Florida's Guidelines: Ensuring Proper Refrigerated Storage of Deceased Remains

Florida § 497.386(2): refrigerate unembalmed remains at 40°F or below after 24 hours. Compliant coolers from $7,414.11, in stock.

February 27, 2025 3 min read

Florida Guidelines for Refrigerated Storage of Deceased Remains

2026 code check: Florida

Unembalmed remains held more than 24 hours after death, or pending disposition, must be refrigerated at 40°F or below (Fla. Stat. § 497.386(2))
Storage must be in an approved facility, with dignity and security (§ 497.386(1))
Authority: Florida Division of Funeral, Cemetery and Consumer Services
Recommended setpoint: 37–38°F, logged daily. See the 50-state guide.

In Florida, how a funeral establishment stores the deceased is spelled out clearly in state rule — and the numbers are specific. If you operate a funeral home, crematory, or removal service in the state, here's exactly what the law requires and how to stay on the right side of it.

What Florida requires

The governing rule is Fla. Admin. Code R. 69K-33.001, administered by the Division of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services within the Department of Financial Services. It is refreshingly concrete:

Refrigerate at 40°F or below. Unembalmed remains must be refrigerated at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
Starting 24 hours after death. That requirement begins 24 hours after death, unless the remains have been embalmed by then.
Keep inspecting. Remains must be inspected within 24 hours of receipt, and refrigerated remains checked at each handling and no less than monthly (embalmed remains that are neither refrigerated nor entombed, at least every 48 hours).

Unembalmed refrigerated remains stay refrigerated until final disposition, apart from a few narrow exceptions in the rule.

What it means in practice

The clock starts at death, not at arrival. Build your workflow so any case that will pass the 24-hour mark unembalmed is already in refrigeration at or below 40°F.
40°F is a ceiling, not a target. A unit that holds a steady 36–39°F sits safely under the limit even in Florida's heat and humidity.
Capacity matters. You need enough refrigerated positions to cover your peak caseload without stacking or turning cases away.

Staying compliant in Florida

Confirm the current text of 69K-33.001 (and related statute § 497.386) with the Division of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services.
Choose a cooler rated to hold 40°F or below reliably in a warm ambient environment.
Keep temperature logs and inspection records — Florida's rule is explicit about ongoing inspection.

For requirements elsewhere, see our state-by-state cooler regulation guide, our 50-state compliance directory, and our general overview of state regulations on mortuary coolers. You can also browse our walk-in mortuary coolers.

Need a cooler that holds under 40°F in Florida heat?

American Mortuary Coolers builds units engineered to hold a steady 36–39°F even in warm, humid conditions, and ships throughout Florida. Tell us your caseload and we'll size it for you.

Call 1-888-792-9315 or email [email protected]

This article is a general overview and is not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the Florida Division of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services before making compliance decisions.

Coolers that meet Florida code, from $7,414.11

2 Body Standard Roll-In Mortuary Cooler – Model 2BR

Two-body roll-in cooler for funeral homes holding a body past the state refrigeration trigger.

From $7,414.11

In stock

View cooler

3-body standard upright mortuary cooler for funeral homes and morgue refrigerated body storage

3-Body Mortuary Refrigerator

Three trays, upright footprint, for growing call volume.

From $8,357.01

In stock

View cooler

2 Body Cadaver Mortuary Coolers and Cooling Systems

2-Body Extra-Wide Mortuary Refrigerator

Extra-wide trays for bariatric cases.

From $8,516.21

In stock

View cooler

4-Body Extra-Wide Mortuary Refrigerator

Four extra-wide positions for crematories and multi-location firms.

From $9,153.01

In stock

View cooler

6x8 Walk-In Mortuary Refrigerator

Walk-in capacity for racks and cots; suited to refrigeration facilities.

From $8,825.00

In stock

View cooler

10x10 Walk-In Mortuary Refrigerator

Large walk-in for regional crematories and medical examiner overflow.

From $11,695.50

In stock

View cooler

Frequently asked questions

What temperature does Florida require for body storage?

Fla. Stat. § 497.386(2) requires refrigeration at 40°F or below for unembalmed remains held more than 24 hours after death or pending disposition.

Who regulates Florida funeral homes?

The Florida Division of Funeral, Cemetery and Consumer Services, under the Department of Financial Services.

How much does a mortuary cooler cost?

AMC coolers start at $7,414.11; freight is calculated at checkout.

Related state guides

This guide summarizes published code text as of November 1, 2026. It is not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your state board before you buy or change procedures. Freight for every cooler is calculated at checkout.