How do mortuary coolers ship? Mortuary coolers, cots, tables, and racks ship by commercial LTL or dedicated freight from our Johnson City, Tennessee facility to a commercial address. Walk-in cooler panels ship palletized and crated; upright coolers ship as a single crated unit that can weigh 600–1,200+ lbs. The shipping charge at checkout is an estimate — the actual carrier cost is confirmed with you and approved before your order ships, under our Estimated Shipping Charges Policy (SC-1.0).

Liftgate vs. Forklift Delivery

A forklift or equivalent equipment is the standard way to unload mortuary equipment. If your facility has no forklift or loading dock, tell us at order time and we will arrange liftgate service — a hydraulic platform on the truck that lowers the crate to ground level. Liftgates have weight and size limits, so oversized walk-in crates and heavy uprights may still require a forklift, pallet jack with helpers, or a scheduled dedicated truck. Curbside commercial delivery is standard; the driver is not obligated to bring equipment inside. Full terms: Freight Carriers & Delivery Terms.

Inside Delivery & Limited-Access Locations

Inside delivery, residential-adjacent funeral homes, gated facilities, campuses, downtown streets without dock access, and island or remote locations are all classified by carriers as limited access and carry additional fees. Tell us about stairs, narrow drives, gates, or tight docks when you order — quoting it up front is always cheaper than a carrier re-class after the truck arrives.

How to Inspect a Freight Shipment Before Signing

The delivery receipt (BOL) is a legal document — inspect before you sign. Count every piece against the BOL. Walk all four sides. Look for punctures, forklift strikes, crushed corners, broken banding, and tilt/shock indicators. Open the crate if damage is suspected — you have the right to inspect. Write every problem on the BOL before signing (“2 panels crushed on corner, photos taken”), photograph everything, and keep your copy. A clean signature is acceptance of the shipment in good condition and order, and it ends the carrier’s liability. Full procedure: Freight Damage, Inspection & Refusal Policy.

What to Do If Mortuary Equipment Arrives Damaged

1) Note the damage on the BOL before signing. 2) Photograph the crate, the damage, and the BOL notation. 3) Keep all packaging. 4) Call 1-888-792-9315 the same day and email photos to cool@mymortuarycooler.com with your order number. We file and fight the carrier claim with you — documented damage noted at delivery is a strong claim; undocumented damage discovered later is nearly impossible to recover. Refusing a shipment without authorization triggers the Refused Delivery Policy — call us first.

Freight Readiness Checklist

Before your cooler ships, confirm: commercial delivery address • forklift or liftgate plan • door and hallway widths vs. crate dimensions • level path from truck to final placement • a person authorized to inspect and sign • camera ready for delivery photos • site power and drain ready per your model’s startup guide. Want a second set of eyes? Send measurements for a free review before you order.