Sacred Crossings Alternative Funeral Home

A home funeral is a family or community-centered response to death and after-death care where families care for their own departed, which may include preparing the body, planning rituals or ceremonies, filing paperwork, transporting the deceased, and facilitating final disposition. Most state laws support this right.

A vigil or 'wake' is a period of time, usually 1-3 days, when the body is laying in honor while family and friends visit to pay respects. The funeral service most often takes place in the home on the 3rd day before the body is taken to the crematory or cemetery.

Home funeral guides are advocates for family-centered and family-led funerals. They educate families on their right to care for their own dead and provide minimal involvement, acting as guides rather than directors. They emphasize encouraging and educating on minimal, non-invasive, environmentally-friendly care of the body.

A death midwife assists an individual and their family through the transition of death, just as a birth midwife assists during birth. A Sacred Crossings death midwife incorporates the roles of spiritual counsellor, death doula, home funeral guide, funeral planner, and celebrant. They shepherd individuals toward conscious dying and guide families in after-death care.

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 or facilities. However, Alabama, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, and New York have various restrictions. It is advisable to obtain necessary permits and inform the facility of plans in advance.

The body is carefully washed, dressed or shrouded, and preserved with dry ice to prevent decomposition. This natural, non-invasive technique poses less potential hazards than embalmed bodies.

The process includes: in-home consultation by a Home Funeral Guide; arrival of Guide within 3 hours of notification; education and support for bathing and dressing; body laid 'in honor' on bed or table; preservation with dry ice during 1-3 day vigil; cremation casket or pine box delivery and decoration; completion of paperwork; funeral service held in home or other venue; transportation to cemetery or crematory for final disposition.

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

Yes. Children are naturally curious about death. Having the body prepared by caring relatives in the natural setting of home is comforting for children and helps them accept and integrate death. Decorating the cremation box can be profoundly therapeutic for children, providing a creative outlet for feelings.

Yes. Although services can be provided 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 make necessary preparations.

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

Sacred Crossings Alternative Funeral Home lists direct cremation at $1,295. Prices are estimates and can change — under the FTC Funeral Rule you can request a current itemized price list and pay only for the items you choose.