Freezer boxes assume a vital however frequently neglected part in present day morgue offices. As technology has advanced medical care and extended average lifespans, the demand for mortuary services has also increased. Cooler boxes give a compassionate and noble capacity answer for human remaining parts anticipating entombment or incineration. This article will investigate the capabilities and significance of cooler boxes in the present funeral homes.
What are Freezer Boxes?
A freezer box, also sometimes called cooler boxes, are rectangular storage containers used in mortuaries to hold human remains at regulated low temperatures. Most modern freezer boxes are constructed of durable plastic with a secure locking lid. They come in standard sizes to accommodate adult and child remains. Freezer boxes maintain an internal temperature of 0 to 5 degrees Celsius to prevent decay of remains while families make final arrangements.
Preserving Dignity and Allowing Time for Arrangements
One of the most important functions of a freezer box is to preserve the dignity of the deceased with care and respect. Storing remains in a freezer box maintains them in a protected, dignified state until the family is ready for burial or cremation.
This gives grieving families time to grieve, make arrangements, and gather loved ones without urgency or distress. Freezer boxes allow mortuaries to respectfully hold remains for days or weeks until a service can be planned. Without this storage option, rushes burials or cremations could compromise the dignity and closure families need.
Compliance with Health Regulations
Mortuaries must comply with strict health regulations regarding the storage and handling of human remains. Freezer box play a key role in maintaining compliance. Their sealed design and regulated cooling system prevent odour or contamination issues that could arise without proper containment.
Freezer boxes also allow remains to be stored separately as required, with clear identification and record keeping for each individual. This controlled stockpiling technique safeguards the wellbeing and security of funeral home staff as well as guests. Consistence with wellbeing codes is pivotal for morgues to dependably work legitimately and serve networks.
Adaptability for Facility Needs
The versatility and adaptability of freezer boxes also makes them ideal for modern mortuary facility needs. As the demand for services increases, storage capacity must expand accordingly. Freezer boxes can be stacked efficiently using every inch of available cooler space.
They come in standardized sizes to accommodate different remains but still optimize storage density. Mobile freezer box racks also allow easy access for identification checks or removal while maximizing space usage. This adaptability saves mortuaries costs on expensive fixed storage units that can’t expand with changing needs.
Respect, Dignity and Closure for Families
One of the most important roles of mortuary facilities is to provide respect, dignity and closure for grieving families. The sensitive storage of a loved one’s remains in a dignified freezer box allows this. Families can spend time with the deceased before final arrangements in a protected environment maintained with the utmost care and respect.
Freezer boxes preserve the option for open-casket viewings and funerals. They also provide peace of mind for families during the stressful planning period knowing their loved one is being cared for respectfully. This level of respectful, dignified care brings closure and aids the grieving process.
Cost Effectiveness
While the services of a mortuary understandably come at a cost, freezer boxes provide a very cost-effective storage solution compared to built-in alternate options. Their modular design means freezer boxes can be added as needed based on current storage demands rather than investing in permanent high-cost installations that may go underused.
Freezer boxes also last for years with minimal maintenance costs. Their portability permits adaptability on location capacity designs to augment usable space. This flexibility and low long haul costs assist funeral homes with keeping administration expenses reasonable for networks.
What are the standard sizes of a freezer box for mortuary storage?
Here are some common standard sizes for a freezer box used for mortuary storage:
Single body box:
- Standard/small: Approximately 78-84 inches long, 24-30 inches wide, 12-16 inches deep. Holds one adult body curled in the fetal position.
Bariatric single body box:
- Larger size for taller/wider individuals, such as 96 inches long, 36 inches wide, 16 inches deep.
Double wide box:
- Holds two standard-sized adult bodies laid side by side. Approximately 84 inches long, 48 inches wide, 16 inches deep.
Triple wide box:
- Can store three bodies across. Dimensions around 84 inches long, 72 inches wide, 16 inches deep.
Stackable modular boxes:
- Bodies are stored vertically. Can hold 4-12 bodies depending on design and size of unit.
Walk-in modular units:
- Large customizable rooms with shelving/racks. Can accommodate 20+ bodies depending on configuration.
The most common standard sizes are for single bodies curled in a fetal position or double wide boxes that hold two side-by-side. Larger modular units provide high density storage. Proper ventilation, insulation and sealing are important design factors for all freezer box types used in mortuaries.
What are the disadvantages of using a freezer box?
Some potential disadvantages of using standard freezer box for mortuary storage include:
- Rigidity – The rigid construction doesn’t allow for optimal space utilization compared to more flexible bag-based or tray-based systems. Extra space is needed between stacked boxes.
- Handling difficulties – Heavy boxes can be difficult to lift, load/unload from freezers, and transport compared to lighter bag- or tray-based alternatives. Risk of back/injury to staff.
- Identification issues – Standard boxes don’t allow external or easy visual identification of contents. Additional labelling is required. Prone to mix-ups compared to viewable tray/drawer systems.
- Inflexible storage – Boxes occupy fixed footprint spaces and can’t be reconfigured as easily as modular shelving/tray systems if storage needs change.
- Ventilation restrictions – Perforations in rigid boxes may limit airflow compared to more openly stacked bag/tray designs, increasing risk of odors/buildup.
- Sealing challenges – Ensuring a proper air-tight seal around lids and joins while also allowing for ventilation can be difficult with standard box construction.
- Damage/contamination risks – Rigid containers could potentially become damaged/ruptured over time, risking leaks/contamination if not sufficiently durable.
- Cost – Upfront and disposal costs may be higher than reusable bag/tray systems depending on durability and lifespan of rigid boxes.
So while effective, a freezer box does have some drawbacks around handling, identification, flexibility and potential damage/contamination risks to consider.
All in all, while frequently concealed, cooler boxes carry out a urgently significant role in current morgue and memorial service rehearses by giving protected, sterile transient stockpiling for human remaining parts until they can be appropriately ready and let go.
Though not without some disadvantages, properly designed and maintained freezer boxes remain an efficient and respectful solution for fulfilling this sensitive aspect of death care. Advances may one day provide improved alternatives, but for now freezer boxes serve a necessary role with the dignity and care owed to the deceased.
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