Mortuaries are multi-purpose facilities that provide some combination of body storage, embalming and direct cremation. Many mortuaries aren’t attached to funeral homes, and they tend to focus less on helping families plan memorial services.
After confirming that the deceased is dead, the embalmer makes an incision in the jugular vein and carotid artery to allow blood to drain. He then washes the body and applies a cosmetic.
What is a mortuary?
When a loved one dies, there are many things to think about. One of the most important decisions is where to store and prepare the body. A mortuary is a place where the deceased are kept until they are ready for burial or cremation.
Mortuaries can be found in hospitals, private funeral homes, and public health facilities. They are usually large, refrigerated buildings where a pathologist and morticians work to identify the body and prepare it for viewing and transport.
Traditionally, mortuaries have been more bare-bones operations than funeral homes. They typically only offer quick viewing and limited memorial services for immediate family members and on-site cremation. However, some mortuaries are now offering full-service funeral options such as preplanning and ceremonies. They are also offering more assistance to families as they navigate the cremation process.
What is a morgue?
A morgue is a space, usually located in hospitals or coroner’s offices, where dead bodies are temporarily stored until they can be identified and transported to funeral homes or other locations for burial or cremation. The bodies are kept refrigerated to slow down the decomposition process.
Mortuary jobs are in demand because of the work involved. The job requires steady hands, good observational skills and the ability to work with extremely upsetting situations. The job also involves handling surgical instruments, which must be kept clean to avoid contamination. A recent study found that many morgue instruments were contaminated with DNA from previous autopsies.
Some people use the term “morgue” to mean a funeral home, but it is not a synonym. Funeral homes offer more services than just temporary storage and embalming, such as memorial services and viewings. They can also handle direct cremation, which is when the body is inserted into a special oven called a retort.
What is the difference between a morgue and a funeral home?
When someone dies, it’s important to make sure the body is properly handled and stored. This process is called embalming. A morgue is a room, typically found in hospitals, medical centers, and coroner’s offices, where bodies are stored temporarily until they can be identified or released to a funeral home or family.
A mortician has the responsibility of preparing the body for viewing and burial. They wash the body and then use cosmetics to make it look more natural. They also suture any wounds and add a final touch, such as arranging the hair or nails.
A funeral home is a full-service provider that handles all aspects of death care. They can help you arrange for a memorial service, plan your loved one’s burial plot, and more. They typically cost more than a morgue, but they can provide you with a more comprehensive set of services. Many funeral homes also have larger viewing spaces for families and friends to pay their respects.
What are the duties of a mortician?
A mortician’s duties focus on providing support to grieving families and preparing the body for burial or cremation. While this may seem like a difficult career to pursue, it can be highly rewarding and uniquely fulfilling.
Most morticians work in funeral homes, where they can provide a wide range of services. This can include arranging funeral, cremation, and interment arrangements, as well as assisting friends and family members with completing death-related paperwork, such as writing obituaries or transferring pensions, bank accounts, and retirement funds.
Additionally, morticians are often the first to receive a call after a death and are responsible for transporting the body from the place of death. In some instances, they may also be required to perform an autopsy, though it is typically a coroner or medical professional who makes the decision whether an autopsy will be performed. Morticians are often on call, so they must be willing to respond quickly and work non-standard hours.