How a home funeral works

1. 1

   The first hours — pronouncement of death

   When a death occurs at home, the first step is to have it officially pronounced. If your loved one was under hospice care, call the hospice nurse — they handle the official pronouncement and guide you through the immediate steps. If there is no hospice involvement, call the attending physician.

   If neither is reachable, contact your county medical examiner or coroner. Do not call 911 unless the death was unexpected or unattended — involving emergency services can complicate a home funeral, as they may be required to treat it as a potential crime scene.

   Once death is pronounced, you have time. There is no rush.

2. 2

   Notify the required agencies

   Different states have different notification requirements. Most require you to notify the county registrar or health department within 24 to 72 hours. Some states require notifying the medical examiner for any home death.

   Check your state's guide for the specific agencies and timeframes that apply to you. In most states, you will file the death certificate directly with your county registrar — this is the central legal document that triggers everything else.

3. 3

   Care for the body at home

   Families have cared for their own at home throughout history. You may wash and dress the body yourself, in whatever way is meaningful to your family.

   To preserve the body naturally, use dry ice (available at many grocery stores, sporting goods stores, and gas stations) or refrigerant gel packs placed under and around the body. Keep the room cool and aim to maintain a body temperature between 34 and 40°F. A typical home vigil lasts two to four days — this is usually sufficient time for family to gather from a distance.

   Arrange the space with care: flowers, candles, meaningful objects, photographs. Let the room become what it needs to be.

4. 4

   Complete the death certificate

   The death certificate is the central legal document. It has two parts: the medical portion (cause of death, completed and signed by the attending physician or medical examiner) and the personal information portion (completed by the next of kin as the authorized filer).

   Gather the required information: full legal name, Social Security number, date and place of birth, parents' names, highest level of education, occupation. Your state's vital records office will have the specific form — some counties accept electronic filing.

   In most states, the next of kin can file this directly with the county registrar. See your state's guide for specifics.

5. 5

   Obtain the disposition permit

   Once the death certificate is accepted, the county registrar will issue a burial transit permit (also called a disposition permit or burial permit). This document authorizes you to transport the body and proceed with final disposition.

   Some counties issue this same-day; others may take 24 to 48 hours. The permit must accompany the body to its place of final rest — whether home burial, cemetery, or crematorium.

6. 6

   Choose final disposition

   You have several options depending on your state and personal wishes:

   Home burial — allowed in most states on private land with a permit. The grave should typically be at least four to five feet deep, set back from water sources, and properly documented for future property records.

   Natural or green burial — at a certified natural burial ground or conservation cemetery. No embalming, no concrete vault, biodegradable container. See our Green Burial guide for more.

   Conventional cemetery — you may still direct a home funeral and use a traditional cemetery for final burial.

   Cremation — contact a crematorium directly; a home funeral and cremation are fully compatible. The transit permit covers transport to the crematory.

7. 7

   Hold the memorial gathering

   A home funeral is also a gathering place — a vigil, a ceremony, a celebration of a life. There is no single right way to do this.

   Many families hold a vigil in the days before disposition, inviting friends and neighbors to sit with the body, share stories, and say goodbye. Others prefer a private family gathering and a larger memorial later. Some read poetry, play music, or observe religious traditions.

   Consider sharing an obituary in your local paper or community newsletter. Allow those who loved this person to find their own way to honor them.

   And then, gently, the ordinary world begins again.

This guide reflects laws in most states but is for educational purposes only. Always verify current requirements with your county registrar or health department.