Final Passages

Creating and carrying out your own funeral arrangements is completely legal in most states and is an innate right practiced for thousands of years around the world.

In most states, a family member or legally assigned Proxy can (1) act in lieu of the funeral director to orchestrate any or all funeral plans, and (2) transport the deceased to a place of ceremony, a cemetery, or a crematory.

It is possible for the deceased to lie-in honor in a home (1 to 3 days is customary) and for the family to file the death certificate.

Embalming is toxic, invasive, and is almost never required. Dry ice can be used to preserve the body during an extended wake.

Currently, the average cost of a conventional funeral (burial) in the United States can easily run $10,000. An average cremation costs $2,000.

A home funeral, or family-directed funeral, is family-led after-death care. It is simply the after-death care undertaken by family members, which can include ceremony, bathing, dressing, preservation, lying-in-honor, paperwork, and transport to a cemetery or crematorium. It does not have to be spiritually or religiously-centered and does not have to be held at home.

Final Passages offers cremation, funeral homes and prepaid, and is a funeral home. See the full breakdown and prices on this page.

Final Passages is located at , Sebastopol, CA. Use the “Get directions” link on this page for a map.

Final Passages is a licensed funeral provider, with recognized industry memberships listed under “Good to know” above. You can always confirm a provider's current license with your state funeral board.

Yes. The federal FTC Funeral Rule requires every funeral home to give you a written, itemized General Price List on request — in person or over the phone — and to let you choose only the goods and services you want. Always compare a couple of providers before deciding.