Mortuaries focus on handling and preserving dead bodies, typically transferring them to funeral homes for final arrangements. They also offer visitation services and transporting bodies to the cemetery.
Most people are familiar with morgues from depictions in movies and TV shows. They are usually located within or adjacent to hospitals and medical centers. They contain refrigerated drawer-like compartments where bodies are stored temporarily.
Preparation of the Deceased for Farewell
Mortuaries and funeral homes both take care of deceased individuals after their death. However, there are some differences between these two types of facilities.
One difference is in the scope of services offered. While funeral homes offer a variety of end-of-life services, mortuaries focus on care and preparation of the body. They also typically have smaller areas for viewings and fewer customer interactions.
Some states even require mortuaries to have specific licensing and facility standards. This makes them more reliable than some unregulated funeral homes.
When preparing the body for farewell, mortuaries can embalm and dress the body as needed for the final services. They can also prepare the body for burial or cremation. They can even arrange for a memorial service if the family wishes. The staff can also add adornments like decorations, flowers and jewelry to make the deceased look beautiful for the event. They can also apply makeup and style hair if requested by the family.
Keeping Accurate Records
It’s important for mortuaries to keep accurate records. This allows them to track their progress over time, which helps them make informed decisions about their business’s future. It also ensures that they have all the information they need in order to file taxes and other legal documents.
Mortuaries must follow regulations regarding the handling, transportation, and storage of deceased individuals. These standards ensure that the deceased are treated with dignity and respect, and that health and safety standards are met. In addition, many states have consumer protection regulations that require funeral homes to provide written contracts and disclose their available services and merchandise before a client purchases them.
When a dead person enters a morgue, it is usually bagged and given a medical identification number. These numbers should be recorded in a morgue book and on identification cards that are kept in the mortuary. The morgue should then forward this mortality information to the Casualty Information Service or police departments.
Preparing the Merchandise
Mortuary technicians have a deep understanding of the anatomical, physiological, and emotional aspects involved in preparing bodies for funerals. They work with empathy and professionalism, ensuring that the body of the deceased is presented with dignity and respect. Moreover, they ensure that the body is prepared in accordance with the wishes of the family or the pre-planned funeral arrangements. From embalming to dressing and cosmetology, the mortuary professionals use a wide range of techniques to prepare the body for viewings.
Refrigeration Units
The most important equipment for a mortuary includes refrigeration units that help preserve the body until funeral arrangements are made. These units are available in a variety of sizes and aid in keeping the body at a cool temperature. The equipment also helps in preventing the spread of diseases and halts the decomposition process. In addition, mortuary trolleys and stretchers are necessary to facilitate the movement of the dead body. They need to be durable and strong enough to handle bariatric bodies, while being lightweight and manoeuvrable for staff.
Providing Support to Grieving Families
The support of friends and community is crucial to the grieving process. Whether by lending an ear or doing chores, being present is an act of solidarity that offers emotional solace and comfort. However, it is important to be cautious with well-meaning suggestions that the bereaved should “look on the bright side” or that they “shouldn’t feel so sad.” It is also helpful to encourage family members to seek professional guidance.
Educators and staff should provide ongoing support networks and therapeutic interventions for grieving families to help them cope with the loss of a loved one. This should be customised to each family’s needs and cultural norms, including flexible scheduling for counselling sessions and memorial events that honour diverse traditions.
Despite the confusion, mortuaries still serve their purposes of providing dignified storage and care for deceased individuals. As long as they meet local regulations regarding embalming, transportation and disposal, they remain an essential service for bereaved families.