1 R Special Advertising Section | Sunday, March 26, 2023 7 Here’s the why and how of investigating Seattle-area funerals, cremations, burials and other last wishes. The whys of planning your goodbye Usually, Michael Parks has to convince older adults to talk to their children — a parent often fears burdening adult children with the discussion. Parks, a funeral and cemetery estate planner for over four years at Dignity Memorial in Bellevue, offers talks on the realities of funeral planning and burials at senior community centers and other locations. But the real burden presents itself if a parent doesn’t prepare in any way or communicate wishes in advance, Parks says. Without this guidance, many families argue due to financial, emotional and time pressures. For a funeral and burial, the dozens of decisions involved are as complicated as planning a wedding — with an added time crunch. For example, the venue, invite list, speakers, music, photos and cemetery choices. In addition, families must weigh costs amid shock and grief. “Reports show people spend up to three times more when paying for someone who dies versus when someone preplans,” Parks says. He notes that a bill could easily add up to $30,000 for a funeral due to many micro-decisions that may or may not have a big impact. “Spending is not commensurate with love,” says communications manager Beverly Tryk at People’s Memorial Association, who points out that family members shouldn’t go into debt over purchases that don’t reflect a loved one’s wishes. Cremation and other alternatives PMA recommends researching your funeral and burial options. Costs are generally lowest in Pierce County, followed by King County, Snohomish County and Spokane County. Direct cremation is a more expensive option in King County than other counties, but still less costly than other methods. Washington leads the nation in cremations — about 79% of the deceased or loved ones opt for the method, according to the Cremation Association of North America. Some funeral homes may offer to offset cremation emissions with solar and wind investments. Other “greener” body-care approaches available in the Seattle area include: • Aquamation: This process uses water, pressure, time and a machine to reduce the body to ashes, which are returned to the family — and uses one-eighth the energy of cremation, according to PMA. • Natural organic reduction: This innovative and recently legalized method is known as “human composting.” The body is stored in a large container with straw and wood chips for 4-6 weeks. Many pounds of rich compost are returned to the family. • Natural burial: This method wraps your body in a shroud or simple wood casket, which goes into the earth. If you’re eligible — and not everyone is — you can donate your body to the University of Washington’s Willed Body Program. Afterward, choose between an annual ceremony and group burial service at Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Park or having your cremated remains returned to your family at no cost. Consumers can furnish their own caskets and urns, so shop around. “Check out retailers like Costco and Amazon to increase your selection and combat the funeral home markup,” Tryk suggests. “Funeral homes can’t refuse to accept a casket or urn you purchased somewhere else, and they can’t do anything sneaky like try to charge you for handling it or insist you be there when the delivery happens.” Funeral, memorial and celebration of life services Funerals tend to be more formal and somber and take place in a funeral home shortly after death. When religious, cultural or family traditions are important for families, funeral homes accommodate those needs. Typical traditional funeral services include director and staff services, embalming and other body preparations, viewings, graveside service, transportation and music, flowers, pamphlets or other materials. Higher fees accompany items like a horse-drawn hearse, chapel rental, high-end caskets or cremation urns, dove releases and offsite venue coordination. Memorials also honor the deceased but can take place anytime, anywhere — and the body isn’t usually present. A celebration of life service is similar in a more unconventional, informal way, focusing on the joy of shared recollections. Planner BreeAnn Gale at Pink Blossom Events has organized gatherings that celebrated a whiskey lover’s life with whiskey (and a kilt-wearing server) and an arboretum-based celebration with a “memory tree” featuring attendees’ favorite memories. Gale says costs can range from $5,000 and up, depending on what’s involved. Costs across the board, much like any event, are subject to the services you order, the day of the week and the time of day. For example, a memorial service or reception only might be more expensive Friday-Sunday, on holidays, and in the evening hours. You can always ask about discounts — particularly for a former law enforcement officer, firefighter or clergy. When comparing costs, ask plenty of questions. “There’s no such thing as a dumb question if it’s something that quells your anxiety, brings clarity or helps you make an informed decision,” Tryk says. “If you come up against any resistance to that from a business, don’t work with them. You have a right to an itemized price list and you can’t be forced to purchase a preset funeral package. You have power as a consumer and should use it to be crystal clear on what’s happening.” Note: The Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule ensures your consumer rights and access to transparent price lists. Burial costs in Seattle Visit cemeteries you’re interested in — tour the grounds to get a feel. “I tell people cemeteries aren’t like in the movies — scary with fog on the ground,” Parks says. “Memorial parks are beautiful, lovely places with water, fountains and trees.” Parks says cemeteries don’t tend to lay out price lists quite as explicitly as funeral services, so extra investigation may be involved. Burial spots may range from $3,000 to $70,000 for an individual location, and $150,000 to $450,000 or more for multiperson or family estates, he notes. “Cemetery property, like anything, goes up 10% a year,” Parks says. “It’s like buying a house, where you’ll be there someday, so check out multiple areas before you have to buy and before you need it.” GETTY IMAGES Continued on page 8
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDIxMDU=