Can I die at home?

Home-Based Death Care: Once common Knowledge.

Home-based death care is a deeply personal and empowering model of after-death care, where family and friends take an active role in tending to their loved one—often with little or no involvement from professional funeral directors. This care may take place in the family home, an aged care residence, hospice, or any home-like setting that feels right.

For many, it’s a natural extension of the care they offered in life: a final act of love, dignity, and presence. If your person dies outside the home, you can choose to bring them back to your home—or to the home of a friend or relative. There is no legal requirement for a deceased person to be taken to a funeral home unless that is your preferred option.

Once your person is home, you are free to take the time you need. You may choose to wash and dress them, wrap them in a shroud, build or decorate a coffin, or hold ceremony and ritual that reflects your values and theirs. These practices offer space for reflection, connection, and healing.

In a private home, it can be possible to keep your person with you for several days without embalming. While regulations vary across States and Territories, the home funeral community generally supports a timeframe of 3–5 days, depending on the circumstances of death. To support this, cooling should begin within the first eight hours, with best practice suggesting the body be maintained at approximately 5°C.

Whether you're planning ahead, supporting someone from afar, or navigating loss in real time, asking questions helps grow your knowledge base around a practice that used to be passed down through the generations before the medical model took over. If you're curious about home-based death care, end-of-life planning, or simply want to explore your options, reach out.

There’s no pressure, no rush—just a safe space to ask questions, share concerns, and consider what feels right for you and your person.

You’re not alone. Let’s walk this path together.