A mortuary focuses on the technical and medical aspects of preparing bodies for final disposition, typically burial or cremation. They can be attached to hospitals or operate as standalone locations.
Prior to modern methods of verifying death, the dead were housed for a time in waiting mortuaries. These were often large, ornate halls.
Types
A mortuary is a funeral home that offers on-site cremation services. While this may seem like a small distinction, it can make a difference in how a family is served. In some cases, a mortuary will offer more direct and less expensive services than a traditional funeral home.
A memorial is a monument, tombstone, grave marker or tablet bearing an inscription and identifying a grave or crypt. It may also refer to a niche in a mausoleum or other structure for entombment of urns containing cremated remains.
As you might imagine, working as a mortician isn’t for the faint of heart. However, it is a highly rewarding career that allows you to help people in one of the most difficult and sensitive times in their lives. To become a mortician, you will need to complete a degree program in mortuary science, gain professional experience through an apprenticeship and pass national and state licensing exams. In addition, many funeral service organizations and private businesses provide scholarships for students pursuing this path.
Functions
A mortuary is a place where bodies are kept until funeral arrangements are made. These facilities are often attached to hospitals or operated as standalone locations that specialize in embalming and refrigeration.
During this time, the deceased person is typically kept in a casket. Visiting relatives may leave mementos such as clothes, flowers, letters and ornaments in the casket.
The funeral director then dresses the body in clothing selected by family members, removing garments that are too soiled for burial and carefully applying cosmetics to make the remains look more life-like.
Mortuaries may also have a deep-freeze facility, which is used to preserve the bodies of those who die unexpectedly such as in a car accident or at the scene of a homicide. They also act as a liaison between medical staff, forensic pathologists and the families of the deceased. This career requires high levels of emotional resilience and empathy as well as a commitment to providing dignified care to the bereaved.
Locations
Mortuary facilities work as standalone locations that primarily focus on the technical and medical aspects of preparing the body for burial or cremation. They are sometimes attached to hospitals, but they may also operate independently as standalone businesses that provide care in laboratory-like prep rooms without the need for chapels or public spaces.
In theory, any refrigerated space spacious enough to accommodate a corpse can act as a temporary morgue in the event of a mass disaster. However, government emergency preparedness plans usually designate a few specific facilities (such as ice rinks) to serve as the designated morgue in such an event.
If you are considering a career in morticiany, it’s best to check that the profession is truly what you want, given its demanding schedule and potential for emotional stress. If you decide to go to school, look for a program that offers hybrid options so that you can complete coursework online while attending on-site labs and clinicals.
Services
Mortuary services focus on the care, preparation and shelter of deceased persons. They typically don’t get involved with visitations, funerals or burials. Instead, they transfer the body to a funeral home for final arrangements and services selected by the family.
Mortuaries may also offer cremation services in addition to traditional burials. The CDC recommends that people considering cremation do their research and find an experienced provider to ensure they’re getting the best value for their money.
For example, some providers offer “packages” that appear to save customers money but include items the customer might not want or need. This can end up costing more in the long run. In addition, some cremation providers don’t have the same staff and facilities as a mortuary. This could cause confusion and frustration for grieving families.