Decedent Storage Systems

What Are Decedent Storage Systems?

A complete decedent storage system combines refrigeration to control temperature, storage positions (racks, rails, or trays that organize and access remains), and monitoring to document conditions. The right configuration depends on how many decedents you hold, for how long, and in what kind of space.

Refrigerated vs. Frozen Storage

Refrigerated storage at 36–39°F suits short- and medium-term holds. Frozen storage at 0°F or below preserves remains indefinitely for evidentiary, unidentified, or research holds. Many institutions run both — refrigerated for active cases, frozen for long-term retention.

System Components

Storage positions scale from a two-body upright cooler, to a multi-bay vault, to walk-in rooms fitted with high-density racks and full-extension rail systems. The rails and trays matter as much as the box: they determine whether one person can safely access a decedent without a team lift.

Settings That Use Them

Hospitals hold decedents pending release to families or the medical examiner. Coroner and ME offices hold custody and forensic cases. Universities preserve anatomical donations. Each setting weights temperature, hold time, and security differently — and the system should reflect that.

Planning the Right System

Start from realistic peak volume and the longest expected hold, then build in surge reserve. Our team helps translate those numbers into a specified cooler, rack, and monitoring package sized to your facility.

Decedent Storage Components