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.
2. A burial place; a place for the dead.
3. A place for the reception of the dead before burial; a deadhouse; a morgue.