The Difference Between a Funeral Home and a Tanatorio: Concept and Functions

After a loss, it is common to hear terms such as funeraria (funeral home), tanatorio, or velatorio (wake room), yet many people do not know exactly what each one means. Understanding the difference between a funeral home and a tanatorio helps you make informed decisions in difficult moments and choose the right service for your family.

Because these moments are so sensitive, it helps to be clear on each term before comparing them.

Funeraria (funeral home)

A funeral home is the company that organizes and coordinates all funeral services after a person passes away. Its purpose is to accompany the family at every step, from the legal procedures to the burial or cremation.

Its main functions are:

• Advising the family on every decision.
• Handling documentation and permits.
• Coordinating transfers of the body.
• Offering funeral and pre-planned packages.

In short, the funeral home manages and oversees the whole process so the family can say goodbye with peace of mind and respect.

Tanatorio

The tanatorio is the building or establishment where the vigil over the body takes place before burial or cremation. It may be public or private, and generally belongs to or is managed by a funeral home. You can read more about a funeral home and its facilities.

This space offers a comfortable, respectful environment for family and friends, with facilities such as:

• Viewing and rest rooms.
• Refrigerated areas to preserve the body.
• Chapels or prayer rooms.
• Preparation areas and a café.

The tanatorio is therefore the place where you say goodbye, while the funeral home is the one that organizes the entire service.

Velatorio (wake room)

The velatorio is the specific room within the tanatorio where the vigil over the deceased takes place. It is where family and friends gather to pay tribute in the hours before the burial or cremation.

Although often used as a synonym, a velatorio is not the same as a tanatorio:

• The velatorio is the room where the farewell takes place.
• The tanatorio is the building.

Difference between a funeral home, a tanatorio and a velatorio

The funeral home is the company that provides funeral services and may own several tanatorios. The tanatorio is where the wakes take place. The velatorio is the specific room where the body lies for the farewell.

In other words:

Concept	What it is	Main function
Funeral home	Company or service	Coordinates paperwork, transfers and funeral services.
Tanatorio	Building or facility	The space where bodies lie in wake.
Velatorio	Room within the tanatorio	Where family and friends gather to say goodbye.

The difference between a funeral home and a tanatorio by their services

Services offered by a tanatorio

• Equipped viewing rooms.
• Psychological and spiritual support.
• Transfer of the deceased.
• Sale of caskets, urns and flowers.
• Preservation chambers.
• Cremation services.

Services offered by a funeral home

• Guidance on funeral packages and pre-planning.
• Legal and administrative procedures.
• Coordination with cemeteries and crematoriums.
• Publication of obituaries.
• Complete organization of the funeral.

When to request funeral services

There are two main options:

• Immediate funeral service: requested after the passing, when the family needs urgent care.
• Pre-planned funeral service: arranged in advance to leave everything ready, allowing payment in installments and easing the future burden.

Both options are available in La Piedad’s funeral packages, which include transfer, preparation of the body, viewing rooms, paperwork and more.

Understand so you can choose with peace of mind

Knowing the difference between a funeral home and a tanatorio lets you act with clarity in sensitive moments. The funeral home coordinates and accompanies; the tanatorio provides the space to say goodbye with respect. Both are essential to a dignified, serene farewell.

To learn more about our funeral packages, visit the following page and find the plan that best suits your needs.