sexton

Tends sacred grounds

A sexton is a church employee who maintains the building and grounds, rings bells, and may dig graves in the churchyard.

The role is traditional and largely historical, though some churches still employ sextons: The sexton unlocked the chapel doors before dawn.

burial

gravedigger

One who digs burial plots

cemeteryPlace for interring remains
intermentPutting a body underground
graveyardPlot for interring the dead

grave · coffin · casket · tombstone · plot · exhumation · funeral · crypt · mausoleum · mortuary

churchcare

verger

Church attendant with staff

custodianGuardian of a place
groundskeeperProperty maintenance worker
maintenancePreserving working condition

bells · keys · vestry · sacristy · cleaning · polishing · candles · linens · altar · repairs

ceremony

bells

Struck metal sound-makers

ringingSustained resonant sound
tollingSlow, solemn bell-ringing
processionFormal moving line

vestments · liturgy · communion · baptism · wedding · funeral · service · mass · worship · acolyte

parish

church

Place of Christian worship

rectorParish clergy chief
vicarClergy substitute for bishop
priestOne who performs sacraments

minister · congregation · churchwarden · beadle · clergy · deacon · curate · chapel · vestry · parishioners

Categories

churchnave, pew, pews, altar, altars
funeralsfuneral, burial, cremation, casket, coffin
mortalitydeath, death knell, deceased, death rate, death acceptance
caretakerscaretaker, caretakers, caregiver, guardian, minder
cemeterygrave, headstone, headstones, graves, tombstone
church peoplepriest, parson, vicar, curate, rector

Opposites

church hierarchy/role

sextonbishop

Diocesan clergy head

priest · vicar · pastor · minister · clergy

institutional status

sextonhead pastor

Church's primary spiritual leader

senior minister · church warden · congregant · parishioner

care for the living vs. the dead

Childbirth assistance professional

wet nurse · nursemaid · nanny · obstetrician · pediatrician

Family

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G