What is a mortuary house?
A mortuary house (Dutch: baarhuisje) is a small building on a cemetery grounds used to temporarily store the deceased before burial. It is a characteristic element of historical funerary architecture.
Application
Mortuary houses were built on cemeteries from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries onward as a practical and hygienic solution. In an era without refrigeration, it was necessary to keep the deceased in a cool, enclosed space until the time of burial. The mortuary house served this function while also protecting the body from weather and animals.
From a construction perspective, mortuary houses are typically simple, small structures built from brick or natural stone, often featuring a gable roof or hipped roof. The walls are relatively thick to maintain a cool interior temperature. Characteristic features include narrow ventilation openings or barred windows that allow air circulation without admitting direct sunlight. The floor is usually made of natural stone or flagstones.
Many mortuary houses consist of a single room with a stone or wooden bier on which the coffin was placed. Some larger examples include a separate room for storing cemetery equipment. The door is often fitted with heavy ironwork hardware.
Today, most mortuary houses have lost their original function due to the advent of modern funeral homes and refrigeration facilities. However, many examples have been preserved as listed heritage buildings and are restored as part of cultural heritage conservation. During restoration, attention to authentic materials and techniques is of great importance.
Related terms
- Bier house
- Funerary architecture
- Cemetery architecture
- Bier (carrying frame)
- Listed building
- Gable roof
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