LiElla Kelly, After-Death Care Educator
What Is Home Funeral?
A home funeral is a personal, family-centered celebration planned and carried out by family and friends. It's not a new idea. Until the late 1800s, "home funerals" were simply called funerals. When a loved one died, families washed and dressed them, combed their hair and laid them out. While neighbors built the casket or wound the shroud, others dug the grave, made a meal, or sat with the body to say their goodbyes.
Home funerals are legal in all 50 states. In Montana, families can take care of everything that is necessary on their own, without hiring a funeral director. Some families may prefer to hire a funeral director to provide specific services. These usually include filling out paperwork and transportation, but hands-on care is still an option. There is no right or wrong way to do things.
Caring for the body of a loved one is safe and possible. Home funerals are a beautiful, meaningful, cost-effective option to help us say goodbye.
After-death Care Educators are not Funeral Directors and we do not care for the dead or plan funerals. Rather, we serve as guides. We provide education and support to those who wish to care for their own.
Green Burial & Natural Burial
Embracing the Cycle of Life
Green burial is about returning to the earth in the most simple, environmentally conscious way—without embalming chemicals, metal caskets, or concrete vaults. Instead, the body is allowed to decompose naturally, nestled in a biodegradable coffin, a shroud, or even directly in the earth.
This approach goes beyond minimizing environmental impact, although that is a significant benefit. It’s about reconnecting with the earth, becoming part of the cycle of life and death in a way that feels both ancient and revolutionary. Imagine allowing our bodies to nourish the soil, support new plant growth, and sustain local ecosystems—offering a kind of peace that resonates deeply.
Green burials also conserve resources, avoiding the wastefulness often associated with traditional burial practices. By keeping things simple and sustainable, we significantly reduce the carbon footprint of our final acts.
There’s a raw, beautiful simplicity in green burials. Families can take a more personal role in the process, creating ceremonies that reflect their values and wishes without the constraints of conventional funerals. It’s a chance to honor a life in a way that feels authentic and grounded.
Furthermore, green burial sites are often located in protected natural areas, where the landscape is maintained in its natural state. These sites become places of quiet reflection, conservation, and life, preserving natural spaces and fostering a sense of continuity with the natural world.
The green burial philosophy provides a measure of peace. It’s about letting go of the unnecessary, embracing the natural, and finding a deep, abiding connection with the earth. It ensures that our final act is one of respect—for ourselves, for our loved ones, and for the planet.
For those seeking a final resting place that honors life and the environment, green burial offers a profound, meaningful choice.
NEDA After-Death Care Educator
