Arizona Home Funeral Laws

Find out what you need to know about having a funeral in Arizona.

Updated by , Attorney · George Mason University Law School

If you are interested in holding a home funeral for a loved one who has died, you'll need to be aware of the laws that apply. Here is an overview of the rules that govern home funerals in Arizona.

Do You Need a Funeral Director?

In all states, it is legal to have your loved one's body at home after they die. Arizona does not require you to involve a licensed funeral director in the final arrangements. In fact, an Arizona statute explicitly allows a body disposition permit (see below) to be issued to "a funeral director or other responsible person." (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 36-326 (2024).)

Who Has the Right to Make Funeral Arrangements in Arizona?

Arizona law determines who has the right to make final decisions about a person's body and funeral services. This right and responsibility goes to the following people, in order:

  • your surviving spouse, unless you were legally separated or there was a pending petition for divorce or legal separation
  • your agent under a health care power of attorney or durable power of attorney, if the document specifically gives the agent the power to make decisions regarding the disposition of your remains
  • your adult children
  • your parent
  • your sibling
  • your adult grandchild
  • your grandparent
  • an adult who exhibited "special care and concern" for you
  • the person acting as your "guardian of the person" at the time of your death, or
  • any other person who has the authority to handle the disposition of your body.

(Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 36-831 (2024).)

If there is more than one member of a category listed above, final arrangements may be made by any member of that category unless that person knows of another member of the category who objects. If there is an objection, decisions must be made by a majority of the members of the category who are reasonably available at the time. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 36-831 (2024).)

For more information about making an advance directive in Arizona, see Living Wills & Medical Powers of Attorney.

Note that, if you are in the military, you may name the person who will carry out your final wishes in the Record of Emergency Data provided by the Department of Defense.

Who pays for your funeral arrangements? You can either pay for your plans before you die, or you can set aside money for your survivors to use for this purpose. If you don't do either of these things, and there's not enough money in your estate to pay for funeral goods and services, your survivors must cover the costs.

Must the Body Be Embalmed?

Arizona law requires a body to be embalmed or refrigerated only if final disposition does not occur within 24 hours. (Ariz. Admin. Code § 4-12-303 (2024).)

Refrigeration or dry ice can usually preserve a body for a short time. There are resources available to help you learn to prepare a body at home for burial or cremation. The website of the National Home Funeral Alliance is a good place to start.

If the person died of a contagious disease, you should consult a doctor.

Getting a Death Certificate in Arizona

If you will not be using a funeral director, you must complete and file the death certificate yourself. Arizona law requires you to file the death certificate with the local or state registrar within seven days of the death. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 36-325 (2024).)

A doctor, health care provider designated by a hospital, medical examiner, or alternate medical examiner must complete the medical portion of the death certificate within 72 hours of the death. If the death occurs on an Indian reservation in Arizona and no medical examiner or alternate medical examiner is available, the tribal law enforcement authority may complete the medical certification. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 36-325 (2024).)

Arizona has implemented an electronic system for registering deaths. You go to the county health department to initiate the death certificate. After you supply the necessary information, the health department will contact the doctor electronically to notify him or her of the pending death certificate. The doctor will supply the cause of death and any other necessary medical information online.

You will need certified copies of the death certificate to carry out other tasks after the death, such as arranging for the disposition of the body and transferring the deceased person's property to inheritors. You may be able to file the death certificate and get certified copies on the same day. If not, you will have to make a return trip to pick up the copies. Be prepared to pay a small fee for each copy.

Getting a Permit to Transport the Body

You must obtain a disposition-transit permit before:

  • handling the final disposition of remains, or
  • moving the body out of the state of Arizona.

You will need a certified copy of the death certificate to obtain the burial transit permit. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 36-326 (2024).)

For information about how to obtain the permit, contact the Arizona Office of Vital Records or your county health department.

Is Home Burial Legal in Arizona?

There are no laws in Arizona that prohibit home burial, and you are not likely to find local zoning laws on the matter. That said, it's always a good idea to check zoning rules before establishing a family cemetery. You may be able to create a home cemetery if you live in a rural area.

Note that, by law, you must record the location of the cemetery with the county recorders office before burial. The local or state registrar is not supposed to issue a disposition-transit permit for interment in a cemetery unless the cemetery is on file with the county recorder or located on federal or tribal land. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 36-326 (2024).)

What About Cremation?

Unfortunately, in Arizona, crematories may not enter into contracts with members of the public. This means you will have to go through a funeral director to arrange cremation. A medical examiner must grant approval before a body can be cremated.

For more information about cremation, including information on scattering ashes, see Burial & Cremation Laws in Arizona.

Getting Help With Home Funerals

Even the staunchest home funeral advocates know that learning to care for one's own dead can be difficult, especially during a time of grief. If you need help, there are people available to coach you through this process. You can find local guides, consultants, and other resources by visiting the website of the National Home Funeral Alliance. The book Final Rights, by Joshua Slocum and Lisa Carlson, also offers extensive information on the subject.

For more information about final arrangements and documenting your final wishes in advance, see Nolo's section on Getting Your Affairs in Order.

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