How to Choose the Right Body Bag
A practical guide for healthcare facilities, funeral homes, veterinary clinics, and emergency services — helping you select the right size, material, and configuration for your needs.
Why Proper Selection Matters
Selecting the right body bag is about dignity, safety, and efficiency. The wrong size can compromise proper handling, while inadequate material thickness risks leakage or tearing during transport. With Canadian healthcare facilities handling thousands of cases annually, having the right supply on hand is both a compliance and operational necessity.
Step 1: Identify Your Use Case
Different settings have different requirements. Match yours below:
| Setting | Primary Need | Recommended Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital Morgue | Range of sizes for general population | Standard, Bariatric, Pediatric |
| Funeral Home | Presentation quality, easy handling | Standard, Standard w/ Handles |
| Coroner / ME Office | Evidence integrity, multiple configurations | Standard, L-Shape, Pandemic |
| Veterinary Clinic | Cremation-friendly, size-appropriate | Small through Extra Large (Vet) |
| Emergency Response | Durability, infection control, rapid deployment | Pandemic, Standard, Transport Heavy Duty |
Step 2: Size Matters — Medgear Size Reference
Medgear offers the widest range of sizes of any Canadian manufacturer:
Human Body Bags
| Product | Size | Capacity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fetus | 12" x 16" | — | Neonatal / pathology |
| Infant | 16" x 25" | — | Pediatric units |
| Child | 25" x 50" | — | Pediatric / small adult |
| Youth | 32" x 70" | Up to 200 lbs | Adolescents / small adults |
| Teen | 32" x 94" | Up to 200 lbs | Teens / slender adults |
| Standard | 38" x 94" | Up to 300 lbs | Most common — general use |
| Standard w/ Handles | 38" x 98" | Up to 350 lbs | Funeral homes, transport |
| Bariatric | 56" x 104" | 500+ lbs | Bariatric cases, large individuals |
| L-Shape | 37" x 94" | Up to 300 lbs | Easy-loading configuration |
| Pandemic | 38" x 96" | Up to 350 lbs | Infection control, disasters |
Veterinary Body Bags
| Product | Size | Capacity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vet Small | 18" x 32" | < 20 lb / 9 kg | Cats, small dogs, puppies |
| Vet Medium | 24" x 39" | 22-64 lb / 10-29 kg | Medium dogs, large cats |
| Vet Large | 31" x 46" | 66-110 lb / 30-50 kg | Large dogs, livestock |
| Vet XL | 40" x 58" | 110+ lb / 50+ kg | Very large breeds, farm animals |
Step 3: Material & Construction
Medgear uses medical-grade LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) — chlorine-free, puncture-resistant, and leak-proof. All standard bags use 10 Mil thickness for optimal strength without excessive bulk. Pediatric sizes use 8 Mil for easier handling, while specialty transport bags offer reinforced construction.
Step 4: Special Features
- Handles: Available on most sizes — 2 on standard, 4 on large, 8 on bariatric
- L-Shape Zipper: Allows full-body access from side and top — ideal for autopsy workflows
- Identification Panel: Writeable surface for case documentation
- Leak-Proof Seams: Heat-welded construction for biohazard containment
- Cremation-Friendly: All vet bags burn cleanly — no harmful residue
Step 5: Compliance & Procurement
All Medgear products are Ontario Made certified and manufactured in Uxbridge, Ontario. Products meet Canadian healthcare standards and can be supplied with compliance documentation for hospital procurement departments.
Ready to Order?
Contact Medgear for samples, bulk pricing, or custom sizing. We ship across Canada and to the United States.