What Is a Cooling Bassinet?
A cooling bassinet is a specialized piece of refrigerated equipment designed to preserve the body of a stillborn or deceased infant at a safe, regulated temperature. These bassinets are typically used in:
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Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs)
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Pediatric wards
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Hospices
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Funeral homes
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Mortuary science programs
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Bereavement suites
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Medical examiner offices
Unlike traditional refrigeration units, a cooling bassinet allows families to spend extended time with their baby in a private, respectful setting while maintaining hygienic and professional preservation.
How Does a Cooling Bassinet Work?
Cooling bassinets operate using silent, low-energy cooling systems—often thermoelectric or compressor-based units—that maintain a temperature between 35°F and 40°F (1.6°C – 4.4°C).
Key components typically include:
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Soft-sided or hard-sided bassinet frame
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Refrigerated base or mattress panel
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Quiet fan or coil-based cooling system
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Digital temperature control for precision
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Cots or swaddles designed for gentle presentation
These units are often mobile, with casters or handles for room-to-room use, especially in bereavement care suites or pediatric hospice facilities.
Why Cooling Bassinets Matter: Emotional & Practical Importance
❤️ Emotional Comfort for Families
Cooling bassinets provide grieving families with extra time—sometimes hours or days—to say goodbye in a calm and dignified setting. This process supports grief processing, allowing families to create memories, take photographs, or perform spiritual rites.
🧼 Hygienic & Professional Standards
For hospitals and mortuaries, a cooling bassinet ensures professional handling of infant remains while reducing the risk of decomposition or odors. This helps staff deliver compassionate care with respectful standards of preservation.
👶 Specialized Use for Neonatal Loss
In the unfortunate case of neonatal loss, cooling bassinets bridge the time between a death event and transportation to a funeral home or pathology lab. Their compact size makes them ideal for bedside care.
Who Uses Cooling Bassinets?
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Hospitals and Birth Centers: For NICU and labor/delivery departments
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Funeral Homes: For respectful short-term viewing or transfer
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Medical Examiners: As part of evidence-preserving refrigeration
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Bereavement Care Teams: Especially in pediatric hospice environments
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Mortuary Science Programs: For respectful infant cadaver handling in training
Key Features to Look For
When purchasing a cooling bassinet, consider the following features:
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✅ Quiet operation
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✅ Portable or wheeled design
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✅ Easy-clean surfaces
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✅ Temperature alarm system
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✅ Optional privacy curtain or hood
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✅ Digital thermostat
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✅ UL and CE certifications
Average Cost of a Cooling Bassinet
Cooling bassinets vary in price depending on size, brand, and features. Basic models start around $2,000, while premium units with integrated privacy can range between $5,000–$8,000.
American Mortuary Coolers: Cooling Solutions You Can Trust
At American Mortuary Coolers, we’re proud to support hospitals, funeral homes, and bereavement care centers with refrigeration solutions that meet the highest standards. Our equipment is:
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🇺🇸 Made in the USA
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🛠️ Built with durable, medical-grade materials
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🔒 Covered by extended warranties and expert support
Interested in adding a cooling bassinet or upgrading your infant refrigeration capabilities?
📞 Call us at 1-888-792-9315
📧 Email: sales@mymortuarycooler.com
🌐 Visit: www.mymortuarycooler.com