About Morgues
Morgues are places where the deceased are stored for autopsy and/or funerary preparation. One who works in a morgue to prepare bodies for the funeral is identified as a mortician. One who dissects the body to determine or verify cause of death is called an autopsy technician. While morticians focus more on preparation and presentation, autopsy technicians file autopsy reports.
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Function
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Morgues function to provide a clean and isolated environment in which bodies can be autopsied, preserved and/or prepared for death before a funeral. Morticians and autopsy technicians use morgues to ensure that the proper cause of death has been noted and to visually prepare the body for the viewing of the family of the deceased. This preparation phase is psychologically important to the family of the deceased, who are likely to be more at ease seeing the body of the deceased as they were remembered in life.
Identification
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Morgues in both hospitals and funeral homes are accessible only to hospital or funeral home personnel under authorization. They are identified by proper signage with any applicable warnings.
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Features
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Modern morgues typically contain a great deal of stainless steal for cleanliness. They are well-ventilated for the same reason, and also to eliminate the odor of decay. Morgues contain large, metal, cold storage spaces in which bodies are stored. These cold storage spaces prevent fast decomposition and decay and also prevent the body from being disturbed. Morgues used for autopsy typically feature several stainless steel tables and all necessary surgical dissection equipment. Morgues in association with a funeral home may be directly near a cremation chamber. Like other areas of a hospital, morgues are sterile environments.
Considerations
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Working in a morgue is not a good career choice for anyone who is squeamish around bodies. If considering this type of career, think about whether you would be comfortable working both alone and in a team, being alone with multiple dead bodies, and viewing various types of bodies--babies and senior citizens, men and women, mutilated and disabled. Potential morticians should also have an interest and talent in doing makeup and hair; autopsy technicians should harbor a genuine interest in the way the human body works as well as an investigative, curious streak.
Geography
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Morgues are typically located in two types of places: hospitals and attached to funeral homes. They are fairly prevalent as there is a need for a place in which to store bodies in every hospital. When attached to a funeral home, morgues are typically located in a separate building, attached but closed off portion of the funeral home, or in the basement. Morgues in hospitals are usually located on the basement or lower levels.
Benefits
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Working in a morgue allows for a stable profession. Morticians and autopsy technicians have slightly more lucrative starting salaries than other positions requiring a degree because few people choose to enter the field due to cultural feelings surrounding bodies and death.
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