GLOSSARY OF CATHOLIC CEMETERY TERMS
TERMS: (CLICK TO VIEW DEFINITIONS)
At-Need The selection and payment of interment rights, cemetery services and merchandise at the time of death.

 


[back to top] Burial
See Interment

 


[back to top] Burial Rights
See Interment

 


[back to top] Columbarium
A building structure or arrangement of niches intended or used for the permanent placement of cremated remains.

 


[back to top] Companion Crypt
A crypt designed to accommodate two adult sized caskets placed one behind the other. Also referred to as a True Companion crypt.

 


[back to top] Couch Crypt
A crypt designed to accommodate one or more adult sized caskets placed horizontally in the crypt with a single front covering.

 


[back to top] Cremated Remains
The bone fragments of a human body which remain after the cremation process is complete. The bone fragments are then reduced in size before being placed in an urn or other approved container.

 


[back to top] Cremains
An acronym for "cremated remains."

 


[back to top] Cremation
The reduction through heat and evaporation, of the human body to its basic elements. Cremation is the means of preparing the human body for disposition and memorialization.

 


[back to top] Crypt
A space in a mausoleum(interior crypt), garden crypt (exterior crypt), or lawn crypt (below ground crypt) used for the entombment of human remains. Types of crypts include Single Crypts, Abbey (Westminister) Crypts, Tandem Crypts, Companion Crypts, Side-by-Side Crypts, and Couch Crypts.

 


[back to top] Deed
A word never used in Catholic cemetery terminology. The term implies legal ownership of the land and all the rights contained with land ownership. See Interment Rights.

 


[back to top] Double Depth Interment
A single grave used for the burial of two remains, one on top of the other.

 


[back to top] Entombment
The interment of a casket or urn in a crypt or niche either above or below the ground.

 


[back to top] Entombed Rights
An easement or license sold by the cemetery for a designated crypt space in a mausoleum or similar structure for the interment of human remains.

 


[back to top] Foundation
A pier type structure made of concrete which is under an upright or a ground level monument for stability and to protect the edges of the monument.

 


[back to top] Garden Columbarium
An above ground structure or arrangement of niches for the placement of cremated remains. All niches are accessible to the outside eliminating the necessity of heating/air conditioning facilities.

 


[back to top] Grave
A designated space in the ground in a cemetery used, or intended to be used, for the interment of human remains; an excavation in the earth for the interment of human remains.

 


[back to top] Grave Liner
An unsealed concrete receptacle of two or more pieces in which the casket is placed at the time of burial, not specifically to protect the casket but to prevent the ground above from sinking. Generally made of concrete, fiberglass, stainless steel, polypropylene or copper.

 


[back to top] Grave Set-Up
The preparation of the grave for interment. Generally consisting of the excavation of the grave, placing of planks, grave liner, outdoor artificial grass carpeting, lowering device, etc. Post funeral activities of the grave set-up include back filling the grave and restoration of the sod. Sometimes referred to as "Opening and Closing."

 


[back to top] Interment
The burial, entombment or inurnment of the human remains in a grave, crypt or niche.

 


[back to top] Interment Fee
A charge made to the family at the time of burial of the deceased; usually covering the excavation and refilling of the grave, the provision of the grave dressing, lowering device, re-sodding of the grave and other optional costs involved in the interment. Also referred to as opening and closing fee.

 


[back to top] Interment Rights
An easement or license sold by the cemetery authorizing the use of a specific grave, crypt or niche for the interment of human remains. The cemetery sells only the right to use the designated space for interment purposes. Ownwership of the physical grave, crypt or niche remains with the cemetery. Also known as Burial Rights or Entombment Rights.

 


[back to top] Inurnment
The burial by placement of cremated remains in an urnin a grave, crypt or niche.

 


[back to top] Inurnment Rights
An easement or license sold by the cemetery authorizing the use of a specific grave or niche for the interment of cremated human remains. The cemetery sells only the right to use the designated space for interment purposes.

 


[back to top] Lawn Crypt
A cement outer container pre-installed below the ground usually designated to accommodate two or more caskets.

 


[back to top] Lot
A term that refers to more than one adjacent grave; any number of these graves (2,3,4, or more) could be used to make up a lot. Also known as a plot.

 


[back to top] Marker
A stone or bronze memorial flush with the ground, indicating the name of the deceased and a date of birth and death.

 


[back to top] Mausoleum
A structure where the deceased are entombed above ground, often inside a building which is usually air conditioned.

 


[back to top] Memorial
A commemorative item, structure or tablet used to mark the place where an interment has been made or will be made. A memorial may also serve to remember a family or an individual not necessarily buried there. The term is general, including such items commonly known as monuments, markers, tombstones, tablets, shutters, headstones, footstones, or niche plates. Most cemeteries have rules governing types and size allowed.

 


[back to top] Monument
A memorial constructed so as to sit on a concrete foundation in an upright position.

 


[back to top] Niche
A space in a columbarium or other structure intended to hold cremated remains.

 


[back to top] Pre-Need
The planning and payment of a grave, lot, crypt or niche prior to death; the opportunity to study fully and thoughtfully the burial space, services and merchandise available.

 


[back to top] Rules and Regulations
The guidelines or by-laws established by the cemetery to control and effect the orderly operation of a cemetery, including the setting of cemetery visiting hours, interment procedures, instructions of grave rights, services, charges, memorial directives and other general rules to insure the sacred character of a Catholic cemetery.

 


[back to top] Vault
A two piece sealed receptacle for additional protection of the casket. May a have an inner liner to enhance the appearance and sealing ability. Sometimes used synonymously to mean grave liner.