Mortuary Cot Covers, Pouches and Accessories — Complete the Setup

A mortuary cot is the foundation of your first call kit, but it is only the beginning. The accessories that accompany your cot determine how effectively you can handle the full range of first call scenarios — from standard residential removals to scene calls, bariatric cases, and long-distance transport. This guide covers the essential accessories every funeral home, hospital morgue, and medical examiner office should have ready and maintained alongside their mortuary cot inventory.

For the cots themselves, browse our complete mortuary cot and first call stretcher collection.

Body Pouches: The Most Critical Accessory

Body pouches — the secure containment bags used to transport human remains — are the most essential accessory in any first call kit. They serve multiple functions simultaneously: fluid containment to protect staff and transport vehicles, environmental protection for the remains, dignified covering for transport through shared spaces, and a sealed containment system for biohazardous materials. Without a properly rated body pouch, a mortuary cot is incomplete as a first call system.

Sizing Your Body Pouch Inventory

Every first call vehicle should carry a minimum of three to four body pouches in different sizes: a standard adult size for the majority of cases, a larger size for heavier or taller decedents, and a bariatric pouch for cases that exceed standard sizing. Operating with only one size creates real problems when the first call does not match the expected case profile.

Pouch Material and Rating

Body pouches are rated by their material thickness (typically in mils) and their construction — number of handles, zipper quality, and seam strength. Higher-thickness pouches with reinforced handles and robust zippers are appropriate for heavier cases and longer transport distances. For medical examiner scene calls or long-distance transport, heavier-duty pouches are a worthwhile investment that prevents failures at the worst possible moments.

Bariatric Pouches

Bariatric body pouches are designed for cases that exceed standard sizing, with wider dimensions, higher material weights, and reinforced handle systems rated for higher loads. Any operation that maintains a bariatric mortuary cot must also maintain compatible bariatric body pouches — the pairing is essential for a complete bariatric first call capability. Explore our bariatric mortuary equipment for complementary storage solutions.

Cot Covers and Draping

Cot covers serve a different function than body pouches. Where pouches provide sealed containment, covers provide dignified visual screening during transport through public or semi-public spaces — the lobby of a residence, a hotel corridor, a hospital common area. A clean, professionally maintained cot cover communicates respect and care to anyone who witnesses the removal.

Cot covers should be sized for your specific cot model, made from washable or disposable material that can be maintained in a clean condition, and replaced immediately when worn, stained, or damaged. A stained or worn cot cover sends entirely the wrong message about your firm's standards.

Restraint Straps and Positioning Accessories

Secure restraint of remains during transport is essential for safety and dignity. Standard cot strap sets typically include two to four straps at different positions along the cot's length. Every first call kit should have:

• A complete set of cot straps rated for the cot's maximum weight capacity
• Spare straps in case of damage or loss in the field
• Wider straps or additional restraint systems for bariatric cases
• Head and foot positioning accessories for cases requiring additional support

Check straps before every call. Worn, cracked, or de-rated straps should be replaced immediately — they are inexpensive compared to the consequences of a restraint failure during transport.

Personal Protective Equipment

Every first call kit must include adequate PPE for the staff who perform the removal. At minimum: appropriate gloves (nitrile, heavy-duty for scene calls), eye protection, face shields for situations with fluid exposure risk, gowns or disposable coveralls, and boot covers for indoor calls. PPE should be restocked regularly so staff are never without adequate protection when a call comes in.

Documentation and Identification Supplies

First call documentation is a legal and professional requirement. Your kit should include toe tags or wrist identification bands, documentation forms for removal authorization and case information, pens and markers that work in all weather conditions, and whatever digital tools your operation uses for first call documentation. Identification must be confirmed and applied at the scene — not retroactively at the funeral home.

Transport and Storage Considerations

All first call accessories should be stored in an organized, accessible configuration in the removal vehicle — not loose in the cargo area where they become difficult to find and potentially contaminated. Consider vehicle organizer systems, dedicated accessory bags, or custom-fitted storage solutions that keep every item in a known location and accessible within seconds.

At the facility, accessories should be stored in a clean, dry location separate from soiled or used items awaiting cleaning. Establish a clear restock protocol so that the vehicle is always fully supplied before the next call, not restocked reactively after a call where something was missing.

Facility Integration: From Cot to Storage

Once the first call cot arrives at your facility, the workflow extends to your receiving and storage equipment. Complete first call system integration includes upright mortuary coolers or walk-in coolers for storage, racking and lift systems for efficient tray management, and embalming tables for the preparation workflow that follows. Each element of this chain should be selected to work together efficiently.

For regulatory context on your facility's refrigeration equipment, the EPA SNAP refrigerant program and DOE equipment standards provide relevant guidance. Rural operations may also benefit from exploring USDA Rural Business Development Grant funding for equipment upgrades.

Ready to Complete Your Setup?

American Mortuary Equipment supplies funeral homes, hospitals, and ME offices across the United States and Canada with mortuary cots and the accessories that make them a complete first call system. We ship to all US states and across Canada. Browse our mortuary cot inventory, explore our financing options, and call 1-888-792-9315 or visit our contact page to speak with a specialist about building the right complete kit for your operation. Additional guidance is available in our mortuary equipment planning guides and FAQ.