Caring for Your Own Dead
Family-directed Funerals
"Utah law allows families to care for their dead without the services of a licensed funeral director. Families that do not retain a funeral director must file a death certificate and comply with state laws and rules regarding the disposition of human remains." -UT State
Scroll down vitalrecords.health.utah.gov/death to find general guidelines and the death record processing form to "File a Death Record" (which allows you to get the Death Certificate & Burial Transit Permit you need to care for your own dead).
Caution
Your neighbor/friend/relative may become "very concerned" when you tell them you are caring for your dead without hiring a funeral director. So here are some answers for them:
1) Is it lawful? Yes. Utahans have the lawful right to act as a dispositioner: Utah Code 26B-8-114 to 120.
2) Is it dangerous? No. Dead bodies don’t harbor dangerous bacteria unless the person died of a contagion (such as Jacob Kruetzfeld or Mycobacterium Tuberculosis). Typical disease dies with the death of the body. If you could care for the person before death then be assured that any risk has only decreased after death.
3) Isn't it messy? No. There's no need to spend thousands of dollars over the possibility of leaking bodily fluids. If it happens, it's minimal. What worked before death for that works after death as well.
4) Doesn't a body need to be embalmed? No. The law stipulates that one of 3 other options begin within 24 hrs: cremation, burial, or refrigeration (aka keeping the body cool).
5) Isn't it immodest? No. If you took care of your loved one’s needs in a modest way BEFORE death, you certainly know how to do so after death too. There's no cause for immodesty.
6) Am I equipped? Yes. If you a) have pall bearers b) own, can rent, or borrow a van, truck, or suv, c) and acquire the proper paperwork, you can transport a body (even across state lines). Plus if you know how to conduct a meeting, then you even have the skills to host a funeral, memorial or graveside ceremony.
7) Isn't it complex? No. If you read our step-by-step instructions you'll see that with determination and love you can do this!
One woman desiring to care for her mother without a funeral director was sabotaged from doing so because her congregation leader, out of fear and lack of information, pressured her to hire one. That's why I wrote this. Hopefully these 7 facts begin to assure your "helpful someone" that it will not be a debacle for you to exercise your right to an affordable and fulfilling farewell.
How-To Body Prep VIDEOS:
Part 1 — Moving the Body (3min),
Part 2 — Washing the Head, Face, and Mouth (11min),
Part 3 — Washing the Body (9min), This video doesn't depict the body properly draped modestly. The dead should be covered as you would a conscious bedridden person.
Part 4 — Dressing the Body (6min) includes closing eyes & mouth,
Part 5 — Final Preparations (8min) includes casketing or wrapping in a shroud
Step-by-Step
Home Funeral Instructions
When Death Occurs
Visual Flow Chart
Dead Bodies the "Danger" That Doesn't Exist
(quotes from experts)
When an Autopsy
is required
We Did it For Love -A personal story shared by a member
In the past 4 years I have been in charge of burying both of my parents, a very close friend who had almost no family, and my mother-in-law. My brother made a simple wood casket for my dad.... [continued],
PassingThroughOur Hands is a nice documentary style home funeral video instruction.
https://fcaga.org/ceremonies/home-funerals-about/home-funeral-videos/ Videos of home funerals
Example of a Congregational Funeral Committee
Exempt from Licensure: You!
Final Passages finalpassages.org $26&up. Click "Our Guidebook". Only booklets A&B contain elements helpful to Utahans.
Crossings: Caring for Our Own at Death crossings.net At the top of their Resources page there is a link to a really good document on preparing a body.
A few Transport Legalities in other States.
Enlist help performing a home-funeral in another state?
National Home Funeral Alliance Directory
For DIY personal support & encouragement