Glossary
Home funeral
A home funeral is one in which the family cares for and keeps the body at home for viewing and ceremony, rather than using a funeral home's facilities. Families may handle some or all arrangements themselves, within what their state's laws allow.
In a home funeral, relatives may wash and dress the body, hold a vigil, and arrange transport, often with guidance from a home-funeral guide or hospice. Refrigeration or cooling can be used in place of embalming for a short period.
How much a family may legally do without a licensed funeral director varies by state — a few states require a funeral director's involvement for certain steps such as filing paperwork or transporting the body.
Related terms
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Common questions
- Are home funerals legal?
- Home funerals are legal in most states, but how much a family may do without a licensed funeral director varies. A few states require a funeral director's involvement for certain steps, such as filing paperwork or transporting the body, so check your state's rules.
- How do you keep a body at home without embalming?
- Families typically use refrigeration, dry ice, or cooling techniques to slow changes for a short period, often with guidance from a home-funeral guide or hospice. Embalming is not required for a home funeral.
- What does a family do in a home funeral?
- Relatives may wash and dress the body, hold a vigil at home, and arrange transport, handling some or all of the steps themselves within what their state allows. Many work with a home-funeral guide for support.
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This definition is general information, not legal or financial advice. Laws and prices vary by state and provider. See our editorial standards.