Dead house

Dead houses were common to some religious groups, such as the Moravian Church (Unitas Fratrum).

Other corpse houses exist in Moravian Congregations in Europe, in Herrnhut, Koenigsfeld, Neuwied, Zeist, Kleinwelka and Niesky.

These Corpse Houses remain in use for the keeping of members' bodies until the time for burial.

Religious and medical concerns about accurate diagnosis of death were also reasons that all burials were delayed for at least three days for Moravians, not solely cold conditions.

[2] The design of these structures is thought to be inspired by a fad in the United States, promoted by Orson Squire Fowler,[3] of erecting octagonal buildings in the early 19th century.