Mortuary and funeral records document the handling, preparation, and burial of the deceased. These records can provide details about death, family members, residence, and community connections.
| Term | Definition |
| Autopsy | Examination of body to determine cause of death. |
| Burial | Placement of body in grave. |
| Burial Permit | Authorization for burial issued by authorities. |
| Casket | Container used for burial. |
| Cemetery | Place where bodies are buried. |
| Chapel Service | Funeral service held at funeral home or chapel. |
| Coffin | Box used to hold body for burial. |
| Cremation | Process of reducing body to ashes. |
| Death Certificate | Official record of death. |
| Embalming | Preservation of body for viewing or transport. |
| Funeral | Ceremony honoring the deceased. |
| Funeral Director | Person managing funeral arrangements. |
| Funeral Home | Business handling preparation and services. |
| Funeral Register | Book recording attendees at funeral. |
| Graveside Service | Service conducted at burial site. |
| Hearse | Vehicle transporting the deceased. |
| Interment | Burial of body. |
| Memorial Service | Service without body present. |
| Mortician | Professional preparing body and arrangements. |
| Mortuary | Facility for preparing deceased for burial. |
| Obituary | Published notice of death and life summary. |
| Officiant | Person conducting funeral service. |
| Pallbearer | Person carrying casket. |
| Plot | Burial space in cemetery. |
| Preparation Room | Area where body is prepared. |
| Remains | Body of deceased. |
| Sexton | Cemetery official overseeing burials. |
| Undertaker | Historical term for funeral director. |
| Viewing | Time when body is available for visitation. |
| Wake | Gathering before funeral service. |
| Visitation | Period when friends and family pay respects. |
| Vault | Outer burial container placed in grave. |
| Death Notice | Short announcement of death. |
| Final Disposition | Method of handling remains. |
| Cremains | Ashes after cremation. |
| Burial Register | Record of burials in cemetery. |
| Funeral Notice | Announcement of funeral details. |
| Memorial Contribution | Donation made in honor of deceased. |
| Transit Permit | Authorization to transport body. |
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