A mortuary is a place where dead bodies are stored before burial or cremation. They also do autopsies and help with the funeral planning process.
Unlike funeral homes, a mortuary typically does not have facilities for public viewings or memorial services. Generally, only family members are allowed to view the body.
Morgue
A morgue is a facility that stores bodies of the deceased. These facilities are often located in hospitals or medical centers.
In addition to storing bodies, these facilities also serve as a temporary place for autopsies. A body may remain in a morgue for several days, until it is identified and removed for disposal.
Mortuaries are also used for embalming. These operations require the use of formaldehyde.
The use of formaldehyde in the embalming process is a significant source of chemical waste in these institutions. This chemical waste is commonly flushed down the drain.
The term “morgue” originally denoted the inner wicket of a prison, where prisoners were kept to allow the jailers and turnkeys to examine them to ensure they were properly labelled. This usage of the word is not incorrect, but it was subsequently interpreted to mean a room for public examination and identification of dead people.
Embalming
Embalming is the process of preserving human remains in order to allow them to be viewed by friends and family members, or to store them for medical use in an anatomical laboratory. It has a long history and a cross-cultural appeal.
The process typically takes place after the deceased has been removed from their body by a funeral director or other official. The embalmer cleans the body and the orifices (e.g., mouth) are rinsed with an antimicrobial solution.
Next, the limbs are massaged to alleviate signs of rigor mortis. The eyes are set in a closed position using a specialized eye cap and the face is shaved if it did not previously have facial hair.
Depending on the needs of the funeral home and the family, embalming may be performed to delay natural decay and allow for extended viewing by mourners. It is also used for preparing the body to be buried or cremated.
Funeral Preparation
Funeral preparation is one of the most important things that a funeral home does. It ensures that a person’s body is preserved until the family can come and see it.
Once the body is prepared, it’s then ready for burial or casket viewing. This includes the removal of any medical equipment that was placed on the body.
Then, the funeral director dresses the body in whatever funeral clothing you want them to be buried in or wear for their viewing.
After that, they’ll place the body into the casket or cremation container you picked out for them.
In addition, they’ll fix the body’s hair and apply cosmetics to the skin. This helps it look more natural and makes the body look like a real human being.
It’s important to remember that funeral preparation can be an emotional time for a family, and this is why it’s important to have everything set in stone as soon as possible. It will make things easier on everyone involved and allow the family to grieve in peace.
Funeral Services
A funeral home can help you plan and arrange a service to honor your loved one. They can also take care of the transportation and cremation of your loved one, or help you make arrangements for a burial in the cemetery.
They may also offer a wide range of memorialization products like caskets, urns, photos, jewelry, artwork and other mementos. They can even write an obituary or help you publish it in the newspaper.
Licensed funeral directors understand that mourning your loved one is a long, difficult process. They are trained to support their clients and ease their emotional burdens during this stressful time.
They are often available for educational events to share valuable planning information. Topics can include advance health care directives, writing a will, senior safety tips, veterans’ burial benefits, understanding Medicaid and more. You may be able to set up a free visit with a preplanning specialist at these events. Check with your funeral home for a list of these events and keep an eye out for flyers in public areas or invitations in the mail.