Home funeral

A Home funeral is when a funeral occurs at a person's home, as opposed to a funeral home. Though rare since the advent of funeral homes, they were once common events, since washing and laying out the body often took place at home, as well as the viewing, the wake and the burial in the family plot. Some are now preferring to do this themselves.^[1][2]

History

Until the American Civil War, most funerals in America were home funerals.^[1]

Legality

Most American states allow home funerals,^[1] requiring only a death certificate, and legal permission to transport the body.^[3] In Canada, the same is required.^[4]

From the point of view of the funeral director, in home services present additional challenges; access being prime. Care and sensitivity must be taken particularly in a multi-unit situation such as an apartment, condominium or row housing complex. Families are advised to notify neighbours in advance of services in order to avoid unfortunate misunderstandings. Once delivered into the care of the private home, the funeral director is under no legal obligation to remain with the deceased.

See also

• Natural burial
• Death midwife

References

1. Ann Zaniewski (11 January 2015). "Home funerals becoming more popular". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
2. U.S. News & World Report. 124. U.S. News Publishing Corporation. 1998. pp. 251–.
3. Max Alexander. "The Surprising Satisfactions of a Home Funeral". The Smithsonian. p. 2. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
4. Adriana Barton (April 20, 2010). "Home funerals restore intimacy to grieving rituals". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 29 January 2015.

External links

• Donkin, Annemarie (January 29, 2015). "Sacred Crossings Provides Dignified Home Funerals". Topanga Messenger. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
• Asa Johnson Dodge (1900). The Practical Embalmer: A Common-sense Treatise on the Art and Science of Embalming. pp. 203–204.
• Edith Bertha Ordway (1920). The Etiquette of To-day (rev. ed.). G. Sully and Company. pp. 255–256.
• "Post-Death Care and Home Funerals". CINDEA. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
• Sealand, Irene B. (1984). "A Home Funeral Consoles The Bereaved". In Bruno Leone; Bonnie Szumski; Claudia Debner. Death/dying. 1. David Bender (publisher). St. Paul, MN: Greenhaven Press. pp. 427–. ISBN 9780899085159.