mortuary

American  

[mawr-choo-er-ee] / ˈmɔr tʃuˌɛr i /

noun

plural

mortuaries

1. funeral home.

2. a customary gift formerly claimed by and due to the incumbent of a parish in England from the estate of a deceased parishioner.

---

adjective

1. of or relating to the burial of the dead.

2. pertaining to or connected with death.

mortuary British  

/ ˈmɔːtʃʊərɪ /

noun

1. Also called: morgue.  a building where dead bodies are kept before cremation or burial

---

adjective

1. of or relating to death or burial

Other Word Forms

• premortuary adjective

Etymology

Origin of mortuary

1350–1400; Middle English mortuarie < Medieval Latin mortuārium, noun use of neuter of Latin mortuārius of the dead, equivalent to mortu ( us ) dead + -ārius -ary

Example Sentences

After decades working in mortuaries, a campaigner hopes to provide the UK's first human composting service as an alternative to cremation or burial.

From BBC

The pathologist added that some of the bodies appeared to have originated from hospitals and mortuaries but that would be further determined after autopsies.

From BBC

John Mason, an attorney representing the company, said that the mortuary strongly disputes that it mishandled Ramos’ remains and intends to vigorously defend itself against the lawsuit.

From Los Angeles Times

Once the patient was transferred to the mortuary, there was a further delay before the autopsy was performed.

From BBC

He added: "Part of my job was bringing the deceased to the mortuary, something like that stays with you I'll never forget it, it never leaves you."

From BBC

Related Words

• morgue