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.

Mor"tu*a*ry (?), a. [L. mortuarius, fr. mortuus dead: cf. F. mortuaire. See Mortal.] Of or pertaining to the dead; as, mortuary monuments.

Mortuary urn, an urn for holding the ashes of the dead.