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This section contains helpful information to guide you through such things as Legal Advice, Grief, Veterans, Local Resources and other Helpful Links.

And here are some common definitions to help guide you on your decision:

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.  Note: This item is mandatory in all cremations in NYS; it is not considered optional or an 'add-in'.

At-Need Counseling: counseling with the family as they select the services and items of merchandise in completing the arrangements for the funeral service of their choice when a death has occurred.

Casketbearer (Pallbearer): an individual who actively "bears" or carries the casket during the funeral service and at the committal service.

Columbarium:  a structure, room, or space in a mausoleum or other building containing niches or recesses used to hold cremated remains.

Direct Burial:  disposition of human remains by burial, without formal viewing, visitation, or ceremony with body present, except for a graveside service.

Direct Cremation:  disposition of human remains by cremation, without formal viewing, visitation, or ceremony with the body present.

Entombment:  the placing of remains in a crypt or in a mausoleum.

Interment (Burial, Inhumement/Inhumation):  the act of placing the human body in the ground.

Inurnment:  the act of placing cremains in an urn; act of placing cremated remains in a niche or grave.

Mausoleum:  a building containing crypts or vaults for entombment.

Memorial Service:  funeral rites without the body present.

National Cemetery:  a cemetery created and maintained under an Act of Congress for burial of Veterans of military service and their eligible family members.

Niche: a recess or space in a columbarium used for the permanent placing of cremated remains.

Outer Burial Container:  any container which is designed for placement in the grave around the casket including, but not limited to, containers commonly known as burial vaults, grave boxes, and grave liners.

Pall:  a symbolic cloth covering placed over the casket, signifying in the eyes of God all people are created equal.

Pre-Funded Funeral Arrangements:  those funeral arrangements made in advance of need that include provisions for funding or prepayment.

Pre-Planned Funeral Arrangements:  those funeral arrangements made in advance of need that do not include provisions for funding or prepayment.