Those seeking funeral arrangements may wonder, “What is the difference between a mortuary and a crematorium?”
These facilities can sometimes be confused, but they do serve distinct purposes. Mortuaries often focus on mortuary science, while crematoriums may offer more straightforward services like a brief viewing for family members or cremation without full-scale memorialization options.
Definition
Most adults have seen a depiction of a morgue in a movie or TV show. However, these depictions don’t give an accurate portrayal of the real-life work that goes on in these institutions. A mortuary is a place where bodies are temporarily stored until they can be identified, an autopsy performed, or disposed of.
A mortuary is also where the embalming process takes place. Most funeral homes have a mortuary on-site so they can provide services to grieving families quickly and efficiently.
There are several laws that govern the handling and disposition of deceased bodies, including funeral home and crematorium regulations, state and federal regulations, and rules governing sanitary conditions. These laws ensure that families are given clear information and protected against exploitative practices.
Functions
A mortuary is a place where bodies are kept after they have been taken from the hospital. The facility is a key part of the health system and ensures that dead bodies are treated with sensitivity and respect.
A morgue is designed to hold up to 20 corpses. The facilities also have cold chambers where the dead can be kept until the funeral service is arranged. In some countries, this can be months or even years after a person has died.
In a study of 19 mortuary attendants from hospitals in the Volta, Oti and Bono East regions of Ghana, three main themes emerged. These included the nature of their work, qualifications and training requirements, and working conditions. The participants reported that they cleaned and dressed the deceased bodies, embalmed them, and refrigerated them until discharge.
Services
When you lose a loved one, you need to choose a funeral service provider. This decision can be difficult, especially if the death is unexpected. The mortuary and cremation services offered by Green Cremation Texas can help you make the right choice for your family.
Working in a mortuary can be rewarding for those who have a strong drive to be of service to families during a profoundly difficult time. It’s not just a job, but a career that allows professionals to be creative and honor the lives of those who have passed on.
Some mortuaries, like Myers Mortuary in Utah, even turn their morgues into a haunted house attraction during Halloween. This is a popular choice for many who love a good scare!
Costs
The costs associated with mortuary services depend on a number of factors, including location and service type. Traditional funerals typically cost more than memorial services, which do not include a visitation or procession to the grave or crematory.
The cost of the casket is another major expense, with prices varying widely depending on materials and design. Many funeral homes offer a variety of caskets to choose from, some of which are more budget-friendly than others.
Families may also choose to memorialize their loved one with a headstone or grave marker at the cemetery. These items can be expensive, especially if they are engraved. In addition, families may pay for limousine services to transport immediate family members during the procession. Military families stationed overseas are eligible for burial preparations on a reimbursable basis.
Insurance
In the event of a loved one’s death, funeral costs and final arrangements can add up quickly. Burial or final expense insurance, also known as a funeral or end-of-life policy, provides an easy way for families to pay for a departed loved one’s funeral, burial services, casket, headstone, transportation, and urn service. These policies are similar to whole life insurance, but generally with a lower sum of benefits and an easier application process. They can be an effective supplement to traditional life insurance plans that require beneficiaries to wait until all funeral costs are paid before disbursing funds.
TermLife2Go offers these types of policies.