Yes. In every state, across the board. While some details vary, it is legal in every state. To see the legal requirements in your state, check out The Home Funeral Alliance’s Guide by State.

The short answer, yes. Major Health Organizations agree, dead bodies do not pose an immediate health risk. In fact, they’re far less dangerous than the living. If you’re surprised, you’re not alone. We believe that was in some way intentional. The contemporary funeral industry has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry.

“…the mere presence of a dead body without regard to its embalmed status and one that is not leaking blood from an open wound or perforation, does not pose an increased [health] risk of infectious disease transmission for the person who might handle that body or review it in a private setting. Once a human dies, infectious agents that would be of any concern, including those on the individual’s skin or internal organs, is greatly diminished…there simply is no measurable risk of that body transmitting an infectious disease agent…”Dr. Michael Osterholm, Center for Infectious Disease Research

Home Funerals are on average 1/5 the cost of a “traditional” funeral. We use quotations because this is very much a modern tradition. And not one that evolved out of pure progress necessarily. There is a lot of money in this business. Home Funeral Advocates are passionate about reworking back to the roots of ceremony & community. Less business, more love. The average Home Funeral is under $2,000 and we have seen some done for less.

There is no legal time limit. We have seen Home Funerals last for 5 hours & we have seen them last for 3 days. Embalming is not required. The body is kept cool with noninvasive cooling methods such as dry ice. The family and their chosen community can take as much time as they need to care for their loved one according to their beliefs and preferences.

You can still, in most cases, bring your loved one home.