HOME FUNERALS & VIGILS
"Being at home made the farewell feel like it truly belonged to us."
⎼ A FAMILY WE HAD THE HONOUR OF GUIDING
You have the
right to care for
your loved one
at home.
Most families don't know this is possible. We're here to guide you through every step — practically, legally, and with full support.
Home funerals and home vigils are fully legal in all states of Australia. Families have been doing this for generations— and we're here with everything you need to do it safely, confidently and on your own terms."
What is a home funeral
or home vigil?
UNDERSTANDING YOUR OPTIONS
A home funeral means caring for your loved one's body at home — before, during, or after death — rather than immediately transferring them to a funeral home.
A home vigil is the time you spend with your loved one at home before the funeral or cremation. It might last a few hours or a few days. There is no right or wrong — only what feels right for your family.
A home vigil gives your family time to be together — without rushing
What brings families
to a home vigil?
WHY FAMILIES CHOOSE THIS
Every family is different. Here are the reasons we hear most often.
01
MORE TIME
The hours after a death can feel rushed. A home vigil gives you time to sit with what has happened and say goodbye slowly — at your own pace.
02
MORE INVOLVEMENT
Some families want to wash and dress their loved one themselves. Others simply want to be present. Both are completely honoured here.
03
MORE MEANING
Being at home — in familiar surroundings, with family around — can make the farewell feel far more personal than a formal chapel setting.
04
LOWER COST
A home funeral can significantly reduce the overall cost, as some of the work a funeral home would normally do is carried out by the family instead.
05
INCLUDING CHILDREN
A home vigil offers a gentle, natural way for children to be involved and to understand death in a safe, familiar environment.
06
CULTURAL & SPIRITUAL
Many communities have traditions around keeping the body at home. We respect and fully support these practices, whatever they look like for your family.
We take care of everything — legal paperwork, death certificates, transfer of the body, and liaising with crematoria or cemeteries.
You decide how involved you want to be in the physical care of your loved one. Some families do everything. Others simply want to be present and leave the hands-on work to us.
We follow your lead, always. There are no scripts here. We work at your pace.
What Paperbark does —
and what you do.
WHAT TO EXPECT
What actually happens —
step by step.
OUR ROLE
If your loved one dies at home
You call us — we're available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
We guide you through how to care for the body at home — temperature, positioning, and what to expect over time.
We handle all paperwork and legal requirements on your behalf.
We support you to wash, dress, or simply sit with your loved one for as long as you need.
When you're ready, we arrange transfer for cremation or burial.
Contact us to discuss a home vigil — we'll talk through your home and what's involved.
We return your loved one to your home, bringing everything needed for the vigil.
We walk you through what to expect and are available by phone throughout.
Your family takes the time you need — hours or days — with no pressure.
When you're ready, we return and arrange the next steps together.
If your loved one is in Hospital/hospice or already in our care
A cool, quiet room — ideally south-facing or easily cooled with air conditioning or a fan.
Access — we need to be able to bring your loved one home safely.
Your comfort — the most important factor. If you're unsure, we'll talk it through.
Time of year — we'll advise specifically based on your area’s climate.
Is a home vigil right
for my home?
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
HOW LONG CAN A VIGIL LAST AT HOME?
With proper cooling, a home vigil can safely last 5 days in most circumstances. We'll advise you specifically based on the time of year and your home environment.
WE HANDLE
All legal paperwork, death certificates, permits, and liaison with crematoria or cemeteries.
WE PROVIDE
Equipment needed including cooling, guidance on body care & 24/7 phone support.
YOU CHOOSE
How involved you are in physical care — from full hands-on to simply being present.
YOUR PACE
No rushing. We visit beforehand if it helps, answer every question, and stay available throughout.
2025
New York
The Atlast Project →
“There is an old knowing in this — to stay, to wash, to sit beside. Not to hand them over, not yet. To let the goodbye be slow. This is not morbid. This is love.”
~ HalieQuestions families
often ask us
COMMON QUESTIONS
-
Yes. There is no law preventing a family from caring for their loved one at home. A funeral home that supports home funerals & vigils is needed in may cases to help paperwork and transfer, but the physical care can be carried out by the family.
-
In the first 24–48 hours, with proper cooling, the body changes very little. We'll tell you exactly what to expect so nothing comes as a surprise. We believe in complete honesty — not just reassurance.
-
Yes — and many families find this a gentle and meaningful way for children to understand death. We can guide you on how to include children appropriately for their age. A home vigil often makes this easier than a formal funeral setting.
-
We supply everything you need — including cooling equipment. You don't need to source anything yourself. We'll bring it all and show you exactly how to use it.
-
A home vigil is included as part of our standard funeral services at no additional charge. If you're planning a full home funeral, costs vary depending on your needs. We're happy to discuss this with no obligation — view our full price list for more detail.
-
You call us. We're available 24 hours a day throughout the entire vigil. You are never alone in this process. Many families tell us that just knowing we were available made all the difference — even when they didn't need to call.
WE’RE HERE
Not sure where to start?
Just call us.
You don't need to have made any decisions before you call. We're happy to answer questions, talk through your options, and give you honest guidance — with no obligation and no pressure.