23 Jul, 2026
According to Straits Research, the global mortuary bags market size was valued at $1.77 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from $1.9 billion in 2026 to $3.31 billion by 2034 at a CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period 2026-2034.
Mortuary bags, also referred to as cadaver bags, corpse bags, body bags, recovery bags, and human-remains containers, are used to transport and store deceased bodies. Cotton mattress covers were sometimes used before the availability of body bags, particularly in combat zones during World War II. Other materials, such as bed linens, blankets, shelter halves, ponchos, parachute canopies, sleeping bag covers, tablecloths, curtains, tarpaulins, or discarded canvas, were utilized if these were unavailable.
Later designs of rubber (and now plastic) morgue bags are considerably superior because they prevent the common postmortem leakage of body fluids. Typically, these bags are constructed from polyethylene vinyl acetate (PEVA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), woven or non-woven polypropylene, or other resilient materials. These mortuary bags are essential for hospitals, funeral homes, public safety, and firefighting units.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continue to rise globally, particularly in developing nations, with multiple risk factors contributing to the increase. Several factors contribute to the burden of non-communicable diseases, including rapid urbanization, westernization of lifestyle, dietary practices, and an aging population. According to the WHO, NCDs cause 41 million fatalities annually, or 71% of all deaths worldwide.
Every two seconds, one person aged 30 to 70 dies prematurely from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which affect over 15 million people globally. NCDs have been the leading cause of death throughout the globe. This has increased the worldwide demand for funeral purses. As the purpose of mortuary bags is to store and transport dead bodies, the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases is a primary factor driving market growth.
There has been an increase in autopsies performed to enhance the quality and assurance of medical care. Clinical autopsy, an integral component of public health, has led to significant advances in the comprehension of disease and its treatment, improving many lives and saving many others. Globally, clinical autopsy has increased the clinical understanding of the vast array of infectious diseases, resulting in several fatalities.
An autopsy offers a great chance to employ next-generation DNA sequencing to better understand human diseases' genetic and molecular origins. Cancer lesions can be paired with improved imaging and animal research using autopsy to produce new cancer treatment choices. Dead bodies are deposited in mortuary/dead body bags for autopsies. These bags have become an integral part of autopsy kits, creating opportunities for market expansion.
Europe is the most significant global mortuary bags market shareholder and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 3.58% during the forecast period. Europe has emerged as the most important region in the world market for mortuary bags because of the growing aging population afflicted with chronic diseases, the high frequency of non-communicable diseases, and the recurrent outbreaks of epidemics and pandemics. In 2017, EU countries' leading causes of death were cardiovascular diseases, malignancies, respiratory diseases, and other external factors. These diseases have contributed to the region's high mortality rate, which has increased the demand for morgue bags. With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in demand for morgue sacks. It was estimated that by the end of 2020, the COVID-19 virus will have caused over 1.5 million fatalities in Europe. The constant number of deaths has increased the demand for body bags for appropriate storage, transportation, and disposal.
North America is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 4.46% over the forecast period. The high prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, cancer, accidents, unintentional injuries, and others, which increase the mortality rate and the subsequent demand for mortuary bags, are major contributors to the market's growth in the region. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one person in the United States dies every 36 seconds from cardiovascular disease. Similarly, one Canadian dies every five minutes from cardiovascular disease or stroke. The increasing mortality rate in the region has led to increased use of mortuary bags for the safe storage and transportation of the deceased.
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