Did you know…? It is perfectly legal in the state of Oregon to care for our own dead and embalming is neither mandatory nor necessary in most circumstances. These two, and the following little known facts, give us great opportunity to re-think and re-create how we are cared for at our death, so that our passage more closely represents who we are as people and what is important to us. * It is perfectly legal in 43 states to care for our own dead * Embalming is neither mandatory nor necessary in most cases * A deceased loved one can lie in honor in their own home for several days *A family member or person with the right to the disposition of the body can:
The following considerations can give us the courage to consider this as a viable option for ourselves and our families. *Home funerals are an extension of the “home birth” and ‘home hospice” movements *If you or your loved one is under hospice care, you already have most of the skills involved in caring for the body *Our extended family and community will help us, each being given a small task. Many small tasks equal a lot of help. Most people will feel grateful for the opportunity to give their love in a concrete way. *Home Funerals can connect generations to each other in powerful ways,leaving indelible marks of connection while teaching young people the potential of turning sorrow into creative loving expression. *Today’s funeral industry has removed us from the death process, turning us into distant viewers attending pre-packaged sterilized rituals *Home funerals can help us reclaim our role as full participates in a final act of love and gives us a powerful, healing way to say goodbye *By participating in a home funeral we become more attuned to the natural cycles of life and death and the power and gifts of community; often hearts grow more compassionate and connected and the fear of death is lessened |
