Factory-direct pricing. No distributor. No markup. Call 1-888-792-9315 or request a quote below.

First Call Equipment Guide — What Every Funeral Home Needs

The first call is the most critical moment in funeral service. The equipment you use for body removal, transport, preservation, and intake defines the efficiency, safety, and professionalism of your entire operation. This guide covers every piece of first call equipment a funeral home, morgue, or removal service needs — all available factory-direct from American Mortuary Equipment in Johnson City, TN.

No distributor. No dealer. No markup. You buy direct from the manufacturer at factory price.

1. Mortuary Cots & First Call Stretchers

The mortuary cot is the centerpiece of every first call operation. It carries the deceased from the place of death to your removal vehicle and from your vehicle into the preparation facility. Every other piece of first call equipment supports the cot.

What to look for in a first call cot:

• Adjustable height — reduces staff strain at different bed and surface heights
• Locking casters — prevents movement during transfer and loading
• Weight capacity — standard and bariatric configurations available
• Lightweight frame — critical for solo removals and tight access
• Easy-clean fluid-resistant surface — OSHA bloodborne pathogen compliance

Browse our full Mortuary Cots & First Call Stretchers collection — standard, bariatric, high-load, and first call configurations all factory-direct.

Also read: Why Use a Mortuary Cot — The Complete Guide, First Call Cots vs Standard Stretchers, and How to Choose the Right Mortuary Cot.

2. Body Preservation — Mortuary Coolers

Once the deceased arrives at your facility, preservation begins immediately. A mortuary cooler maintains the precise 34°F–38°F temperature range required for body preservation between removal and preparation.

Cooler configurations for first call operations:

• Upright Mortuary Coolers — 2 to 6-body self-contained plug-and-play units, no contractor required
• Walk-In Mortuary Coolers — high-volume facilities, 8×10 through 10×20
• Roll-In Mortuary Coolers — front-load entry for high-traffic operations
• Mortuary Refrigerators — compact units for smaller facilities

Also read: Mortuary Cot Buying Guide 2026 and How Mortuary Cots Pair with Racking Systems and Coolers.

3. Body Storage & Racking Systems

Once in the cooler, efficient body storage requires a racking system that maximizes capacity without expanding your cooler footprint. Our cadaver storage racks integrate directly with our full cooler line.

• 2, 3, 4, and 5-tier configurations
• End loading, side loading, and multi-directional options
• Stainless steel and standard steel construction
• Three 4-tier racks in a 10×10 walk-in = 12-body capacity

Browse Cadaver Storage Racks, Mortuary Lifts & Racking Systems for every configuration.

4. Mortuary Lifts — Safe Body Transfer

A mortuary lift protects your staff from injury during body transfer between the cot, cooler rack, prep table, and chapel. Our low-profile hydraulic and battery-powered scissor lifts work inside walk-in coolers alongside our rack systems.

See our full Mortuary Lift Systems — hydraulic and battery-powered configurations in stock.

Also read: First Call Body Removal Equipment — Building the Right Kit.

5. Prep Room Equipment

After intake and preservation, the prep room is the next stage of the first call workflow. A complete prep room requires:

• Embalming Tables & Prep Essentials — hydraulic, stainless steel, folding configurations
• Embalming Stations & Water Control — integrated plumbing, water control, and drain systems
• Pathology & Autopsy Equipment — dissection tables, autopsy stations, forensic stainless

6. Complete First Call Kit — One Order, Factory-Direct

American Mortuary Equipment ships complete first call equipment packages on a single factory-direct order — mortuary cot, cooler, racking system, lift, embalming table, and embalming station. One source. One shipment. Factory price.

Call 1-888-792-9315 to configure your complete first call kit. Financing available on all orders — visit our Financing page.

Also browse Ready-to-Ship Equipment for fastest available units and Cremation Equipment for complete facility capability.

Why Funeral Homes Buy Direct from American Mortuary Equipment

• Factory-direct pricing — no distributor, no dealer, no marketplace markup
• Complete first call equipment line from one manufacturer
• In-stock units ship 3–7 business days to all 50 states and Canada
• Financing available on all orders
• BBB-accredited manufacturer — verified credibility
• Direct manufacturer support at 1-888-792-9315

We are not a marketplace. We are not a distributor. We build it, we stock it, we ship it.

Frequently Asked Questions — First Call Equipment

What equipment do I need for first call operations?

A complete first call setup requires: a mortuary cot or first call stretcher for body removal, a mortuary cooler for preservation, a cadaver storage rack system for facility storage, a mortuary lift for safe body transfer, and prep room equipment including an embalming table and embalming station. All available factory-direct from American Mortuary Equipment on one order.

What is the most important piece of first call equipment?

The mortuary cot is the most critical first call piece — it is used on every single removal. See our full Mortuary Cots & First Call Stretchers collection for standard, bariatric, and high-load configurations.

How much does a complete first call equipment package cost?

Factory-direct pricing from American Mortuary Equipment covers every piece of your first call kit — cot, cooler, racks, lift, and prep room. Call 1-888-792-9315 for a complete package quote at factory price.

Do you ship first call equipment to Canada?

Yes. We ship the complete first call equipment line factory-direct to Canada. Call 1-888-792-9315 for a freight quote to your province.

Is financing available on first call equipment?

Yes. Financing is available on all equipment orders including complete first call packages. Visit our Financing page or call us directly.

What mortuary cot do funeral homes use most?

Standard adjustable-height mortuary cots are the most common for single-location funeral homes. Bariatric and high-load configurations are used by high-volume operations, hospital morgues, and ME offices. See our full cot collection or read our 2026 Mortuary Cot Buying Guide.

How does a mortuary cot pair with a mortuary cooler?

The mortuary cot transfers the body from the removal vehicle into the facility and onto the cooler rack. A lift system bridges the cot to the rack tray. See our guide: How Mortuary Cots Pair with Racking Systems and Coolers.