Walk-In vs. Upright Mortuary Coolers: Which Do You Need?

The two main families of mortuary refrigeration are upright (reach-in) coolers and walk-in coolers. Both keep remains at safe holding temperatures; they differ in capacity, footprint, installation, and cost. Here’s how to choose.

Quick comparison

When to choose an upright (reach-in) cooler

Choose a reach-in if you have limited floor space, a tighter budget, or steady low-to-moderate caseloads. They install quickly, often plug into existing circuits, and require no room construction. Popular options include the 3 Body Upright Cooler, the 2 Body Standard Width Cooler, and the 4 Body Extra Wide Cooler.

When to choose a walk-in cooler

Choose a walk-in when capacity is the priority. A walk-in is a full insulated room you outfit with cantilever or roller racks, scaling from six bodies to dozens. Common footprints include the 8×10, 10×12, 10×16, and 10×20 walk-ins.

The hybrid case

Some facilities run a small reach-in for daily cases and a walk-in for surge capacity. If you expect growth, sizing up to a walk-in now often costs less than replacing a reach-in later.

Frequently asked questions

Is a walk-in cooler always more expensive?

Generally yes at the entry level, but per-body cost often drops as walk-in capacity rises, making walk-ins more economical at higher volumes.

Can a reach-in cooler be expanded?

Reach-in capacity is fixed by the cabinet. To add capacity you add another unit or move to a walk-in. Walk-ins can be re-racked for more bodies within the same room.

Do walk-in coolers need special construction?

Walk-ins are assembled on site and may need a floor and ramp option plus a dedicated electrical circuit. Reach-ins typically need neither.