Glossary: ​​funerals and funeral services

Perhaps you have recently come across a term whose meaning is not entirely clear to you and you would like to improve your knowledge. Or you are choosing a funeral and the names of some services are not entirely clear to you. For all these cases, we bring you a dictionary of frequently used funeral terms whose meaning may not be commonly known. The terms are sorted alphabetically.

What is…

Embalming

Embalming is one of the possible treatments of the deceased. This is a professional procedure that prevents postmortem changes in the deceased. Thanks to this, the deceased can be exposed at room temperature for a long time after death. You can read more in the article about preparation of the deceased.

Epitaph, epitaph plaque

An epitaph is a short grave inscription that briefly says something more about the deceased. It can be a summary of the life or a quote combined with a name or other information. It is usually placed on a tombstone, gravestone or epitaph plaque.

Wake

This is another name for a funeral feast, i.e. a gathering over drinks or food that takes place after the funeral ceremony. Wake can take many forms, you can read more in our article on funeral feast.

Catafalque

A catafalque is a raised platform on which the coffin containing the deceased is placed in a funeral hall or church. It is a place of reverence, often adorned with fresh mourning flowers or other decorations.

Condolences

A condolence is an expression of sympathy expressed by the wider circle of the deceased to the closest survivors. Condolences can be expressed in person or in writing. You can read more in our article on condolences.

Cortege

A cortege is a procession. The procession may include a carriage or hearse with a coffin, the bereaved and other funeral participants, and possibly a funeral band.

Preservation

Preservation is a process that slows down biological processes after a person’s death. It is carried out with the help of special preparations. It is most often carried out for the purpose of transporting the deceased to the ground, in which case this treatment is mandatory.

Cremation (also cineration or incineration)

This is a method of burial of the deceased, in which the body is burned in a cremation furnace at high temperatures. The ashes of the deceased are then placed in an urn in a grave or columbarium, or the ashes are scattered or scattered.

Hears

A hearse is a funeral stretcher used to carry a coffin. It is used, for example, at a funeral with a ceremony, after which the coffin with the deceased is moved to the cemetery.

Obituary

Obituary is the name for a mourning notice, a document that serves to respectfully announce the death of a certain person to their family, friends and other close people. It is most often in printed form, but recently sending an electronic parte has become increasingly popular. You can find out more in our article on mourning notices.

Requiem

Requiem is a name derived from Latin and in Czech means a funeral mass or mass for the dead. In the Catholic liturgy, it is served as part of the funeral ceremony itself, or a requiem is organized as a memorial service for the deceased.

Repatriation

Repatriation is the process of transporting a deceased person abroad, from the Czech Republic to a foreign country (in the case of foreign nationals) or vice versa from a foreign country to the Czech Republic (in the case of Czechs who died abroad). Repatriation must take place under strict compliance with hygiene and bureaucratic conditions. You can find out more about this service in the section on foreign repatriation.

Shroud

This name refers to a decorated burial garment, i.e. the clothing in which the deceased is dressed after death for the last farewell. Most often, it is a simple breathable fleece, produced in several variants, most often in a light – white or cream – color. The survivors can always choose whether the deceased will be buried in a shroud, or in clothing that the survivors themselves choose and prepare. You can find more about the shroud in our separate article.

If you are looking for help or need information regarding the last farewell, you can contact us on our non-stop line: If you are looking for help or need information regarding the last farewell, you can contact us on our non-stop line: +420 800 176 423 or by e-mail: posta@pohrebpegas.cz.