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 Wisconsin.

Do You Need a Funeral Director in Wisconsin?

In all states, it is legal to have your loved one’s body at home after they die. Wisconsin does not require you to involve a licensed funeral director in making or carrying out final arrangements. (See, for example, Wisconsin Statutes § 69.18, which permits a licensed funeral director or a “member of the decedent’s immediate family who personally prepares for and conducts the final disposition of the decent” to move the body for purposes of burial or cremation.)

Who’s In Charge of Body Disposition and Funeral Arrangements?

Wisconsin law determines who has the right to make final decisions about a person’s body and funeral services. This right goes first to any representative named by the deceased person before death, and after that to deceased person’s family members in an established order.

To learn the rules and the exact order of priority, see Making Funeral Arrangements in Wisconsin.

Must the Body Be Embalmed?

Wisconsin has no embalming requirements, nor does state law specify a time frame within which you must dispose of the remains.

If the person died of a contagious disease, you should consult a doctor. In that case, a local health officer will provide guidelines for final disposition. (Wisconsin Statutes § 252.05.)

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.

Getting a Death Certificate

If you will not be using a funeral director to carry out final arrangements, you must complete and file the death certificate yourself. The deceased person’s doctor, the coroner, or the medical examiner must supply the date, time, and cause of death and present the death certificate to you within six days after the death was pronounced. You must then complete the section for personal information and file the death certificate with the local registrar of vital records. (Wisconsin Statutes § 69.18.)

You will need certified copies of the death certificate to carry out certain 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 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 “Report for Final Disposition” from the local registrar or a funeral director before moving the body to prepare it for final disposition. (Wisconsin Statutes § 69.18.) For example, if someone dies outside the home, you would need this authorization before bringing the body home for care. Or, if someone dies at home, permission is necessary to move the body to a location away from home for burial or cremation.

You must file the Report for Final Disposition with the local registrar and present a copy to the coroner or medical examiner within 24 hours after being notified of the death. (Wisconsin Statutes § 69.18.)

If the person died in a hospital, nursing home, or hospice center, you must also obtain a “Notice of Removal” form. (Wisconsin Statutes § 69.18.) The facility will usually have the form on hand; if not, a funeral director or the local registrar can supply the form.

Is Home Burial Legal in Wisconsin?

There are no state laws in Wisconsin prohibiting home burial, but local governments may have rules governing private burials. Before burying a body on private property or establishing a family cemetery, you should check with the county or town clerk for any zoning laws you must follow. You can most likely hold a home burial if you live in a rural area.

What About Cremation?

Some crematories require that you use a funeral director to arrange cremation. If you don’t want to use a funeral director, make sure the crematory is willing to accept the body directly from the family. In Wisconsin, the coroner or medical examiner must issue a permit before a body may be cremated. There is also a required waiting period of 48 hours before cremation may occur, unless waived by the department of health due to “contagious or infectious disease.” (Wisconsin Statutes § 979.10.)

You must obtain permission from the person in charge of a cemetery before burying cremated remains on the cemetery’s property, but Wisconsin state law does not restrict how or where you may scatter the ashes. (Wisconsin Statutes § 979.10.)

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

Getting Help With Home Funerals

Even the most staunch 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 the process. You can find local guides, consultants, and other resources by visiting the National Home Funeral Alliance website. 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.