Many of us have attended funerals where, unless a particular faith is involved, the service takes place in the chapel attached to the crematorium. Over time, this has come to feel like the default, even the only option. But it isn’t. Funeral ceremonies are not required to be held in a crematorium chapel. They can take place almost anywhere. There’s a common belief that bringing a coffin into another venue is prohibited, complicated, or somehow illegal. This misunderstanding o

When someone dies, families are often confronted with tradition, expectation, and pressure all at once. What is “normal”? What is expected? What feels right? This guide is here to help families explore the range of possibilities, understand what is allowed, and find ways to mark a death that feel meaningful and authentic. There is no single right way. There is only what you can do together. Reclaiming agency Funerals and ceremonies are often framed as services to be purchased