Mortuary Coolers for Funeral Homes: Buying Guide to Sizes, Temperatures and Features
This buying guide walks through every decision on a mortuary cooler: loading style, capacity, holding temperature, door opening, power, room temperature and options, using published specs from real models.
The right mortuary cooler holds your peak caseload at a steady temperature, fits through your doors, runs on the power you have, and loads without lifting. Work through the decisions in this order.
Quick answer: Choose roll-in if you want to load straight from a cot, upright for tiered storage in a small footprint, and walk-in when you need more than about 10 positions. Hold at 34–40°F, confirm the door clear width and ceiling height, and upsize refrigeration if the room gets warm.
Roll-In, Upright or Walk-In
| Type | Loading | Capacity | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roll-in | Cot rolls straight in at cot height | 2–3 bodies | 2 Body Standard Roll-In |
| Upright | Trays at set tier heights; lift recommended | 2–12 bodies | 3 Body Standard, 12 Body Triple-Door |
| Side-load | Long side opens for wide access | 3 bodies | 3 Body Bariatric Side-Load |
| Walk-in | Room with tiered racks | Scales with racks | Walk-in mortuary coolers |
Key Specs on Our Standard Models
| Model | Exterior | Door clear | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Body Standard Roll-In | 89" D × 38" W | 30" | 115V, NEMA 5-20R |
| 2 Body Bariatric Roll-In | 89" D × 44" W | 36" | Roll-in at cot height |
| 3 Body Standard | 89" D × 38" W | 30" | 600 lb per tier |
| 4 Body Bariatric | 89" D × 44" W | 36" | 850 lb per tier; ships unassembled |
| 10 Body Dual-Door | Upright, twin doors | — | 304 stainless interior |
All of these hold 34–40°F, use a 4-inch urethane-core insulated cabinet, and carry a limited 15-year structural panel warranty.
2 Body Standard Roll-In Mortuary CoolerRoll-in, 30" door
2 Body Bariatric Roll-In Mortuary CoolerBariatric roll-in
3 Body Standard Mortuary Cooler600 lb per tier
4 Body Bariatric Mortuary Cooler850 lb per tier
10 Body Dual-Door Mortuary CoolerTwin doors
8x10 Walk-In Mortuary CoolerConfigurable walk-in
Room Temperature and Refrigeration
Standard refrigeration is sized for a conditioned room of about 65–75°F. Garages and utility rooms that run warmer need an upsized system, or the compressor will run constantly and struggle to hold 40°F. Our walk-ins offer refrigeration upgrades for rooms reaching 80°F, 90°F, 100°F and 110°F. Leave 1–1.5 inches around upright cabinets and about 16 inches above the compressor.
Options Worth Choosing
- Door hinge side to match your workflow (no charge on our uprights).
- Lockable handles for chain-of-custody.
- Bariatric width if you serve heavier decedents.
- For walk-ins: a 48-inch door, insulated floor, ramp and LED lighting.
- A2L refrigerant systems; see A2L-compliant mortuary coolers.
Capacity math is in how long a body can be refrigerated before cremation. Placement is in the floor plan equipment checklist. Walk-ins are covered in the walk-in mortuary cooler buying guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should a mortuary cooler be set to?
Between 34°F and 40°F for routine holding. Many state rules require 40°F or colder once remains are held more than 24 hours.
What size mortuary cooler do I need?
Multiply average cases per day by average days held at your busiest time, then add margin for holds and bariatric cases.
Do mortuary coolers need a special outlet?
Our standard 2–4 body models run on 115V single-phase with a NEMA 5-20R plug. Walk-ins need dedicated circuits sized by an electrician.
Roll-in or upright?
Roll-in loads directly from a cot with no lift. Upright stores more decedents in the same footprint but needs a lift to reach upper tiers.
Can a mortuary cooler go in a garage?
Yes, if the refrigeration is upsized for the garage's summer temperature and the cabinet has proper clearance.
Questions about fit, freight or lead time? Call our Johnson City, Tennessee team at 1-888-792-9315 or email cool@mymortuarycooler.com.
