Mortuary Cooler Size Guide — How to Choose the Right Capacity for Your Facility

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Mortuary cooler size guide — how to choose the right capacity for your facility | American Mortuary Coolers

Sizing Your Mortuary Cooler: Start With Your Call Volume

Choosing the right size mortuary cooler starts with one question: how many decedents do you need to store simultaneously at your peak volume? Not your average volume — your peak. A funeral home that handles 8 calls per week on average but occasionally sees 15 in a single week needs to be sized for the 15, not the 8.

Under-sizing a cooler means overflow situations, rushed removals, and potential compliance issues. Over-sizing wastes floor space and capital. This guide walks through the variables that determine the right capacity for your facility.

The Core Variables

Daily call volume: How many first calls do you receive per day on average, and what is your maximum in any given period?

Average days in storage: How long does a decedent typically remain in your care before preparation or transfer? Longer holds require more capacity.

Peak multiplier: Seasonal volume spikes — summer heat, flu season, holiday periods — can temporarily double or triple normal volume. Factor this in.

Type of storage needed: Are you storing only, or also doing preparation and embalming on site? Facilities with on-site preparation may need less cold storage capacity because decedents cycle through faster.

Upright vs. Walk-In: A Capacity Decision

Upright coolers are available from 2-body through 12-body configurations. They're self-contained, ship assembled, and deploy quickly. For most funeral homes handling under 200 calls per year, an upright unit covers the need.

Walk-in coolers are modular refrigerated rooms built to your specification. They're the right choice for high-volume facilities, hospital morgues, medical examiner offices, and anatomy programs where cot-in rolling access and higher capacity are required.

A Simple Sizing Formula

A practical starting point: multiply your average daily call volume by your average days in storage. Add a 30–50% buffer for peak periods. That gives you a baseline body capacity to spec against.

Example: 3 calls/day × 4 days average stay = 12 bodies minimum. Add 50% buffer = 18-body target capacity.

Other Factors

  • Bariatric cases: If you handle high-weight decedents, confirm that your cooler is rated and dimensioned accordingly.
  • Floor space: Walk-in coolers require a concrete slab and adequate room for the compressor and door swing.
  • Electrical supply: Upright units run on 115V. Walk-in systems typically require 208–240V.
  • Ambient temperature: Facilities in hot climates or unconditioned spaces need additional capacity review.

Get a Sizing Recommendation

Submit your call volume data and site details and our team will recommend the right unit. All quotes are free and come with a 24-hour response guarantee. Submit an RFQ · 1-888-792-9315 · See also: Cooler Capacity Calculator