Undertaken With Love

Additional Resources

If you'd like to learn more about some of the home funeral groups mentioned in this chapter, explore these resources:

The Adath Jeshuran synagogue of Minnetonka, Minn., founded its Chevra Kavod Hamet (Society to Honor the Deceased) 30 years ago to provide a simple, affordable Jewish burial to any member of the synagogue upon request. It also provides comfort and support to bereaved families. Their story is told in A Plain Pine Box: A Return to Simple Jewish Funerals and Eternal Traditions.

The Islamic Burial Society of North America (IBSNA) grew out of a project of the Islamic Society of Raleigh (N.C.) to respond to the need of American Muslims for funeral options that are in keeping with the precepts of the Quran.  Its founder, Ahmad-Rufai Abdullah, is a leader in the movement, which has trained more than 250 American Muslims to provide burials for their own dead.

A Family Undertaking, a point-of-view PBS documentary by Elizabeth Westrate, portrays the experience of several families in a variety of settings as they reclaim the end of life, opting for a home funeral rather than engaging the services of a licensed mortuary.

Prepare for Chapter 6

The assignments for the next gathering are to:

• Read the text of the next chapter.
• If your committee has reached consensus on its aims and limitations, assign one member to write an announcement of the committee's formation and purpose that can be considered by the committee at the next gathering.
• Assign one member to purchase a 3-ring binder to serve as the home funeral committee's receptacle for stories, information, plans and resources. This person might also design an attractive cover for the binder if it has a slipcase for one, or another committee member might do that part.
• Invite all members to brainstorm ways that the committee can make its presence known and publicize its services. Come prepared to develop a publicity plan at the next gathering.