Home burials allow families to lay their loved ones to rest on private property, often in rural settings and in accordance with local laws. This intimate form of burial connects the family closely to the land and to cherished memories. For families looking for a more personal and private farewell, we support respectful home burial services that honor your loved one’s life in a familiar and comforting setting.

Home Burial Options

A Personal and Peaceful Farewell on Family Land
We honor the deeply personal choice of laying a loved one to rest at home. Home burials offer families a sacred, private space to grieve, remember, and celebrate life in a setting filled with love and familiarity. The following are the thoughtful home burial options we support, along with important legal considerations to guide you:

Natural Home Burial

This eco conscious option involves placing the body directly into the earth in a natural setting, using a simple shroud or biodegradable casket. There is no embalming or use of concrete vaults, only a return to nature in the purest form.  Ideal for families who value environmental stewardship and simplicity.

Casket Burial on Private Land

This traditional method allows you to bury your loved one in a casket wooden or biodegradable on family property. A personalized ceremony, grave marker, or headstone may be added to honor their legacy. A comforting choice for those who desire a more conventional but private resting place.

Green or Eco Friendly Burial

A green burial avoids all synthetic materials, metal caskets, or embalming chemicals. The body is placed in a sustainable container or wrapped in natural fibers. It supports natural decomposition and nurtures the surrounding ecosystem. For those seeking a holistic and earth-friendly farewell.

Family Cemetery Plot

Establishing a designated family cemetery on your property creates a generational resting ground for loved ones. This option requires more extensive planning, including legal registration and long-term upkeep. A timeless way to bring generations together in rest.

Ash Burial or Scattering on Private Property

Following cremation, ashes may be interred in biodegradable urns or scattered in meaningful areas, like a garden, beneath a tree, or near a family landmark. Families may choose to mark the spot with a plaque or plant a memorial tree. A gentle, symbolic way to let your loved one become part of the land they loved.

Minnesota Legal Considerations for Home Burial

Before planning a home burial in Minnesota, it’s essential to follow these state guidelines:

• Private Property Requirement: The burial must take place on land owned by the family or designated for cemetery use.
• Distance Regulations: A body must be buried at least 3.5 feet deep and a minimum distance from wells, water sources, and property lines (as required by local ordinances).
• Death Certificate Burial and Transit Permit: Required for all deaths and must be filed with the Minnesota Department of Health.
• Cemetery Registration: In some counties, families may need to officially register their land as a private family cemetery for long-term records and access.
• Disclosure for Future Property Sales: If the land is ever sold, a burial site must be disclosed and properly marked in land records.

We are here to help. Middleton Funeral Services will assist you with every step, from legal compliance to ceremony planning and burial support.