The NHFA is taking an organizational pause.

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At our June 2021 meeting the NHFA board decided that we needed to hit pause.

The current incarnation of the NHFA Board has been wearily strategizing how to combat over a decade-worth of an institutional vision that has not interrogated the “isms” inherent in our organization: notably racism, classism, and ableism.

In our review of our teaching material for updates, the language used was very common for the time, but includes words used in ways that perpetuates racist, ableist, classist, and transphobic ideas of death care and excludes many people. We are dedicated to ensuring that everything our organization produces aligns with our belief that community-led deathcare is truly for everyone, without exception and without alienating anyone. 

The lack of representation is not a call to action to turn out for recruitment, but a call to turn in and pause. 

In order to give this work the attention it requires and deserves, and to practice the self-care we strive to uphold to support this work, we are temporarily ceasing a few of the regular duties we have previously committed to. We are postponing the conference and stepping back from our monthly newsletters and webinars. This choice did not come lightly; the decision to break from a culture that tells us to always be producing is a radical one, even outside the various specific circumstances that led up to it. 

The NHFA Board has decided that our real work for the foreseeable future is to start to reimagine ourselves as an organization. We are not disbanding; we are setting a clear intention to undo what needs to be undone, and lay a foundation to continue to grow and do better. We want to bring the NHFA - from the way it operates to the way it communicates, from the way it educates to the way it advocates, and everything in between - completely in line with our goal to be an equitable and inclusive organization that invites everyone interested in learning more about hands-on after-death care to see themselves and participate in what we do.

We are going to share our journey with NHFA membership via our monthly new member and community meetups and (non-monthly) newsletter updates as we go - in hopes of leading by example because we are not the only death-group or non-profit that desperately needs to do this; these flaws are not unique to our organization. The time is way past due to re-examine how we do our work, how we relate to the community, and how we can best serve it. We will be taking this pause to strengthen and rebuild, to both define and demolish the ways that we perpetuate stereotypes and harm in death work, and to create a home funeral movement that is more inclusive, more equitable, and something we can be proud to be a part of.  

We hope that we can be an example for other groups with our process and that we will come back with clarity, integrity and purpose. 

We hope that you will join us on this journey.
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Please feel free to contact us if you have questions - via social media, our website, or our individual emails.

If you would like to view a recording of our most recent community update, you can do so here: 12/27/2021 Community Update.

We Have New Merch!

In an effort to make our offerings accessible to all people, we are moving away from pay-to-access content. You can support us in our mission by buying some cool swag from our Bonfire store featuring artist Amanda King. 

Bonfire is a platform that produces on-demand goods on ethically sourced clothing, bags, and other goods with art selected by the organization. Using Bonfire allows nonprofits like ours to create meaningfully messaged merchandise at price points that are fair to the consumer. 

Pandemic Resources for Families Facing End Of Life

We hope these resources are helpful to those of you caring for the dying, the dead or those struggling with grief.
We will continue to update this information as recommendations change and new resources become available.

"Home funerals empower families and friends to begin the beautiful journey of mending the tear in the fabric of their community that is caused when someone they love dies."

ZENITH VIRAGO

Home Funeral Resources For Families

The heart of our work is helping families care for their loved ones, at home, after death.

Health & 
Safety

What is a
Home Funeral?

Cooling
Techniques

Home Funeral Resources For Guides

NHFA provides educational information and connections for those seeking to educate families on thier home funeral journey.

Why Families
Come First

Code of
Ethics

Proficiency
Badge

Browse Our Directory

We provide listings for Home Funeral Guides, Death Doulas, Celebrants, Funeral Directors, Speakers and Educators. This directory supports your efforts and helps our members get in touch!

NHFA Podcast: A Path Home

​On this podcast we’ll be focusing on reclaiming our innate right to care for our own loved ones at death in natural, and often, environmentally friendly ways. We’ll demystify the tasks related to after death care through hearing stories from people who have ventured into culturally unfamiliar territory and cared for their own deceased loved ones at home, chose a natural burial or both.

Become A Member

Becoming a member is free and provides many benefits, including access to monthly newsletters, webinars and several other resources about home funerals.

​Support NHFA

We ask you to give to the National Home Funeral Alliance because in all 50 states it is your right to care for your own loved one after death. ​The NHFA is working to make sure communities and families know their rights. Please consider becoming a sustaining donor and help us continue this important work