More and more families today are having the funerals of their deceased loved one's at home. While some people may find this type of funeral frightening and somewhat morbid, there are those families that do so for honoring their loved one's final wishes. Many details go into carrying out a successful and memorable funeral at home. Learn more about some the steps you would need to take for having your loved one's funeral at home.
Check Your Area's Laws Regarding At Home Funerals First
Whether you choose to have your loved one's funeral at home or not, the death certificate and any burial permits will need to be signed by an official like a mortician and a coroner or medical doctor. Many states do permit home funerals as long as these official documents are legally signed. You can learn more about your state's laws surrounding home funerals from local morticians at funeral homes or from your local coroner. Some organizations are specifically formed for helping families care for their deceased loved at home for an in-home funeral as well.
About Coffins For The Home Funeral
In the past, families were always tasked with building their dead loved one's coffins. While you have many options today for pre-made coffins, you might consider one made out of wood that will biodegrade quickly once buried. Some families that have had a funeral at home have made their loved one's coffin out of plywood. Once coffin is built out of plywood, it can be finished to look beautiful. For families opting to have their loved one cremated after the home funeral, a wooden coffin is best for the crematory as well.
To Embalm Or Not To Embalm
If your deceased loved one favored a home funeral that did not make an impact on the environment, you might consider not having his or her body embalmed. Embalming fluid is extremely toxic and will enter the earth if the person is buried in a wooden coffin. Embalming is not a requirement of the law. If you plan to have your deceased loved one's coffin open, placing bags of dry ice under the body is a good way to reduce decomposition long enough to have at least a few days of time to honor that person.
If you are thinking about having your loved one's funeral at home, remember to discuss your ideas about it with your family. Making sure everyone is in agreement can make this type of funeral easier to arrange and manage. To learn more, contact a funeral home like Pritts Funeral Home & Chapel PA.
Share8 June 2016
A couple of weeks ago, one of my dear family friend’s suffered the loss of her husband. After a brief illness, he passed away at a local hospital. Immediately after his passing, she started planning the funeral arrangements. She didn’t want his funeral to be a sad occasion. Instead, she wanted the service to celebrate his amazing life. She worked tirelessly with the professional staff at a local funeral home in order to plan the order and type of service for the funeral. On this blog, you will discover tips for planning a funeral service that will celebrate the life of your deceased loved one.