First Call Transport: Best Practices for Safe Body Removal

By American Mortuary Coolers — updated 2026

First call body removal is one of the most physically and logistically demanding aspects of funeral service. Done right, it protects your staff, honors the deceased with dignity, and keeps your operation compliant with OSHA and state regulations. Done wrong, it exposes your team to injury, liability, and reputational risk. This guide provides a step-by-step best practice framework for safe, professional first call transport — covering equipment, technique, PPE, and OSHA compliance.

Step 1: Pre-Call Equipment Check

Before leaving for a removal, every first call vehicle should be stocked and inspected. Use this checklist:

• Mortuary cot: Frame integrity, caster function, locking mechanism tested. Browse our full mortuary cots collection.
• Body bags: Multiple sizes including XXL for bariatric cases. AMC carries both 15-mil and 18-mil heavy-duty body bags.
• Slider boards: Essential for surface-to-cot transfers in tight spaces.
• PPE: Gloves, gown, eye protection, N95 masks for infectious cases.
• Disinfectant supplies: EPA-registered, hospital-grade spray and wipes.
• Documentation: Removal authorization, ID tags, chain of custody forms.

Step 2: Scene Assessment

Upon arrival, assess the environment before moving any equipment:

• Identify the deceased's location and the safest access path — note doorways, stairs, elevators, and obstacles.
• Assess estimated weight to confirm your cot's capacity is adequate. If bariatric, deploy the PRO 1000X or Powered PMC1.
• Identify any infection risk factors — decomposition, biohazard indicators, or known communicable disease — and don appropriate PPE before entering.
• Confirm jurisdiction and removal authorization before proceeding.

Step 3: Safe Loading Technique

Improper loading is the leading cause of first call injuries. Follow this sequence:

1. Lower the mortuary cot to its lowest position or floor level. Lock all casters.
2. Position the slider board between the surface and the cot platform.
3. As a team, gently slide — do not lift — the deceased onto the cot using the slider board.
4. Center the body on the platform, applying straps to secure for transport.
5. Raise the cot to transport height. Confirm all locks are engaged before moving.

OSHA's Manual Material Handling guidelines require two-person teams for all body removal operations. industry best practices provide additional technique guidance aligned with industry best practices.

Step 4: Transport and Delivery

Safe transport from scene to vehicle to receiving facility requires continuous attention:

• Navigate narrow corridors and stairs slowly — use a spotter on the lower end for staircase descents.
• Secure the cot in the vehicle before departure. Unsecured cots in transit are an OSHA violation.
• Maintain chain of custody documentation throughout transport.
• At the receiving facility, lower the cot to the appropriate height and use a slider board for the transfer to a gurney or mortuary rack.

Step 5: Post-Removal Decontamination

After every removal, decontaminate all equipment that contacted the deceased or the scene:

• Spray all cot surfaces, frame, and casters with EPA-registered disinfectant. Let sit per dwell time on label.
• Wipe down and air-dry before storing or reusing the cot.
• Dispose of all single-use PPE in a biohazard-labeled container.
• Log the removal, equipment used, and decontamination in your OSHA exposure control plan records.

For a complete first call equipment setup, browse our mortuary cots, Mobi mortuary equipment, and morgue refrigeration collections. Questions? Call 1-888-792-9315 or visit our contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions