People who aren’t involved in the funeral industry may not understand some of the terms that come up while they’re planning a funeral or memorial service. To help our neighbors navigate this unfamiliar territory, our team at Bayliff & Son Funeral Home put together a list of 7 funeral industry terms you may not know.

 

Preplanning

In the funeral community, the concept of “planning ahead” holds significant importance. It involves documenting your funeral and burial preferences in advance. By preplanning your services, you can alleviate the burden of decision-making on your children and loved ones, saving them time, money, and stress during an already difficult time.

 

Eulogy

You may already be familiar with what a eulogy is, as it’s a common element of many funeral services. A eulogy is a speech written to honor the deceased. Many people confuse a eulogy with an elegy, which is a poem or song performed as a tribute to someone who has died.

 

Personalization

Perhaps you already have a personalized computer desktop background or monogrammed bath towels, but did you know you can also personalize a funeral or memorial service? At Bayliff & Son, we encourage personalization as a way to celebrate each individual’s unique life and personality.

 

Cremation Niche

Cremation niches, also known as columbarium niches, are spaces designed to house the cremated remains of deceased loved ones. These niches typically consist of small, individual compartments or alcoves, often adorned with beautiful plaques or memorial markers, where the urn containing the ashes can be placed. Cremation niches provide a serene and dignified final resting place, offering families a peaceful location to visit and pay their respects to their loved ones.

 

Pallbearer

Originally referring to the cloth draped over a casket, the term pallbearer refers to the person or people charged with carrying the casket at a funeral.

 

Honorarium

Oftentimes, the deceased’s family offers a pastor or clergy member an honorarium for officiating a funeral or memorial service. An honorarium is a payment made to an individual for performing a free service. It is not unusual for an organist or musician who plays at a funeral to also receive an honorarium.

 

Aftercare

Grief is an unpredictable facet of loss. Funeral aftercare exists to help people who are grieving the death of a loved one. Aftercare can involve things like counseling, therapy, and grief support groups. You can access our grief support resources here.

 

Our compassionate team is dedicated to serving our neighbors throughout the area. Feel free to send a message or call with any questions you may have about funerals or funeral-related terms. We are happy to help!