a woman lays with flowers around her at a home funeral

Home Funerals & Natural Death Care

Home funerals and natural death care offer a more personal, hands-on way to honor a loved one’s death. This section explains the process, including legal steps, health and safety considerations, documentation, and costs. You’ll also learn how to find resources and understand your rights. Whether you’re considering this loving path for yourself or a loved one, these articles can help you navigate it with confidence and care.

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Home Funerals & Natural Death Care

What Is a Home Funeral?

Before Death: Preplanning a Home Funeral

After Death: The Natural Death Care and Home Funeral Process

After Death: Planning A Home Funeral

Final Rights: Reclaiming the American Way of Death

What Does a Home Funeral Cost in Comparison to a Traditional Funeral?

The Work of the Dead

How Can We Prevent Decomposition of the Body After Death?

How Do I Care for My Loved One’s Body Immediately After Death?

In the Parlor, The Final Goodbye

What Is an Electronic Death Record System and How May It Impact My Rights to Conduct a Home Funeral?

How Can I Get a Copy of a Death Certificate in My State?

Can I File My Loved One’s Death Certificate Myself?

The Resurgence of Family-Directed Home Funerals

How Can I Obtain a Death Certificate for My Loved One?

What Information Do I Need for a Death Certificate?

Can I Legally Transport My Loved One’s Body to the Cemetery or Crematory Myself?

What is a Death Care Midwife? An Interview with Akhila Murphy

Does the Law Say I Have to Hire a Funeral Director?

Are There Any Restrictions on Where a Home Funeral Can Take Place?

Our Selection of Home Funeral and Green Burial Films

How Can Families Save Money By Having A Home Funeral?

Why is Death Midwifery Important? Interview.

What Can I Do If a Hospital or Nursing Home Refuses to Release My Loved One’s Body to Me?

What Is an End-of-Life Doula and How Does That Differ From a Home Funeral Guide?

What Is a Home Funeral Guide?

If We Are Planning a Home Funeral, Who Should I Contact if My Loved One Dies at Home?

An Interview with Jerrigrace Lyons

A Intimate Glance Into the Benefits of a Home Funeral

Can a Home Funeral Be Conducted if the Cause of Death Was a Contagious Disease?

Are There Any Health and Safety Concerns to Be Aware of for a Home Funeral?

An Imam Talks About Muslim Traditions Around Death

How Can Families Involve Children in the Process of a Home Funeral for a Loved One?

Is It Appropriate for Children to Attend a Home Funeral?

What Is the Etiquette for Attending a Home Funeral?

Con Te Partirò/Time to Say Goodbye

Can I Have a Home Funeral if My Loved One Died in a Hospital?

What Are Common Reasons for Choosing to Have a Home Funeral?

The Iconic Funeral Hymn “Will The Circle Be Unbroken”

What Are the Steps of Conducting a Home Funeral?

The Green Burial Guidebook

Home Funeral & Natural Death Care Additional Resources