What is a Home Funeral?

Simply put, a Home Funeral is a return to our tradition of caring for our own at their death in our own homes.  

A home funeral might include: 
  • a mother lovingly painting the nails of her little girl for the very last time
  • siblings gathered to celebrate the life of a parent by sharing childhood stories
  • grandchildren decorating a casket cover for their grandparent 
  • friends and neighbors bringing flowers from their gardens to make floral arrangements

A Home Funeral puts the family in charge, rather than a commercial Funeral establishment.  
  • The family is able to slow things down and decide the pace they want to take through this important rite of passage 
  • Family members bathe, dress, and preserve the body to prepare it for lying in state
  • A Home Funeral is held in a private home instead of a funeral home
  • The body stays in the home for 1-3 days.   This allows more time for viewing, visiting, ceremony, prayers, reflection, reminiscing, & ritual.  
  • Final disposition is by either cremation or burial.  

Sacred Crossings has put together this slide show with beautiful examples of home funerals.

Used with permission.
Credit and many thanks to Sacred Crossings:

Rev. Olivia Bareham
Death Midwife & Home Funeral Guide

[email protected]
310-968-2763

www.sacredcrossings.com
www.deathcaredirective.com