Condolence Vehicle, Trailer or Mourning Tent: Which to Choose?

In Turkey, as in many countries across the Middle East and the Balkans, friends and neighbours gather for several days after a death to offer their condolences to the family. This custom, known in Turkish as taziye, needs space. When the family lives in a small flat or a large number of visitors is expected, finding a suitable place becomes difficult. Municipalities often meet this need with mobile solutions: a condolence vehicle, a condolence trailer or a mourning tent, also called a condolence tent. This article compares the three and sets out the criteria worth considering before you buy.

What is a condolence vehicle?

A condolence vehicle is a transportable reception space, towed to the family's home or a nearby square, with seating, a serving counter, lighting and the option of air conditioning. The main features listed on the Volinox product page are:

• A stainless steel chassis built to the required size and suitable for different ground conditions
• Polyurethane exterior panels with heat, water and sound insulation, resistant to moisture and corrosion
• An impact- and vibration-resistant accordion window system, custom awnings and seating
• A stainless counter, hand-wash basin, storage and kitchen cabinets
• Interior and exterior lighting, a booster pump, clean and waste water tanks, water hose and power cable
• Front and rear levelling jacks, with optional split air conditioning, sound system and generator

The three options compared

Which option, and when?

A condolence vehicle suits municipalities that want to offer a regular service in every season and have enough parking space. Its insulated body and optional air conditioning keep visitors comfortable in both winter and summer. A condolence trailer is more compact, so it can be positioned easily in narrow streets and tight spaces, and its serving section can be used on its own or alongside an existing room. A mourning tent is a quick way to host a large gathering in an open area, but it needs staff to put up and take down, and comfort is limited in bad weather. The options can also work together: at a large gathering, a mourning tent can seat the visitors while a condolence trailer serves as the refreshment area.

Selection criteria for municipalities

1. Population served and the average number of condolence gatherings per year
2. Local climate: harsh winters or hot summers determine how much insulation and air conditioning you need
3. Road and parking conditions, including village roads, gradients and narrow streets
4. Towing vehicles available and their towing capacity
5. Covered storage for the unit when it is not in use
6. Staff available for set-up, cleaning and maintenance
7. How the organisation’s name and contact details will be applied to the exterior

Use and maintenance tips

• Park on level ground and use the jacks to stabilise the unit; make sure the entrance step is secure.
• Connect to a suitable power supply or a generator.
• After each use, clean the seating area, counter and basin, and empty the waste water tank at an appropriate point.
• Drain the water lines whenever there is a risk of frost.
• Check tyres, brakes and lights before every tow.
• Retract the awning in strong wind and keep the tracks of the accordion windows clean.

How long a unit stays in one place depends on local custom and municipal practice. Setting out durations and responsibilities in a written procedure helps the service run fairly and smoothly for every family.

Volinox condolence solutions

You can see all the options on our condolence vehicles page, with details on the condolence vehicle, condolence trailer and condolence tent pages. Municipalities that also provide funeral services to villages may find our mobile ghusl unit guide useful. For a quote, contact us through our contact page or on WhatsApp.