Dictionary-Definition.com :: Mortuary definition

Definition of 'mortuary'

adjective

Of or relating to or characteristic of death

adjective

Of or relating to a funeral

noun

A building (or room) where dead bodies are kept before burial or cremation [syn: morgue, mortuary, dead room]

From: GCIDE

Mortuary \Mor"tu*a*ry\, a. [L. mortuarius, fr. mortuus dead: cf. F. mortuaire. See Mortal.] Of or pertaining to the dead; as, mortuary monuments. [1913 Webster]
Mortuary urn, an urn for holding the ashes of a dead person after cremation. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Mortuary \Mor"tu*a*ry\, n.; pl. Mortuaries. [LL. mortuarium. See Mortuary, a.]
1. A sort of ecclesiastical heriot, a customary gift claimed by, and due to, the minister of a parish on the death of a parishioner. It seems to have been originally a voluntary bequest or donation, intended to make amends for any failure in the payment of tithes of which the deceased had been guilty. [1913 Webster]
2. A burial place; a place for the dead. [1913 Webster]
3. A place for the reception of the dead before burial; a deadhouse; a morgue. [1913 Webster]
4. A funeral home. [PJC]

From: GCIDE

funeral home \fu"ner*al home`\, n. An establishment, usually commercial, where the bodies of dead persons are prepared for viewing before burial or cremation; called also funeral parlor, mortuary, {funeral chapel} and informally, undertaker's. The body may or may not be preserved by embalming before viewing or burial, and in some cases the body is not exposed for viewing, though present in a casket. Often, some form of memorial service is held for the deceased at the funeral home, where friends and relatives may come to pay their respects to the dead, and express condolence to the family. The work of preparation of the body and many other arrangements related to the funeral and burial are carried out by an undertaker or mortician who manages the funeral home. [PJC]