Preparation for Natural Burial

About Body Preparation for a Natural Burial

Preparing a body for natural burial, whether at the direction of family members or professionals, consists of basic hygiene and appropriate cooling. It is common in many countries to keep a body clean and cool for several days as needed, and was the norm here up until the public chose to hire the experience out and began opting for short-term, chemical-based preservation techniques. Many people are reclaiming the old practices with some new twists. Here is some basic information with links to more in-depth sources to help guide both lay people and professionals in how to prepare for a natural burial. Learn more about home funerals, blended, and family-directed care at NH Funeral Resources & Education.

Family-Directed Body Preparation

Moving the Body: Families may bring a body home after a death in a hospital or other institution, including from the Medical Examiner’s office, even before the death certificate has been signed. It is wise to check hospital or care facility body release policies well in advance if possible to ensure a smooth transition. Once the certificate has been signed, it functions as the Burial/Transit permit, which is required for transfer to the place of final disposition. (See How to Transport the Dead.)
Bathing, Setting Features, Dressing, and Casketing: Your loved one's body may be washed in bed or on a table with clear water, or with lavender or other essential oils added, or by using a cleaning product the person or family is used to using. Modesty can be preserved by covering your loved one with a sheet. Participants may choose to practice universal precautions if there is any concern. The chin may be supported with a rolled towel or pillow, or the head wrapped with a scarf to allow the jaw to set in a closed position. Eyelids may be weighted into position with small bags of rice or held in position for a period of time. After the setting features and washing, dressing can be accomplished by cutting garments up the back and tucking them in underneath. The deceased may remain on a bed or table and later transferred to a casket, or be placed there after bathing. It may take three to five people to assist.

Cooling: A body may be kept at home until the family is ready to cremate or bury. There is no time limit in NH or most other states' laws for a body to be in repose; one to three days is common. Refrigeration is not necessary: a body will keep for that period without odors or significant changes in a 55 to 65 degree room if it has been properly cleaned and prepared under normal circumstances, but the cooler, the better. Reduce the room’s temperature by opening the windows or with air conditioning if possible. Placing and periodically replacing dry ice or Techni-ice under and over the body will help cool the body. (Learn more about dry ice and Techni Ice™ in Cooling Techniques. Find dry ice in NH at http://www.newenglanddryice.com)
Who Can Help: The next-of-kin is legally in charge of the custody and control of the body, but they are within their rights to ask for help from anyone as long as no money changes hands. Family members, friends, church members, community groups, or anyone who the next-of-kin contacts may be present.

Professional Body Preparation

New Hampshire: Once in the care of a NH funeral professional, they have 48 hours to either embalm, encase, or refrigerate a body (New Hampshire Title XXX Occupations and Professions 325:40-b). Most NH funeral homes are not equipped with refrigeration units. Individuals and families choosing to hire a professional and also have a natural burial must follow the funeral home's timeframe while avoiding embalming and encasement.
If you are coming from other states: A handful of states have similar regulations, but most do not. To find out if your state has any embalming or refrigeration requirements, go to Legal State Requirements.
Disinfecting/Bathing: Funeral homes offer a service called "disinfecting" that essentially bathes the body in the funeral home prep area using their choice of solution. Ask for alternative cleaning agents.
Cooling and Sheltering: Each funeral home has its own policy and fee schedule regarding what is called "sheltering", or keeping the body cool until disposition.

Funeral directors:

Preparation that includes controlled purging, cleaning/bathing, basic body care, and cooling is usually sufficient for a natural burial.
A burial ground representative will meet you at the entrance to inspect any shrouds for leakage or incomplete coverage. We understand that travel may present unforeseen challenges. We will work with you to address any issues so that the disposition can proceed.
If burial occurs in winter, we will open the gravesite as quickly as conditions allow and keep you notified.
Bodies that have been chemically embalmed or treated will be refused burial per #7 of the Rules and Regulations.
Bodies that arrive for burial encased in a Ziegler case or other "closed container with methods employed to prevent leakage" that does not meet the materials eligible for burial listed in #8 or #9 of the Rules and Regulations will be refused burial.

Blended Preparation

Families have the option of partnering with funeral directors to keep the body at home to avoid the legal obligations placed on NH funeral directors. Body care performed at the direction of the next-of-kin with family members and volunteer friends or community helpers allows for the bathing, dressing or shrouding and cooling while a funeral director completes the necessary paperwork, makes the disposition arrangements, or assists with transportation or other tasks as the family chooses.