Funeral Home or Home Funeral: What’s the Difference?

When we lose someone dear to us, how do we say goodbye? For centuries, families tended to their deceased loved ones at home, embracing the rituals and tasks of care as a natural part of life. Today, most turn to funeral homes for assistance. However, a growing number of people are rediscovering the intimacy and connection of home funerals. While both approaches offer meaningful ways to honour a loved one’s passing, they differ greatly in the philosophy behind them, the processes involved, and how deeply families are involved in the journey. Understanding these differences can help you make choices that align with your values and wishes.

Funeral homes provide professional services to ease the logistical and emotional challenges families face after a death. Funeral directors take on many responsibilities, including transporting the deceased, preparing the body for viewing or cremation, and handling necessary paperwork. They can also coordinate memorial services, ensuring that every detail—from music to flowers—is managed seamlessly. For families who need professional support or in situations where a funeral home is the only option, these services can provide reassurance and expertise. However, some may find the experience impersonal or distant.

In contrast, a home funeral empowers families and communities to take an active role in after-death care. This approach allows loved ones to keep the deceased in a familiar environment, or to bring their body home from a hospital or care facility. Family members can wash and dress the body, lay it in honour in a familiar setting, involve pets or other personal elements, prepare a shroud, and optionally build the casket. While this hands-on nature of home funerals may feel daunting, many find it deeply meaningful, as it fosters opportunities for love, grief, and connection to flow naturally. The tangible tasks—preparing the body, arranging flowers, or assisting with burial—help us embrace the reality of death in a space filled with love and support. A home funeral often slows things down, allowing the new reality to be processed and integrated.

In addition to fostering emotional intimacy, home funerals often reflect sustainable values. Families may opt to forego embalming and elaborate caskets, reducing their environmental impact. Additionally, they can be more cost-conscious, as families have greater control over the services and materials involved.

If you’re considering a home funeral but feel unsure about how to begin, the compassionate and knowledgeable members of the DeathCare Collective can guide you. The DeathCare Collective offers guidance, providing emotional support and practical help as families navigate the challenges of dying, death, and grief. Preparation is especially important, as having the necessary paperwork ready and understanding the steps ahead can help prevent unnecessary stress. Documenting your wishes allows your loved ones to drop into the experience, rather than worrying about what you wanted and logistical challenges.

Ultimately, both funeral homes and home funerals play essential roles in helping families honour their loved ones. For those seeking a more intimate, empowered approach, a home funeral offers a deeply personal way to navigate loss, putting us in touch with the reality of death while creating opportunities for support, love, and connection to also be present.