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Funerals/Natural Burial in Mississippi

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Question
I live in rural Mississippi and want to be buried on my own land, with no embalming and no casket.  I basically want them to dig a hole by the woods and stick me in it.  I'm young and in good health, but want to go ahead and find out everything I need to know in case something happens.  I'm worried that if I don't find out for them, my family will decide to have a 'normal' funeral for me (especially since I'd have to be buried quickly).  If I have a signed and witnessed document stating how I want to be buried, would my family have to honor that statement, or would I have to have an official will?  My parents are extremely conventional, and I think the idea of such an unusual burial would turn them off to the point of disregarding my wishes.  What should I do?

Answer
If you have a lot of land outside the village or city limits, then home burial is likely permissible. Draw a map of the land showing where the family burial ground will be and pay to have it recorded with the deed. A good practice is 150 ft. from a water supply and 25 ft. from a neighbor's boundary or power line. Perhaps when your parents see that, they'll get interested. You might look for some other family cemeteries and show how much they are a part of a great American tradition. You can order the DVD "Family Undertaking" from Netflix. Maybe that would help, too.

E-mail me directly and I can send the MS chapter from the '98 edition of my book. I don't think a lot has changed. lisa@funeralethics.org

You could also work to have a new law passed permitting one to name a designated agent for body disposition. About half the states already have such a law. That would allow you to name someone you trust to handle your after-death funeral affairs.

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Lisa Carlson

Expertise

Funeral Law. Having written a 512-page book on funeral law for consumers with state-by-state information, I am very conversant with consumer rights in this regard: What are the laws on disposition of cremated remains? Is embalming required? Do I have to use a funeral home? Can I have a home wake? Is it a state law to buy a vault? I prepaid for a funeral but changed my mind. They won`t give me all my money back. What can I do? . . . If you have an immediate need for information because a death has just occurred or is about to occur, you may call me at 802-482-6021.

Experience

I have monitored the funeral industry on behalf of consumers for over 20 years. I have been a guest speaker to funeral trade organizations, consumer workshops, and social service professionals. I am regularly consulted by lawyers and legislators as well as journalists.

Organizations
Funeral Ethics Organization (www.funeralethics.org) Funeral Consumers Alliance (www.funerals.org)

Publications
Caring for Your Own Dead (1987) Caring for the Dead: Your Final Act of Love (1998) I Died Laughing: Funeral Education with a Light Touch (2001) Final Rights: Reclaiming the American Way of Death (2011) with co-author Joshua Slocum

Education/Credentials
Masters degree in Administration and Special Education

Past/Present Clients
Available as an expert witness for funeral-related court cases.

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