Definition

1. Noun:

   • A building or room where dead bodies are stored, prepared for burial or cremation, and held until funeral services.
   • A place, often part of a funeral home or hospital, designated for the temporary keeping of the deceased.

2. Adjective:

   • Relating to death, burial, or funeral ceremonies.
   • Pertaining to or characteristic of the period immediately following death.

Usage

• As a Noun: Used to refer to the physical facility for the deceased.
• As an Adjective: Used to describe rites, customs, or objects associated with funerals and death.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The body was taken to the mortuary for identification.
  • The hospital's mortuary is located in the basement.
• Adjective:
  • The family discussed mortuary arrangements with the funeral director.
  • Certain cultures have specific mortuary practices.

Advanced Usage

• Mortuary science: The study of the practices involved in preparing the dead for burial or cremation and managing funeral services.
  • He studied mortuary science to become a funeral director.
• Mortuary temple: In ancient Egypt, a temple erected adjacent to, or in honor of, a deceased pharaoh.
  • The mortuary temple of Hatshepsut is a major archaeological site.

Variants and Related Words

• Morgue (n): A synonym for a mortuary, often specifically one in a hospital or used for forensic examination.
• Funeral home / Funeral parlor (n): An establishment that manages funeral services, which typically contains a mortuary.
• Post-mortem (adj): Occurring or performed after death. (Note: This is a related but distinct term often used in medical contexts).

Synonyms

• Noun: Morgue, charnel house (archaic), deadhouse.
• Adjective: Funeral, sepulchral, obsequial.

Related Phrases

• Mortuary care: The professional handling and preparation of deceased persons.
  • The funeral home is known for its dignified mortuary care.
• Mortuary fee: A charge for the services of keeping a body in a mortuary.
  • The mortuary fee was included in the total funeral costs.

Adjective

1. of or relating to a funeral
2. of or relating to or characteristic of death

Noun

1. a building (or room) where dead bodies are kept before burial or cremation