Legal Requirements for Home Funerals

​Last Updated: September 2024

Disclaimer

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. 

Questions

  • My person died at a medical facility / other facility. Can I take the body home?
  • I'm providing after-death care at home.
    • How long can I keep the body at home after death?
    • Does my state require the body to be embalmed?
    • What methods of disposition are legal in my state?
    • Are there any circumstances under which I would be required to wait before final disposition?
    • ​What do I need to do to get a death certificate?​
    • What do I need to do to get a burial-transit permit?
    • Is there a wait period before I can receive a burial-transit permit?

Glossary of Terms

  • Burial-transit permit: A permit required to transport a body FROM the place of bodycare/vigil TO place of disposition (if death occurs someplace different from bodycare, then this is not needed). May be called a disposition permit. Also called a Removal Certificate.
  • Death certificate: ​Legal record of death.
  • Disposition: The manner in which human remains are finally handled (e.g. cremation, burial, composting, etc.).
  • Refrigeration at home: Refers to cooling, not commercial refrigeration used in funeral homes. For more information, see Body Care & Cooling.​​    

Review Our Sources

Read the original legal sources for your state here.

My person died at a medical facility / other facility.

Can I take the body home?

What are the relevant statutes in my state?

Coming soon.

What are the experiences reported by others who have done this in my state?

Coming soon.

I'm providing after-death care at home.

How long can I keep the body at home after death?

What are the relevant statutes in my state?

Coming soon.

What are the experiences reported by others who have done this in my state?

Coming soon.

Does my state require the body to be embalmed?

What are the relevant statutes in my state?

Coming soon.

What are the experiences reported by others who have done this in my state?

Coming soon.

What methods of disposition are legal in my state?​

What are the relevant statutes in my state?

Coming soon.

What are the experiences reported by others who have done this in my state?

Coming soon.

Are there any circumstances under which I would be required to wait before final disposition?

What are the relevant statutes in my state?

Coming soon.

What are the experiences reported by others who have done this in my state?

Coming soon.

​What do I need to do to get a death certificate?​

What are the relevant statutes in my state?

Coming soon.

What are the experiences reported by others who have done this in my state?

Coming soon.

What do I need to do to get a burial-transit permit?

What are the relevant statutes in my state?

Coming soon.

What are the experiences reported by others who have done this in my state?

Coming soon.

Is there a wait period before I can receive a burial-transit permit?

What are the relevant statutes in my state?

Coming soon.

What are the experiences reported by others who have done this in my state?

Coming soon.

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