Most adults have seen depictions of morgues in movies and television. They are refrigerated drawer-like compartments where bodies are stored temporarily before identification, autopsy or other procedures and before burial or cremation.
Morgues are different from crematoriums, which qualify as full-service funeral homes and can offer a wide range of services, including direct cremation. Here are a few things to know about morgues:
Preparation of the Body
When a person dies in hospital, their body is taken to a mortuary. Here, the medical examiner or coroner performs a number of examinations to ensure that they are actually deceased. Detailed records are created and the body is then refrigerated to slow down the natural decomposition process.
In an emergency, a local government can requisition any large refrigerated space to act as a morgue. Ice rinks and warehouses have been used in this capacity on occasion.
At this point, a funeral director may be in charge of preparing the body for burial or cremation. They will typically offer grief counseling, assist with completing legal paperwork, create an obituary, and help families arrange memorial services.
Autopsy
A forensic autopsy is a detailed examination of the body, typically done under the direction of a medical examiner or coroner. It is an important part of the medicolegal death investigation system and is required in cases of suspicious or unexplained deaths.
The autopsy begins with a gross examination of the exterior and a careful description of the internal organs, tissues and cells. The examiner may also use microscopic analysis of cell and tissue samples to determine the cause of death.
The dissector then removes and carefully sews back the organs, and a block is used to support the torso during this work. It is rare for the examiner to need to cut into the head and brain. Afterward, the incisions are closed and the body is restored to its normal appearance. Any evidence is collected and preserved for further investigation. A forensic autopsy can take anywhere from a few weeks to months to complete.
Cremation
Many people choose cremation because it is less expensive than traditional burial. Others may prefer it for religious or environmental reasons. In either case, the body is first prepared in the mortuary. Jewelry and personal items are returned to loved ones (unless they requested to stay with the body) and a metal identification tag is attached. The ID tag stays with the body through the entire cremation process and is included with the ashes.
The body is then placed in a specialized furnace-like chamber, called a retort. The body is heated to very high temperatures — up to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit — until it is reduced to dry bone fragments, sometimes referred to as “ashes.”
The ashes are then pulverized into fine granules. They are then put into a temporary container if the family hasn’t already selected an urn and labeled with identifying paperwork. The ashes are then stored for the family’s retrieval.
Final Arrangements
When you’re ready to have your loved one buried or cremated, it’s important that the funeral director know your wishes. They can file a death certificate and transport the body from the place of death (like a hospital or nursing home, assisted living facility or hospice) to their place of after-death care (a funeral home or mortuary).
If you choose burial, you’ll also need to decide where the grave will be; whether you want a viewing or ceremony; a casket; an urn for cremated remains; and cemetery fees for a plot or space in a mausoleum. You’ll also need to decide if you want a headstone or monument for the grave.
If your loved one had funeral plans made before death, the funeral home or mortuary will work with you to ensure that your wishes are followed. The director will also help with grief counseling and other legal documents, obituary preparation, and memorial arrangements. They may also offer financial planning services to help families manage the high cost of funerals.