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A

ACCUTE MOURNING

Initial phase of disorientation, dulled senses, denial, yearning

ALGOR MORTIS

The cooling of the body immediately after death to room temperature and temporary stiffening of the muscles.

ALTAR TOMB

A rectangular, raised tomb or grave marker resembling aceremonial altar

AMBULANCE

An automotive vehicle especially constructed and equipped to transport injured, sick or incapacitated persons.

ANAEROBIC BACTERIA

An organism that has an oxygen based metabolism, and does not require oxygen for growth. These organisms use cellular respiration to oxidize substrates (for example sugars and fats) in order to obtain energy, and some produce toxins that are highly dangerous to higher organisms. THis bacteria is used in the deterioration process of human remains in an airtight environment.

APPRENTICE

The name generally applied to an individual learning the embalming and funeral directing procedure under the supervision of a licensee.

ARCHITECTURAL SHRINE

an architectural structure constructed above a saint's first place of burial, as opposed to a similar shrine on which stands a reliquary or feretory into which the saint's remains have been translated

ARCOSOLIUM

an arched structure with steps leading to a tomb

ARRANGEMENT ROOM

A room of the funeral home used to make the necessary funeral arrangements with the family of the deceased.

ASPIRATE

Process of withdrawing fluids and gases from the abdominal cavity.

ATTENDED DEATH

A death that is witnessed by a physician

AUTO-ICON

a preserved body that serves as the person's public memorial

AUTOLYSIS

the breakdown of the corpses tissues by the bodies own digestive enzymes

AUTOPSY

The postmortem dissection and examination of a body. There are two types of autopsy: 1. Medical autopsy which is done to establish the cause of death. 2. Medical-legal autopsy which is done to establish the legal cause of death, usually in cases of suspicious death.

RD Glossary by Run Digital