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| I was jus' thinkin'. Maybe some o' y'all
don't know what that "psycho" HEARSE DRIVER'S talkin' 'bout.
So, for yer assistance, here's a list of some o' more common terms of
our little community an', hopefully, accurate definitions.
If we missed a word or term that ya'd like to see here,
or, more likely, our definition is inaccurate, jus' e-mail us at CONTACT. |
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BIER PINS |
Pins found within the coffin area of a
hearse used to secure the coffin
and prevent its shifting while being transported.
There are two basic types: adjustable and fixed. Adjustable prevent
forward and back movement. Fixed prevent lateral movement. |
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CARVED-PANEL STYLE |
A style of hearse discontinued in the 1940's, evidenced by ornate
carved depictions on the hearse's sides of draperies or columns.
Ornamentation may be
of wood, pressed metal, or pressed metal over wood. |
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CASKET |
The funeral industry preferred term for coffin.
Also used to describe the rectangular CASKET as opposed
to the hexagonal COFFIN. |
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CASKET KEY |
A device resembling a crank, used to lower and lock the lid of a
coffin. |
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COACH |
Another term for hearse. |
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CHURCH TRUCK |
An acordianated (is that a word?) device used to support and transport a coffin to and
from the funeral vehicle. Also used to support the coffin for the
funeral service. |
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COFFIN |
The container for the dearly
departed
(Duh!).
Also considered synonymous with TOE-PINCHER. |
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COMBINATION STYLE |
In small towns that couldn't afford both a hearse and an ambulance,
the "combo" could do both. Equipped with a removable roof
light and storage for medical equipment and supplies, as well as
"jump seats" for attendants. |
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END SERVICING |
The most abundant style of hearse.
Equipped with rollers and skids on the floor of the coffin compartment
enabling easy loading and unloading of the coffin through the rear door
only. |
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ENDLOADER |
Another term for a end
servicing hearse. |
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FIRST-CALL CAR |
A less ornate vehicle used for
transportation of the deceased from place of death, hospital, medical
examiner, etc. to the mortuary. Usually resembling a station wagon or
van. Also known as a service car. |
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FLOWER CAR |
A vehicle resembling an El Camino used for
transporting the deceased under a bed of flowers. Can be used for
carrying flowers only. Has a compartment under the flowers for a coffin.
More popular east of the Rocky Mountains than west. |
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FUNERAL CAR |
Generic term for any funeral vehicle:
hearse, flower car, service car, or limousine. Funeral industry
preferred
term. |
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FUNERAL COACH |
A vehicle used for transporting the
deceased for burial ceremonies. Ornate and luxurious. |
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HEARSE |
FUNERAL COACH. |
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KRINKLE TOP |
A type of paint that wrinkles as it dries,
used on roofs of some hearses. Resembles vinyl but is more durable. |
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LANDAU BAR |
The "S" shaped trim on both
sides of "laundau-style" funeral vehicles. Based on the
hinge/support device of the 19th century landau carriage. |
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LANDAU BOW |
Another term for landau bar. |
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LANDAU IRON |
Yet another term for landau bar. |
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LANDAU STYLE |
Style of hearse with no extreme rear side
windows, with ornamental landau irons. Came into vogue in the 1930's and
remains the most popular style. Resembles the landau carriage of
19th century: The most luxurious of carriages and, thus, a status
symbol. |
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LIMOUSINE STYLE |
A style of hearse with windows on the
sides from front to back, enabling easy viewing of the coffin during a
funeral procession. |
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SERVICE CAR |
Funeral industry preferred term for
first-call car. |
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SIDE SERVICING |
A style of hearse equipped with a rear
pivoting/rolling table which is equipped with its own rollers, skids,
and bier pins, enabling loading/unloading the vehicle from the extreme
rear door as well as the side back doors. The table can be motorized or
manual. Less prevalent than the end servicing and no longer built. |
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SIDELOADER |
Another term for side servicing. |
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TOE-PINCHER |
A style of coffin that is hexagonal in
shape, common in Europe and Asia, and pre-20th century United States. Example |
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THREE-WAY |
No not that kind of 3-way! Another term
for a side servicing hearse. |
