In this episode of Remembering A Life, host Gail Marquardt explores the growing interest in home funerals with Alexis Hughes, Executive Director of the Home Funeral Alliance, and Tim Copeland, a licensed funeral director and end-of-life doula. Together, they discuss what home funerals are, how they work, their legal and practical considerations, and the ways families can participate in caring for a loved one after death. The conversation also explores the emotional benefits of hands-on involvement, the role of funeral professionals, and how home funerals can create meaningful opportunities for connection, healing and saying goodbye in a familiar setting. Whether you're curious about home funerals or planning ahead, this episode offers thoughtful guidance on a deeply personal end-of-life option.
Home Funerals 101: What Families Need to Know
Home Funerals 101: What Families Need to Know
About Our Guest
Tim Copeland
Timothy Copeland, NFDA Trainer, has over 35 years of experience as a licensed funeral director, cremation educator and end-of-life care consultant. Tim owned and operated Copeland Funeral Home and has held various leadership positions, including trustee of the New York State Funeral Directors Association PrePlan Trust and a board member of the New York State Funeral Directors Association. He is a certified practitioner of Dignity Therapy and co-author of a chapter pertaining to end-of-life decision- making in the Handbook of Thanatology. As a former educator at Hudson Valley Community College, Tim mentored the upcoming generation of funeral professionals, focusing on communication, ethics and grief support. His presentations, which are delivered at national and state conventions, concentrate on funeral ethics, cremation protocols and meaningful family engagement. Tim holds a Master of Science in Thanatology from Marian University.
About Our Guest
Alexis Hughes
A lifelong advocate for compassionate, family-centered deathcare, Alexis Hughes is the Executive Director of the Home Funeral Alliance, where she works to expand education, strengthen community-based end-of-life care, and empower families to reclaim the timeless practice of caring for their own after death. Under her leadership, the organization is focused on building sustainable programs, advancing professional collaborations in the industry, and increasing access to ethical, inclusive home funeral education across the United States.
Alexis is passionate about breaking down the fear and misinformation surrounding death, believing that communities are stronger when people are equipped with knowledge, confidence, and practical skills. She speaks on topics including home funerals, community deathcare, nonprofit leadership, grief-informed advocacy, and the future of family-led end-of-life care.
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