A mortuary is a facility where staff care for a deceased person before they are buried or cremated. It is a more bare-bones operation than a funeral home and may only offer a viewing for immediate family members or cremation without full memorialization services.
Many people wonder what the difference is between a morgue and a funeral home. Here is a look at the key differences:
Body preparation
Body preparation in mortuary is a process of sanitizing and temporarily preserving the dead for viewing and funeral services. This is an important step in the grieving process and it can also help families make decisions about final disposition. There are many different options available for body preparation, and it is best to leave this to professionals.
When a loved one dies, the body is taken to a morgue for examination by a medical examiner or coroner. Depending on the circumstances, the body may be embalmed before it is released for funeral arrangements.
After the death, a funeral home will dress and casket the body. They will also wash the face and hands and make any necessary adjustments to the appearance of the remains. They will also relieve rigor mortis, which is the stiffening of the muscles caused by a chemical change, by flexing, bending, and massaging the arms and legs. This is the most time-consuming part of body preparation and is done to make the remains appear natural.
Caskets
Caskets provide a dignified, respectful environment for loved ones to say their last farewells. They can also help families feel a sense of closure as they begin the journey through grief and remembrance. Funeral homes can offer a variety of casket options to meet the needs and preferences of their clients.
Casket materials may include wood, metal or biodegradable choices. Wood caskets, typically made from mahogany or oak, provide a traditional appearance while metal caskets offer durability and a sleek finish. Decorative options like handles for carrying and personalized embellishments are available.
During a visitation or open casket funeral, the lid of the casket can be opened so family and friends can view the deceased. The lid can come in one piece (half couch) or two pieces that open separately (full couch). The term casket can also refer to a grave vault, which is used to hold the body above ground in a mausoleum, crypt or columbarium.
Funeral services
The process of organizing a funeral can be overwhelming, especially during a time of grief. But navigating these steps can help you honor your loved one and begin the healing process. Whether you choose burial or cremation, funeral services offer a way to say goodbye and honor your loved one’s legacy.
While the differences between mortuaries and funeral homes are subtle, they can make a difference in how you experience the service. Funeral homes often provide more customer interaction, while mortuaries focus on the care and preparation of the body.
In addition to the traditional funeral service, many funeral homes now offer pre-planned events and celebrations. These events can be a great place to share memories, celebrate the life of your loved one, and support others in their grief. Many funeral homes also host educational events to help families plan for end-of-life needs. These events can cover topics such as advance health care directives, prepaid funeral arrangements, and senior safety tips.
Cremation
Cremation is an alternative to traditional burial and may be preceded by or followed by a funeral service. The process consists of mechanical, thermal or chemical dissolution that reduces human remains to bone fragments. The bones are then pulverized to produce a finer consistency known as ashes. This material can be buried, scattered or entombed in an urn.
The cremation process usually takes between one and three hours to complete. During that time, the container and the body are closely monitored. After the cremation, the remaining ashes are returned to the family in a basic plastic bag, or an urn if purchased beforehand.
Many families choose cremation because it is less expensive than a traditional burial. In addition, cremation gives them more flexibility with funeral arrangements because it allows them to hold a memorial service on their own timeframe. However, there are some religious groups that forbid cremation. They feel it is in disrespect to the dead and rejects a belief that the deceased are created in the image of God.