Can you have a funeral in your back yard?

Question

****Sorry, let me rephrase the question. I don't want to bury my dad in the back yard, but he would like his funeral SERVICE to take place in the back yard. Not at a Church or Funeral Home. That's what I was asking.
Sorry to imply that I was going to bury old dad in the back!

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Answer 1

ABSOLUTELY! Your father's memorial can be at your home. The funeral chapel should accomodate your request, albeit at a fee for extra transportation costs, and you can have the service at your home. The other option would be for you to have a memorial service at your home without your father's body being there (complete with photos, a luncheon, music, whatever you plan). You could have a memorial at your home followed by a graveside service where your father will be laid to rest. So sorry about your loss. Take care.

Answer 2

Yes, but it is unlikely that you could inter the body there without a very large homestead, a sympathetic zoning commission and an escrow to provide for perpetual care.

I did have a friend who had lived in a rural area and had a very large funeral in the back yard with the ashes present. He was kind of a hippie and wanted beer and wine and rock music and a barbeque (probably some pot going there too). Then everyone went up and said something about him. It was a very nice service.

My condolences also.

Answer 3

I doubt there are restrictions on where you hold the service Bella.

Here in Australia, I have been a ensnared in the problems of a remote community that has a small cemetary. Numerous people have been buried in that cemetary over the last 50 or so years, since the community was "relocated" there and it now has cultural significance. Last year, when I was trying to raise funds for some restoration work I discovered that the cemetary isn't registered anywhere. Here, there are health regulations requiring registration of burial grounds and a record of names and places is required to be maintained and same notified to the local authority. Apart from the value of an accurate historic record, a recorded location is significant to prevent unearthing within 7 years, or indeed accidental unearthing in the future.

I would like to be able to say that you can bury your father in his own backyard, but I would think it highly unlikely in "western" society. You can check with your local government authority who ought to be able to guide you appropriately.

Answer 4

You can-- but if your father has not passed, I would try to talk to him about it.

First, when your father passes away, you may not want to be prepping your back yard for his funeral. There will be plenty to do and you won't want to do any of it.

Second, what about the weather. Sure, it may be nice right now, but if he hasn't passed -- what if it is raining, or snowing (if you get snow) or otherwise miserable weather. IT is hard enough without standing there getting wet.

Most Churches will let you have the funeral there at little or no charge if you are a member. Regardless, there will be some expenses involved (if his reasoning is that he doesn't want you to pay any money.)

Answer 5

Sure. You can have a funeral on a family property. It can be in the living room (or parlor), or the back yard. It used to be more common to have funerals in peoples houses before the mid 20th century in the United States. I actually attended one funeral in the decedent's house. He was a World War I veteran and wanted to have his funeral at home.

Answer 6

In the town where my mom is from (somewhere in Barahona, Dominican Republic) that is perfectly common. I think that there is only one funeral home there and they usually have the funerals on the living room or the back yard. In the capital and other bigger towns and cities, if the family is too poor and they can't afford a funeral home, they do it that way too.

Answer 7

Yes, you just can't bury a body there.

Answer 8

Yes, you just can't bury them there.

Answer 9

Yeah the neighbors will love that. Bring your sorrow and sadness to the entire neighborhood.


My condolances anyway. Sorry for your loss.

Answer 10

Actually yes you can.