A morgue is a cold storage facility that houses dead bodies while awaiting identification, autopsy, respectful burial or cremation. Many people have a faulty perception about these locations.
Some believe mortuaries are more bare-bones operations than funeral homes. While this may sometimes be the case, there are a number of facts that should be considered.
Morgue
A morgue is a place where bodies are kept before burial or cremation. They are usually located on the grounds of hospitals or medical centers. They are used to perform autopsies and to identify unidentified bodies.
A mortuary can be a grim work environment. Despite being cleaned regularly, contaminated equipment can cause serious infections. The contamination can come from a number of sources. For example, brand new instruments may have been contaminated during manufacturing or at other mortuaries.
The word “morgue” may seem disturbing, but it is a crucial part of our society. There are many different jobs in a mortuary, including embalming and preparing the body for burial or cremation. There are also forensic pathologists who investigate the cause of death and a variety of other professionals who work in the morgue. Some of these positions require special training and certification. Mortuary science is not only a scientific field, but also involves human services and business management.
Embalming
A mortuary’s primary concern is to preserve the body. This is achieved through embalming, the process by which a person’s blood volume is drained and replaced with specialized chemicals. The purpose of embalming is threefold: to disinfect, to slow the natural decomposition process and to restore the appearance of a person to what it was when they were alive.
During cavity embalming, the funeral director makes an incision near the navel and inserts a long needle, called a trocar into both the abdominal and thoracic cavities. This allows a suction pump to aspirate, or remove through the mouth, blood and other bodily fluids. The embalmer then pumps full strength embalming fluid into each organ and cavities, allowing for better disinfection.
The embalmer then re-washes and dries the remains, grooms the hair and nails and applies a moisturizing cream to the face and neck. He may also apply a cosmetic solution to repair any damage caused by trauma or disease.
Cremation
Many people choose cremation today, as it is less expensive than a traditional burial. Before the cremation process begins, a licensed funeral professional takes possession of the physical remains and completes a thorough chain-of-custody document. They may also prepare a casket or cremation container to meet family preferences and religious requirements.
The body is then transported to the crematory, often onsite at the mortuary. The body is placed in a furnace, called a retort, and exposed to extremely high temperatures that burn the bones into a fine powdery substance known as ashes. This ash is then collected and put into an urn selected by the family. A powerful magnet is run through the ashes to remove any metal remnants, such as screws or pins, which can interfere with the cremation process. The metal is then recycled.
Some funeral homes offer alternative services, including a green burial or composting, which do not require embalming. These burial options allow for a natural decomposition, and some cemeteries even have spaces specifically designed to accommodate these choices.
Funeral Home
A funeral home is a place where people go to make arrangements for the death of a loved one. This may be done in person, by telephone or over the internet. A funeral home also has a room where family and friends can pay their respects to the deceased.
The funeral director washes the body and dresses it in clothing that the family has chosen. He then applies cosmetics. If the deceased followed a religious faith, his spiritual leader might wash the body and perform other religious rites.
The funeral home must give you a General Price List (GPL) when you visit or when you ask for it. They must also give you a copy of the casket and outer burial container prices if they regularly offer them. In addition, the funeral home must give you a copy of the cemetery deed and an Itemized Statement. Some states require a GPL when you request it in writing, while others only require it for telephone or mail inquiries.