Body Bag Sizes: Child, Adult, XL and Bariatric Dimensions
Body bag size is the first thing to get right. A bag that is too small strains the zipper and seams; one that is far too large is awkward to carry and wastes stock space. Most facilities need three or four sizes on hand.
Standard body bag dimensions
| Size | Typical dimensions | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Child | 36 × 60 in. | Children, adolescents, partial remains |
| Economy adult | 36 × 90 in. | Average adults on a cot or tray |
| Standard adult | 36–38 × 94 in. | Most adult removals |
| Oversize XL | 48 × 98 in. | Larger and many bariatric decedents |
| 2XL bariatric | 54 × 108 in. | Bariatric cases and bagging over a backboard |
How to choose
Measure against the decedent's widest point, not just height. Width matters more than length for larger decedents, because the zipper has to close without stress. If the case may involve a backboard, sheet or personal effects, size up.
- Child: Child Disaster Bag, 4 Handles
- Adult: Adult Chlorine-Free Bag, No Handles, Perimeter Zipper Chlorine-Free Bag, Case of 25, Economy White Vinyl Bag, Case of 25, Water Recovery Mesh Bag, 10 Handles
- Oversize XL: XL Chlorine-Free Bag, 8 Handles, Diamond Chlorine-Free Bag, Oversize XL
- 2XL bariatric: 2XL Disaster Bag, 8 Handles
How many of each size?
A typical funeral home keeps most of its stock in adult size, a case of XL, and at least one 2XL and one child bag. Coroner vehicles and disaster caches should carry every size, because the call cannot be predicted.
Shop the line
See every model, size and case price on the American Mortuary Equipment body bag page or in the body bags and disaster pouches collection.
More body bag guides: Chlorine-free body bags and cremation · Water recovery body bags for dive and rescue teams · Envelope vs straight vs perimeter zippers · Disaster body bags: 18 mil PVC vs poly · Body bag handles and lifting capacity
Funeral home PPE to order with body bags
Gown up before every removal and transfer. Our blue thumb loop isolation gowns and pink thumb loop isolation gowns are impervious polyethylene embalming gowns, 100 to an AME case from $97.02. Compare both on the isolation gown and embalming gown page, and add exam gloves by the case, extended-cuff gloves, disposable coveralls and DuPont Tychem. See the funeral home PPE guide, all mortuary PPE, or shop Funeral Source One and the funeral supply store for the rest of your order.
