A once long held tradition in America was having an in home funeral. For more than a century people cared for their own dead as a way of life. The death that occurred at home was laid out usually in the unheated front parlor and the visitation and services occurred right there. Late 19th century traditions changed, arrangements became more complicated for families and the profession of Undertakers was born. They assisted families in funeral arranging thus lifting the burden off the family. But the ability to have a funeral in your own home is still alive. You can act as your own funeral director; educate yourself on the laws for your state. All states except New York, Connecticut, Nebraska, Indiana, Michigan, Utah and Louisiana allow families to care for their own. Home funeral services include but not limited to having the body laid out in your home after washing and dressing, hosting visitation, memorial services, and transporting the deceased to the cemetery or crematory. Embalming is not required by law. If the body is to be laid out over 24 hours it is recommended to keep the body and environment cool to slow down the process of decomposition.

It is imperative that you have a plan in place prior to the death; you may need to notify local authorities in order to educate them before it happens. Families that have been taking care of a loved one at home under hospice care have the energy and comfort of caring for the loved one at home.

Here is an idea of what to expect when planning a home funeral.

1. Contact the local hospice, or local authorities, it is required that a death be pronounced. Failing to do so may prolong the process of paperwork.
2. Locate the doctor that has agreed to fill out and sign the death certificate. The death certificate is required to be typed and signed with black ink. Some states have a computerized process for this; you may need to consult with a funeral director or Vital Records office to process this electronically.
3. Once the death certificate is complete it needs to be filed with the county Vital Records office, they will provide a permit for disposition. Please make pre planned arrangements with the crematory or cemetery of choice before the death, consult with them on their requirements for self burial.
4. Begin washing and dressing of the loved one. This is physically demanding and will require more than one person. Use a washcloth or sponge to bath the body, use an adult diaper to contain leaking body fluids, and apply a band aid to visible wounds and needle marks. Rigor mortis can be massaged to make limbs more flexible for dressing. After the body has been washed you may want to change the sheet under the deceased. This can be done by rolling the body from side to side. Next, you will begin the dressing, do this slowly and gently.
5. Transfer the deceased to the place of viewing this can be a prepared slumber bed or a coffin/casket. I suggest at least 6 people to do this smoothly. Take care to keep the head above the body to prevent bodily fluids from the mouth. Dry ice is recommended to keep the deceased cool; it does not melt into a fluid and leave you with a wet mess in the coffin. To do this you will need to purchase approximately 30 lbs of dry ice placed in plastic bag and then cloth bag, you may use pillow cases. Place the dry ice under the warmest places of the body; under the head, beneath both shoulder blades, both sides of the hips, and on top of the stomach. Be sure to turn on the air conditioner, use a fan and open a window to allow the gases of the dry ice to escape. The dry ice will need to be replaced every 24 hours.
6. Next you want to plan and host a visitation, invite friends to come and pay their last respects. Planning this may include deciding on music, food and or catering, setting up flowers, candles and making memento cards. Keep in mind you want to this to be interactive, give the guests something to do or partake in. Set up a shrine and invite people to bring objects that symbolize the life lived.
7. Once the visitation and services have been complete and everyone has a chance to say good bye and grieve together the disposition may proceed. You will need to arrange for transportation, this can be your own vehicle or a service from a local funeral home, check with your local laws on this.
8. Once the loved one has been transported to the location of disposition and the disposition permit is handed over to the crematory or cemetery your role as the funeral director is complete.

List of Supplies that may be needed for a home funeral:

• Wash cloths, sponges, bowls for water
• Bath towels
• Aroma candles
• Strong people
• Gloves for handling dry ice
• Plastic bags, pillow cases or other cloth type bag for dry ice packs
• Sheets
• Waterproof pads
• Blankets
• Pillow
• Coffin or slumber bed for viewing
• Clothes to dress the deceased
• Disposable adult diapers
• Cosmetics as needed
• flowers, mementos and photos
• Party planning skills – chairs, caterers, parking, restroom facilities
• Large vehicle for transport