mortuary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mortuary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a place where dead bodies are kept, especially before burial or cremation. Example: "The family gathered at the mortuary to make arrangements for the funeral."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is in the process of being decommissioned, and I suppose that, when it is, a shiny new mortuary will be built.

The Guardian

I think of the dead woman in the mortuary, and the man who is now back at home, afraid.

The Guardian

Next day the 23-year-old visited the mortuary, where he identified a third murdered student whose body was found a few blocks away, his face skinned and his eyes gouged out.

The Guardian

Their quality can surely be gauged by being the only people in the country who had not heard that Savile dated mortuary corpses, kerb-crawled in a camper van and was an enthusiastic nick-sniffer.

The Guardian - Opinion

Next to Kamerić's mortuary fridge are two skulls and two bronze heads showing what these people would have looked like, made by the artist Christine Borland with the help of a forensic anthropologist and facial reconstruction expert.

The Guardian - Arts

The dead woman needs to be taken from her bed to the hospital mortuary.

The Guardian

The sister in charge asks: "When will that baby go to the mortuary?

The Guardian

Kamerić's work, a mortuary fridge with a screen that flashes up random images from her search – around 30,000 photographs, documents, records, satellite images and hours of video, provokes a feeling not only of her unfolding mission but the vast scale of the crimes.

The Guardian - Arts

Ali opens the tall metal door to one of the mortuary refrigerators.

The Guardian

The organisation also obtained evidence that in 2013, more than 4,700 bodies were brought to a mortuary from a detention facility in Giwa barracks.

The Guardian

And it shows how fears of national decline have been expressed through self-flagellation about the failings of the national soccer team.In this section Time's mortuary Two more Rs Island music Art darts Between games Lords of the landscape Reprints Related items Sport and class: HooplaJun 1st 2006 Football: A bottomless pitchApr 6th 2006There is no doubt that Mr Winner is on to something.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mortuary" when referring to a place where dead bodies are stored temporarily before burial or cremation, particularly in a hospital or forensic context.

Common error

Avoid using "mortuary" interchangeably with "cemetery". A "mortuary" is a temporary holding place for bodies, while a "cemetery" is a burial ground.

Linguistic Context

The word "mortuary" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a specific location where deceased individuals are kept temporarily. It can also be used as an adjective in contexts related to death or funerals, as shown in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

35%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "mortuary" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun that refers to a place where dead bodies are stored before burial or cremation. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans across various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While the term is generally neutral to formal, alternative phrases such as "funeral home" or "morgue" may be more appropriate depending on the specific situation. It's important to distinguish "mortuary" from related terms like "cemetery" to ensure accuracy in your writing. Remember to use "mortuary" when describing the location for temporary storage of the deceased and distinguish the term from other words.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

funeral home

Refers to a facility specifically designed for funeral services and preparations, more focused on the ceremony than storage.

morgue

Emphasizes the storage of bodies, often for identification or forensic purposes, and often part of a hospital or coroner's office.

crematorium

Specifically refers to a place where cremation takes place, not general storage.

undertaker's parlor

An older, more formal term for a funeral home, highlighting the undertaker's role.

embalming room

Highlights the specific area where embalming procedures are conducted.

charnel house

Refers to a building or vault where skeletal remains are stored.

necropolis

Implies a city of the dead, typically a large, ancient cemetery.

ossuary

A container or room where bones are kept, often after initial burial.

grave

Specific location where a body is buried.

cemetery

A dedicated area for burials; broader than "mortuary" which focuses on temporary storage.

FAQs

What is the main purpose of a "mortuary"?

The primary purpose of a "mortuary" is to provide temporary storage for deceased individuals before funeral arrangements, burial, or cremation can be carried out.

Where can I find "mortuaries"?

"Mortuaries" are typically found within hospitals, as part of funeral homes, or as standalone facilities run by local governments or private organizations.

What's the difference between a "mortuary" and a "morgue"?

While both store dead bodies, a "mortuary" generally prepares bodies for funerals, while a "morgue" is primarily for identification and forensic examination.

Are there alternatives to the word "mortuary"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use "funeral home", "morgue", or even simply "place of rest".