Is it legal to manage funerals yourself in AZ?
Arizonans can care for their own dead. Under Arizona law, anyone can perform the functions of a funeral director for family and community members as long as they’re not paid to do so. The right to care for the dead is found in Arizona Statute § 36-326 where the law declares that a body disposition permit may be issued to "a funeral director or other responsible person."
Must a body be embalmed?
Embalming is NOT required in any state, and only two states require embalming to cross state lines (Alabama, Arkansas). The practice is for cosmetic purposes only and has no health and safety properties whatsoever.
What can be done instead?
Simple, inexpensive cooling methods such as air conditioning, Techni Ice™ (available through Amazon) or dry ice, are sufficient for 1 to 3 days in the home or other appropriate venue. In fact, the average body will hold for that long in a 65 degree room with no adverse outcomes under average circumstances. Many funeral homes do not provide refrigeration, so the body is held in a cool room. (See Perform Body Care.)
Who may complete the death certificate?
The next-of-kin, a designated agent, or a funeral director may complete the death certificate, with information provided by the family in any case. It must be written clearly in black ink or typed, with no erasures, cross-outs or corrections. The information will then be transferred electronically by the Registrar or a funeral director to Vital Records. A disposition transit permit may be generated by Registrar. The permit is required to accompany the body to final disposition, or to move out of state. (See Complete Paperwork.)
What is the timeline for filing paperwork in Arizona?
Arizona law requires that the death certificate be signed by an authorized physician or tribal law enforcement officer within 72 hours. It then needs to be filed with the local registrar in the town of death or directly with the Office of Vital Records.
Must a minister perform a service?
There is no legal requirement that clergy perform a service. Families may choose to create and conduct a unique and meaningful service themselves that celebrates and honors their family member, or invite clergy to participate.
What do funerals cost?
The average modern funeral in the U.S. costs $8,755 (National Funeral Directors Association, 2017) for basic non-declinable fees, embalming, other preparation of the body, transportation, use of facilities and staff, an average metal casket, a concrete outer burial vault, and use of a hearse. This figure does NOT include a cemetery plot or opening and closing fees, cremation fees, medical examiner fee, obituaries, flowers, monuments, grave markers, musician or clergy honorariums to conduct funeral or memorial services. Other than the non-declinable fee, families may choose which services to purchase from funeral establishments. (See Arizona Funeral Consumers Alliance Funeral Home Price Surveys for more info specific to AZ.)
Home funerals, direct cremations and immediate burials, and family-directed memorials, in contrast, may cost a fraction of that, depending on which services families wish to perform themselves. Families can also purchase locally made, bio-degradable caskets and urns directly from Arizonan companies and artists, or make them themselves, at a significant cost savings.
What are Direct Cremations and Immediate Burials?
Both refer simply to the cremation or burial, without embalming, viewing, funeral or memorial services in the funeral home (you may have one elsewhere) or other incidentals such as flowers, prayer cards, etc. See What to Expect When Funeral Shopping for more information about what is included or call a funeral director to learn what services they include.
Arizonans can care for their own dead. Under Arizona law, anyone can perform the functions of a funeral director for family and community members as long as they’re not paid to do so. The right to care for the dead is found in Arizona Statute § 36-326 where the law declares that a body disposition permit may be issued to "a funeral director or other responsible person."
Must a body be embalmed?
Embalming is NOT required in any state, and only two states require embalming to cross state lines (Alabama, Arkansas). The practice is for cosmetic purposes only and has no health and safety properties whatsoever.
What can be done instead?
Simple, inexpensive cooling methods such as air conditioning, Techni Ice™ (available through Amazon) or dry ice, are sufficient for 1 to 3 days in the home or other appropriate venue. In fact, the average body will hold for that long in a 65 degree room with no adverse outcomes under average circumstances. Many funeral homes do not provide refrigeration, so the body is held in a cool room. (See Perform Body Care.)
Who may complete the death certificate?
The next-of-kin, a designated agent, or a funeral director may complete the death certificate, with information provided by the family in any case. It must be written clearly in black ink or typed, with no erasures, cross-outs or corrections. The information will then be transferred electronically by the Registrar or a funeral director to Vital Records. A disposition transit permit may be generated by Registrar. The permit is required to accompany the body to final disposition, or to move out of state. (See Complete Paperwork.)
What is the timeline for filing paperwork in Arizona?
Arizona law requires that the death certificate be signed by an authorized physician or tribal law enforcement officer within 72 hours. It then needs to be filed with the local registrar in the town of death or directly with the Office of Vital Records.
Must a minister perform a service?
There is no legal requirement that clergy perform a service. Families may choose to create and conduct a unique and meaningful service themselves that celebrates and honors their family member, or invite clergy to participate.
What do funerals cost?
The average modern funeral in the U.S. costs $8,755 (National Funeral Directors Association, 2017) for basic non-declinable fees, embalming, other preparation of the body, transportation, use of facilities and staff, an average metal casket, a concrete outer burial vault, and use of a hearse. This figure does NOT include a cemetery plot or opening and closing fees, cremation fees, medical examiner fee, obituaries, flowers, monuments, grave markers, musician or clergy honorariums to conduct funeral or memorial services. Other than the non-declinable fee, families may choose which services to purchase from funeral establishments. (See Arizona Funeral Consumers Alliance Funeral Home Price Surveys for more info specific to AZ.)
Home funerals, direct cremations and immediate burials, and family-directed memorials, in contrast, may cost a fraction of that, depending on which services families wish to perform themselves. Families can also purchase locally made, bio-degradable caskets and urns directly from Arizonan companies and artists, or make them themselves, at a significant cost savings.
What are Direct Cremations and Immediate Burials?
Both refer simply to the cremation or burial, without embalming, viewing, funeral or memorial services in the funeral home (you may have one elsewhere) or other incidentals such as flowers, prayer cards, etc. See What to Expect When Funeral Shopping for more information about what is included or call a funeral director to learn what services they include.
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