A mortuary is a place where dead bodies are kept until arrangements are made for their final resting places. These facilities perform services like embalming and cosmetic restoration to prepare deceased individuals for viewing by loved ones.
Many people use the term morgue interchangeably with funeral home, but there are some differences between the two. Funeral homes offer more comprehensive support for families throughout the end-of-life process and typically have chapels and viewing rooms.
Locations
Some people erroneously assume that mortuaries and funeral homes are interchangeable, especially since some facilities have both a morgue and a funeral home. However, it’s important to note that a mortuary isn’t just a place for storage or even embalming services; it’s more of an all-encompassing focus on the decedent’s needs from start to finish.
For example, Myers Mortuary in Utah provides funeral and memorial services, as well as cremation services. The facility’s staff takes care of the entire process, including viewings, funeral Masses and more.
In contrast, a crematorium like Green Cremation Texas strictly focuses on on-site cremation. This makes it different from a traditional funeral home that also offers burial and cremation services. Many crematoriums have chapels on site to accommodate services and memorial services as well.
Functions
Mortuary services include preparing bodies for viewing and funeral ceremonies, recording information about the deceased, ensuring legal documents are properly filed and helping survivors cope with loss. Some facilities also provide aftercare services to help grieving families adapt to life without a loved one.
Mortuaries are governed by a complex set of laws and regulations designed to ensure respectful handling and lawful disposition of remains. Licensing requirements for embalmers and funeral directors vary by state, as do rules governing body preparation methods such as burial or cremation. Environmental and cemetery rules may also impact burial practices.
Some consumers confuse mortuaries with crematoriums, but these are two different entities. A crematorium is a full-service funeral home that can offer both funeral and cremation services, while a mortuary focuses on the funeral and memorial services associated with a death. In the event of an emergency, many jurisdictions designate public facilities such as ice rinks that can act as morgues when necessary.
Duties
Mortuaries handle storage and preparation of bodies before their final disposition (burial or cremation). They also offer services like embalming, facilitating viewing and visitation for grieving loved ones.
Most state regulatory agencies govern the licensing, inspection and facility standards of morgues in their jurisdictions. These standards often include a set of minimum safety and sanitation requirements, as well as training and certification for individuals working in the mortuary.
In addition to ensuring proper preservation of the body, a mortician must be empathetic, sensitive and discreet when interacting with families. He or she must have a strong work ethic, excellent attention to detail and a thorough understanding of cultural and religious funeral practices. Many states have a code of ethics that mortuary professionals must follow, which may include promoting transparency in pricing and providing written contracts for clients. They must also abide by regulations governing the transportation of remains between mortuary facilities and their final destination.
Education and Training Requirements
Aspiring morticians typically need to complete a mortuary science program and earn an associate degree. Some schools offer online courses in addition to on-campus ones, enabling students to pursue their degree while managing other obligations and responsibilities.
The American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) has accredited several programs that prepare graduates to become embalmers and funeral directors. Many of these colleges also require an apprenticeship, which enables students to develop hands-on skills and get on-the-job training.
Upon graduation, aspiring morticians must fulfill state licensing requirements for funeral directing and embalming. Licensing requirements vary by state, but generally include a high school diploma or GED certificate, completion of one or two years of general collegiate coursework, an associate degree in funeral services, passing national and/or state board examinations, and serving as an apprentice or intern at an established funeral home.
Additionally, some states require a mortuary jurisprudence exam. The exam covers laws and regulations that pertain to funeral services.