Final Passages History
Imagine a natural approach to after-death care
that would inspire a celebration of life.
Who We Are
Final Passages is a model project offering education for personal and legal rights concerning home or family-directed funerals and final disposition (burial and cremation). It is our intention to re-introduce the concept of funerals in the home as a part of family life and as a way to de-institutionalize death. We are dedicated to a dignified and compassionate alternative to current funeral practices.
Final Passages' director has a long history in alternative health care. Jerrigrace Lyons, a Reiki Master, Certified Trager Practioner, and founder of the project, is a Minister who also directs Home Funeral Ministry. She has been interviewed and reviewed in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Mother Earth News, SF Magazine, KRON 4, CNN Headline News to name a few and now featured in a new PBS documentary “A family Undertaking” aired nationally in 2004.
Our Purpose
Final Passages provides educational materials, consultations, in-services, presentations, referrals and seminars that prepare and support individuals and the community to carry out a home or family-directed funeral. Our work serves the needs of community members from all cultural, economic, religious and spiritual perspectives. We inform people how to take charge of commemorating the death passage of an individual. A family member or Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPAHC) Agent in California can act in lieu of the funeral director, making all of the decisions and orchestrating all of the funeral arrangements. For laws and regulations regarding caring for your own dead in other states refer to: Lisa Carlson's book, Caring For the Dead, Your Final Act of Love, to order E-Mail address is Kristen@upperaccess.com.
Our Beginnings
Jerrigrace Lyons founded Final Passages as a result of the unexpected death of her friend Carolyn Whiting. Because of Carolyn's interest in a natural and conscious approach to death care, she left detailed instructions for a home funeral. Jerrigrace was a participant in Carolyn's home funeral and was profoundly moved by the entire three-day experience. Community participation and ceremony, at home, supported those grieving and allowed more time for closure. The bathing and dressing of her body was performed with dignity and honor by her friends. Barriers of fear and anger were broken down, giving more room for love and celebration through this important passage. This most personal, meaningful and respectful experience awakened in her a passion to share it with others. She pioneered Final Passages in 1995 to reawaken a choice that our ancestors once held sacred.
Final Passages Serving You
Final Passages, founded in 1995, provides expert guidance in the exploration of choices surrounding the death of a loved one and compassionate alternatives to current funeral practices.
Final Passages is a community resource, educating through family consultations, as well as presentations at colleges, funeral societies, churches, health-care agency and medical facility in-services and public seminars.
Final Passages has participated in over 150 home or family-directed funerals. Through our shared research, educational materials and experience families are able to make informed decisions, take charge of all of the funeral arrangements and secure profound closure and healing without incurring alarming debt.
Final Passages has achieved national recognition through publications, newspapers, magazines, professional journals and radio interviews for an educational program designed to provide a personalized approach to after death-care.
Final Passages is a consumer advocate supporting actions that defend an individual's funeral rights and gives moral and social instruction regarding the funeral industry.
All of these accomplishments have been achieved through Final Passages volunteers and their countless hours of hard work, perseverance, patience and determination. We have been sustained solely through individual consultations, sale of educational materials, workshops, and small donations.