What is a home funeral? Is it a new concept?
A home funeral is a time honoured way of families caring for their own loved ones after death. It provides families with a slowed down, carefully planned for, more affordable, hands-on experience.
It is not a new concept. Not long ago, families were completely responsible for the preparation and burial of loved ones’ bodies after death – it was considered an ancient art, an honour, an act of respect and compassion and a very natural part of the grieving process.
In the past loved ones were laid out at home in the front room or parlour and neighbours, families and friends all gathered together to care for their own, offering practical help and community support.
Nowadays more and more families are reclaiming this right to hold a family - led home funeral. This involves family and/or friends gently washing and dressing a loved one's body;
Funerals may be held at home, at any time and/ or in any place of personal connection such as a church, temple, mosque, village hall, community centre, sports club and/or local hotel.
The significant difference with a home funeral is that you are able to stay in control of the process. You can choose where and when you hold the funeral and create a very personal ceremony which honours the life of your loved one.
You will also also choose whether your loved one's body will be buried or cremated and can arrange this to be unhurried and in accordance with their beliefs, values and/or wishes .
What are the benefits of choosing a family - led home funeral?
Tender, loving care, knowing hands, more time to say goodbye
The true value of a home funeral lies in the extra time you spend tenderly caring for your loved one. Slowing down the process allows all involved to accept and absorb the death at your own pace. Home funerals are a gentle and loving way to keep everyone involved and families connected. They are more intimate, more meaningful and ultimately allow for greater closure and healing.
Home funeral care can be a profound last act of love for a loved one. You have time to keep vigil, to sit and just be with the person, to grieve in your own home, with more time to say good bye.
You can ensure your loved one is only touched by gentle, knowing hands and ultimately that they are cared for by the people who love them most.
More freedom, flexibility & choice;
You and your family have the freedom and flexibility to be more involved in doing things your own way, in your own style, using your own resources, in a place of special meaning to you. You have greater choice to personalise and create a meaningful and unique funeral.More natural, eco friendly & sustainable;
Home funerals are kinder to the environment. In most cases embalming is not necessary and icepacks can be used to keep the body cool. Your loved one can be cared for naturally and placed within a bamboo shroud or cardboard coffin which you can decorate if you wish. You and your family can gather together to help with practical tasks such as preparing homemade food, bringing and/or playing your own own music, gathering flowers from your own gardens, designing orders of service, writing the eulogy, using private vehicles to transport the body and minimising unnecessary accessories.
.
A home funeral is a time honoured way of families caring for their own loved ones after death. It provides families with a slowed down, carefully planned for, more affordable, hands-on experience.
It is not a new concept. Not long ago, families were completely responsible for the preparation and burial of loved ones’ bodies after death – it was considered an ancient art, an honour, an act of respect and compassion and a very natural part of the grieving process.
In the past loved ones were laid out at home in the front room or parlour and neighbours, families and friends all gathered together to care for their own, offering practical help and community support.
Nowadays more and more families are reclaiming this right to hold a family - led home funeral. This involves family and/or friends gently washing and dressing a loved one's body;
- lovingly laying out the body at home;
- naturally cooling the body;
- bringing the body home ( if death happens elsewhere);
- gathering together to share, grieve and spend precious time.
Funerals may be held at home, at any time and/ or in any place of personal connection such as a church, temple, mosque, village hall, community centre, sports club and/or local hotel.
The significant difference with a home funeral is that you are able to stay in control of the process. You can choose where and when you hold the funeral and create a very personal ceremony which honours the life of your loved one.
You will also also choose whether your loved one's body will be buried or cremated and can arrange this to be unhurried and in accordance with their beliefs, values and/or wishes .
What are the benefits of choosing a family - led home funeral?
Tender, loving care, knowing hands, more time to say goodbye
The true value of a home funeral lies in the extra time you spend tenderly caring for your loved one. Slowing down the process allows all involved to accept and absorb the death at your own pace. Home funerals are a gentle and loving way to keep everyone involved and families connected. They are more intimate, more meaningful and ultimately allow for greater closure and healing.
Home funeral care can be a profound last act of love for a loved one. You have time to keep vigil, to sit and just be with the person, to grieve in your own home, with more time to say good bye.
You can ensure your loved one is only touched by gentle, knowing hands and ultimately that they are cared for by the people who love them most.
More freedom, flexibility & choice;
You and your family have the freedom and flexibility to be more involved in doing things your own way, in your own style, using your own resources, in a place of special meaning to you. You have greater choice to personalise and create a meaningful and unique funeral.More natural, eco friendly & sustainable;
Home funerals are kinder to the environment. In most cases embalming is not necessary and icepacks can be used to keep the body cool. Your loved one can be cared for naturally and placed within a bamboo shroud or cardboard coffin which you can decorate if you wish. You and your family can gather together to help with practical tasks such as preparing homemade food, bringing and/or playing your own own music, gathering flowers from your own gardens, designing orders of service, writing the eulogy, using private vehicles to transport the body and minimising unnecessary accessories.
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