Aspergillum
An instrument used for sprinkling baptismal or holy water as part of rituals and devotions as a sign of blessing & remembrance of Baptism.
Bier
A stand on which a coffin is placed.
Blessed Ground
Catholic Cemeteries are blessed or consecrated for the sacred purpose of burying the dead and caring for those burial places.
Burial
Placement of human remains in a grave, crypt, or niche.
Casket
A rectangular receptacle of wood, metal, or plastic, into which a dead human body is placed for burial.
Columbarium
A structure divided into chambers called niches for interment of cremated remains.
Cremated Remains
The part of the human body remaining after the cremation process.
Cremation
The reduction, through extreme heat and evaporation, of the human body to its basic elements. Cremation is a means of preparing the human body for disposition and memorialization.
Crypt
A dry, vented above-ground chamber in a mausoleum that holds a casket containing human remains.
Deed Certificate of Burial Rights
The document by which the Cemetery conveys a right of interment, entombment, or inurnment for burial space. It is in effect a receipt for full payment and describes location of and extent of easement rights for burial.
Easement
A contract agreement between the cemetery and the person who is purchasing the burial rights to a grave, crypt, or niche.
Entombment
Interment of human remains in a crypt.
Grave
A plot of ground used or set aside for interment of human remains. A standard single grave will accommodate a vault with external dimensions not exceeding 36-inches wide x 96-inches long. Sometimes called a plot.
Grave Liner
An unsealed concrete receptacle of two or more pieces in which the casket is placed at the time of burial. In addition to protecting the casket, the liner will prevent the ground above from sinking. See Vault for a sealed outer container.
Grave Marker or Grave Memorial
A method of identifying the occupant of a particular grave. Permanent grave markers are usually made of bronze or granite. A memorial lists data such as the name of the individual, date and place of birth, date and place of death.
Human Remains
The body of the deceased.
Interment
Disposition of human remains by entombment, burial or placement in a niche.
Inurnment
Placement of cremated remains in a columbarium niche.
Mausoleum
A building or structure divided into chambers called crypts for above-ground entombment.
Monument
A memorial that extends above the ground's surface. Also known as a headstone or tombstone.
Niche
A space in a columbarium used for permanent placement of cremated remains.
Outer Container
A vault or grave liner into which the casket is placed at burial to prevent the grave from sinking over time. Outer containers are required.
Opening/Closing
The fee charged by the cemetery to accomplish the burial, including excavation of the grave, setup of graveside equipment, closing the grave, record-keeping, cemetery attendants and equipment costs.
Pall
A large cloth, white or gold that completely covers the casket during the Mass of Christian Burial. It represents the baptismal robe that is placed on a person during the ceremony of Baptism.
Plot
An earth burial spaces as recorded in cemetery records.
Pre-Need
Arrangements made in advance of need.
Right of Interment
The right to inter the remains of one deceased person in a grave, crypt or niche.
Vault
A two-piece receptacle for additional protection of the casket upon earth burial. A vault is a sealed container. Vaults are made of concrete, fiberglass, stainless steel, polypropylene or copper. See Grave Liner for a more plain, unsealed outer burial container.