What should I do if the death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend?

We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 253 572-9555 or 253 474-5486

Will someone come out right away?

If you request immediate assistance, yes. If the family wishes to spend a short time with the deceased to say good-bye, we will come when your time is right.

If a loved one dies out of state, can the local Funeral Home still help?

Yes, they can assist you with out-of-state arrangements, either to transfer the remains to another state or from another state.

What do funeral directors do?

Funeral directors are caregivers and administrators. They make the arrangements for transportation of the body, complete all necessary paperwork, and implement the choices made by the family regarding the funeral and final disposition of the body. Funeral directors are listeners, advisors and supporters. They have experience assisting the bereaved in coping with death. Funeral directors are trained to answer questions about grief, recognize when a person is having difficulty coping, and recommend sources of professional help. Funeral directors also link survivors with support groups at the funeral home or in the community.

Why have a funeral service?

To help resolve their grief, mourners need to accept the reality of death not only on an intellectual level, but on an emotional level as well. It is for this reason that the traditional funeral is usually preceded by an open-casket visitation period. The funeral ritual also helps the survivors to heal emotionally. When someone we love dies, we experience grief, which, though it hurts, is not something to avoid. Grief is part of the healing process that allows us to separate ourselves from the deceased person and go on with our lives. Funerals are useful in that, they allow the community to grieve with the family. The funeral sets the tone for a place for all to openly grieve the loss, and thereby finding healing and strength in the comfort of others.

Why have a public viewing?

Viewing is part of many cultural and ethnic traditions. Many grief specialists believe that viewing aids the grief process by helping the bereaved recognize the reality of death. This may seem unnecessary; but grief experts say that nothing helps you accept death as much as seeing the deceased person. Viewings help with grieving because they show that there's no return. Viewing is encouraged for children, as long as the process is explained and the activity voluntary.

What is the difference between a funeral service and a memorial service?

The only difference with a memorial service is that the body is not present. A memorial service is much like a funeral service, flowers and other mementos are brought to help celebrate their life. Many people feel that they need something to signal finality and a memorial service does just that.

Why should the deceased be embalmed?

Embalming sanitizes and preserves the body, retards the decomposition process, and enhances the appearance of a body disfigured by traumatic death or illness. Embalming makes it possible to lengthen the time between death and the final disposition, thus allowing family members time to arrange and participate in the type of service most comforting to them. Embalming also allows the body to be transported by airplane to the family’s desired location or to be held for extended periods.

Does state law require embalming?

Every state is different. Washington state law does not require embalming unless services selected dictate so. Embalming may be necessary, however, if you select certain funeral arrangements, such as a funeral with a viewing. If you do not want embalming, you usually have the right to choose an arrangement that does not require you to pay for it, such as direct cremation or immediate burial.

What's involved in the cremation process?

The body is often enclosed in a rigid container of combustible material. The container is placed in a cremation chamber where it undergoes up to three hours of direct flame, intense heat and evaporation. The container is consumed and the body is transformed into skeletal fragments, more commonly called cremated remains. The cremated remains are then processed into fine particles and are placed in an urn.

How many people are cremated at once?

One person is cremated at a time.

Is cremation a substitute for a funeral?

No, cremation is an alternative to earth burial or entombment for the body's final disposition and often follows a traditional funeral service.

So, I've decided on cremation, can I still have a funeral or a viewing?

Yes, quite often some sort of viewing precedes the actual cremation. We can assist you with the necessary information for a funeral with a cremation following or a memorial service.

As experienced funeral and cremation administrators we can help you to manage the necessary documentation efficiently.

What is a Death Certificate?

Death Certificates and their uses: The funeral home you choose can help you with information on death certificates and can get them for you. In most states you will need the following information about the deceased:

• Date and place of birth
• Mother's and father's names
• Social Security number
• Veteran's discharge or claim number
• Level of education
• Marital status
• Racial/ethnic background

How many are needed?

You will need certified copies of the death certificate for many of these, including: Life insurance and benefit claims Title/ownership transfers Access to bank accounts and safety deposit boxes We can also help you notify Social Security.