A Sacred Moment: When is a Home Funeral Appropriate?

When is a Home Funeral Appropriate?

Because a Home Funeral typically requires more hands on involvement from family members and close friends, families need to consider several factors before deciding if a Home Funeral is right for them. At A Sacred Moment, we strive to assist families in any way we can, but typically there will be added responsibility for family members and close friends.

The first factor is advanced planning. The time of death is not when a family should first be considering the idea of conducting a Home Funeral. Given the increased involvement from family members and close friends, they need time to understand, accept and plan for this potential added responsibility. Pre-planning a Home Funeral with A Sacred Moment will give you peace of mind, because the questions that inevitably arise with a Home Funeral will have been answered. At the time of your loved one's passing, you and your family will want to be able to support each other during this time of grief, instead of being concerned with planning details and making decisions.

The second factor is your support system. Since the family directs the Home Funeral, the tasks and details needed to be addressed require several dedicated and loving people to accomplish. Home Funerals are appropriate for people who want to take charge and be responsible for their own family, which in turn lends them more privacy and intimacy in the face of death. These are families and friends who want to embrace the passing of a loved one in a more holistic manner.

The third factor is when the death is anticipated. When the dying loved one is being cared for in the home by family and friends, and death is eminent, they are typically being supported by hospice services. The goal of hospice is to keep the dying comfortable in the home prior to death. Home Funerals are a natural extension of this same level of care from family and friends.

When is it not appropriate?

As important as it is to know when it is appropriate to conduct a Home Funeral, it is equally important to know when a Home Funeral is not appropriate. When there has been a sudden or tragic death or one where the deceased has experienced significant injuries or trauma, a Home Funeral may not be appropriate. Family members and friends are typically in shock and denial, and the added burden of preparing a Home Funeral for their loved one is often more than they can handle. In rare cases, conducting a Home Funeral at the time of an unexpected death may be successful; however, in those cases utilizing a conventional funeral home may be a better choice.

If there is no durable power of attorney upon death or family members have conflicting wishes for the care of the deceased, a Home Funeral may not be appropriate.

Lastly, if there is not a strong enough support system or the burial or cremation will be longer than three days after the death, a Home Funeral may not be a good fit.