THE RE-EMERGENCE OF HOME FUNERALS IN AMERICA HEALING PRESENCE

MOST PEOPLE’S CONCERNS Are home funerals legal? What are the costs? What are the environmental benefits? Are there health risks? Is there anything to fear? Who will take care of me? How can I make sure what I want will happen?

HOW FUNERAL HISTORY BEGAN families cared for their own at home Civil War surgeons experimented with embalming became a profession $20B a year industry

A HOME FUNERAL MAY INCLUDE caring for loved ones at home, church, or elsewhere by family and friends with professionals, If desired bathing, anointing, dressing viewing at home or church funeral gathering at home, or elsewhere paperwork transportation Courtesy of Crossings Care Circle

HOME FUNERALS ARE HEALING more time and flexibility natural flow of events and emotions normalize and diminish fears teach children about the life cycle embrace grief and loss give people a chance to be useful and find meaning Courtesy of Olivia Bareham Sacred Crossings

HOME FUNERALS ARE LEGAL in every state and province 9 states that require a funeral director embalming is never required by law vaults are never required by law home burials are permitted within parameters cremains may be scattered anywhere, including national & state parks (CT, IL, IA, IN, LA, MI, NE, NJ, NY) Photograph by George Sakkestad

HOME FUNERALS ARE AFFORDABLE share tasks file necessary documents make cemetery or crematory arrangements keep body care noninvasive and eco-friendly use locally sourced and crafted funeral goods file online or newspaper obituaries transport the body care for caregivers, children, visitors, and pets Chuck Lakin, Courtesy of New York Times Courtesy of Shine On Brightly

HOME FUNERALS ARE ECO-FRIENDLY organic, natural, noninvasive methods locally made caskets, urns and shrouds use native materials avoid dangerous, toxic chemicals rainforest exotic woods non-biodegradable metals and concrete production and transportation footprints Courtesy of Crossings Care Circle Courtesy of Marion Spadone

HOME FUNERALS ARE SAFE for caregivers and the deceased according to the CDC “…a dead body does not pose an increased [health] risk” keep cool with ice or air conditioning 70° room for up to 3 days no need for embalming or disinfecting use universal precautions when necessary Courtesy of Order of the Good Death

WITH PROPER CARE fluids and odors, if present, are managed easily wash with soap and water anoint with essential oils if desired cool with dry ice or Techni-ice dress and transfer Courtesy of Thresholds of Life

GOOD PLANNING INCLUDES advanced directives for health care write down your funeral wishes designate someone to carry them out inform doctors, clergy, family, attorneys organize a core care group

HOME FUNERAL GUIDES educate families and the public provide support and information how to complete paperwork how to perform body care keep the family in charge respect personal choices honor diverse spiritual traditions partner with professionals and family Courtesy of Crossings Care Circle

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