Common Cremation Terms

Some terms that you may want to become more familiar with include:

Alternative container
An unfinished wood box or other non-metal receptacle or enclosure, without ornamentation or a fixed interior lining, which is designed for the encasement of human remains and which is made of fiberboard, pressed wood, composition materials (with or without an outside covering) or like materials.

Columbarium
A structure consisting of small vaults or niches for urns containing cremated remains.

Cremated remains
The remains of the decedent after completion of cremation and processing.

Cremation
The reduction of human remains to bone fragments through intense heat, flame and evaporation.

Cremation casket
A special casket designed to be used when the final disposition of the remains is cremation. The casket may be used for visitation and/or the funeral ceremony, and it is cremated with the decedent.

Crematory
A building or facility that holds the equipment necessary for cremation.

Inurnment
The placing of an urn containing cremated remains into a columbarium, niche, crypt, tomb or ground space.

Niche
A compartment or cubicle for the memorialization and permanent placement of cremated remains.

Rental casket (Viewing Casket)
A casket or casket shell that is available for rental by the authorized representative of the decedent who will be cremated for use during a viewing or funeral ceremony. After the ceremony, the rental casket remains the property of the funeral home and the decedent is placed in an alternative container for cremation.

Scattering
The authorized dispersal of cremated remains that have been removed from their container at sea, by air, on public or private property but only with express permission of the land holder or owner, or by commingling in a designated area within the dedicated cemetery or other authorized location, including the mixing of cremated remains with, or placing them on top of, the soil or ground cover.

Urn
A container made from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, bronze, ceramic, glass, porcelain, wood or other materials, into which cremated remains are placed. Many are designed in traditional vase-like shapes or square and rectangular cubes.