Funeral planning comes with a lot of unfamiliar vocabulary, and it can feel like a different language shows up overnight—on cemetery contracts, cremation paperwork, and emails you did not have the energy to interpret. This glossary is meant to be a calm translation. Each term is defined in plain English, with a quick “what this looks like in real life” example so you can make decisions with more confidence and communicate clearly with funeral homes, crematories, and cemeteries.
If you’d like to see real-world examples of how these terms show up in planning (especially “niche,” “inurnment,” and cemetery options like urn gardens), you may also find these Funeral.com guides helpful: Interment Words and Funeral Terminology and Cremation Cemetery Memorial Options.
Cremation and Urn Basics
- Urn
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An urn is a container that holds cremated remains. The Federal Trade Commission notes that urns may be placed in a columbarium or mausoleum, or buried in the ground.
Example: You may choose a display urn for home, then later place that urn in a niche or cemetery space. If you’re browsing options, start with cremation urns for ashes.
- Cremated remains (also called cremains or “ashes”)
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Cremated remains are primarily processed bone fragments and minerals after cremation—not fireplace ash. CANA defines cremation as reducing human remains to bone fragments and then processing/pulverizing them.
Example: If you notice a powdery-to-granular texture, that variation is normal and often reflects processing.
- Cremation
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Cremation is the process that reduces human remains to bone fragments, followed by processing into smaller particles. CANA describes this as including pulverization into pieces usually no more than one-eighth inch.
Example: Cremation is the disposition method; the urn decision is what happens after cremation, based on your plan.
- Crematory
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A crematory is the facility where cremation occurs. Some crematories are part of a funeral home; others are independent and serve multiple funeral homes.
Example: Your funeral director may coordinate with a crematory on scheduling, identification checks, and return of the remains.
- Retort
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The retort is the cremation chamber (the unit where cremation takes place). You may hear this term in crematory descriptions or in technical explanations of cremation.
Example: “The cremation will take place in the retort on Tuesday, then the remains will be processed and returned.”
- Temporary container
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A temporary container is the basic container cremated remains are placed in if you have not selected a permanent urn. CANA notes remains are typically placed in a strong plastic bag and then into an urn or temporary container.
Example: Many families keep the temporary container at home for a few days or weeks while choosing an urn.
- Cubic inches (urn capacity)
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Cubic inches are the standard way urn capacity is listed. The most common rule of thumb is roughly one cubic inch per pound of body weight, then rounding up for comfort.
Example: If you’re unsure, Funeral.com’s Urn Size Calculator can help you translate “cubic inches” into a practical choice.
- Keepsake urn
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A keepsake urn is a smaller urn designed to hold a portion (not all) of the cremated remains.
Example: A family may place most remains in one primary urn and share small portions in keepsake urns for adult children or siblings.
- Companion urn
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A companion urn is designed to hold the cremated remains of two people, either in a shared interior or in two compartments.
Example: Some families choose a companion urn for a couple and then keep small portions in keepsakes for children who want a personal connection.
- Cremation jewelry
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Cremation jewelry is jewelry designed to hold a tiny, symbolic portion of ashes (or sometimes hair). It is usually meant to complement a primary urn rather than replace it.
Example: A family may keep the main remains in an urn and place a small portion into cremation jewelry or cremation necklaces.
- Scattering urn / scattering tube
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A scattering urn or tube is designed to help release ashes more cleanly outdoors, often with an easy-open design and a shape that is easier to hold.
Example: Families sometimes use a scattering tube at a ceremony and keep a small portion in a keepsake urn at home.
- Biodegradable urn
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A biodegradable urn is designed to break down naturally in a specific environment (soil or water) rather than remaining permanent. Funeral.com’s guide Biodegradable Urns Explained walks through types and what to confirm before purchase.
Example: A family planning a green burial may choose from biodegradable & eco-friendly urns rather than a long-lasting metal urn.
- Burial at sea
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Burial at sea refers to placing cremated remains in ocean waters under federal rules (U.S.). The EPA explains that you must notify the EPA within 30 days after a burial at sea under the general permit.
Example: Many families coordinate a boat-based ceremony and choose a water-appropriate biodegradable container when using one.
- Alternative container
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An alternative container is a simple container used for direct cremation when a family does not purchase a casket. The FTC explains alternative containers may be made of materials like fiberboard or composition materials.
Example: “We’re choosing direct cremation with an alternative container and selecting the urn afterward.”
- Direct cremation
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Direct cremation generally means cremation without a formal viewing or funeral ceremony beforehand (services can still happen later, but the cremation occurs soon after death).
Example: A family may hold a memorial service later, once travel is easier, while keeping the urn at home in the meantime.
Cemetery and Placement Terms
- Columbarium
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A columbarium is a structure built with niches (compartments) designed to hold urns. Both the FTC and the ICCFA describe it as a structure with niches for urn placement.
Example: “We purchased a niche in the cemetery columbarium so the urn has a permanent place.”
- Niche
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A niche is the individual compartment where an urn is placed, often within a columbarium or mausoleum. The FTC defines a niche as a space in a columbarium, mausoleum, or niche wall to hold an urn.
Example: At Arlington National Cemetery, a niche is described as the designated space in the wall where the urn is placed for inurnment. Arlington National Cemetery.
- Inurnment
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Inurnment means placing cremated remains in an urn. The Merriam-Webster definition is “placement or burial in an urn,” and the FTC describes it as placing cremated remains in an urn.
Example: “The inurnment will take place at the columbarium once the niche faceplate is ready.” If the word itself has been confusing, Funeral.com’s Inurnment vs. Inurement can help.
- Interment
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Interment is a broad term for placing remains in a final resting place, including burial, inurnment, or entombment. The FTC uses interment as an umbrella term that includes inurnment and entombment.
Example: A cemetery may charge an “interment fee” whether the placement is in the ground (burial) or in a niche (inurnment).
- Entombment
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Entombment means placement in a mausoleum (above-ground). The FTC defines it as burial in a mausoleum.
Example: Entombment often involves a crypt (for a casket) or a niche (for an urn), depending on the cemetery’s structure.
- Mausoleum
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A mausoleum is an above-ground building where remains are entombed. The FTC defines it as a building in which remains are buried or entombed.
Example: Some mausoleums include both crypts for caskets and columbarium niches for urns.
- Crypt
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A crypt is an above-ground space (often within a mausoleum) designed to hold remains. The FTC defines a crypt as a space in a mausoleum or other building to hold cremated or whole remains.
Example: “Our contract is for a crypt in the family mausoleum, with a separate niche for the urn.”
- Urn garden / cremation garden
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An urn garden (or cremation garden) is a cemetery area dedicated to cremation placement, which may include in-ground urn burial, plaques, benches, or landscaped memorial features.
Example: Families who want a permanent place to visit often choose an urn garden instead of scattering, especially when multiple relatives want one shared location.
- Scattering garden
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A scattering garden is a designated cemetery area where ashes can be scattered, typically maintained by the cemetery (sometimes with communal memorialization options).
Example: Some cemeteries offer a scattering garden plus a memorial plaque, combining scattering with a place to visit.
- Urn vault (also called an outer burial container or urn liner)
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An urn vault is a protective outer container that goes around an urn for in-ground burial, often to help prevent settling and protect long-term grounds maintenance. Funeral.com’s Urn Vaults Explained breaks down when cemeteries require one and how to choose.
Example: A cemetery may require an urn vault even when the urn itself is sturdy, because the policy is about ground stability.
- Opening and closing
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“Opening and closing” refers to the cemetery labor and equipment used to open a grave (or sometimes an urn burial space) and close it after placement. The FTC includes opening/closing tasks under cemetery services.
Example: You may see a separate charge for opening and closing in addition to the right to the grave space.
- Right of interment (also called an interment right)
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This refers to the legal right to place remains in a specific cemetery space (grave, crypt, or niche). Cemeteries often separate the “right” from the labor/services to place the remains.
Example: A cemetery contract may list “right of interment” and “interment fee” as separate line items.
- Endowment care / perpetual care
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Endowment care (often called perpetual care) refers to a fund used for ongoing cemetery maintenance. The FTC describes an endowment care fund as money placed in trust for upkeep.
Example: A cemetery may charge an endowment care fee when you purchase a grave or niche space.
- Disinterment and reinterment
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Disinterment means removing remains from an existing resting place; reinterment means placing them again in a new one. These terms often appear when families relocate remains closer to family.
Example: Moving an urn from a temporary niche to a permanent niche may involve disinterment/reinterment paperwork and fees.
Services and Ceremony Vocabulary
- Funeral vs memorial service
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A funeral traditionally means a service with the body present, while a memorial service is a ceremony without the body present. The FTC distinguishes funeral ceremony (body present) from memorial service (body not present).
Example: Many families choose cremation first, then hold a memorial service later when travel is easier.
- Visitation / viewing
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A visitation or viewing is time set aside for people to gather, offer condolences, and see the person who died (if the body is present and prepared). The format can be formal or informal, brief or extended.
Example: Some families hold a visitation before cremation; others hold a gathering with the urn present afterward.
- Committal service
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A committal service is the “final placement” moment—when the casket is buried, the urn is placed in a niche, or the urn is buried. It can be religious, spiritual, or entirely secular.
Example: A short committal at the columbarium may include readings, a blessing, and placement of the urn into the niche.
- Graveside service
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A graveside service is a ceremony held at the cemetery before burial or placement. The FTC defines it as a service held at the cemetery before burial.
Example: Families sometimes hold a small graveside moment for urn burial, even when they skip a large indoor ceremony.
- Celebrant
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A celebrant is a person trained to lead a funeral or memorial ceremony, often creating a service that reflects the person’s life and values. Celebrants may be secular or interfaith.
Example: A celebrant might help a family write a life tribute and guide the ceremony when there is no clergy.
- Obituary vs death notice
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An obituary is typically a fuller story about the person’s life, family, and service details, while a death notice is often a shorter announcement.
Example: A death notice might list the date of death and service time, while an obituary may include a life narrative and meaningful details.
Documents and Planning Terms
- Disposition
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Disposition means the final placement of cremated or whole remains. The FTC defines disposition as placement of remains in their final resting place.
Example: Cremation is one form of disposition; burial, inurnment, scattering, or burial at sea are placement choices that follow.
- Cremation authorization
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Cremation authorization is the signed permission required before cremation can occur. The person with legal authority (often next of kin) typically signs.
Example: Even when a person’s wishes are known, the crematory generally cannot proceed without the proper authorization paperwork.
- Death certificate
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A death certificate is the official legal record of a death. Families often need certified copies for banking, insurance, benefits, and property matters.
Example: If you are settling accounts, you may need multiple certified copies, not just one.
- Permit for disposition (sometimes called a burial/transit permit)
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A permit for disposition is documentation that allows burial, cremation, or transport, depending on the jurisdiction. The exact name and process vary by state and county.
Example: If remains will be transported across state lines, additional paperwork may be required by the carrier or destination.
- At-need vs pre-need
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“At-need” means planning at the time of death. “Pre-need” means planning and often funding arrangements in advance.
Example: A pre-need plan can specify cremation, cemetery placement, and an urn choice so family members are not left guessing later.
Less-Common Terms You Might Still Encounter
- Ossuary
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An ossuary is a depository for the bones of the dead. Merriam-Webster uses this definition, and ossuaries are often associated with places where burial space is limited.
Example: In some historical or cultural contexts, a body is buried temporarily and later the bones are moved to an ossuary to conserve space.
- Charnel house
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A charnel house is a building or space used to store human bones or remains, often historically associated with churches or cemeteries when space was limited.
Example: You may see “charnel house” in historical writing or when learning about older European burial practices.
- Repatriation
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Repatriation means returning remains to a home country (or another country) for burial or memorialization. This can apply to both cremated remains and casketed remains.
Example: International transport often requires additional documentation and coordination with consulates, airlines, and destination authorities.
If you are choosing an urn while these terms are still swirling, the most stabilizing question is often the simplest one: where will the urn ultimately rest—home, niche, burial, or scattering? Once the destination is clear, the vocabulary usually becomes easier to interpret, and your choices narrow in a way that feels less overwhelming. If you need practical help with the “hands-on” step after cremation, Funeral.com’s How to Transfer Ashes into an Urn guide walks through filling, sealing, and cleanup in a calm, beginner-friendly way.
