1. Healing Presence The Re-emergence of Home Funerals in America

2. Why Home Funerals?  Legal  Family-led  Eco-conscious  Cost conscious  Meaningful

3. A Brief History  Home funerals the norm  Civil War embalming  Era of hospitals, germs  Symbol of affluence  Death professionals  $20B/year in the US

4. Home Funerals May Include  Bathing and laying out  Home vigil  Home funeral ceremony  Filing a death certificate  Transportation  Arranging disposition

5. Emotional Benefits  Natural flow of events  Normalize the process  Teach children  Embrace grief  Feel useful  Find meaning

6. Law Supports Families  Legal in every state  Embalming never required  9 states compel to hire a professional for non-vigil requirements

7. Affordability  Share tasks  Use what is available  File paperwork at no cost  Make disposition arrangements  Transport to crematory or cemetery  Hire only what you cannot do or are uncomfortable doing

8. Eco-friendly  Organic, natural methods  Non-invasive practices  Use dry or Techni-ice  Locally-made and sourced caskets, shrouds, urns  Use what is available

9. Safe  For caregivers and deceased  CDC, WHO, CID agree, “Dead bodies do not pose an increased health risk”  Fluids, odors easily managed  Room temp at 65° or lower for up to 3 days  Universal precautions

10. Planning  Advance Directives for health care (POLST)  Written funeral plans  Have the family conversation  Designated agent  Doctors, clergy, attorney  Organizing a care group

11. Home Funeral Guides  Educate about choices  Inform about laws and policies  Demonstrate techniques  Support the family in charge  Respect choices  Honor diverse traditions  Partner with caregivers

12. For More Information  Your name  Contact information  What you offer “We’re all just walking each other home.” — Ram Dass