Sacred Crossings Alternative Funeral Home

A home funeral is a family or community-centered response to death and after-death care where families play a key role in preparing the body, planning rituals, filing paperwork, and facilitating final disposition. A vigil or 'wake' typically lasts 1–3 days while the body lies in honor for visits and goodbyes, with the funeral service often held at home on the 3rd day before cremation or burial.

Many religions cite the importance of the three days following death as a period when the soul/spirit/consciousness adjusts to existing without the physical form. Family members often experience the presence of a loved one during this time. Lovingly caring for the body in sacred space allows family and friends time to accept the loss, say goodbye, and begin healing with deepened gratitude and peace.

Home funeral guides are advocates for family-centered and family-led funerals who educate families on their innate right to care for their own dead. They guide but do not conduct after-death care themselves—the emphasis is on empowering families to perform minimal, non-invasive, environmentally-friendly body care while guides provide education and support.

No. In almost all states, families have the legal right to act as the funeral director on behalf of a loved one, including completing and filing necessary paperwork. A Sacred Crossing Guide can support you through the entire process.

Yes. In almost all 50 states, families have the legal right to care for loved ones after death, including taking the body home from hospitals, nursing facilities, or the coroner (with necessary permits). Alabama, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, and New York have various restrictions. Check www.funerals.org for state-specific legal rights.

Yes. Children are naturally curious about death and benefit from adult guidance in embracing it as a natural event. Having the body prepared by caring relatives at home is comforting for children and helps them accept and integrate death. Decorating the cremation box can be therapeutic, providing a creative outlet for unexpressed feelings.

Home funeral guide education and support services range from $500 to $2,500 depending on family needs and vigil length. Home funerals cost considerably less than traditional funeral homes because you save costs of refrigeration, embalming, mortician fees, and parlor/chapel rentals.

A death midwife assists an individual and family through the transition of death, similar to how a birth midwife assists with birth. Sacred Crossings death midwives incorporate roles of spiritual counselor, death doula, home funeral guide, funeral planner, and celebrant. They shepherd individuals toward conscious dying, guide loved ones in after-death body care, and empower families to create personal, meaningful home funerals.

The body is carefully washed, dressed (or shrouded), and preserved with dry ice to prevent decomposition. Family members remain in charge from death through burial or cremation, caring for the body according to religious or cultural beliefs and traditions, with the body viewed unembalmed.

Sacred Crossings will dispatch a driver to transport the body from the hospital, nursing home, or coroner to the home. A Sacred Crossing Guide will then support the family through the home funeral process. It is advisable to notify the facility in advance and make transport arrangements.

Yes. Although Sacred Crossings can assist at any time, it is advisable to make an appointment for a home consultation a few weeks or months before death is expected. A Home Funeral Guide will discuss wishes, answer questions, and help with necessary preparations.

Yes. Sacred Crossings offers Pet Crossing Guide services including pet hospice counseling, veterinary referrals, euthanasia support, body preparation for a vigil, funeral or memorial planning, and burial or cremation coordination.