Last Rights of Central Pennsylvania
CREATING A HOME FUNERAL
THIS IS NOT AS COMPLICATED AS IT MAY APPEAR. BUT FEEL FREE TO CONTACT LAST RIGHTS PRESIDENT, LAURIE MULVEY, FOR ASSISTANCE.
Many individuals and families are becoming more active in the after-death care of a deceased loved one. This is not a new idea; it is simply one that is being reintroduced to us by those who are participating in this kind of undertaking. And they are reminding us of the potential for a more intimate and healing experience in this final leave-taking (to say nothing of the often tremendously reduced costs). To see what one family has done:
Go to www.cbs5.com. On the top right-hand side of the page, there is a video box. Below this box is a button that says "Video Library." Click on that button. Then type "Families Turning to Do It Yourself Home Funerals" into the search box that comes up. Click "search." This will take you to the video icon.
Procedures
The following is a list of general procedures for caring for your deceased loved one (when the death is not suspicious). State law does not prohibit a family member from making their own funeral arrangements. However, many places where people die will not release a body to anyone other than a licensed funeral director or someone representing a licensed funeral establishment because they are not familiar with the facts. Make sure YOU are!
1. Contact proper authorities
If deceased is NOT with hospice and dies at home, call the local Coroner within approximately 2 hours of death.
If deceased is with hospice, call the hospice organization to notify them. They will get the Hospice doctor to sign the Death Certificate.
2. Death Certificate must be completed
Death Certificate must be signed, stating cause of death, either by Medical Examiner, Physician or Coroner. If your loved one dies at home, it will most likely be the Coroner (since most physicians no longer make house calls).
Scott Sayers, Coroner
Willowbank County Office Building
420 Holmes Street
Bellefonte PA 16823-1488
Phone: (814) 355-689
E-mail: sasayers@co.centre.pa.us
3. Death Certificate must be registered
Local Registrars certify Death Certificate and then send it the 3rd day of the following month to the Department of Vital Records to be filed.
State College 814-237-4468
Bellefonte 814-355-2231
Centre Hall 814-355-6700
Phillipsburg 814-342-3955
Howard 814-625-2245
Death Certificate must be certified by the registrar within 96 hours of death.
IF YOU RUN INTO ANY PROBLEMS WITH A REGISTRAR WHO THINKS ONLY FUNERAL DIRECTORS CAN FILE A DEATH CERTIFICATE, CALL JANICE TUMMAVICHAKUL, PA OFFICE OF VITAL RECORDS. HER DIRECT NUMBER IS 724-656-3154
4. Transport the body to your home (if necessary)
5. Make arrangements for cremation or burial
For cremation, you must obtain an Authorization for Cremation & Disposition form. There is a 24 hour wait before cremation. The crematory will file the authorization with the Registrar.
For burial, you must contact a cemetery. For home burial, check with the local municipality for zoning laws regarding home burial.
Robert B. Jacobs, Director, Centre County Planning Office
Willowbank County Office Building
420 Holmes Street
Bellefonte PA 16823-1488
Phone: (814) 355-6791
Fax: (814) 355-8661
E-mail: rbjacobs@co.centre.pa.us
Usually, the top of the casket must be two feet below the natural surface of the earth and 150 feet from a water supply. Pennsylvania law prohibits burial on any land draining into a stream which furnishes any part of the water supply of a municipality unless at least one mile from the city.
For either burial or cremation, the local registrar will issue the Authorization for Disposition (but the Death Certificate must be obtained first).
For burial, the family member in charge must sign the Authorization for Disposition and file the second copy with the Division of Vital Statistics within 10 days. The first copy is to be retained by the cemetery or property owner (if home burial).
6. Supply a burial or cremation container (though this may not be needed depending on your final disposition choice).
A container can be made with wood or a press board box can be purchased from crematory. And don’t feel squeamish or uncertain about this. You can decorate and personalize an inexpensive casket in a way that is dignified and respectful, as well as vibrant and fulfilling. Getting involved in the process in this way is what makes this a valuable undertaking!
7. Prepare, shelter and care for the body
We can provide a volunteer to help you with this part of the process. You will also find an e-manual about caring for the body here. In addition, there is a wealth of information (including a helpful training video to purchase) here.
8. Create personalized ceremony/celebration before final disposition
9. Transport body of loved one to crematory or burial ground (either with the help of a funeral director or yourself). If you do this yourself, you will need a Burial Transit Permit.
This form is issued by the local registrar of the district in which the death occurred. A partially completed Certificate of Death form (top part completed) may be used to obtain the Burial Transit Permit
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Valuable Advice from Lisa Carlson
author of Caring for the Dead: Your Final Act of Love
In the case of an anticipated death, be SURE to walk through the entire procedure with local officials and the receiving crematory or cemetery AHEAD of time. Also talk with doctors and nursing staff. Most municipal or hospital officials aren't interested in anything other than obeying the law. Try not to take any hesitance on their part personally. You will find state laws referenced in my book that will support your right to care for your own dead in your state. Having that citation handy may be critical.
If you run into difficulty of any kind, feel free to call Josh Slocum at Funeral Consumers Alliance at 800-765-0107 or Lisa Carlson at Funeral Ethics Organization at 866-866-5411. Both have voicemail when they’re away from the phone and try to check often, evenings and weekends included. If you are in a restrictive state or running into problems at a time of need, they may be able to refer you to a friendly funeral director who can do the minimum necessary to facilitate your plans.
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If you have any additional information that would make these procedures more clear or more accurate, please email us at so that we can update our webpage.