Mortuary freezer: when you need the freezing configuration

A standard mortuary refrigerator runs at +2 to +8°C, which covers the usual few days until release. Some cases run longer: unidentified bodies, forensic holds and extended repatriation. For these there is a mortuary freezer configuration operating at −10 to −20°C. This guide explains the difference between storage and freezing in the Preservus range, and when each belongs in the specification.

Storage vs freezing: a temperature range for each purpose

The storage version holds a body at +2 to +8°C, the range suited to the short period before release. The freezer version runs at −10 to −20°C and is reserved for the long term, when a body remains for weeks rather than days.

The choice between the two is a matter of procedure, not model: any cell configuration can be supplied in either version. So the decision starts from the kind of cases a facility handles and the average length of stay, not from the exterior of the unit.

When to specify the freezer version

Forensic institutes and pathology departments need freezing most, because some cases stay open for weeks. So do hospitals that receive unidentified bodies or repatriation cases requiring extended travel arrangements.

The practical rule is to estimate the share of long-term cases: if they recur, dedicate fixed freezer cells rather than repurposing later. Many large facilities combine a storage unit and a freezer unit in the same room.

Material, insulation and temperature stability

The freezer version is built in AISI 304 stainless steel inside and out like the storage version, with a two-handle stainless steel tray sliding into each cell. Insulation density is recorded at 40 kg/m³ — more important in freezing than in storage because the temperature difference with the room is larger.

Because temperature recovery after a door opening is slower in the freezing range, a backed temperature alarm and multiple independent cooling units matter more. These are requested at manufacture and written into the specification by their figure.

Capacities available as a freezer

The freezer version is available in every configuration in the range: from the single-cell MLM-01E to the nine-cell modular MLM-05, through two, three, four and six cells. Capacity is chosen independently of storage or freezing.

Send the expected number of long-term cases, room dimensions and access route and we will propose the right mix of storage and freezer cells with a detailed quotation.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a mortuary refrigerator and a mortuary freezer?

The refrigerator (storage) version runs at +2 to +8°C for the short period until release; the freezer version runs at −10 to −20°C for long-term cases such as unidentified bodies, forensic holds and repatriation. The same configuration is available in either version.

When should I choose the freezer version?

When cases that stay for weeks recur: forensic institutes, and hospitals receiving unidentified bodies or repatriation cases. Estimate the share of such cases and dedicate fixed freezer cells to them.

Are all capacities available as a freezer?

Yes. The freezer version is available from the single-cell MLM-01E to the nine-cell MLM-05. Capacity is independent of storage or freezing, and a storage unit and a freezer unit can be combined in the same facility.

Related pages

Inside a mortuary refrigerator · Mortuary refrigerator manufacturer · Mortuary refrigerators