GLOSSARY.

Terms and phrases used in the end of life and funeral industries.

  • Ashes - the material that remains after cremation.
  • BDM - Shortened way of referring to the Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages (sometimes written RBDM).
  • Body Bag - usually used by hospitals and funeral directors to help transport the deceased. We have stopped using body bags for most collections at aged care and private homes and simply use reclaimed sheets as we feel is a little more dignified and is much quieter.
  • Burial - the action or practice of burying the deceased.
  • Casket - a six sided, funerary box that is rectangular (eg. Daisybox).
  • Celebrant - any person that organises and performs a service.
  • Coffin - an eight sided, tapered funerary box that is wider at the shoulders.
  • Cremation - the disposal of a dead person's body by burning.
  • Direct cremation - unattended cremation of a deceased body.
  • Disposal - describes how a body is handled after death.
  • Form 1 - an application made by a funeral service provider, to an independent doctor for permission to cremate a deceased body.
  • Form 3 - a form provided by the coroner, granting permission to cremate a deceased body.
  • Form 4 - a form provided by an independent doctor, granting permission to cremate a deceased body.
  • Form 8 - Death registration application form, provided by BDM, to the public for the purposes of registering a death.
  • Form 9 - Cause of Death Certificate provided by a doctor (usually current GP) within 48 hours of death. Not to be confused with the official Death Certificate provided weeks later by BDM.
  • Form 13 - a form provided by the coroner when a reportable death occurs outside Queensland.
  • Form 14 - a form provided by the coroner granting permission to release a body for burial or cremation.
  • Funeral - a service held with the body present (ie. In coffin or casket).
  • Graveside - a service held at the gravesite that includes lowering into the grave.
  • Headstone - a marker used to identify the deceased within a grave.
  • Hearse - a vehicle designed so that the casket is visible during transport.
  • Interment - the process of burial without a service.
  • Living wake - a gathering held prior to death, to celebrate ones life.
  • Memorial - a service held without the body present (eg. After a cremation).
  • Order of service - a list of the key moments for a service, used as a guide and often provided in the form of a booklet for attendees at funerals or memorials.
  • Pallbearer - person that carries casket, usually from funeral vehicle to the service (eg. church or graveside).
  • Service booklet - often a 4 page (A4 folded to A5 with front back and inside facing pages) booklet that can include photos and the order of service, given to attendees at a funeral or memorial service. While common, there is no requirement for booklets to be made for any service.
  • Shroud - a single cloth used to wrap the deceased for burial or cremation.
  • Shroud bearer - a timber tray used to carry a shroud wrapped body (instead of a casket).
  • Transfer - the transport of a deceased body (no special vehicle required).
  • Urn - a vessel to store the ashes of a cremated body.
  • Vigil - being present during dying and after death.
  • Wake - a gathering held with the body at home (nowadays referred to as gathering after a service to remember the deceased).
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