hestiaWhat the law allows
Tennessee’s funeral licensing law does not apply to “families, friends or neighbors of deceased persons who prepare and bury their dead without charge.” TCA 62-5-102. A family can wash and dress the person, hold a vigil at home, and take part in the burial.
The death certificate
Only the funeral director who takes custody, the medical examiner, or the attending or pronouncing hospital physician may file the death certificate in Tennessee. TCA 68-3-502. Moving the person also needs consent from the certifying physician or medical examiner. Families who want to do this themselves should call Tennessee Vital Records first. Many families hire a funeral home just for the paperwork and transport and do the rest themselves.
Embalming and timing
No Tennessee law requires embalming. Tennessee also has no statute that sets a time by which a person must be refrigerated, but keeping the body cool is important. A crematory must refrigerate a person who is not embalmed if they are held 8 hours or more. TCA 62-5-507
Burial on private land
No Tennessee statute bans burial on private property, but cities and counties can limit it through zoning. Check with your county planning office before choosing a spot. University of Tennessee MTAS. Family burial grounds that already exist are protected by state law.
Questions families ask
Can a family bury someone without a funeral home in Tennessee?
Yes, the family may care for and bury their own dead. But only a funeral director, medical examiner or hospital physician can file the death certificate.
Is embalming required in Tennessee?
No. There is no Tennessee law that requires embalming.
Can you be buried on your own land in Tennessee?
State law does not ban it. Local zoning may restrict it, so check with your county first.
Plan it together, for free
A Hestia family space keeps the decisions, tasks, guests and costs in one private place, so nobody has to piece it together from texts and calls.
Start a free family space