Claire Dawson
A morgue, or mortuary, is a place used for the storage of human corpses awaiting identification, autopsy, burial, cremation, or other methods of disposal. In modern times, corpses are usually refrigerated to delay decomposition, and are kept at temperatures between 2°C and 4°C. In hospitals, morgues are typically located in the basement, as this reduces the energy requirements for keeping the bodies chilled, and minimises the movement of cadavers through busier parts of the hospital.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location in a hospital | Usually in the basement |
| Reason for location | Reduces energy requirements for keeping bodies chilled, minimises movement of cadavers through the hospital |
| Temperature | Between 2 °C (36 °F) and 4 °C (39 °F) |
| Burial time | Within 72 hours (3 days) of death in many countries |
| Synonyms | Mortuary, deadhouse, Rose Cottage, Rainbow's End |
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What You'll Learn
Why are hospital morgues located in basements?
A morgue, or mortuary, is a place used for the storage of human corpses awaiting identification, autopsy, burial, cremation, or other disposal methods. In modern times, corpses are typically refrigerated to delay decomposition, and are kept at temperatures between 2°C and 4°C, or even as low as −50°C.
Morgues are often located in the basements of hospitals. This is primarily to reduce the energy requirements for keeping the bodies chilled. In the event of a power failure, the basement would remain at a relatively cool temperature, helping to preserve the bodies. Additionally, locating the morgue in the basement minimises the movement of cadavers through busier and more visible parts of the hospital, keeping them out of view of incoming patients and their loved ones.
Basements also often provide morgues with their own separate entrances, allowing bodies to be loaded and unloaded discreetly. In some cases, the morgue may be located next to a loading dock, or even adjacent to cremation ovens, known as retorts.
The location of a morgue within a hospital can vary, and in some cases, any refrigerated space large enough to fit a person can act as a temporary morgue. However, given the need to maintain cool temperatures, basements are often the most suitable location for this purpose.
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What is the difference between a morgue and a mortuary?
A morgue and a mortuary are two different places with distinct purposes. While a morgue is usually located in a hospital or medical centre, a mortuary is a more simple and basic place that may offer cremation and embalming services. In some cases, a mortuary may also have a morgue within it.
The term morgue is predominantly used in North American English, while mortuary is used in the UK. However, both terms are often used interchangeably. The term morgue comes from the French word for the inner wicket of a prison, where new prisoners were kept so that they could be recognised in the future. The modern meaning of the word emerged in fifteenth-century Paris. On the other hand, the term mortuary dates back to the early 14th century, from the Anglo-French word 'mortuarie', meaning "gift to a parish priest from a deceased parishioner".
A morgue is a place used for the temporary storage of human corpses awaiting identification, autopsy, burial, cremation, or other methods of disposal. In modern times, corpses are refrigerated to delay decomposition and are usually kept between 2 °C and 4 °C. In some funeral homes, the morgue is in the same room or adjacent to the ovens used for cremation.
Mortuaries, on the other hand, are more similar to crematoriums, which offer a wider range of funeral services. Cremation and embalming services can be performed on-site at a mortuary. In the past, particularly in 19th-century Germany, waiting mortuaries were used to temporarily house the recently deceased to verify their death before burial. This practice addressed fears of being buried alive.
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What temperature are bodies kept at in a morgue?
A morgue, or mortuary, is a place used for the storage of human corpses awaiting identification, autopsy, burial, cremation, or other disposal methods. In modern times, corpses are refrigerated to delay decomposition. Typically, morgues are located in the basement of a hospital, which reduces the energy requirements for keeping the bodies chilled.
The temperature of a morgue freezer varies depending on the facility's protocols and the type of freezer used. However, the temperature typically ranges from -10 to -20 degrees Celsius (14 to -4 degrees Fahrenheit). This cold environment helps slow down decomposition, preserve the bodies, and facilitate forensic examinations. It also inhibits bacterial growth and slows down enzymatic processes, extending the time available for autopsies.
In positive temperature cold chambers, bodies are stored at temperatures ranging from 2 to 6 degrees Celsius. These chambers can keep bodies for several weeks, but they do not stop decomposition entirely. Instead, the rate of decomposition is slower than at room temperature.
In negative temperature cold chambers, bodies are stored at temperatures ranging from 10 to 50 degrees Celsius. These freezers are generally used in forensic institutes, as the low temperature ensures the body reaches a frozen state, significantly slowing down decomposition.
In summary, the temperature of a morgue freezer can vary depending on the specific facility and its protocols, but the primary goal is to preserve the bodies and slow down decomposition.
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How long are bodies kept in a morgue?
A morgue, or mortuary, is a place used for the storage of human corpses awaiting identification, autopsy, burial, cremation, or other disposal methods. The length of time a body is kept in a morgue depends on several factors, including local regulations, cultural practices, and the circumstances of the death.
In some cultures and religions, burial or cremation must take place within 72 hours (three days) of death. In such cases, the body is typically not kept in the morgue for an extended period. However, in other cultures, it is customary for burial or cremation to occur several weeks or even months after death. This allows time for family members to gather funds for the ceremony or to adhere to specific religious requirements. In these instances, corpses may be kept in a morgue for longer durations, sometimes up to one or two years.
The identification of the deceased also plays a crucial role in determining the length of time a body remains in a morgue. If the deceased is unidentified, local regulations dictate the minimum amount of time the body must be kept. In most places, an unidentified body is kept for at least 30 days to allow for identification and the involvement of the local coroner. After this period, the hospital will arrange for the disposition of the body if it remains unidentified.
The occurrence of autopsy or other medical examinations can also influence the duration a body is kept in a morgue. In the United States, for example, approximately 5% of hospital deaths involve an autopsy, which may extend the time the body is retained for investigative purposes.
It is important to note that even with refrigeration techniques, decomposition still occurs, albeit at a slower rate. Therefore, the length of time a body can be stored in a morgue is also dependent on the effectiveness of preservation methods and the facilities available.
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What are some euphemisms for morgue?
A morgue, or mortuary, is a place used for the storage of human corpses awaiting identification, removal for autopsy, respectful burial, cremation, or other methods of disposal. In modern times, corpses are usually refrigerated to delay decomposition.
The term "morgue" comes from the French and was first used to describe the inner wicket of a prison where new prisoners were kept so that they could be recognized in the future. Its modern meaning first appeared in fifteenth-century Paris. The term "mortuary" dates back to the early 14th century, derived from the Anglo-French "mortuarie", meaning "gift to a parish priest from a deceased parishioner". The meaning of "a place where the deceased are kept temporarily" was first recorded in 1865 as a euphemism for the earlier English term "deadhouse".
The term "morgue" is predominantly used in North American English, while "mortuary" is more commonly used in the UK. The euphemisms "Rose Cottage" and "Rainbow's End" are sometimes used in British hospitals to enable discussion in front of patients and visitors, the latter being primarily for children.
Hospitals usually locate their morgues in the basement, as this reduces the energy requirements for keeping the bodies chilled.
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Frequently asked questions
Hospital morgues are usually located in the basement to reduce the energy requirements for keeping bodies chilled.
Bodies are kept chilled to delay decomposition.
"Morgue" is predominantly used in North American English, while "mortuary" is used in the U.K. However, both terms are used interchangeably.
Bodies are kept between 2 °C (36 °F) and 4 °C (39 °F) for short-term storage, and between −10 °C (14 °F) and −50 °C (−58 °F) for long-term storage.
In some funeral homes, the morgue is located near the crematorium to allow the family of the deceased to witness the body's incineration, honouring certain religious rites.
