What does “home funeral” refer to?

The term "home funeral" refers specifically to a funeral organized by the family without the involvement of a funeral director. This approach allows families to conduct the funeral rites in a familiar and personal environment, such as their home, which can create a more intimate and meaningful setting for grieving and remembrance.

By handling the arrangements themselves, families often have the flexibility to personalize the service according to their beliefs, traditions, and the wishes of the deceased, free from the constraints typically provided by formal funeral homes. This practice can also promote a deeper connection to the process of death and mourning, which some families find healing and comforting.

In contrast, a funeral held at a funeral home implies the standard involvement of professional services, while a virtual funeral service typically utilizes technology to connect family and friends who cannot be physically present, diverging from the traditional home funeral setting. Lastly, a funeral missing traditional elements does not specifically denote the home aspect and can occur in various contexts unrelated to the concept of home funerals.