Home funeral laws, state by state
For most of American history, families handled their own dead. In 40 states, the law still lets them: no funeral director required for any step. Ten states carve out exceptions. Find yours below.
Full family-directed states (40)
Families may legally handle every step themselves.
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoDelawareGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoKansasKentuckyMaineMarylandMassachusettsMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNevadaNew HampshireNew MexicoNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
Funeral director required for some steps (10)
Home funerals are still legal here, but state law requires a licensed funeral director for part of the process.
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