Cantilever vs. Side-Load Cadaver Racks: Which Fits Your Room?

Cantilever and side-load are two of the most common rack geometries for cadaver and morgue coolers, and they solve different problems — one for load flexibility, one for room layout.

Cantilever racks

An open-frame design without a full back panel, cantilever racking allows trays or body bags that run slightly longer than a standard shelf to extend beyond the frame without hitting a wall. This makes it a common choice in facilities handling variable-length cases or oversized trays.

Side-load racks

Side-load racking loads and unloads from the long side of the room — the standard configuration for a walk-in cooler with its entry door positioned on a long wall, which describes most standard walk-in layouts.

Choosing between them

Cantilever is a load-geometry decision — do your cases vary enough in length to benefit from an open frame? Side-load is a room-geometry decision — does your door and aisle layout favor loading from the long side? The two aren't mutually exclusive; many facilities run side-load access with a cantilever frame.

Where to start

Our mortuary lifts and racking systems and cadaver storage racks cover both geometries. For the full decision tree across all rack types, see our cadaver and morgue racking systems guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the advantage of a cantilever rack?

Its open-frame design allows trays or cases slightly longer than a standard shelf to extend beyond the frame, useful for variable-length or oversized loads.

Is side-load or cantilever better for a walk-in cooler?

They answer different questions — side-load is about door and room layout, cantilever is about load-length flexibility. Many facilities combine both.

Can cantilever racks be side-loaded?

Yes, the open-frame cantilever design is commonly paired with side-load access.