Glossary of Terms

Celebrant    -    A celebrant is an individual either clergy or layperson, who seeks to meet the needs of families during their time of loss.  They serve by providing a funeral service that is personalized to reflect the personality and lifestyle of the deceased.

Columbarium    -    similar to a mausoleum, a columbarium is an above ground structure that is used for the interment of urns.  High River, Okotoks, Nanton and Foothills (Black Diamond) cemeteries all have columbariums and you may contact the High River or Okotoks offices for more information or simply use our online Information Request form.

Cremation    -    a process whereby the body of the deceased is prepared for final disposition through a high - heat process which reduces the body to bone fragments and ashes.  Following cremation, families often place the urn and its contents in a permanent, respectful place.  Many cemeteries provide small graves for the burial of urns and allow for the placement of a marker.  Most southern Alberta communities now also have a columbarium where family or individual niches may be purchased.

Entombment    -    is the placing of a casket in an above-ground enclosure called a mausoleum, which is then sealed and faced either with marble or granite.  Mausoleums in Alberta are located in Calgary and Edmonton.  We will inform you of their availability, the costs and other details pertaining to entombment.

Interment    -    or earth burial, is the most common form of final disposition in our culture.  Most communities have at least one cemetery.  For interment, typically a casket is chosen and is placed in an outer container.  Some cemeteries require the use of an outer container, typically constructed of wood, cement, fiberglass, or metal which protects the casket once interred, as well as prevents the grave from sinking.  We can advise you on the cemetery requirements as well as help you in the selection of both caskets and outer containers.

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