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Mortuary Refrigeration Systems: 2- to 15-Body Coolers, Vaults and Walk-Ins
Compare mortuary refrigeration systems: two-body mobile and roll-in refrigerators, three-body side-acting units, vault banks and walk-ins, with specs and PDF manuals.
Mortuary Refrigeration Systems: 2- to 15-Body Coolers, Vaults and Walk-Ins
A mortuary refrigeration system holds the deceased at a steady 34–40°F until embalming, viewing, cremation or release. This guide covers each type, from two-body mobile refrigerators to walk-in morgue coolers, with the specifications from our published user manuals and data sheets. Every unit listed here is built by American Mortuary Coolers in Johnson City, Tennessee.
Mortuary refrigerator types at a glance
| Type | AMC model | Capacity | Cabinet (W × D × H) | Manual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two-body roll-in refrigerator | 2BR · 2BXR | Shelf + cot rolled in below | 38″ or 44″ × 89″ × 61″ | 2BR/2BXR manual (PDF) |
| Two-body mobile upright | 2BX | 2 tiers | 38″ or 44″ × 89″ × 65″ (72¾″ on casters) | 2B/2BX manual (PDF) |
| Three-body upright | 3B · 3BX | 3 tiers, 16½″ apart | 38″ or 44″ × 89″ × 65″ (72¾″ on casters) | 3B/3BX manual (PDF) |
| Three-body side-acting | 3BX-SL | 3 compartments, long-side loading | 96″ × 42¼″ × 97½″ | 3BX-SL manual (PDF) |
| Three-body triple-wide roll-in | TR3 | 3 cots side by side | See instructions | TR3 instructions (PDF) |
| Four-body upright | 4BX | 4 roller tiers | 44″ × 89″ × 83½″, 91″ on casters | 4BX manual (PDF) |
| Twelve-body triple-door | 12B-3D | 3 × 4-tier end-load racks | 129″ × 102″ × 100″ | 12B-3D manual (PDF) |
All of these coolers are built from modular, cam-locked insulated panels with a 4″ urethane core and hold 34–40°F. Dimensions are from the factory drawings in each manual.
Two-body mobile and roll-in refrigerators
The two-body refrigerator is the most common unit in a funeral home. Choose a roll-in model when staff load directly from the cot, or an upright with an optional set of four 6″ heavy-duty plated casters (two locking, two non-locking) when you need two tray positions and a cabinet that can be moved for cleaning. Extra-wide versions give 36″ of clear width at the door for bariatric cases.
2 Body Standard Roll-In Mortuary Cooler – Model 2BRFrom $7,647.75
2 Body Bariatric Roll-In Mortuary Cooler – Model 2BXRFrom $8,117.01
2 Body Bariatric Upright Mortuary Cooler – Model 2BXFrom $8,473.41
4 Body Bariatric Mortuary Cooler – Model 4BXFrom $9,107.01
Three-body and side-acting refrigerators
Three-body uprights stack one body per tier. The side-acting 3BX-SL opens along its 96″ length, so each tray slides out sideways, which suits rooms that are wide but shallow. The bottom tier sits 13″ from the floor.
3 Body Upright Mortuary Cooler – Model 3BFrom $8,315.01
3 Body Bariatric Mortuary Cooler – Model 3BXFrom $8,770.41
3 Body Bariatric Side-Load Mortuary Cooler – Model 3BX-SLFrom $9,008.01
3 Body Triple-Wide Roll-In Mortuary CoolerFrom $9,779.26
Multi-body and vault morgue refrigerators
For six to fifteen bodies, choose a high-density upright such as the 12B-3D or a vault bank with one door per chamber. Vault coolers have 304 stainless interiors, slide-out tray rails, self-contained top-mounted refrigeration and NSF and UL marks, and hold 34–40°F.
12 Body Triple-Door Mortuary Cooler – Model 12B-3DFrom $17,988.00
10 Body Dual-Door Mortuary CoolerFrom $15,670.89
6-Body Vault Morgue CoolerFrom $31,877.01
9-Body Vault Morgue CoolerFrom $37,282.99
15-Body Vault Morgue CoolerFrom $79,102.99
2-Body Bariatric Vault Morgue CoolerFrom $13,997.00
Data sheets with plan, front and side views: · · · · · .
Walk-in mortuary refrigerators and freezers
When a facility outgrows cabinet coolers, a walk-in holds racks of bodies in one room. Our walk-ins use cam-locked panels with R-25 cooler walls or R-32 freezer walls, and a remote two-piece DOE-compliant refrigeration system. The walk-in installation manual (PDF) covers floor leveling, 2″ clearance and panel assembly.
10x12 Walk-In Mortuary CoolerFrom $15,476.14
8x10 Walk-In Mortuary CoolerFrom $11,880.63
10x10 Walk-In Mortuary FreezerFrom $16,625.00
3 Body Oversized Mortuary FreezerFrom $15,999.00
Compare every size in the walk-in mortuary cooler collection.
Design features to compare
| Feature | What to look for | On our equipment |
|---|---|---|
| Insulation | Foamed urethane panels | 4″ urethane core on 2-, 3- and 4-body coolers |
| Panel joints | Cam-action locks that draw panels tight | Cam-locked modular panels; ship assembled or knocked down |
| Refrigeration | Self-contained drop-in unit sized to the room | Top-mounted drop-in, 115V plug-in standard; upgrade levels for rooms up to 100°F |
| Mobility | Heavy-duty casters with locks | Optional set of four 6″ heavy-duty plated casters on 2-, 3- and 4-body uprights, two locking and two non-locking |
| Door hardware | Lockable handle and a tight seal | Magnetic gasketed door seal; optional chrome-plated lockable door handle |
| Refrigerant | Energy-compliant system | Energy-compliant refrigeration using A2L refrigerant |
| Bariatric access | Clear width at the door | 36″ clear on extra-wide models, 30″ on standard |
| Door | Full-height insulated door, either hand | Right- or left-hand hinge, chosen at order |
| Trays | Stainless, sized to the rack | 23″, 27″ and 30″ stainless trays sold separately |
Racks, trays, storage boards and lifts
A mortuary refrigeration system is only as safe as its loading equipment. The manuals call for a lift on upper positions, never lifting a body onto an upper tier by hand. Roller racks, two-tier carriers and HD plastic storage boards keep transfers on a level surface.
TITAN 27" Stainless Steel Body Tray – 16 GaugeFrom $536.70
HD Mortuary Plastic Storage BoardFrom $184.75
2-Tier Cadaver Rack for Morgue CoolersFrom $974.10
4 Tier Side-Loading Mortuary RackFrom $1,698.39
Low Profile Mortuary LiftFrom $5,935.05
Body Casket Lift XL – 900 lb Battery Electric Mortuary LiftFrom $3,204.36
Manuals: cantilever rack · 4-tier side-load rack · Body Casket Lift XL · hydraulic body casket lift · low profile powered lift · manual hydraulic scissor lift.
Replacing an older Mortech mortuary refrigerator
Many facilities still run mortuary refrigerators from Mortech's 1036 series. Match by type, body count and loading direction:
| Older Mortech type | Closest AMC equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1036-R101 two-body mobile refrigerator | 2BX two-body upright on casters |
| 1036-R115 roll-in two-body refrigerator | 2BR or 2BXR roll-in |
| 1036-R116 two-body refrigerator | 2BX upright |
| 1036-R104 and 1036-R114 three-body refrigerators | 3B or 3BX upright |
| 1036-R105 three-body side-acting refrigerator | 3BX-SL side-load |
| 1036-R107 two- or four-body refrigerator | 4BX or 4-body 2-door |
| 1036-F series freezer models | 3-body mortuary freezer or walk-in freezers |
| Walk-in with roller rack system and cadaver lift | Walk-in cooler with racks and lifts |
Measure existing trays, racks and the door opening before ordering. More detail is in the Mortech morgue cooler replacement guide.
Plan a mortuary refrigeration system
Send the room size, body count and loading direction. We will return a written quote for the cooler, racks, trays and lift.
Frequently asked questions
What is a mortuary refrigeration system?
It is the refrigerated cabinet or room that holds the deceased at 34–40°F, plus the racks, trays and lifts used to load it. Systems range from 2-body roll-in and upright coolers to vault banks and walk-in morgue coolers.
What temperature should a mortuary refrigerator hold?
Our coolers are built to hold 34–40°F. The user manuals call for logging the cabinet temperature at least once a day and moving remains to another cooler if it rises above 40°F and does not recover.
What is the difference between a roll-in and an upright mortuary cooler?
What is a side-acting or side-load mortuary refrigerator?
It loads from the long side instead of the end. The 3BX-SL has three compartments with an 84″ wide opening and a pull-out tray carriage in each.
Do the coolers plug into a standard outlet?
The standard 115V drop-in units on our 2-body, 3-body and 4-body coolers plug into a dedicated 115V / 20 A outlet. Optional 208–230V units usually need an electrician. Vault coolers run on 208–230V single-phase; confirm on the unit nameplate.
What room conditions do the coolers need?
Indoors, in a conditioned and ventilated room on a level floor. The manuals call for 1″–1.5″ of air space around the cabinet and 16″ clear around the refrigeration unit. Hotter rooms need an upgraded refrigeration level.
Are trays and boards included?
Vault cooler trays are sold separately in 23″, 27″ or 30″ lengths. Add stainless body trays or HD plastic storage boards in any quantity.
How do I replace an older Mortech mortuary refrigerator?
Match the body count, loading direction and width using the table on this page, then send us the footprint and door location. See the Mortech morgue cooler replacement guide for more.
Related guides: morgue cooler design and layout · morgue renovation · vault morgue coolers · portable mortuary coolers
Mortech is a trademark of its owner. Model numbers are used only to help identify older equipment. American Mortuary Coolers is not affiliated with or endorsed by Mortech or Mopec. Specifications are from our current manuals and may change without notice.
