Home funerals: caring for someone at home after death
Updated October 16, 2026
What a home funeral is, what families are allowed to do, which states require a funeral director, and how a doula or home funeral guide helps.
What a home funeral is
A home funeral means the family, not a funeral home, cares for the body after death: washing, dressing, keeping the body cool, and holding a vigil or visitation at home for a day or more before burial or cremation. It is legal in every state, but rules about paperwork and transport differ.
States that require a funeral director for part of the process
Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey and New York require families to involve a licensed funeral director for some step, such as filing the death certificate or transporting the body. In other states, families can usually handle these steps themselves. Check your state’s current rules before you begin.
How a doula or guide helps
A doula or home funeral guide can teach the family how to care for the body safely, what to have on hand, how long a home vigil can last, and how to work with a funeral home only for the parts you need. Find home funeral guides under End-of-life experiences.