One of the most common questions funeral home owners ask when planning refrigeration is: How many bodies can a mortuary cooler hold? The answer depends on the type of cooler, available space, and how the unit is configured.

This guide explains standard mortuary cooler capacities and helps funeral homes choose the right size without overspending.

Standard Mortuary Cooler Capacities

Mortuary coolers are commonly designed to hold a specific number of bodies. Standard configurations typically include:

• 2-body mortuary coolers
• 3-body mortuary coolers
• 4-body mortuary coolers
• 6-body and higher-capacity coolers

These capacities refer to individual body storage spaces using trays, racks, or roll-in systems.

Upright vs Roll-In Mortuary Coolers

Upright mortuary coolers store bodies on individual trays or racks stacked vertically. These are common in funeral homes with limited floor space.

Roll-in mortuary coolers allow bodies to remain on cots or stretchers and roll directly into the unit. These are often used in hospitals and higher-volume facilities.

Roll-in coolers typically require more space per body but offer improved workflow and reduced lifting.

Walk-In Mortuary Coolers & Custom Capacity

Walk-in mortuary coolers provide the most flexibility. Capacity depends on room size, rack configuration, and storage method.

Walk-in coolers can be designed to hold anywhere from a few bodies to dozens, making them ideal for medical examiner offices, county morgues, and facilities planning for growth.

Factors That Affect Mortuary Cooler Capacity

Several factors determine how many bodies a mortuary cooler can hold:

• Body size and bariatric needs
• Tray or rack system design
• Use of carts or roll-in systems
• Available ceiling height and floor space

Facilities should plan capacity based on realistic peak needs rather than average daily volume.

How Funeral Homes Choose the Right Size

Most small to mid-sized funeral homes select 2-body or 3-body mortuary coolers, while higher-volume locations often choose 4-body or larger units.

The goal is to balance cost, space, and operational flexibility without paying for unused capacity.

Why Proper Sizing Matters

Choosing the wrong size mortuary cooler can lead to workflow challenges, emergency overflow issues, or unnecessary expense.

Proper sizing ensures compliance, efficiency, and readiness for unexpected increases in call volume.

Speak With a Mortuary Cooler Specialist

Mortuary cooler capacity planning is best done with expert guidance. A specialist can help assess your facility, space, and call volume to recommend the right configuration.

Call now to speak with a mortuary equipment specialist:
📞 888-793-9315

Our team helps funeral homes nationwide choose mortuary coolers that fit their needs today and support future growth.