What Does a Mortuary Cooler Cost?
It’s the first question nearly every buyer asks, and the honest answer depends on capacity, width, options, and where the cooler is going. This guide shows real price ranges for body box coolers, explains what drives a walk-in’s cost, and covers costs people forget to budget for.
Body box coolers: $7,905 to $11,454
AWIC’s 2-, 3-, and 4-body box coolers range from $7,905 to $11,454, depending on the model and options.
| What moves the price | Lower end | Higher end |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Fewer positions | More positions |
| Width | Standard | Wide (bariatric) |
| Loading | End-loading | Side-opening |
| Options | Shelving only | Casters, locking handle, alarm, exterior ramp |
The side-opening 3-body box sits at the top of the range.
Prices change with materials and options, so always get a current, written quote before you budget.
Walk-in mortuary coolers: priced to your room
Walk-ins are built to your floor plan, so there’s no single price. These are the factors that move it most:
- Length, width, and height. Taller boxes hold more rack tiers.
- Floorless on your slab costs less than an insulated floor. Freezers need an insulated floor.
- A standard 36″ x 76″ door is the baseline. Wider swing doors and sliding doors cost more.
- How many rolling racks, and how many tiers each?
- System size depends on box size, how often the door opens, and the climate where it’s installed.
- Indoor or outdoor. Outdoor units add a membrane roof cap.
- Freezer section. Long-term holding at freezer temperatures adds costs for the panel, door, and refrigeration.
The best way to get a real number is to send us your room dimensions and the number of positions you need.
Costs people forget
Freight
Mortuary coolers ship by truck. Ask for freight to be included on your quote. Drivers don’t offload, so plan for on-site personnel or equipment to unload.
Installation
You can install the cooler yourself or use a contractor from our nationwide network. Have a licensed refrigeration contractor make the refrigeration connections. Ask for installation as a separate line on the quote.
Site work
Budget for anything the site needs before delivery: a level 4″ concrete slab for outdoor units, electrical service, and clear access for the refrigeration.
Ongoing costs
Electricity, routine maintenance, and alarm monitoring. A well-insulated box with tight door gaskets uses less energy over its life.
What you get for the price
Every AWIC mortuary cooler is made in the USA and covered by our warranty. Our walk-in mortuary coolers include:
- 4″ high-density panels with no wood, UL-NSF approved
- Bright digital temperature display, typically set between 35°F and 40°F
- Compliance with federal walk-in cooler energy requirements (EISA 2007)
- A 20-year panel warranty, 5-year door warranty and 1-year parts warranty, with an optional 5-year compressor and 1-year labor warranty
Is a cheaper cooler worth it?
A lower purchase price can cost more over the cooler’s life. Before you choose on price alone, ask:
- What’s in the walls? Wood framing inside panels can absorb moisture and rot over time.
- What’s the panel warranty? Ours is 20 years.
- Can it be expanded? Cam-lock panels can be added later. Some units can’t.
- Is it new? Used coolers carry hidden costs. Read New vs. Used Mortuary Coolers.
Financing and leasing
Financing and equipment leasing let you spread costs over time instead of paying upfront. An application and approval are required. See financing options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a 2-body mortuary cooler?
AWIC body box coolers range from $7,905 to $11,454, and 2-body models sit toward the lower end of that range. The standard 2-body box is our most affordable body box. The wide (bariatric) version costs a little more because it has extra interior width for larger individuals.
Options affect the final price too. Casters, a locking handle, a temperature alarm, and an exterior ramp are all available, and there’s a credit if you don’t need shelving. Prices change with materials and options, so call 1-800-430-4468 for a current written quote before you budget.
How much is a 4-body mortuary cooler?
Four-body boxes fall within our $7,905 to $11,454 range. Where yours lands depends on whether you choose standard or wide (bariatric) width and which options you add. A 4-body box holds twice the capacity of a 2-body unit in a compact footprint, which makes it a good fit for busy funeral homes and smaller hospitals.
If you’re weighing a 4-body box against a small walk-in, compare the cost per space and the total price. Once you need more than four positions, a walk-in with rolling racks can be a better value and give your team room to work. Read Walk-In vs. Body Box Mortuary Coolers for a side-by-side comparison.
How much does a walk-in mortuary cooler cost?
Every walk-in is built to your floor plan, so there’s no single price. Size is the biggest factor: the room’s length, width, and height, and how many rack tiers fit inside. Next come the floor (floorless on your slab or an insulated floor), door size, number of rolling racks, and the refrigeration system, sized to the box, door-opening frequency, and local climate.
Outdoor installation and a freezer section for long-term holding also add cost. For an accurate number, send us your room dimensions and the number of bodies you need to hold. We’ll lay out the racks and send a written quote. Not sure how many positions you need? Start with How Big a Mortuary Cooler Do You Need?.
Does the price include shipping?
Ask for freight to be included on your quote, and we’ll quote delivery to your address. Mortuary coolers ship by truck, and the drivers don’t unload, so plan for people or equipment on site to take the delivery.
Installation is separate from freight. You can install the cooler yourself or use a contractor from our nationwide network, and a licensed refrigeration contractor should make the refrigeration connections. Ask for each of these as its own line on the quote so you can see the full cost before you order. Our guide to preparing for delivery covers what to have ready on the day.
Get a written quote
Call 1-800-430-4468 or request a quote. Tell us your capacity, room size, and options, and we’ll send a quote, with freight included if you need it.
Next steps: see all mortuary coolers, compare body box coolers, compare walk-in coolers, or work out the size you need.