Mortuary Cooler Regulations by State 2026: 50-State Temperature and Storage Table
Mortuary cooler laws for all 50 states + DC: temperature, refrigeration trigger and citation, with 2026 changes. Coolers from $7,414.11, in stock.
Every state handles body storage differently: some set a temperature band, some set a time trigger and some regulate only the room. The table below covers all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with the controlling citation linked to the official or published code text. State names in blue link to our detailed state guides. Coolers start at $7,414.11.
The setpoint that works everywhere
No cooler meets "all 50 states" on its own. Bands differ: Michigan requires 36–39°F, Iowa 38–42°F, Kentucky and North Dakota 38–40°F, Massachusetts 34–39°F, and Washington allows up to 48°F. Idaho and Oregon require 36°F or less, so no single setpoint fits every state. Set the thermostat to the band your state names and log it daily. Keep the log with the cooler; Virginia (18VAC65-20-581) requires one.
What changed for 2025–2026
- Michigan: Article 18A refrigeration facilities, 36–39°F, licensed managers (MCL 339.1861, MCL 339.1859); R 339.18932 effective May 1, 2025.
- Minnesota: refrigeration limit raised from 6 to 14 calendar days by 2026 c 127 (149A.91, subd. 3).
- Virginia: 48-hour mechanical refrigeration and log rule (18VAC65-20-581); no shared units with animal remains (§ 54.1-2811.1 D).
Mortuary cooler regulations by state
| State | Temperature | When refrigeration is required | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Crematory: 35–45°F | Not specified in code | Ala. Admin. Code r. 395-X-6-.11 |
| Alaska | No numeric limit in code | Not specified in code | Official source |
| Arizona | At or below 38°F | No contact or burial/cremation plan within 24h: refrigerate or embalm | R9-9B-101 |
| Arkansas | No numeric limit in code | If disposition will not occur within 24–48 hours after death or release | 17 CAR § 30-202(j) |
| California | Crematory ≤50°F; hospital morgue ≤45°F | Unembalmed remains held over 24 hours | 16 CCR § 1223; H&S Code § 8346 |
| Colorado | No more than 39°F | Held over 24 hours: embalm or continuously refrigerate | 4 CCR 742-1.23 |
| Connecticut | No numeric limit in code | Not specified in code | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 19a-270 |
| Delaware | No numeric limit in code | Bodies kept longer than 24 hours | 16 DE Admin. Code 4204 § 10.1 |
| District of Columbia | No numeric limit in code | Not specified in code | D.C. Code § 43-125 |
| Florida | 40°F or below | Unembalmed body held over 24 hours after death or pending disposition | Fla. Stat. §497.386(2) |
| Georgia | No numeric limit in code | Not specified in code | Ga. Comp. R. 250-6-.06 |
| Hawaii | No numeric limit in code | 30 hours after death; specified custody cases: 30 hours after release | Haw. Admin. R. §11-22-4(a)(2) |
| Idaho | 36°F or less | Body held longer than 24 hours before disposition | IDAPA 24.08.01.452.03 |
| Illinois | No numeric limit in code | After 48 hours from arrival at funeral establishment, subject to instruction condition | 225 ILCS 41/15-57 |
| Indiana | No numeric limit in code | Not specified in code | 832 IAC 2-2-3(a), (e) |
| Iowa | 38–42°F | If disposition exceeds 72 hours, refrigeration may extend the period up to 72 hours | 481—900.6(3)(a)–(b) |
| Kansas | Crematory: 40°F or less | Crematory unable to cremate immediately upon taking custody | K.S.A. 65-1763(b) |
| Kentucky | 38–40°F for a specified storage method | Not specified in code | 901 KAR 5:100, §2(5) |
| Louisiana | ≤45°F | Held more than 30 hours after death | La. R.S. 37:848(D)(2)-(6), (E)-(F) |
| Maine | No numeric limit in code | No required refrigeration trigger stated in code | 22 MRSA §2843-A(2), (10)(B) |
| Maryland | Regulatory temperature; no numeric limit | Unembalmed body stored more than 48 hours before disposition | Health-General § 5-513(b), (d), (e) |
| Massachusetts | 34°F–39°F | Unembalmed body buried or cremated more than 50 hours after death | 239 CMR 3.10(2), (7), (8) |
| Michigan | 36°F–39°F | No deadline to embalm or refrigerate stated | MCL 339.1861 |
| Minnesota | 40°F or less | Disposition not within 72 hours after death or release; other triggers also apply | Minn. Stat. § 149A.91, subd. 3 |
| Mississippi | 4°C (39°F) | Disposition after 48 hours; transport expected to take more than 24 hours | Miss. Code § 73-11-55 |
| Missouri | 40°F or cooler | Unembalmed body held more than 24 hours | 20 CSR 2120-2.070(16) |
| Montana | No numeric limit in code | Unembalmed remains held more than 48 hours after death | ARM 24.147.1111(3)–(4) |
| Nebraska | Less than 40°F | Within 24 hours of receipt, unless another listed action is taken | 172 Neb. Admin. Code ch. 68, § 006 |
| Nevada | Not more than 42°F; never above 48°F | Within 24 hours after the operator receives the remains | NAC 451.015 |
| New Hampshire | Under 40°F | If final disposition has not occurred within 48 hours of physical custody | RSA 325-A:18 |
| New Jersey | 45°F or below | If unburied or uncremated for longer than 48 hours | N.J. Admin. Code § 8:9-1.1 |
| New Mexico | Not more than 40°F | If not disposed of within 24 hours after death or release/receipt | N.M. Stat. § 61-32-20(A) |
| New York | No numeric limit in code | Not specified in code | 10 NYCRR § 77.5(d)(3) |
| North Carolina | Not greater than 40°F | Within 24 hours of custody, unless final disposition will occur within that time | G.S. 90-210.27A(k) |
| North Dakota | 38–40°F | For refrigerated transport, destination must be reached within 72 hours of death | N.D. Admin. Code § 33-06-15-01(2)(b)–(d) |
| Ohio | Constant temperature below 40°F | If held more than 48 hours after death before final disposition | Ohio Rev. Code § 4717.13(A)(10) |
| Oklahoma | 40°F or less | Unembalmed body not disposed within 24 hours | O.A.C. 235:10-11-1(a)(13) |
| Oregon | 36°F or less | Body held more than 24 hours | OAR 830-030-0010(1), (4) |
| Pennsylvania | 35°–40°F | Remains held 24 hours beyond death | 49 Pa. Code § 13.201(6)(i)–(iii) |
| Rhode Island | No numeric limit in code | Held 48 hours without embalming or refrigeration | 216-RICR-40-05-25 § 25.5.6(B) |
| South Carolina | Crematory: 40°F while loaded to capacity | Crematory: Remains refrigerated 24 hours or more | S.C. Code Regs. § 57-14.2(A), (D), (F) |
| South Dakota | No numeric limit in code | Body not refrigerated, embalmed, or buried within 24 hours of death | SDCL 34-26A-16.1 |
| Tennessee | No numeric limit in code | Crematory: Unembalmed body held 8 hours or longer | Rule 0660-11-.05(j) |
| Texas | 34–40°F | Body held more than 24 hours after death | 25 Tex. Admin. Code § 181.4 |
| Utah | No more than 40°F | Body held more than 24 hours after death | Utah Code § 58-9-302(3)(g)(i) |
| Vermont | No numeric limit in code | Not specified in code | 18 V.S.A. § 5231(d)(2) |
| Virginia | No more than approximately 40°F | Held over 48 hours: mechanical unit and log | 18VAC65-20-581; Va. Code § 54.1-2811.1 |
| Washington | Maximum 48°F | Upon receipt | WAC 246-500-030 |
| West Virginia | No numeric limit in code | Crematory: Operator determines need based on condition | Legislative Rule, Series 2, § 6-2-13.1.3 |
| Wisconsin | No numeric limit in code | Not specified in code | Wis. Admin. Code DHS 135.06 |
| Wyoming | No numeric limit in code | Within 36 hours after receipt for listed actions | 035-4 Wyo. Code R. § 4-5 |
"No numeric limit in code" means the code we reviewed sets no number; boards may still apply a standard during inspection. Crematory-only rules are labeled.
Mortuary coolers for every state band, from $7,414.11
2 Body Standard Roll-In Mortuary Cooler – Model 2BR
Two-body roll-in cooler for funeral homes holding a body past the state refrigeration trigger.
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3-Body Mortuary Refrigerator
Three trays, upright footprint, for growing call volume.
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2-Body Extra-Wide Mortuary Refrigerator
Extra-wide trays for bariatric cases.
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4-Body Extra-Wide Mortuary Refrigerator
Four extra-wide positions for crematories and multi-location firms.
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6x8 Walk-In Mortuary Refrigerator
Walk-in capacity for racks and cots; suited to refrigeration facilities.
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10x10 Walk-In Mortuary Refrigerator
Large walk-in for regional crematories and medical examiner overflow.
From $11,695.50
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View coolerPet aftercare? Several states, including Virginia, bar storing animal remains with human remains. See TITAN Pet mortuary equipment and our pet aftercare regulations guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is there one mortuary cooler temperature that meets every state?
No. Idaho and Oregon require 36°F or less, while Iowa requires 38–42°F, so no single number fits every state. Set your cooler to the band your own state names and log it daily. No cooler is "compliant" on its own; compliance depends on how you set and record it.
Which states changed body storage rules recently?
Michigan added Article 18A refrigeration facilities (MCL 339.1859 and 339.1861, effective April 2, 2025, with R 339.18932 effective May 1, 2025). Minnesota extended the refrigeration limit to 14 calendar days in 2026 (2026 c 127).
Which states start the refrigeration clock on receipt?
Washington requires refrigeration or embalming upon receipt (WAC 246-500-030). Nevada and Nebraska use 24 hours after receipt.
How much does a mortuary cooler cost?
AMC mortuary coolers start at $7,414.11 for a two-body roll-in. Freight is calculated at checkout.
Related state guides
- Mortuary cooler regulations by state (all 50 states + DC)
- Alabama mortuary cooler requirements
- California mortuary cooler requirements
- Florida mortuary cooler requirements
- Washington mortuary cooler requirements
- New York mortuary cooler requirements
- Georgia mortuary cooler requirements
- Michigan mortuary cooler requirements
- Minnesota mortuary cooler requirements
- Virginia mortuary cooler requirements
- Shop mortuary coolers
- TITAN Pet mortuary equipment
This guide summarizes published code text as of November 1, 2026. It is not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your state board before you buy or change procedures. Freight for every cooler is calculated at checkout.
