undertaker

/ˈʌndərteɪkər/

/əndəˈteɪkə/

Other forms: undertakers

An undertaker is someone who prepares a body for burial or cremation. When a loved one dies, you'll have to visit an undertaker.

An undertaker doesn't literally "take you under" after you die, but he or she does prepare your body for burial or cremation and assists a family with all aspects of funeral arrangements. If someone in your family dies, an undertaker can help you decide between burial and cremation. An undertaker can help plan a wake and the details of the funeral service. Undertakers help you select a coffin or urn. Of course, you will be making those choices for someone else — not for yourself.

Definitions of undertaker

1. noun

   one whose business is the management of funerals
   synonyms: funeral director, funeral undertaker, mortician

   types:

   embalmer

   a mortician who treats corpses with preservatives

   type of:

   skilled worker, skilled workman, trained worker

   a worker who has acquired special skills