Funeral Home Body Lifts: Scissor Lifts vs. Battery Body and Casket Lifts
Body lifts take the heaviest lifts out of a funeral director's day. This guide compares scissor lifts with overhead strap body and casket lifts, explains which tasks each handles, and lists real models by capacity.
Moving decedents from cot to table, table to casket, and tray to tray is where back injuries start. Two lift designs cover most funeral home work: a scissor lift that raises a flat deck, and a strap or overhead body and casket lift that cradles the decedent in straps and lowers them into a casket.
Quick answer: Use a scissor lift for horizontal transfers such as cot to rack, tray to tray, or cot to retort. Use a strap-style body and casket lift to raise a decedent off the table and lower them into a casket, which a flat deck cannot do. Many funeral homes own one of each. Match capacity to bariatric cases (900–1,000 lb) and check that the lift's base clears your table and cooler.
Which Lift Does Which Job
| Task | Scissor lift | Strap body and casket lift |
|---|---|---|
| Cot to rack tier or cooler tray | Yes | Possible, slower |
| Table to casket | No | Yes |
| Tray to retort | Yes | No |
| Repositioning on the prep table | No | Yes |
| Floor-level pickup | Low-profile models only | Yes |
Models Compared
| Model | Type | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Body Casket Lift XL | Battery electric strap lift | 900 lb |
| 1,000 lb Heavy-Duty Casket & Body Lifter | Strap lift | 1,000 lb |
| Low Profile Powered Crematory Lift | Powered scissor | 1,000 lb |
| Powered Scissor Lift Aluminum Alloy | Powered scissor, aluminum frame | 1,000 lb |
| 1,000 lb Hydraulic Crematory Lift | Manual hydraulic scissor | 1,000 lb |
| Easy Lift Casket Jacks Set | Casket jacks | Lifts caskets for one person |
Body Casket Lift XL – 900 lb Battery Electric Mortuary Lift900 lb battery electric
1,000 lb Heavy-Duty Casket & Body Lifter1,000 lb strap lift
Powered Scissor Lift Aluminum Alloy1,000 lb powered
1,000 lb Hydraulic Crematory Lift | Manual Mortuary Scissor LiftManual hydraulic
Replacement Body Lift StrapsReplacement straps
Easy Lift Casket Jacks SetCasket jacks
Fit Checks
- Base clearance: The lift legs must roll under your embalming table and beside the casket bier.
- Lift height: Confirm the deck or straps reach your highest rack tier. Our 4-tier rack tops out at 69.75 inches.
- Straps: Keep a spare strap set and retire frayed webbing.
- Charging: Plan an outlet beside the parking spot.
For lift placement in the building, see the funeral home floor plan checklist. Crematory-specific lifts are covered in how to choose a crematory scissor lift.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a scissor lift and a body lift?
A scissor lift raises a flat deck for horizontal transfers. A strap body lift cradles the decedent and can lower them into a casket.
What capacity body lift does a funeral home need?
Choose 900–1,000 lb capacity if you serve bariatric families. Standard cases are well within that range.
Can one person casket a decedent with a lift?
Yes. A strap body and casket lift is designed so one trained staff member can raise, position and lower a decedent safely.
Do battery lifts need special power?
They charge from a standard outlet. Plan an outlet where the lift is parked.
Questions about fit, freight or lead time? Call our Johnson City, Tennessee team at 1-888-792-9315 or email cool@mymortuarycooler.com.
