Mortuary Body & Casket Lifts: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Lifting is the single biggest injury risk in deathcare. A quality mortuary body and casket lift removes that risk — one operator can raise, transfer, and position a case safely, without straining a back or compromising dignity. Here’s how to choose the right lift for your facility.
Hydraulic vs. Battery-Electric Lifts
The first decision is the power source. Both reach the same heights and capacities; they differ in effort and volume.
| Type | Power | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Hydraulic | Foot or hand pump | Reliable everyday use, no charging, lower cost |
| Battery-Electric | Rechargeable motor | High volume & bariatric — one-touch raising |
Hydraulic lifts are simple and bulletproof — nothing to charge, very little to maintain. Battery-electric lifts shine in high-volume operations and for repeated heavy cases, where one-touch raising saves real effort over a shift.
Weight Capacity
A 1,000 lb rating is the practical standard — it covers virtually every case, including bariatric, with margin to spare. Don’t buy to your average case; buy to your heaviest, because the lift exists precisely for the cases you can’t manage by hand.
Multi-Directional Tops & Transfer
A multi-directional roller top is the feature that turns a lift into a transfer station: roll a case straight onto a cooler rack, an embalming table, or into a retort without a second lift. If your workflow involves moving between stations, this pays for itself fast.
Low-Profile & Specialty Lifts
Low-profile lifts drop close to the floor to receive a case from a cot or the ground, then raise to working height — ideal for first-call and floor recoveries. Match the lift’s lowered and raised heights to the stations you actually use.
Where Lifts Earn Their Keep
One good lift serves the whole facility: loading cadaver storage racks, charging the retort in cremation, transferring to embalming tables, and handling first-call removals. It’s one of the highest-ROI tools you can buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What weight capacity do I need in a mortuary lift?
A 1,000 lb capacity is the practical standard and covers nearly all cases including bariatric. Size to your heaviest expected case, not your average.
Is a hydraulic or electric mortuary lift better?
Hydraulic lifts are simpler, cheaper, and need no charging; battery-electric lifts offer one-touch raising that’s easier for high-volume and repeated heavy cases. The right choice depends on your case volume.
Ready to choose? Shop all body & casket lifts or call 1-888-792-9315.
American Mortuary Coolers — USA-made, factory-direct. 140 Kwickway Lane, Johnson City, TN 37615 • 1-888-792-9315 • po@mymortuarycooler.com
