What does the term "disposition" refer to in funeral practice?

The term "disposition" in funeral practice specifically refers to the final handling of a deceased body. This encompasses several methods such as burial, cremation, entombment, or donation of the body to science. Disposition is a fundamental aspect of the funeral process as it represents the final act of care for the deceased, marking the transition from life to death.

Celebration of life services and memorial services are important components of honoring the deceased, but they do not involve the physical handling of the body. The preparation of the obituary is a way to communicate the life and legacy of the deceased to others, but it also does not pertain to the disposition itself. Thus, understanding disposition as the definitive action taken regarding the deceased remains is critical for those in the funeral practice field.