided at the funeral or memorial. It guides attendees through the ceremony, listing hymns, readings, music, and speakers, and includes details to honour the person who has died.

P

Pallbearer

What is a pallbearer?
A pallbearer is a family member or friend honoured with carrying or escorting the coffin at a funeral. Their role represents love and respect and is often considered a privilege and final act of care.

Palliative Care

What is palliative care?
Palliative care provides specialist support to people with life-limiting illnesses. It emphasises comfort, quality of life, symptom control, even emotional and spiritual support, for both the person and their loved ones.

Parental Bereavement Leave

What is parental bereavement leave?
Parental bereavement leave is statutory time off for parents whose child under 18 has died or after a stillbirth following 24+ weeks of pregnancy. In the UK, eligible parents receive two weeks paid leave, which can be taken all at once or split, allowing space to grieve and begin caring for one another.

Post-mortem

What is a post-mortem?
A post-mortem is a medical examination of the body after death to find the cause. It can be requested by a coroner or doctor and helps provide crucial information for families and medical records.

Probate

What is probate?
Probate is the legal procedure that confirms a Will is valid and grants the executor the authority to manage and distribute the estate. It ensures debts are paid and assets are transferred correctly and transparently.

Public Health Funeral/Pauper’s Grave

What is a public health funeral or pauper’s grave?
A public health funeral is arranged by the local authority when someone dies without family or the means to pay for a funeral. It ensures that every person receives a dignified farewell, even in the most difficult circumstances.

The older term “pauper’s funeral” is less commonly used today, as it can feel outdated or stigmatising. While some may still refer to a pauper’s grave, it typically describes a simple or unmarked burial plot provided as part of this public service.

R

Registering a Death

What does registering a death mean?
Registering a death is a legal requirement. It must usually be done within five days of death and involves providing key details to the local registrar. It’s the first step in obtaining the certificates and permissions you’ll need.

Repatriation

What is repatriation?
Repatriation is the process of returning a deceased person to their home country or place of origin for burial or cremation. It’s often chosen for cultural, emotional, or family reasons

Resomation

What is resomation?
Resomation (or alkaline hydrolysis, water cremation) is an alternative to fire-based cremation. The body is returned to ash using water and alkali. It’s not yet widely available in the UK, but it’s growing in awareness.

S

Scattering Tube

What is a scattering tube?
A scattering tube is a biodegradable vessel used when scattering ashes. Often personalised with designs or messages, it ensures a dignified, respectful method to carry and scatter remains in a cherished place.

Shiva

What is Shiva?
Shiva is a Jewish mourning tradition that takes place during the first seven days after a funeral. During shiva, close family members gather in the home of the person who has died (or another chosen home) to grieve, reflect, and receive visitors offering comfort. It’s a time of shared remembrance, supported by rituals and prayers. Shiva helps mourners begin to process their loss within the care of their community.

Sympathy Card

What is a sympathy card?
A sympathy card is a note of condolence shared with someone who is grieving. It’s a simple yet powerful way to offer empathy, support, and acknowledgement during a time that can feel very isolating.

U

Urn

What is an urn?
An urn is a container designed to hold ashes after cremation. Available in styles ranging from modest and traditional to ornate and eco‑friendly, urns allow ashes to be kept in a way that reflects personal taste and values.

V

Viewing

What is a viewing?
A viewing (or visitation) is a time set aside before the funeral for family and friends to see the body. It gives a chance to say a quiet private goodbye in the presence of the person who has died, providing comfort and closure.

W

Wake

What is a wake?
A wake is a gathering of family and friends before or after a funeral. It can be a structured event or a relaxed, informal time to share memories, laugh, cry, and support one another as you remember the person who has died.

Will

What is a Will?
A Will is a legal document explaining how you want your money, property, and belongings handled after you pass away. It allows you to name an executor, choose guardians for children, and state your funeral preferences, ensuring your wishes are respected and your loved ones are supported.