This article was written by our expert who is surveying the industry and constantly updating business plan for a funeral home.
Our business plan for a funeral home will help you build a profitable project
Starting a funeral home is a significant undertaking, but understanding what equipment you need can seem daunting.
The challenge lies in knowing exactly what to purchase without overspending or overlooking essential items.
Every funeral home has unique requirements, and equipment costs can escalate quickly without proper planning and budgeting.
Complete Funeral Home Equipment List
Operating a successful funeral home requires specialized equipment to serve families with dignity and professionalism. This comprehensive list covers everything needed to establish and run a funeral home.
Embalming Equipment
- Embalming table - Stainless steel surface with drainage and chemical resistance
- Embalming machine - Circulates preservative fluids through the body
- Aspirator - Removes bodily fluids and gases during preparation
- Pressure injector - Delivers embalming chemicals at controlled pressure
- Arterial tubes - Connects circulation system to embalming equipment
- Trocar - Surgical instrument for cavity embalming procedures
- Scalpels and surgical tools - Precision instruments for preparation work
- Embalming chemicals - Formaldehyde solutions and other preservatives
- Eye caps and mouth formers - Maintains natural facial appearance
- Cotton and gauze - Absorbent materials for preparation process
- Gloves and protective equipment - Safety gear for handling chemicals
- Disinfectants - Maintains sanitary conditions in preparation room
Body Preparation & Storage
- Mortuary cooler - Refrigerated storage for multiple bodies
- Body lifts - Hydraulic systems for transferring deceased safely
- Stretchers and gurneys - Transport equipment for moving bodies
- Body bags - Protective coverings for transport and storage
- Dressing table - Surface for clothing and final preparations
- Hair styling equipment - Tools for cosmetic preparation
- Cosmetics and makeup - Products for restoration and presentation
- Clothing and accessories - Burial garments and personal items
Cremation Equipment
- Cremation chamber - High-temperature furnace for cremation process
- Cremulator - Pulverizes remaining bone fragments
- Identification tags - Tracks remains throughout process
- Urns and containers - Stores cremated remains for families
- Temporary containers - Holds remains before final disposition
- Scales - Weighs remains for documentation purposes
Caskets & Burial Products
- Casket inventory - Various styles, materials, and price points
- Casket display room - Showroom for family selection process
- Burial vaults - Protective containers for underground burial
- Grave liners - Basic protection for burial sites
- Flowers and arrangements - Memorial decorations and tributes
- Religious items - Crosses, prayer cards, and ceremonial objects
Facility Equipment
- Chapel seating - Comfortable chairs for funeral services
- Sound system - Audio equipment for services and music
- Lighting system - Appropriate illumination for ceremonies
- Podium and lectern - Speaking platform for services
- Projection equipment - Displays photos and videos during services
- Climate control - Heating and cooling for comfort
- Restroom facilities - Essential amenities for families and guests
Transportation
- Hearse - Primary vehicle for transporting deceased
- Family car - Limousine for immediate family members
- Flower car - Vehicle for transporting floral arrangements
- Removal vehicle - Van for picking up deceased from locations
Office & Administrative
- Computer system - Manages records, scheduling, and billing
- Funeral home software - Specialized programs for operations
- Printer and copier - Document production and record keeping
- Filing cabinets - Secure storage for sensitive records
- Telephone system - Communication with families and vendors
- Reception furniture - Comfortable seating for families
- Desk and office supplies - Basic administrative needs
Safety & Compliance
- Ventilation system - Removes chemical fumes and odors
- Eyewash station - Emergency safety equipment
- Fire extinguisher - Required safety equipment
- First aid kit - Medical supplies for emergencies
- Security system - Protects facility and contents
- Emergency lighting - Backup power for critical areas
Cleaning & Maintenance
- Industrial washing machine - Cleans linens and preparation materials
- Dryer - Dries cleaned items
- Cleaning supplies - Specialized chemicals for sanitation
- Vacuum cleaner - Maintains carpeted areas
- Floor cleaning equipment - Keeps hard surfaces clean
Our financial plan for a funeral home will help you build a profitable project
What Equipment Budget Should You Plan?
Most funeral home owners invest between $150,000 and $500,000 on equipment, depending on their size and services offered. You cannot operate below $100,000 for even the most basic setup because you need essential embalming equipment, refrigeration, and basic funeral supplies to meet legal requirements and serve families properly.
- Small Funeral Home
A small funeral home with basic services needs around $100,000-$200,000, with most of that budget allocated to embalming equipment, refrigeration, and a basic vehicle fleet.
- Medium-Sized Funeral Home
A medium-sized funeral home offering full services typically runs $200,000-$350,000, including cremation equipment, multiple service rooms, and expanded vehicle fleet.
- Large Funeral Home
A large funeral home or mortuary complex can easily reach $350,000-$500,000, especially when adding multiple cremation chambers, extensive facilities, and premium equipment.
Equipment Budget Examples
Small Funeral Home ($100,000 - $200,000)
Small funeral homes focus on essential equipment to provide basic services with dignity and professionalism. The goal is acquiring quality fundamentals without overspending on features that won't be immediately utilized.
| Equipment Category | What's Included | Budget Range |
|---|---|---|
| Embalming Equipment | Basic embalming table, single-tank embalming machine, aspirator, essential chemicals and supplies | $15,000 - $25,000 |
| Refrigeration | 4-body mortuary cooler with individual compartments, temperature monitoring system | $12,000 - $18,000 |
| Transportation | Used hearse in good condition, removal van for body transport | $25,000 - $40,000 |
| Casket Inventory | Basic selection of 15-20 caskets in various price ranges, simple display room setup | $20,000 - $30,000 |
| Chapel & Services | 50-seat chapel setup, basic sound system, simple podium and lighting | $8,000 - $15,000 |
| Office Equipment | Computer system, funeral home software, printer, basic office furniture | $5,000 - $10,000 |
| Safety & Compliance | Ventilation system, safety equipment, basic security system | $8,000 - $12,000 |
| Installation & Setup | Equipment installation, permits, initial inventory, professional setup | $7,000 - $12,000 |
Medium-Sized Funeral Home ($200,000 - $350,000)
Medium funeral homes require expanded capacity and specialized equipment to handle diverse services and higher volume. Investment focuses on efficiency and the ability to offer comprehensive services to families.
| Equipment Category | What's Included | Budget Range |
|---|---|---|
| Embalming Suite | Premium embalming table with lift, advanced embalming machine, complete chemical inventory, preparation room setup | $25,000 - $40,000 |
| Cremation Equipment | Small cremation chamber, cremulator, identification system, urn inventory | $40,000 - $65,000 |
| Refrigeration Systems | 8-body mortuary cooler, backup refrigeration, temperature monitoring and alarms | $18,000 - $28,000 |
| Vehicle Fleet | New hearse, family limousine, flower car, updated removal vehicle | $60,000 - $90,000 |
| Casket & Merchandise | Expanded casket selection of 30-40 units, professional display room, burial vault inventory | $35,000 - $50,000 |
| Facility Equipment | 100-seat chapel, professional sound and lighting, multiple visitation rooms | $15,000 - $25,000 |
| Technology Systems | Advanced funeral home software, integrated phone system, website and online services | $8,000 - $15,000 |
| Installation & Training | Professional installation, staff training, regulatory compliance, permits | $12,000 - $20,000 |
Large Funeral Home ($350,000 - $500,000)
Large funeral homes operate with comprehensive facilities and premium equipment. The focus shifts to maximizing efficiency, offering specialized services, and handling high-volume operations with multiple service options.
| Equipment Category | What's Included | Budget Range |
|---|---|---|
| Premium Embalming | Multiple embalming suites, hydraulic tables, advanced chemical systems, specialized preparation equipment | $40,000 - $60,000 |
| Cremation Complex | Multiple cremation chambers, advanced filtration systems, automated identification, premium urn selection | $80,000 - $120,000 |
| Refrigeration Facility | Large-capacity mortuary cooler (12+ bodies), blast chilling capability, automated monitoring systems | $25,000 - $40,000 |
| Premium Fleet | Multiple hearses, luxury family vehicles, flower cars, specialized transport equipment | $100,000 - $150,000 |
| Extensive Merchandise | Premium casket showroom (50+ units), complete burial vault selection, religious and specialty items | $60,000 - $90,000 |
| Facility Systems | Multiple chapels, advanced audio/visual systems, reception areas, climate control throughout | $30,000 - $45,000 |
| Technology Integration | Comprehensive management software, live streaming capabilities, online memorial services, security systems | $15,000 - $25,000 |
| Professional Setup | Complete installation, comprehensive training, regulatory compliance, interior design and setup | $20,000 - $30,000 |