Undertaken With Love

Photo of Minnesota state capitol by tboard

This state's status: Minnesota restricts the right of families to care for their own dead. To assist others in the home funeral movement in efforts to overturn restrictive legislation, contact Minnesota Threshold Network member Marianne Dietzel at (651) 633-0432.

The following passage, posted here in February 2010, is excerpted with permission from the blog of the Minnesota Threshold Network:

Minnesota is the only state in the nation that now requires embalming for public visitation. This means that families cannot legally care for their own deceased without embalming, or hold a vigil in their own home with anyone other than immediate family members.

 Here is the process over the next few months: 

• A bill to overturn this restricted law will be introduced in mid February
• The bill receives a hearing in late February or early March.
• If the bill passes the committee, it will either go to the floor of the House and Senate on its own or part of the larger health and human services bill.

What can you do?

It takes only a minute to call or email your legislator, asking for a yes vote!  If you send your name, home address, and email to Minnesota Threshold Network member Karen Ghodes at kgohdes@gmail.com, we will tell you when and whom to contact.

For the Minnesota Threshold Network's talking points on this issue, click here.

Searchable Online General Statutes

Minnesota Statutes (external link)

Resources Specific to Funeral Law

Department of Health & Compliance Monitoring (external link)

Department of Health Mortuary Science Section (external link)

Organizations and Individuals to contact for more information:

Minnesota Threshold Network

Minnesota Funeral and Memorial Society