We present a framework for linear wave propagation in thermo-visco-elastic materials. The framework includes classical cases, but its main advantage is to simplify how to model interactions between solids and fluids, and everything in between. In general there are two types of compressional waves (one pressure dominated and another thermal dominated) and a shear wave in free-space. We provide simplified approximations for all these waves valid for most all materials and frequency ranges commonly used.