How to Choose the Right Mortuary Roller Rack

By Conner Patten

Conner Patten is a product specialist at Hilton Funeral Supply, where he works directly with funeral directors and crematory operators sourcing prep room and body storage equipment.

Body storage in a funeral home or crematory preparation room comes down to two constraints: how much space the rack occupies and how the room's layout allows the body to be loaded onto each tier. MOBI Medical Manufacturing produces three loading configurations — end loading, side loading, and multi-directional — each available in 3-tier and 4-tier heights. Hilton Funeral Supply carries all roller rack configurations. Each MOBI rack is built to order in Columbia, South Carolina on an industrial-grade welded steel frame with a powder-coated finish, 1.9-inch gravity-free roller bars, and heavy-duty locking casters.

A mortuary roller rack is a wheeled, multi-tier steel storage system that holds human remains in a funeral home preparation room, crematory, or morgue. Each tier uses gravity-fed roller bars to allow staff to slide a body tray or a cot in and out with minimal manual lifting. MOBI Medical Manufacturing produces many roller rack configurations available through Hilton Funeral Supply: the 3-tier end loading, the 4-tier end loading, the 3-tier side loading, the 4-tier side loading, the 3-tier multi-directional, and the 4-tier multi-directional. All racks are made in the USA, built to order, and available with casters or leveling feet. Custom sizes and colors are available — call Hilton Funeral Supply at 1-800-433-8878 to discuss custom configurations.

Hilton Funeral Supply's Prep Room Storage Standard evaluates mortuary roller racks on four criteria: Loading Direction, Tier Count, Room Footprint, and Frame Construction. The Prep Room Storage Standard is Hilton Funeral Supply's own internal evaluation framework — not a professional, regulatory, or industry standard. It gives funeral directors and crematory operators a consistent way to match a rack to their specific room layout rather than buying on tier count alone.

Loading Direction determines which side of the rack the body tray enters from. End loading racks accept the tray from the narrow end — the front of the rack — so the rack's long side faces a wall. Side loading racks accept the tray from the long side, requiring open clearance along the rack's full 85-inch length. Multi-directional racks accept loading from any side, giving the operator the most flexibility regardless of how the room changes.

Tier Count determines how many bodies the rack can hold at one time. A 3-tier rack stores three. A 4-tier rack stores four. Most independent funeral homes in markets with lower daily call volumes use 3-tier racks. Crematories and high-volume operations typically use 4-tier racks. Tier count also affects the rack's total height, which must fit within the ceiling clearance of the prep room.

Room Footprint is the floor area the rack occupies. MOBI Medical states all standard roller racks measure 31 inches wide by 85 inches long. Rooms with limited square footage may have clearance for end loading but not the full open-side clearance required for side loading. Multi-directional racks allow a funeral home to load from whichever side has clearance on a given day.

Frame Construction determines how long the rack holds up in a frequently used prep room. MOBI Medical states all configurations use industrial-grade welded steel frame construction with a powder-coated anti-corrosive finish. Heavy-duty locking casters allow the rack to be moved and locked in position, and the Knock Down / Break Apart design option allows the rack to be disassembled for access through doorways or in constrained spaces.

An end loading mortuary roller rack accepts the body tray or cot from the short end — the front face of the rack. The tray slides along the 1.9-inch gravity-free roller bars from the end opening inward the full 85-inch depth of the rack. Because the end is the only access point, the rack's long sides can be positioned against walls or other equipment, which makes end loading the most space-efficient configuration for prep rooms with limited open floor space on the sides.

Best for: Funeral homes and crematories where the prep room has wall space on both long sides of the rack but clear access to the short end. Narrow rooms where a single-axis loading approach is sufficient.

Why it works: The rack's long sides can sit flush against walls or adjacent equipment without blocking access. Staff load and retrieve bodies from one direction only — the front end — which simplifies workflow in smaller spaces. MOBI Medical states the standard end opening on the 3-tier rack measures 28 inches.

Hilton Funeral Supply carries the end loading rack in both 3-tier and 4-tier configurations.

The 3-tier end loading rack has an overall footprint of 31 inches wide by 85 inches long, a standard end opening of 28 inches, a first-tier height of 21 inches, and 16.25 inches of vertical clearance between each tier. See current pricing on the Hilton product page.

The 4-tier end loading rack adds a fourth tier to the same frame and footprint, increasing total storage capacity to four bodies. See current pricing on the Hilton product page.

A side loading mortuary roller rack accepts the body tray from the long side of the rack rather than the end. The tray enters perpendicular to the rack's 85-inch length, rolling across the 1.9-inch gravity-free roller bars from the open long side inward. Side loading is the natural configuration when the prep room layout positions the body trolley or cot alongside the rack rather than in front of it.

Best for: Prep rooms where the long side of the rack is accessible and the end is against a wall or blocked by other equipment. Facilities where staff approach the rack from the side as part of the standard body transfer workflow.

Why it works: When a mortuary cot or transfer board is positioned alongside the rack, sliding the body laterally onto the roller bars is faster and easier than realigning the cot to approach the end. Side loading eliminates the need to rotate or reposition the body for loading. MOBI Medical states the side loading rack uses the same industrial-grade welded steel frame and 1.9-inch gravity-free roller bars as the end loading configuration.

Hilton Funeral Supply carries the side loading rack in both 3-tier and 4-tier configurations.

The 3-tier side loading rack shares the same 31-inch by 85-inch overall footprint, the same 21-inch first-tier height, and the same 16.25-inch vertical tier spacing as the end loading model, with tray access along the full long side. See current pricing on the Hilton product page.

The 4-tier side loading rack provides four tiers of side-accessible storage in the same footprint. See current pricing on the Hilton product page.

A multi-directional loading mortuary roller rack accepts the body tray from either end or either side of the rack, giving staff the ability to load from whichever direction is accessible at the time of the transfer. MOBI Medical states multi-directional tiers are specifically engineered for easy loading and unloading from multiple access points — the tiers are built differently from end-only or side-only configurations to accommodate all-directional tray movement.

Best for: Crematories and funeral homes where the prep room layout may change, where space around the rack is shared with other equipment, or where different staff members approach the rack from different directions. High-volume operations where loading flexibility reduces workflow interruptions. Facilities expanding into a new space and uncertain how the final layout will position the rack.

Why it works: A fixed-direction rack requires the body to be positioned specifically for the loading approach — end loading requires the head or foot of the body to enter first, and side loading requires lateral positioning. When the room layout or the call volume changes, a fixed-direction rack can become a constraint. A multi-directional rack removes that constraint permanently. MOBI Medical also states the multi-directional rack's Knock Down / Break Apart design is especially useful when the rack must be moved through a door frame or into a space where a fully assembled unit would not fit.

Hilton Funeral Supply carries the multi-directional rack in both 3-tier and 4-tier configurations.

The 3-tier multi-directional rack provides three tiers of all-direction-accessible storage on the same 31-inch by 85-inch footprint, with the same first-tier height of 21 inches and 16.25-inch vertical spacing. See current pricing on the Hilton product page.

The 4-tier multi-directional rack provides four tiers of all-directional loading in the same footprint. See current pricing on the Hilton product page.

— Conner Patten, Product Specialist, Hilton Funeral Supply

The right rack is determined by how the body enters the rack during a transfer — and that is determined by the room, not by preference. A funeral home whose prep room has wall access at the end of the rack should start with an end loading configuration: the 3-tier end loading rack for lower call volumes, or the 4-tier end loading rack for higher storage capacity. A funeral home whose workflow positions the cot alongside the rack should start with a side loading configuration: the 3-tier side loading rack or the 4-tier side loading rack.

Crematories and high-volume funeral homes with changing workflows or tight prep room layouts should consider a multi-directional rack. The 3-tier multi-directional rack handles three bodies from any access point. The 4-tier multi-directional rack handles four. The multi-directional configuration costs more than end or side loading in the same tier count, but it removes a permanent constraint that end or side loading racks cannot accommodate once installed.

Tier count is a secondary decision once loading direction is established. Three tiers is sufficient for most independent funeral homes operating in lower-volume markets. Four tiers makes sense for high-volume operations, crematories serving multiple facilities, or funeral homes that hold cases for extended periods before service.

All MOBI Medical roller racks available through Hilton Funeral Supply share a common set of verified construction specifications per MOBI Medical's product descriptions. Call Hilton at 1-800-433-8878 for custom size inquiries.

Overall footprint: 31 inches wide by 85 inches long (all standard configurations).

Standard end opening: 28 inches (end loading and multi-directional configurations).

First-tier height: 21 inches.

Vertical spacing between tiers: 16.25 inches per tier.

Roller bars: 1.9-inch gravity-free roller bars.

Frame: Industrial-grade welded steel construction.

Finish: Durable powder-coated anti-corrosive finish. Optional colors available.

Casters: Heavy-duty, high-impact casters with locking brake. Leveling feet available as an alternative.

Assembly: Break Apart / Knock Down design available for access through tight doorways or constrained spaces.

Origin: Made in USA. Manufactured in Columbia, South Carolina.

Custom options: Custom sizes and colors available. Call Hilton Funeral Supply at 1-800-433-8878 to discuss.

All MOBI roller rack configurations are available through Hilton Funeral Supply. The 3-tier end loading rack, 4-tier end loading rack, 3-tier side loading rack, 4-tier side loading rack, 3-tier multi-directional rack, and 4-tier multi-directional rack are each available on their individual product pages on the Hilton site. Orders can also be placed by phone at 1-800-433-8878. Hilton ships nationwide to licensed funeral professionals.

Because MOBI racks are built to order in Columbia, South Carolina, delivery timelines depend on current production schedules. Facilities planning a prep room renovation or equipment replacement should order ahead of the installation date rather than against immediate need. Custom sizes and colors are available for facilities with non-standard prep room dimensions — call Hilton Funeral Supply at 1-800-433-8878 to discuss custom configurations.

MOBI Medical Manufacturing is a US-based manufacturer of mortuary, funeral, and medical equipment, headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina. MOBI Medical is a 2024 NFDA Associate Member and produces roller racks, mortuary cots, embalming tables, body lifts, crematory equipment, cadaver storage systems, and related products for the funeral profession, crematories, coroner offices, and hospital morgues.

MOBI Medical states its roller rack systems are built to order and fully customizable in size and color. Premier Removal Services, a South Carolina-based body transport firm, has stated in a published testimonial that the quality of MOBI's custom racks is exceptional and that they have found no better. Hilton Funeral Supply is an authorized distributor of the MOBI roller rack line and carries all standard configurations with nationwide shipping.

What is a mortuary roller rack?

A mortuary roller rack is a wheeled, multi-tier steel storage system used in funeral home preparation rooms, crematories, and morgues to hold human remains. Each tier uses gravity-fed 1.9-inch roller bars to allow staff to slide a body tray in and out without manual lifting. MOBI Medical's roller racks available through Hilton Funeral Supply are made in the USA, built on an industrial-grade welded steel frame, and come in end loading, side loading, and multi-directional configurations in 3-tier and 4-tier heights.

What is the difference between end loading and side loading mortuary roller racks?

An end loading rack accepts the body tray from the short end of the rack — the front face — which allows the rack's long sides to sit flush against walls. A side loading rack accepts the tray from the long side, requiring open clearance along the rack's full 85-inch length. The right configuration depends on the prep room layout: end loading fits rooms where the end is accessible; side loading fits rooms where the cot or transfer board naturally approaches from the side. The 3-tier end loading rack and 3-tier side loading rack share the same footprint and construction.

What is a multi-directional mortuary roller rack?

A multi-directional mortuary roller rack accepts body tray loading from either end or either long side of the rack. MOBI Medical states multi-directional tiers are specifically engineered for loading and unloading from multiple access points. This configuration is the most flexible and suits crematories or funeral homes where the prep room layout may change, where space around the rack is shared with other equipment, or where staff approach the rack from different directions. The 3-tier multi-directional rack and 4-tier multi-directional rack are available through Hilton Funeral Supply.

What are the dimensions of the MOBI Medical mortuary roller racks?

All standard MOBI Medical roller racks share a common footprint of 31 inches wide by 85 inches long, per MOBI Medical's product specifications. The standard end opening on end loading and multi-directional configurations is 28 inches. The first tier sits at 21 inches from the floor, and each additional tier adds 16.25 inches of vertical clearance. Custom sizes are available — call Hilton Funeral Supply at 1-800-433-8878 to discuss.

How many bodies does a 3-tier vs. 4-tier rack hold?

A 3-tier rack holds three bodies — one per tier. A 4-tier rack holds four. Most independent funeral homes with lower daily call volumes use 3-tier racks. Crematories, high-volume funeral homes, and facilities that hold cases for extended periods before service typically use 4-tier racks. The tier count does not affect the rack's footprint — a 3-tier and 4-tier rack in the same loading configuration occupy the same 31-inch by 85-inch floor area.

What is the Knock Down / Break Apart design option on MOBI roller racks?

The Knock Down / Break Apart design allows the roller rack to be disassembled into sections for access through narrow doorways, tight hallways, or constrained prep room entries where a fully assembled rack would not fit. MOBI Medical states this option is especially useful in crematories and funeral homes being outfitted in buildings where the door frames are smaller than the rack's assembled dimensions. Once in place, the rack can be reassembled to its full configuration.

Can MOBI roller racks be customized for non-standard prep room sizes?

Yes. MOBI Medical states all roller rack configurations are available in custom sizes and custom colors, built to order in its Columbia, South Carolina facility. Hilton Funeral Supply carries the standard 3-tier and 4-tier configurations in all three loading orientations. For facilities with non-standard prep room dimensions, call Hilton Funeral Supply at 1-800-433-8878 to discuss custom sizing options.

Do MOBI roller racks come with casters or leveling feet?

MOBI roller racks are available with either heavy-duty, high-impact locking casters or leveling feet — the choice is made at the time of order. Locking casters allow the rack to be repositioned and locked in place, which is useful in prep rooms where the rack is occasionally moved. Leveling feet permanently fix the rack's position and are appropriate for facilities where the rack will not be relocated after installation.

How do I order a MOBI mortuary roller rack from Hilton Funeral Supply?

All MOBI roller rack configurations are available through Hilton Funeral Supply on their individual product pages: the 3-tier end loading rack, the 4-tier end loading rack, the 3-tier side loading rack, the 4-tier side loading rack, the 3-tier multi-directional rack, and the 4-tier multi-directional rack. Orders can also be placed by phone at 1-800-433-8878. Hilton ships nationwide to licensed funeral professionals.

Are MOBI mortuary roller racks made in the USA?

Yes. MOBI Medical Manufacturing produces its roller racks in Columbia, South Carolina. MOBI Medical states each rack is built to order in its Columbia facility and offers full customization in rack sizes and colors. MOBI Medical is a 2024 NFDA Associate Member.