Losing a loved one can be overwhelming. That’s mainly because of the arrangements that you will have to do for final services. One of the first things you should consider here is to locate a funeral home mortuary. But a funeral home and a mortuary are two different things offering pretty much similar services. With that in mind, let’s explore the differences between the two.
What is a Funeral Home?
A funeral home is a business that provides a wide range of services related to funerals, memorials, burials, and cremations. These services typically include:
- Collecting and preparing the deceased for viewing/burial
- Organizing and hosting viewings, funerals, memorial services
- Transporting the deceased to the cemetery or crematory
- Selling caskets, urns, burial vaults, etc.
- Completing and filing necessary paperwork
- Offering grief counseling or support resources
Funeral homes work closely with families to guide them through the process of planning final arrangements. They have chapels and gathering spaces to host services, along with display rooms where families can select caskets, urns, etc. Many funeral homes in San Diego have an on-site crematory or own/operate local cemeteries.
What is a Mortuary?
A mortuary is more specialized than a typical funeral home. Their sole focus is preparing and sheltering the deceased. Services provided by a mortuary include:
- Transporting the deceased from the place of death
- Embalming and preparing the body
- Cremating remains
- Coordinating with funeral homes, cemeteries, coroners, and medical examiners
- Filing the death certificate and obtaining permits
Mortuaries do not usually get involved with visitations, funerals or burials. They prepare the deceased then transfer them to a funeral home for final arrangements and services selected by the family. Some mortuaries are affiliated with funeral homes, while others just operate independently.
Key Differences
While mortuaries and funeral homes both provide end-of-life services, there are some important ways they differ:
- Scope of Services – Funeral homes offer a wide array of services related to deaths, funerals, burials, and remembrances. Mortuaries specifically focus on care, preparation and shelter of the deceased.
- Customer Interaction – Funeral homes work extensively with grieving families to create meaningful end-of-life services. Mortuaries have more limited family interactions.
- Facilities – Funeral homes maintain chapels, viewing rooms, casket display areas, and gathering spaces to host events and services. Mortuaries provide care in laboratory-like prep rooms without need for chapels or public spaces.
- Staffing – Funeral homes employ funeral directors who help families make decisions and organize all end-of-life arrangements. Mortuaries are staffed by specialists like embalmers, crematory technicians and morgue assistants.
When selecting a provider, think about the types of services you’ll need. Funeral homes offer comprehensive support for families throughout the end-of-life process. Mortuaries specialize strictly in caring for the deceased then transferring them to a separate funeral home for final arrangements. Whether you choose a funeral home or mortuary, select an experienced provider you feel comfortable with. They’ll guide you through an extremely difficult time with compassion and expertise.
