Mortuaries

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [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 Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [bouvier]:

  MORTUARIES, Eng. law. These are a sort of ecclesiastical heriots, being a 
  customary gift claimed by and due to the minister, in many parishes, on the 
  death of the parishioner. 2 Bl. Com. 425.