Home Burials
By M. Kotch
1. Living through summer without air conditioning
2. Cloth diapers
3. Home funerals
Q: What do these things have in common?
A: They all reflect a society that is increasingly looking back while moving forward.
Here at Otrib.com, we have covered funeral costs—be they green or traditional—extensively. We’ve explored how changing a few things or thinking outside the box can make for a more affordable or environmentally-conscious return to the Earth. And while there’s no doubt that greener often means cheaper, few burials are more economical than the ones that take place at home.
The news has been buzzing with do-it-yourself or home funerals, and there’s a reason for it, after all, before the Civil War, formaldehyde had never been prevalent in the burial process, and up until this past century, caring for a loved one’s remains was a part of saying goodbye to any family member. So what’s changed? Funeral homes have burst onto the scene (in large numbers) and taken over the business of dealing with death—to the grateful relief of many mourners. There is no doubt that the modern funeral parlors (whether they are religiously affiliated or non-denominational) expertly ease the suffering of many going through the grieving process because they take care of what many of us cannot imagine: cleaning and preparing the remains of someone we hold dear before burial or cremation.
If you live in a city or urban area, chances are you will need some professional help when dealing with the loss of a loved one (Why? You can’t bury a family member in a city garden, and some cities impose stringent health codes for cleaning remains at home, or more likely, an apartment). But if you happen to live in a more rural area and are contemplating burying a family member (or thinking about your own time some day), here’s what you need to know before proceeding with a home funeral.
Get Informed.
Try to get your hands on every possible source of information regarding home burials from articles (The New York Times, NPR) to books to films on the subject.
It’s Not Always That Easy.
Between learning how to handle human remains, to securing dry ice (for preservation) in lieu of formaldehyde, to paying for classes with a death midwife or funeral coach, home burials can be more complicated than you initially think. Check out some of these resources to get more acquainted with what a home burial entails.
It’s Not All or Nothing.
While some may wish to handle all funeral arrangements from start to finish themselves, an alternative exists for the nervous and uninitiated: paying a funeral director to come to your home and help with taking care of the remains; benefiting from his or her expertise while still maintaining a service close to home and within a lower budget can make the task a little easier.
Be Practical.
Have you thought of what would happen to a loved one’s remains if you were to move or sell the property in which he or she is buried? Unless you have the luxury of living on a large and comfortable family estate that has sustained extended members for generations, chances are you or your children will change locations at some point or another. Think of every possible situation and how you would feel about it before committing to a home burial.
Paperwork and Permits.
Permission notices, signed permits and fees are part of any funeral, but when it comes to a home burial, you won’t have the luxury of a professional’s expertise. Documents that need to be secured include: death permit, burial transit permit and a map that outlines the exact location of the intended burial. This only briefly covers necessary documents, for more information, you will need to check with your state’s department of health for specific laws and codes. Be aware that each state is different; some allow home funerals and burials with few caveats while others require a funeral director’s involvement at some point in the process.
The recession has made many of us think outside the box, and while a natural home burial may be appropriate for some, it may not work for others. Be sure to explore all of your options and get familiar with your local laws before deciding on whether a home burial is right for you and your family.
