{"id":125,"date":"2024-12-05T20:24:58","date_gmt":"2024-12-05T20:24:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fcasocal.org\/?page_id=125"},"modified":"2024-12-05T21:07:39","modified_gmt":"2024-12-05T21:07:39","slug":"test-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/fcasocal.org\/home-funerals.html","title":{"rendered":"What is a Home Funeral?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is a Home Funeral?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout most of human history, families and religious communities have cared for their loved ones after death in the comfort and intimacy of their homes.  It was only after the Civil War and the advent of embalming that the modern funeral industry arose and families began to transport their loved ones to funeral homes.  Here in California we have always had the right to care for our loved ones after death, however it has been generations since home funerals have been commonly practiced.  Many Jewish, Muslim, and Hispanic communities have never stopped caring for their own and continue to do so to this day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Home funeral vigils are an increasingly popular option for families \u2013 especially for those who are able to die at home with the care and assistance of hospice.  Just as the Baby Boomers brought back home births in the 60\u2032s and 70\u2032s they are now bringing back caring of the dead at home.   Families choose to have a home funeral for a variety of reasons.  Many feel it is just an extension of the care they gave to a loved one throughout their illness \u2013 caring for their body at home for a few more days until the burial or cremation.  Some may be motivated by the potential cost savings of doing it themselves.  Others may have environmental or spiritual motives.  Whatever the reason, the choice of foregoing the services of a funeral home definitely requires advance and preparation.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Home funerals may be a very appropriate and fitting alternative in the case of the death of an infant.  Families may benefit greatly during this difficult and profoundly sad time by having extended time with their child before burial or cremation.  It also allows families the option of having a viewing without embalming and avoids the difficult situation of having to give the infant to a stranger at a funeral home; this can be especially traumatizing when dealing with the death of a child.  Olivia Bareham, a funeral educator\/guide in the Los Angeles area, has created a moving video titled “Infant Home Funeral<\/a>” that beautifully illustrates the home funeral she conducted for Darrius Noel Drewry, a baby boy that was stillborn on January 7, 2011.  

Some of the activities families and communities may play a key role in during a home funeral are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n