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While it is common practice today for a deceased body to be given over to a funeral home, caring for the dead was a family and community responsibility for most of human history.
Until the late 19th century, home funerals were the norm across cultures and continents. Today, a growing number of families are choosing to reclaim after-death care as a personal responsibility.
A home funeral allows a deceased loved one to be cared for at home or another meaningful location until their body goes to its final resting place, giving family and close friends deeper involvement in this important transition.
Beyond the emotional and therapeutic benefits of a home funeral, there are also significant cost savings.
According to the National Home Funeral Alliance, professionally-directed funerals cost an average of $8,343, without including casket, vault, cremation or burial expenses.
By comparison, a home funeral can cost under $500.
The home funeral process typically involves preparing the body, maintaining appropriate cooling, obtaining necessary documentation (death certificate and transportation permit), and arranging transport to the final resting place.
For those interested in exploring this option, we recommend The After-Death Care Educator Handbook: A Practical Guide for Teaching How to Care for Our Own Dead. Written and compiled by death care and green burial expert Lee Webster and others, this comprehensive resource provides practical worksheets alongside essential guidance for providing compassionate care.
To learn more about home funerals, visit www.homefuneralalliance.org
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