What Is a Home Funeral and Can You Have One?
By CRYSTAL BAI •
The short answer: A home funeral is when the family cares for the body of the deceased at home — washing, dressing, and keeping the body for viewing and farewell before burial or cremation — without using a funeral home. Home funerals are legal in most U.S. states and allow families to reclaim a deeply personal, meaningful role in death care.
What Is a Home Funeral?
A home funeral — also called a family-directed funeral — is when the family takes primary responsibility for the care of the body after death rather than immediately turning everything over to a funeral home. This can include washing and dressing the body, keeping the deceased at home for a day or more for farewell and vigil, and managing the transportation and disposition (burial or cremation) process.
Is a Home Funeral Legal?
Home funerals are legal in most U.S. states. Only a handful of states (Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, New York, and a few others) require a licensed funeral director to be involved in some capacity. In all other states, families have the legal right to care for their own dead. Laws vary on specific requirements — death certificates, burial permits, transportation regulations — so research your specific state's requirements.
Why Families Choose Home Funerals
- Reclaiming the death experience: Many families find deep meaning in personally caring for the body of someone they loved — washing them, dressing them in favorite clothes, keeping them at home one more night
- Cost savings: A home funeral can cost significantly less than a funeral home ($500–$2,000 vs. $8,000–$20,000 for traditional funerals)
- Environmental values: Home funerals pair naturally with green/natural burial — no embalming, no metal casket, no vault
- Cultural and religious traditions: Many cultural and religious traditions call for family involvement in body care — Jewish tahara, Muslim ghusl, Hindu preparation rituals
- Time and intimacy: More time with the body than a funeral home typically allows, for a slower, more personal goodbye
What Happens Practically
Keeping the body cool: Without embalming, the body needs to be kept cool to slow natural decomposition. Dry ice (available at many grocery stores) placed under and around the body works well for 2–3 days. A cool room (below 60°F) helps. Families typically have 24–72 hours comfortably at home.
The death certificate: A physician, hospice nurse, or medical examiner must certify the death. The family (or a home funeral guide) then files the death certificate with the county.
Burial or cremation permit: A burial permit or cremation authorization must be obtained from the county before final disposition.
Transportation: Families can transport the body themselves in a van or truck. A simple wooden casket, shroud, or body bag may be used.
Home Funeral Guides
Home funeral guides (also called death midwives or family funeral educators) are trained professionals who support families through the home funeral process without replacing the family's role. They help with legal paperwork, body care, cooling, and disposition planning. Some death doulas also offer home funeral guide services.
Organizations and Resources
- National Home Funeral Alliance (NHFA): homefuneralalliance.org — state-by-state legal guides, home funeral guide directory
- Final Passages: Pioneer home funeral education organization
- Crossings: Caring for Our Own at Death: Education and resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a home funeral legal in all states?
Home funerals are legal in most U.S. states. A handful of states (including Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, and New York) require some involvement of a licensed funeral director. In most states, families have the legal right to care for their own dead at home. Check your specific state's laws at the National Home Funeral Alliance website (homefuneralalliance.org).
How long can you keep a body at home after death?
Without embalming, most families keep the body at home for 24–72 hours comfortably. Dry ice placed under and around the body slows decomposition significantly. A cool room (below 60°F) extends this time. Beyond 3 days, decomposition becomes more apparent and most families choose to proceed with burial or cremation.
How much does a home funeral cost?
A home funeral can cost $500–$2,000 — primarily the death certificate filing fee, burial permit, green burial plot or cremation fee, and any supplies (dry ice, a simple wooden casket or shroud). This compares to $8,000–$20,000 for a traditional funeral with funeral home services. Home funerals can reduce costs by 80–90%.
What is a home funeral guide?
A home funeral guide (also called a death midwife or family funeral educator) is a trained professional who supports families through the home funeral process — helping with legal paperwork, body care, cooling protocols, and disposition planning — without replacing the family's hands-on role. They charge $200–$1,500 for their services.
Can you have a home funeral with hospice?
Yes. Hospice nurses pronounce the death and complete the necessary paperwork. After the hospice nurse has done their job, the family can take over body care for a home funeral rather than immediately calling a funeral home. Discuss your home funeral plans with your hospice team in advance so they are prepared to support this choice.
Renidy connects grieving families with compassionate death doulas and AI-powered funeral planning tools. Try our free AI funeral planner or find a death doula near you.