Starting a Funeral Home — Complete Equipment Checklist

Complete funeral home start-up equipment checklist: body storage, first call, prep room, body handling, and chapel equipment — prioritized by order of need. AMC, single PO.
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starting a funeral home equipment checklist AMC mortuary equipment packages

Opening a funeral home requires navigating licensing, facility requirements, and equipment procurement simultaneously. This checklist covers every equipment category in the order you’ll need it, from body storage to first call to prep room to chapel.

Priority 1: Body Storage

A mortuary cooler is required before you accept your first case. Most single-location funeral home start-ups begin with a 4-body or 6-body dual-door upright cooler. Pair it with a 4-tier side-loading rack for upright cooler storage density. Lead time: 3–6 weeks. Order first. See: Mortuary Coolers | Body Storage Systems Hub.

Priority 2: First Call Equipment

Two mortuary cots minimum: one bariatric-rated (PRO 1000X, 1,000 lb) and one standard (PRO 650X, 650 lb). Add 18 mil body bags, body removal trays, and restraint straps. Lead time: 1–2 weeks from stock. See: Starting A Funeral Home Hub.

Priority 3: Prep Room Equipment

Hydraulic embalming table (850 lb for bariatric coverage), folding dressing tables, water control unit, and foot pedal sink. See: Prep Room Equipment Hub.

Priority 4: Body Handling

Low Profile Powered Mortuary Lift for cot-to-table and cot-to-rack transfer. See: Mortuary Lifts Hub.

Priority 5: Chapel Equipment

Church truck in your chapel finish, casket trolley for your showroom, electric casket lift for chapel staging. See: Church Trucks & Funeral Equipment Hub.

Single PO, One Supplier

AMC covers all five categories under one purchase order. 0% Flex Pay financing available. Submit a start-up equipment RFQ via the RFQ form and receive a consolidated quote in 24 hours. See: Starting A Funeral Home Hub · RFQ Center | W-9 | Purchase Orders.