Working within a mortuary setting is a sensitive task, requiring special treatment of the deceased and essential equipment and tools to ensure safety, hygiene and consideration. Depending on where your mortuary is located, there is basic equipment you’ll require to  ensure that the deceased is treated with dignity and respect while also helping to maintain public health and safety.

No matter where your mortuary is situated, your mortuary equipment should be durable and safe and meet state regulations and requirements. You’ll also want to invest in efficient, high-quality equipment that streamlines your workspace and keeps you safe.

If you’re looking to fit out a mortuary, here are the basics of mortuary equipment and how it plays a critical role in the process of preparing and caring for the deceased.

What Equipment Will You Most Commonly See In A Mortuary?

Every mortuary needs the same basic equipment, with some of the most common pieces including embalming tables, refrigeration units, body lifts, and autopsy tables. 

Body lifts and cadaver lifts are used to move the body from one location to another, such as from the place of death to the mortuary or from the mortuary to the cemetery. These lifts are typically made of stainless steel or aluminium and are designed to be strong and durable, able to move heavy loads with the aid of a motorised mechanism. 

Secondly, embalming and autopsy tables are used to perform post-mortem exams and prepare the body for viewing or burial by cleaning and dressing the deceased. These tables are typically made of stainless steel and are designed to be easy to clean and disinfect.

Also hugely important are refrigeration units for the storage of bodies before and after the embalming process. These units are important for preventing the spread of disease and for preserving the body. There are several different types of refrigeration units available, including walk-in units, drawer units, and mobile units.

Other general mortuary equipment includes caskets, urns, cremation chambers, and funeral cars. 

How To Find The Best Mortuary Equipment For Your Needs

When it comes to purchasing mortuary equipment, you’ll want equipment that is durable and strong enough to handle bariatric bodies, whilst also being lightweight and manoeuvrable for your staff. 

Investing in premium materials for your mortuary equipment today can help you save money and avoid the unwanted stress of using outdated or worn-out equipment. To meet these requirements, keep an eye out for equipment made with the following materials:

• Stainless steel (304), which is both easy to clean and highly durable, making it ideal for body trays and trolleys used in autopsies and embalming procedures
• Zinc-treated steel, which provides a resilient framework for trolleys, lifts, and racks
• PVC, which features durable mortuary trolley toppers that won’t scratch or mark caskets during transfers.
• Composite aluminium/plastic, which allows for quiet operation of drawers and doors on instrument trolleys and is also affordable to replace over time
• Professional powder and epoxy coatings, which prevent chipping, peeling, and other gradual damage to mortuary equipment
• Powerful electronic systems, which increase safety for lifting, transferring, and easier handling of cadavers between each procedure.

Each of these high-quality materials and parts is designed with your mortuary staff and mourners in mind, contributing to the strength, durability, and aesthetics of the mortuary equipment you use every day. Additionally, some equipment can provide concealment for added privacy.

Purchase Your Mortuary Equipment Through Midmed

For over 25 years, Midmed has been a top medical equipment supplier in the Australian healthcare industry. Founded in 1994 by Rob Muller, an Industrial Chemist, Midmed started as a niche provider of emergency medical beds, examination couches, and bench-top autoclaves in the Queensland market.

Today, Midmed has grown to include a team of over 20 employees and contractors, serving customers in both Australian and New Zealand markets. As an Australian-owned and operated company, we are committed to connecting our customers with the finest healthcare supplies available worldwide.