Most adults have seen a depiction of a morgue in a movie or television show. A mortuary is a refrigerated area where bodies are stored temporarily until they can be identified or an autopsy performed.
A standalone mortuary may only provide a quick viewing for immediate family members and onsite burial or cremation. A mortuary attached to a funeral home will usually offer additional services, including embalming and memorialization.
What is a Mortuary?
A mortuary is a facility used to store dead bodies before they are prepared for burial or cremation. The corpses are usually refrigerated to slow down decomposition. A morgue is typically a part of a hospital, care centre, or hospice. It can also be a stand-alone facility.
There is a common theory that mortuaries are more bare-bones operations than funeral homes and are focused solely on the decedent. However, this is not always the case. In some cases, such as Myers Mortuary in Utah, the mortuary offers a full suite of memorial services and preplanning options.
The staff at a mortuary are trained to prepare the body for viewing and burial. This is done using a process called embalming. During this process, the embalmer uses plaster and wax to recreate the natural appearance of the body. They then wash the body, dry it with towels, and apply cosmetics to conceal marks. They may also suture any wounds and dress the body in clothing or a casket.
What is the Difference Between a Mortuary and a Funeral Home?
A mortuary and a funeral home are two different entities that offer different services. While some people use the terms interchangeably, it’s important to understand the difference between these two establishments.
Funeral homes typically have a greater focus on funeral arrangements and services, while mortuaries are more focused on the body preparation process. This means that mortuaries often have a more clinical environment and may not be as comfortable for families to visit.
In addition, funeral homes are more likely to offer preplanning services so that you can get everything taken care of ahead of time. This can help ease the burden on your loved ones after your death, as they won’t have to worry about making decisions for you.
Additionally, funeral homes are more likely to have a full staff of professionals who can assist you with your needs. This includes funeral directors who can help you plan a service that honors your wishes and celebrates a life well lived.
What Are the Differences Between a Standalone Mortuary and a Mortuary Attached to a Funeral Home?
A mortuary is where staff care for a body and prepare it for burial or cremation. A mortuary may be a standalone facility or attached to a funeral home. The difference between the two is important to understand as they serve different functions.
Standalone morgues won’t have a funeral director on staff and will only offer preparation services before burial. They will typically only have viewing spaces that are small and limited in number. Funeral homes will offer full-service funeral planning, embalming, and viewing spaces that are larger and more suitable for families.
Some mortuaries will have a crematorium on-site and will offer a range of services related to the cremation process. This includes viewings, memorial services, and the cremation itself. In some cases, they will also be able to provide a casket and other memorial products. Mortuaries also generate biohazard waste that needs to be managed. They need to keep these materials separate from other waste streams, just like hospitals and doctors’ offices do.
What is the Difference Between a Standalone Mortuary and a Mortuary Attached to a Funeral Home?
A mortuary is a place that cares for a body in preparation for burial or cremation. While they offer a few services that are similar to funeral homes (a quick viewing for immediate family members, memorial service, and transportation) mortuaries tend to be more bare-bones operations and don’t provide as many amenities for visitors or a calming environment. A few mortuaries also offer onsite cremation in addition to burial.
A morgue is a space in a medical center or hospital that houses bodies. Mortuaries may be stand-alone facilities or they can be attached to funeral homes.
Mortuaries end up with biohazardous waste that must be disposed of. This includes things like gauze, bandages, and other materials used to prepare the body. These items must be kept separate from normal waste and disposed of properly. Because of this, many mortuaries have partnerships with local waste disposal companies. This helps to eliminate another step in the process and ensures that a loved one’s remains are handled correctly.