Funeral, Cremation, & End-of-Life Glossary

Advance directives are legal documents that let you plan ahead by clearly stating your wishes for medical care if you’re ever unable to speak for yourself. These documents guide your healthcare providers and loved ones on the kinds of treatments you do—or don’t—want, ensuring your values are honored during critical moments. They’re a powerful way to maintain control and bring peace of mind to both you and your family.

Also known as aquamation or water cremation, alkaline hydrolysis is a gentle, eco-conscious alternative to traditional flame cremation. This process uses a combination of water, heat, pressure, and an alkaline solution to return the body to its natural elements. What remains is a nutrient-rich liquid and soft bone material, which is dried and processed into ashes—similar in appearance to traditional cremated remains.

An alternative cremation container is a non-metal, combustible, and rigid container used to hold the body during the cremation process. It's an alternative to a traditional casket and is typically more affordable and simpler in design.

This legal document allows you to name a trusted person to make decisions about your body and funeral arrangements after your passing. Whether you prefer burial, cremation, or have specific wishes for your service, this appointment ensures that those choices are carried out by someone you select, not just the person the law might otherwise assign by default.

You can choose anyone, such as a family member, close friend, or even a funeral professional, as your agent. This document can help prevent confusion or conflict among loved ones and provides clarity during a deeply emotional time. Including your specific wishes and financial plans within this document adds an extra layer of guidance and peace of mind.

Also called alkaline hydrolysis or water cremation, aquamation is a modern, environmentally gentle alternative to traditional cremation. Instead of flame, this process uses a warm water solution, combined with natural alkalis, to accelerate the body’s natural return to its basic elements. After the process, soft bone material is carefully dried and processed into ashes—just like in traditional cremation—and returned to the family.

This form is used when a family member has decided to view their unembalmed loved one against the guidance of a funeral director. Viewing helps when coping with the loss of a loved one, but sometimes the circumstances surrounding the passing, or length of time between passing and viewing, are not ideal for family members.

A beneficiary is a person (or organization) who is legally designated to receive assets, funds, or property after someone passes away. Beneficiaries are typically named in wills, trusts, or insurance policies, and play a key role in ensuring that a loved one’s final wishes are honored.

Beneficiary designations are instructions you set on accounts like life insurance, retirement funds, and bank accounts that name who should receive those assets after your passing. These designations work outside of your will, allowing the assets to transfer directly to your chosen beneficiary, without going through probate. Keeping them up to date is a simple but important way to ensure your wishes are honored.

An environmentally friendly urn made from materials that naturally break down over time, ideal for scattering or earth burial.

A legal document issued by the state or local authority that authorizes the burial or cremation of human remains. It’s required before a cremation or interment can occur.

In Indiana, the Provisional Notification of Death-Burial Transit Permit served the same function as the provisional report of death of Kentucky. A burial transit permit is created for each death in the state of Indiana by the facility before releasing the body. If a person died at home, the coroner or home healthcare/hospice worker, will provide the burial transit permit at the time of death. This form follows the decedent from place of death to final disposition, and then is filed with the health department of the county of passing.

Care setting preferences express where and how you’d like to receive care if facing serious illness, recovery, or end-of-life support. Whether it’s at home, in a hospice, or another facility, these choices reflect your personal values, comfort, and quality-of-life priorities. Sharing your preferences helps loved ones and healthcare providers honor your wishes and support you in the way that feels most right to you.

A celebration of life is a personalized gathering held to honor someone’s memory, often taking place after cremation or burial. It focuses on joyfully remembering the person’s life, stories, and legacy at a time and location of the family's choosing.

Chain of custody refers to the secure, documented process of tracking a loved one’s remains from the time of transfer through cremation and return. It ensures accountability, proper identification, and respectful handling every step of the way.

A structure, often within a cemetery or church, that contains small compartments (called niches) designed to hold cremation urns. It can be indoors or outdoors and is used as a permanent resting place for cremated remains.

Another term for "cremated remains"—the ashes left after the cremation process.

Cremation is a method of final disposition where the body is respectfully transformed into ashes using heat in a crematory. The ashes can be kept, scattered, or buried, depending on the family’s wishes.

The cremation authorization form is a legal document approving the act of cremation that must be signed by the legally authorized individual to the deceased. It not only gives permission for the funeral home and crematory to move forward with cremation, but it also gives the family an opportunity to detail exactly who can give authorization and state who is responsible.

An official document confirming that a cremation has taken place, often required for legal or memorial purposes.

A combustible, rigid container (often made of cardboard or wood) used to hold the body during the cremation process.

A secure, step-by-step identification system that ensures each loved one is properly tracked and cared for throughout the cremation process.

Cremation jewelry is a small keepsake—like a pendant, bracelet, or ring—designed to hold a tiny portion of a loved one’s ashes. It offers a meaningful, wearable way to keep someone close and carry their memory with you every day.

The facility where the cremation process occurs.

A legal document issued by the state listing the date, place, and cause of death. It’s often required to settle legal and financial matters.

A death doula—also called an end-of-life doula or death midwife—is a trained companion who offers emotional, spiritual, and practical support to individuals and families during the dying process. Their care often begins well before death and may continue through grief support afterward.

Designated scattering areas are specific locations—often in parks, cemeteries, or natural settings—where it is legally permitted to scatter cremated remains. These areas offer families a peaceful and meaningful place to say goodbye in accordance with local regulations.

A digital executor is the person you name, typically in your will, to manage your online accounts and digital property after your passing. This can include everything from email and social media to digital photos, cloud storage, cryptocurrency, and more. Just like a traditional executor handles physical belongings, a digital executor ensures your online presence is cared for and your digital wishes are respected.

A simple, dignified option where the body is cremated shortly after death, without a formal viewing or traditional funeral service.

Disposition refers to the method chosen for caring for a body after death. Common forms include cremation and burial, while newer, eco-friendly options like green burial, natural organic reduction, and alkaline hydrolysis are also becoming more available.

A Durable Financial Power of Attorney allows you to choose someone you trust to manage your financial matters if you're ever unable to do so yourself. This could include paying bills, managing bank accounts, or handling insurance and legal matters. Unlike a general Financial Power of Attorney, what makes it “durable” is that it stays in effect even if you become incapacitated, providing stability and peace of mind when it’s needed most.

Embalming is a chemical process used to preserve a body for public viewing or delayed burial. It slows natural decomposition but is not required for cremation or direct disposition in most cases. Many families who choose direct cremation opt to forgo embalming entirely.

An estate planning attorney is a legal professional who helps you plan how your assets will be managed during your life and passed on after your death. They assist with creating important documents like wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, ensuring your wishes are clearly documented and legally protected. Their guidance can also help reduce taxes and avoid complications for your loved ones down the road.

An Ethical Will, also called a Legacy Letter, is a heartfelt, personal document that shares your values, life lessons, hopes, and memories with the people you love. Unlike a legal will, it doesn’t pass down possessions, it passes down meaning. It's a beautiful way to preserve your voice, your story, and your spirit for future generations, offering comfort and connection that lasts long after you're gone.

An executor is the person named in a will to manage and carry out the deceased’s final wishes. This includes handling paperwork, settling debts, paying taxes, and distributing assets to beneficiaries.

A Family Care Advisor is a dedicated professional who guides families through the cremation planning process with compassion and clarity. They help with paperwork, answer questions, and ensure every detail is handled with care during a difficult time.

The FSSA is Indiana’s state agency responsible for managing public health and social service programs. This includes Medicaid, SNAP (food assistance), and disability support for qualifying residents.

FSSA works with families, caseworkers, and providers to verify eligibility and connect people with the services they need—especially during times of financial or medical hardship.

The ultimate handling of the body after death—cremation, burial, donation, etc.

A Financial Power of Attorney is a legal document that lets you appoint someone you trust, called an agent or attorney-in-fact, to handle your financial matters if you're unable to do so yourself. This could include paying bills, managing investments, or handling real estate. Whether due to illness, disability, or simply being away, a POA ensures your finances stay in good hands when you can’t manage them directly.

A funeral director is a licensed professional who helps families plan and carry out end-of-life services. They manage logistics, file legal documents, and ensure each step—from transportation to final disposition—is handled with dignity and respect.

A Funeral Planning Declaration is a legal document in Indiana and Kentucky that lets you decide your own funeral and cremation wishes in advance. It overrides family input and names someone you trust to carry out your instructions. To be valid, it must be signed, witnessed, and meet state requirements.

The FTC's Funeral Rule is a federal regulation that requires funeral providers to give families clear, itemized pricing and honest information about their services. It ensures you have the right to choose only what you want—without pressure or hidden fees.

A General Price List is a required document that outlines all services and prices offered by a funeral or cremation provider. It ensures transparency, so families can review costs and make informed decisions without pressure or confusion.

A green burial is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional burial that avoids embalming chemicals and uses biodegradable materials. It focuses on minimal environmental impact and natural return to the earth.

A HIPAA authorization is a written form that allows your healthcare provider to share your private medical information with specific people or organizations. This permission is required when the information is used for reasons beyond standard care, like sharing records with a family member, legal representative, or insurance provider. It ensures your privacy is protected, and that your personal health details are only shared according to your wishes.

Healthcare directives, also called advance directives, are legal documents that let you share your medical care preferences in advance, in case you’re ever unable to speak for yourself. They can include your wishes about treatments like life support, and they often name a trusted person to make healthcare decisions on your behalf. These documents help ensure your voice is heard and your values are respected, even during life’s most difficult moments.

A Healthcare Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows someone to make medical decisions for you if you become unable to do so. In Indiana, this authority ends at death and does not include the right to make funeral or cremation arrangements. For that, a Funeral Planning Declaration must be completed.

Hospice is a facility or type of medical care that provides palliative care to patients approaching the end of their life. Care is focused on comfort and quality of life rather than on providing a cure for illness.

Also known as soil transformation, human composting is a natural, eco-friendly alternative to burial or cremation. Through a gentle process, the body is transformed into nutrient-rich soil that can be returned to the family or used to restore forests, gardens, or conservation land—giving back to the earth in a meaningful way.

Immediate burial is the direct placement of a deceased person’s body in a cemetery without a funeral or memorial service. It typically includes the removal of remains from the place of passing, local transportation to the cemetery, and coordination by a funeral director to oversee the burial.

This option is often chosen for its simplicity, affordability, and minimal ceremony.

Immediate need cremation refers to cremation services arranged shortly after a death has occurred. These services are typically time-sensitive and prioritize compassionate, efficient care—helping families navigate logistics during a difficult moment. This includes transportation, necessary paperwork, and the cremation itself, often without a formal ceremony beforehand.

Imminent need cremation refers to planning cremation services in advance when a death is expected soon—such as during hospice or end-of-life care. It allows families to make thoughtful, informed decisions ahead of time, reducing stress and ensuring a smoother process when the time comes.

In-house cremation means the cremation is performed directly by the provider, without outsourcing to a third party. This ensures greater transparency, accountability, and respectful care every step of the way.

The act of placing human remains in a final resting place, such as in the ground (burial), within a niche (columbarium), or in a crypt (mausoleum). Can refer to both cremated or full-body remains.

The placement of cremated remains into an urn and often into a final resting place such as a niche or columbarium.

A keepsake urn is a small urn designed to hold a portion of a loved one’s ashes. Families often choose keepsake urns to share remains among relatives or to keep a small part of their loved one close while scattering or burying the rest.

A last will and testament is a legal document that outlines how you want your belongings and assets to be distributed after your death. It can also name a guardian for any minor children and appoint an executor to carry out your wishes. In short, it’s your final voice, ensuring that the people and things you care about are looked after the way you intend.

A legacy letter is a deeply personal message you write to your loved ones, sharing your values, memories, life lessons, and heartfelt wishes. Often given during life or after passing, it offers emotional connection, guidance, and love that endures beyond material belongings. Whether written to one person or future generations, a legacy letter helps you leave a meaningful imprint, one rooted in who you are, not just what you owned.

A letter of instruction, sometimes called a letter of intent, is a personal, informal document that offers guidance to your loved ones and executor after your passing or if you become incapacitated. It complements legal documents like a will or trust by sharing helpful details: from passwords and account info to personal wishes, messages, or funeral preferences. While it isn’t legally binding, it can ease confusion, reduce stress, and provide clarity during a difficult time.

A living will is a legal document that outlines your medical care preferences if you become unable to communicate. It guides doctors and loved ones on treatments you do—or don’t—want near the end of life, helping ensure your wishes are honored.

A living will is a legal document that lets you share your medical care preferences in advance, in case you're ever unable to speak for yourself. It guides doctors and loved ones on the types of life-sustaining treatments you would or wouldn’t want, such as breathing machines or feeding tubes, during serious illness or injury. By putting your wishes in writing, a living will offers peace of mind and ensures your voice is heard, even when you cannot speak.

A secure, interest-bearing trust used to protect prepaid cremation funds in Indiana. When you pre-plan cremation with Magnolia in Indiana, your money is safely held—not by us, but in the MasterChoice Trust Fund, managed by Fifth Third Bank. It grows over time, remains fully regulated, and is only released when services are provided—offering peace of mind and price protection.

A free-standing building constructed as a monument that houses the remains of the deceased above ground. It may contain crypts for full-body entombment or niches for cremated remains.

The medical certifier of certificate in Kentucky is the doctor, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, or county coroner, determining the cause of death for the decedent. They must be registered with the state of Kentucky office of vital statistics and be willing and able to sign the death certificate.

A mortuary is a facility where a loved one’s body is prepared for viewing, funeral services, or final disposition. It’s often another name for a funeral home or funeral parlor.

A trusted provider of preneed cremation insurance. When you pre-plan cremation with Magnolia in Kentucky, your funds are protected through NGL—ensuring your plan is safe, transferable, and inflation-proof. Rated “A” by AM Best, NGL secures your investment so your family won’t face surprise costs or added stress later.

Also known as soil transformation or human composting, natural organic reduction is a sustainable alternative to burial or cremation. It gently transforms the body into nutrient-rich soil, which can be returned to loved ones or donated to restore forests, gardens, and natural ecosystems—allowing us to give back to the earth.

Next of kin refers to a person’s closest living relative(s), often responsible for making legal and medical decisions after death. They may authorize cremation, inherit assets, and are typically the first to be notified. The legal definition can vary by state.

An obituary is a public notice of someone’s passing, often sharing details about their life, funeral arrangements, and surviving family. Traditionally published in newspapers, obituaries are now commonly shared online to reach loved ones near and far.

Palliative care is specialized medical care that focuses on comfort, relief from symptoms, and quality of life for those with serious illnesses. It can be provided alongside curative treatment or, when end of life is near, as part of hospice care.

A Pay-on-Death (POD) designation, sometimes called a Totten Trust, lets you name a beneficiary to automatically receive the funds in your bank accounts, such as checking, savings, or CDs, when you pass away. This simple arrangement helps your loved ones avoid probate and ensures your money is transferred quickly and according to your wishes.

A power of attorney is a legal document that gives someone the authority to make decisions on another person’s behalf. This can include financial, legal, or medical matters. When used for healthcare decisions, it’s considered a form of advance directive.

Prepaid cremation refers to making cremation arrangements—and covering the cost—in advance of passing. Families often choose this option to ensure their wishes are honored, ease the financial burden on loved ones, and lock in today’s pricing to avoid future cost increases.

Probate is the legal process of settling a person’s estate after death. It involves validating the will, paying debts, and distributing assets to beneficiaries. The process ensures everything is handled according to the law and the deceased’s wishes.

A provisional report of death is created for each death in the Commonwealth of Kentucky by the facility (such as nursing home or hospital), before releasing the body. If the person died at home, the coroner will provide the provisional report of death. The form has all pertinent information for the funeral director to properly submit the death certificate to the Medical Certifier of Certificate. The provisional report of death follows the decedent from the place of death to the final disposition.

A revocable living trust is a flexible estate planning tool that allows you to manage your assets during your lifetime and direct how they should be distributed after your passing, often without going through probate. “Revocable” means you can change or cancel the trust at any time, as long as you're mentally capable. It offers a way to maintain control of your finances now while providing a smoother transition for your loved ones later.

A memorial event where ashes are scattered in a meaningful place—such as a favorite hiking trail, garden, or body of water.

Scattering gardens are designated outdoor spaces—often within cemeteries or memorial parks—where families can respectfully scatter a loved one’s ashes. These serene, natural settings offer a peaceful place for remembrance and reflection.

A scattering tube, or scattering urn, is a specially designed urn to make it easier for a family member to scatter the ashes at their convenience. The tubes are typically made of a fiberboard so the family does not feel the need to keep the urn, and also as to not be wasteful by throwing away a metal urn. Many families also choose these urns as they are more environmentally-friendly/biodegradable.

An individual responsible for the management and maintenance of a cemetery. Duties often include record keeping, overseeing interments, and ensuring the grounds are maintained and burial sites are prepared properly.

Simple cremation, also known as direct cremation, is a straightforward option with no formal viewing or service beforehand. The body is cremated shortly after death, and the ashes are returned to the family—allowing them to plan a personal memorial in their own time and way.

A third-party provider is an outside company hired to perform services—such as cremation—on behalf of a funeral or cremation business. Unlike in-house care, this can mean less direct oversight.

In Indiana, families in financial need may apply for cremation or burial assistance through their local township trustee. This process begins by completing a Township Assistance Application, which collects detailed financial information about the deceased and their immediate family members to determine eligibility.

Applicants are usually required to sign a contract acknowledging the specific limitations of the assistance. For example, many trustees prohibit families from adding personal funds to upgrade items like caskets, urns, death certificates, or to extend viewing times.

A township trustee is a local government official who may assist with essential services, including covering cremation or burial costs for individuals without financial means. In some areas, trustees help coordinate indigent cremation programs or offer support to families in need. Availability and responsibilities vary by state and county.

A Transfer-on-Death (TOD) designation lets you name a beneficiary to receive specific assets, like bank accounts or investments, immediately after your passing, without going through probate. It’s a simple, efficient way to ensure your assets go directly to the people you choose, saving time, legal fees, and stress for your loved ones.

A tree planting ceremony is a meaningful way to honor a loved one by planting a tree in their memory—often using or accompanied by their ashes. It symbolizes life, renewal, and a lasting tribute that grows over time.

A container designed to hold cremated remains. Available in various materials and styles for display, burial, or scattering.

A protective outer container designed to hold a cremation urn when it's buried in the ground. It prevents the ground from collapsing and shields the urn from environmental elements like moisture and soil pressure.

A viewing is a private opportunity for family to see their loved one before cremation or burial. It offers a moment for final goodbyes and can bring comfort, closure, and connection during a time of grief.

A Vital Statistics Form collects key information about the deceased—such as full name, date of birth, and parents’ names—needed to complete the death certificate and cremation paperwork. It's an important step in ensuring legal documents are accurate and processed smoothly.

This legal form allows the next of kin to voluntarily give up their authority to make funeral or cremation decisions. It’s typically used when a family member refuses to participate in arrangements or wants no involvement.

By signing this waiver, they relinquish their rights, allowing the next legally authorized person—according to the state’s order of rights to disposition—to take over. The signer cannot choose a specific person to assume responsibility; the decision-making authority simply moves to the next eligible individual in the legal line.

This form helps families and funeral homes avoid court delays and legal costs when conflicts arise.

Also known as alkaline hydrolysis, water cremation is an eco-friendly alternative to flame cremation. It uses water, heat, and natural alkalis to gently return the body to its basic elements. The remaining bone material is processed into ashes and returned to the family, similar to traditional cremation.

An option allowing family members to be present for the beginning of the cremation process.