Most adults have seen morgues depicted in movies and television shows. Essentially, they are refrigerated drawer-like compartments where bodies are stored until they are identified or an autopsy is performed.
Mortuaries tend to be more bare-bones operations than funeral homes and may only offer basic services like visitation and cremation. However, there are some exceptions.
The Difference Between a Mortuary and a Funeral Home
A mortuary and funeral home are similar in that they both offer end-of-life services to families. However, there are key differences that make them unique from each other.
Funeral homes focus more on customer interactions and offering full-scope planning for burials, cremations and memorial or funeral services. They also have more facilities to accommodate things like visitations, viewings and funeral masses.
The difference between a mortuary and a funeral home comes down to what you are seeking in terms of services. A funeral home is your best bet if you want traditional services like visitations and funeral masses, but a mortuary could be the right choice if you are interested in more unique options such as cremation or body donation.
The terms morgue, mortuary and crematorium can be confusing to people not familiar with the industry. Fortunately, understanding these differences can help alleviate confusion and provide clarity for consumers during an already challenging time. The main point to remember is that a mortuary focuses on the care, preparation and shelter of bodies until they are ready for burial or cremation.
The Difference Between a Mortuary and a Crematory
Many people assume that a mortuary and a crematory are one in the same. While both can provide services for a loved one who has passed away, the term “mortuary” is more often used to describe a funeral home that is focused more on caring for and preparing the body for burial than it is for cremation.
A crematorium is a facility that houses a cremation chamber or furnace. Some crematoriums are owned and operated by funeral homes while others are independent businesses.
A funeral home that has its own crematorium will have complete control over a loved one’s remains throughout the entire cremation process. This can make for a more seamless experience for families, especially since traditional burials almost always include a funeral service and visitation beforehand. Cremation, on the other hand, can be paired with an ash scattering ceremony or another memorial service that can feel less like a funeral. This type of service is called direct cremation.
The Difference Between a Mortuary and a Cemetery
One of the biggest misconceptions is that a mortuary and a cemetery are the same thing. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Cemeteries are not designed to handle the same responsibilities as a funeral home, and they often operate under separate accounting systems.
This is because cemeteries have historically been run by religious organizations. They also don’t have the same regulatory oversight as a funeral home, which is overseen by banking, insurance and finance commissions at the state level.
Because of this, customers should be wary of any suggestion that a funeral home and cemetery working together will save them money. This is because overhead expenses for a funeral home and cemetery will not be consolidated, and the potential savings could be offset by the additional people that must be hired. This could include extra administrative and records staff, as well as security and maintenance personnel. This is especially true for those who choose a natural or green burial, as they will likely need to add an extra person to help with the ground preparation and maintenance.
The Difference Between a Mortuary and a Funeral Director
Often confused with one another, the terms funeral home, mortuary and graveyard are actually distinct facilities with specific functions. While all have a role in end-of-life arrangements, only funeral homes offer services like public viewings and ceremonies. A funeral director, also called an undertaker or mortician, is responsible for planning and executing these services.
Both are highly trained professionals that must meet state and federal requirements for handling bodies after death. They have completed an associate degree program in funeral service, mortuary science or a related field and must undergo professional certification.
A funeral director works with family members of the deceased to coordinate arrangements for a service, prepare the body for burial and ensure all legal documents are in order. They may also serve as a grief counselor for families. This job requires excellent people skills, compassion and attention to detail. They work closely with the mortuary staff to make sure all final wishes are met.