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

A funeral always involves the presence and final disposition of the deceased body as part of the ceremonial obligation.  A memorial service is any service which commemorates a death, but does not involve the presence or disposition of the deceased.

What do funeral directors do?

The funeral director cares for and ensures for safe care until the final disposition of the deceased.  Funeral directors help guide families through the bereavement process, arrange and provide an orderly series of events that finalize the service and complete the legal paperwork needed for final disposition.  The funeral director also provides the physical establishment in which all of this can be accomplished. 

What is the purpose of a funeral?

The funeral is a ceremony in which family and friends remember and honor a person who has died.  The funeral service gives the opportunity to celebrate a life and reminisce on the accomplishments of a loved one.  It gives one a chance to say good-bye and helps the beginning of the healing process.  The funeral not only identifies that a death has occured, but that a life has been lived.  It is also important to notify the community of a person's death, as many beyond the family are also entitled to grieve.

What is embalming?

Embalming is the temporary preservation of a dead human person.  It is the process of injecting chemical solutions into the deceased's vascular system aiding in the sanitization, restoration and preservation of that person.  Embalming gives a more natural, life-like appearance.  Embalming is not required under Washington State law, but is encouraged in certain instances.  Please contact us for questions regarding embalming.

How much does a funeral cost?

The cost of a funeral or memorial service has a wide range, based upon the services and merchandise selected.  It is similar to asking, "How much does a wedding cost?"  The funeral bill is separated into three categories. 

Professional services are the cost of hiring a funeral home to serve a family when a death occurs.  This includes basic overhead, including staff, use of facilities, automobiles and the costs associated with running a business.  There is no sales tax on professional services in Washington State.   

Merchandise costs are related to the products purchased from the funeral home, including caskets, vaults and urns.  These charges incur a sales tax charge in the state of Washington. 

Third party expenses are those costs incurred by the funeral home on behalf of a family, including minister honorarium, death certificates and obituaries.