Home Funerals

Ritual Recipes

Did your grandmother's house have a parlor that was used to care for the dead? Mine did.

When the time comes, which do you want: a funeral home or a home funeral? Burial or cremation? Fancy casket or cardboard box? Ashes in an urn or scattered someplace special? Who have you talked to about what you want? No one? I'm not surprised. Death hasn't been a popular topic of conversation -- until now.

This episode explores the national death-positive movement through Death Cafes, Death Doulas, Speaking Grief, the National Home Funeral Alliance, and more.

It also includes "The Memory Box." That's a funeral ritual I created to help anyone, especially children, find a way to grieve.

Mentioned in the episode:

National Home Funeral Alliance (This is where you’ll find the Quick Guide to Home Funerals)

Speaking Grief

Death Cafe

The International End of Life Doula Association (INELDA)

Mary’s Place (A Center for Grieving Children and Families)

Death’s Summer Coat: What the History of Death and Dying Teaches Us About Life and Living by Brandy Schillace

The Celebrant Foundation & Institute

This episode is the 3rd in a series related to funerals. Others are:

Ritual Recipes Episode 38 / Funerals for Pets

Ritual Recipes Episode 39 / Funerals for the Death of a Marriage