Funeral Home

In Maryland, families have the freedom to handle after-death care and arrangements without the mandatory use of a funeral home or a licensed funeral director. This allows families to take charge of all aspects of the funeral process, including caring for the deceased at home and making arrangements for burial or cremation.

Maryland law does not stipulate the necessity of engaging a funeral home or a licensed funeral director for after-death care and arrangements. This empowers families to make decisions based on their preferences and needs.

Through family-led after-death care, loved ones can participate in bathing, dressing, and sheltering the deceased in the familiar environment of their home. Families can also coordinate the final disposition, whether opting for burial or cremation.

Commonly known as "family-led after-death care" or "home funerals," this approach allows for a personalized and intimate closure for the deceased.

Despite this flexibility, families are still responsible for essential tasks such as filing the death certificate, procuring a burial/transit permit, and planning for the final disposition of the deceased.

The next-of-kin or a designated agent holds the authority to manage all aspects of after-death care, enabling families to honor their loved one's wishes and preferences.

Under Maryland law, embalming is not compulsory, giving families the option to choose whether to pursue this practice.

When opting for cremation, families can choose between direct cremation, a straightforward process without a formal service, or attended cremation, which involves a small, intimate service led by the family.

For those considering private property burial, Maryland law allows for the burial of a body in a cemetery or on one's personal property, with specific regulations and considerations to be observed.

While Maryland law does not mandate the use of a casket for burial, individual cemeteries may have their own policies regarding the type of caskets or casket-like containers permitted.

Various "natural death care" organizations exist to provide support and assistance to families opting for do-it-yourself funerals, offering guidance and resources during this significant and emotional time.