Mortuary is a refrigerated compartment or area within a hospital, medical examiner’s office, care centre, hospice or retirement home where bodies are stored until they can be identified or removed for an autopsy or respectful burial. Most of us have seen a morgue depicted in movies or TV shows.
Government emergency preparedness procedures usually designate public facilities such as ice rinks to act as temporary morgues during times of mass death.
Preparation of the Body
Whether you choose burial or cremation, your loved one’s funeral service will begin with a careful preparation of the body. Your funeral director and embalmer work with empathy and professionalism to ensure that every detail is taken care of.
The first step is to transport the body from the place of death (hospital/nursing home, private residence) to the mortuary. Then, the process of cleaning and disinfecting begins. This is done to avoid infection in those who view the deceased and for the sake of dignity.
A procedure known as cavity embalming is then performed. During this process, full strength embalming fluid is injected into the abdominal and thoracic cavities of the remains, which helps preserve them and restore their appearance.
Next, the face is cleaned and cosmetics are applied to create a lifelike appearance for those who pay their respects. This is usually a very time consuming process that requires great attention to detail. If the family wishes, personal effects and mementos can be added to create a unique presentation.
Identification of the Deceased
The level of decomposition determines the identification processes employed. A skeletonized body is referred to a forensic anthropology unit for analysis. If the body is still relatively intact, an attempt is made to identify it through fingerprinting, visual identification and circumstantial evidence such as clothing, piercings or paper items found with the body.
As long as there is not extreme decomposition, it is easy for a family member or friend to visually identify a dead person by comparing the remains with photographs provided by the medical examiner. Other methods of identification include analyzing dental records and fingerprints, and looking at distinctive marks such as scars or tattoos. A list of potential identification features is compiled and photographed, including height, weight, age and sex, as well as hair color and piercings. In a small number of cases, DNA analysis has been used to identify the deceased. This is done only after a presumptive identity has been established.
Arrangements for Burial or Cremation
The decision to bury or cremate is an extremely personal choice that should be made based on religious or spiritual beliefs, as well as the needs of family and friends. It is also important to consider the cost of burial or cremation and how it will affect end-of-life planning.
Burial arrangements include the funeral service, burial and grave or columbarium placement. Cremation arrangements can include a memorial service at the funeral home, place of worship or other location and a keepsake urn for cremated remains.
Some funeral homes offer a direct cremation option that does not include a visitation, viewing or ceremony. In this situation, the funeral home will secure and transport the body in a container to a crematory. Most crematories allow families to dress their loved ones prior to the time of cremation, although clothing choices must be completely combustible. Then the body is transported to the crematory, which could be onsite or at a third-party provider.
Final Arrangements
Once the body has been properly prepared, arrangements can be made for burial or cremation. The funeral home can provide caskets, urns, and other memorial products or arrange for interment in a grave, crypt, or niche.
A funeral home can also offer a ceremony and event space. Some offer a chapel, staterooms for viewing, and parking lots. They may also have a full-service crematorium.
Anatomy and physiology knowledge are important for mortuary science professionals. They should know the different stages of decomposition and be able to explain these processes to families. They must also follow legal and ethical guidelines when handling a deceased person’s body.
If you are thinking about making your own final arrangements, it is important to write them down and discuss them with loved ones. You can use a document called a final arrangements document, or you can write a letter to your health care agent with instructions for your representative. You should keep all documents in a safe place.