Mortuaries are responsible for the safe storage and preservation of dead individuals. They also perform autopsies and forensic examinations.
Movies and TV may portray morgues in a way that is dramatic or scary, but these depictions are far from accurate.
State laws and regulations govern the operation of mortuaries. Generally, these laws are designed to protect consumers and ensure that all services are provided fairly.
What is a Mortuary?
A mortuary is a place where the dead are kept for burial or cremation. It is often located inside a hospital, care center, or hospice, but it can also be a standalone facility. Mortuaries are regulated by state law and typically require licensure to operate. Licensing requirements often include completing funeral service education programs and passing state licensing exams.
Many people assume that mortuaries are bare-bones operations focused solely on the decedent, but this isn’t necessarily true. Some mortuaries offer a full-service funeral home option, allowing families to have a viewing and ceremony before burying or cremating the body.
In addition to regulating mortuary facilities, states also set laws that govern how morticians interact with grieving families and the public. By following these guidelines and staying up-to-date on legal issues, mortuary professionals can provide respectful and trustworthy services for their clients during a difficult time.
The Difference Between a Mortuary and a Funeral Home
Generally speaking, mortuaries are more focused on the science of handling and preparing a body for burial or cremation. They may also have a more direct approach to funeral arrangements, such as offering a brief viewing for close family members and on-site cremation without a full range of memorialization options.
Many mortuaries are regulated by state licensing and regulatory agencies to ensure they meet certain standards in terms of handling, storage, and preparation of deceased individuals. They also work to comply with local laws regarding funeral arrangements and dispositions.
Funeral homes often have chapels, viewing rooms and casket display areas and employ funeral directors who help clients make decisions about final arrangements. They also maintain a staff of embalmers and crematory technicians to handle the technical details of a funeral or memorial service. This type of full-service approach helps families and friends feel confident that they have support through a difficult time. A funeral home can also offer educational events on advance health care directives, writing a will, end-of-life planning and other important topics.
The Difference Between a Mortuary and a Crematory
The terms mortuary and crematory are sometimes used interchangeably, but this is incorrect. A crematorium is a single building that houses the cremation chamber(s). It may or may not be part of a multipurpose funeral home, mortuary, or other facility.
A mortuary is a facility that offers storage, preparation, and other services for deceased individuals. Its primary goal is to respectfully preserve and handle the bodies of those who have died until they are either released to their loved ones or final arrangements for burial or cremation are made.
It also focuses on supporting families through the grieving process by providing assistance with funeral planning, arranging visitation, and transport services. Mortuaries also follow local and state regulations regarding the handling of bodies, ensuring that they are handled properly. This includes conducting autopsies and other forensic examinations when required. It also keeps up with changing legal issues surrounding the death care industry. This is why it is important for mortuary staff to continue education and training.
The Difference Between a Mortuary and a Cemetery
A mortuary is a facility that handles the preparation of deceased individuals for burial or cremation. A mortuary must be licensed by the state in which it operates. This license requires that the mortuary meet certain facilities and professional standards established by the state.
Cemeteries and funeral homes also differ from a mortuary in their responsibilities and operations. However, the two are closely related. For example, many funeral homes have their own cemeteries on the same grounds or in close proximity. For many customers, it’s convenient to work with one company for all services relating to an end-of-life event.
Another difference between a cemetery and a funeral home is that funeral homes are more likely to offer on-site cremation services. This is primarily due to the fact that funeral homes are required by law to provide on-site cremation for all of their clients. It’s also possible that a funeral home with its own crematory may be able to offer more competitive pricing for on-site cremation services than a cemetery alone.