Planning a funeral generally means five steps: getting a death certificate started, deciding between cremation and burial, choosing the type of service, meeting with a funeral director to set the details, and picking a date. Washington law requires a completed report of death and a burial-transit permit before disposition can happen. Most families finish the basic decisions within a few days.
If someone you love has just died, or you can feel that day coming, the decisions ahead can feel impossible to sort through while you're grieving. You are not expected to already know how any of this works, and knowing the basic steps ahead of time can make it feel steadier.
Our team at Valley Burial & Cremation brings more than 100 years of combined experience to families across the Puyallup Valley, from our own on-site crematory to full burial, memorial, and veteran services. This guide walks you through what comes next.
First Steps After a Death
The first call depends on where the death happened. If your loved one died at MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital or under hospice care elsewhere in the Puyallup Valley, staff there will usually help you notify the funeral home directly. If the death was unexpected at home, call 911 first, then reach out to us once first responders have released your loved one.
Once we're notified, our team takes over the hardest parts. Washington law requires a completed report of death filed within five calendar days, and a burial-transit permit issued before burial or cremation can happen (RCW 70.58A.200 and RCW 70.58A.210). We handle this paperwork so your family doesn't have to.
If you're not sure what to do when someone dies in Washington, or need guidance on when a death occurs, we're available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help.
Choosing Between Cremation and Burial
Once the first calls are made, the next decision is usually cremation or burial. Neither choice is right or wrong; it depends on your family's wishes and any instructions your loved one left behind.
We own and operate our own crematory on site in the Puyallup Valley, so cremation never has to be sent out to another facility. Many families choose direct cremation, while others pair cremation with a memorial service, a funeral, or a graveside gathering first.
If burial is the right choice, we coordinate immediate burial, a graveside service, or a full traditional funeral with visitation beforehand, including arrangements at cemeteries such as Woodbine Cemetery in Puyallup. Learn more about our cremation services
or ask about combining cremation with any type of service.
Deciding on the Type of Service
The type of service is separate from cremation or burial, and it's often the most personal decision in the process. Some families want a full traditional funeral with a viewing. Others prefer a simple graveside committal, a celebration of life, or a private family gathering.
We also offer celebrant-led, non-religious services for families who want a meaningful ceremony without a specific religious structure, along with support for interfaith and cultural traditions. Many families add personal touches like tribute videos or memorial portraits.
Our traditional funeral services
page walks through the options, or you can talk it through with us directly.
What Puyallup Valley Families Should Bring to an Arrangement Conference
A little preparation goes a long way. Bring your loved one's full legal name, birth date and place, Social Security number, and marital status. If they served in the military, bring their discharge papers (DD-214), needed for military honors and VA benefits.
It also helps to bring a recent photo for the obituary and any clothing or personal items for the service. If your loved one completed pre-planning paperwork with us or another provider, bring that too.
Our pre-planning checklist
lays out everything in one place, so you can gather what you need before your appointment.
How a Funeral Director Guides You Through the Process
A good funeral director carries the parts of this you shouldn't have to carry alone. Once you sit down with our team, we handle the report of death and permit paperwork, walk you through every service option at your own pace, and coordinate with the cemetery, florist, and anyone else involved.
Having someone steady in the room makes an enormous difference. Owner Brian Curnow has spent 40 years as a licensed funeral director and embalmer, and previously served as President of the Washington State Funeral Directors Association. Meet the rest of our staff, including team members who coordinate veteran funeral services
and VA benefits assistance for military families.
Nothing here is meant to be rushed. You set the pace, and we follow it.
How Long Funeral Planning Really Takes
There's no single timeline that fits every family. A traditional funeral with a viewing is often held within a week, since embalming allows for a short delay. A memorial service or celebration of life can be scheduled weeks later, giving out-of-town family time to travel.
Direct cremation offers the most flexibility. Because there's no service to schedule right away, families can hold a memorial gathering whenever it makes sense, even months later. If you need help right now, our immediate need
page explains what happens when you call today.
Whatever your timeline looks like, we'll build the plan around it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Planning a Funeral in Pierce County
Here are answers to some of the questions Pierce County families ask most often about planning a funeral.
How long does it take to plan a funeral in Washington?
Most families complete the basic decisions, cremation or burial, type of service, and date, within a few days of the death. Washington requires a report of death within five calendar days and a burial-transit permit before disposition, but the service itself can be held sooner or scheduled weeks later if you're waiting on family to travel.
What is the first thing I should do when someone dies in Washington?
If the death happens in a hospital or under hospice care, staff there will usually help you contact a funeral home directly. If it happens at home unexpectedly, call 911 first. Once first responders have released your loved one, call Valley Burial & Cremation and we'll guide you through everything else, day or night.
Do I have to decide between cremation and burial right away?
You don't have to decide instantly, but it is usually one of the first questions a funeral home will ask, since it affects the paperwork and timeline. Take the time you need to talk it through as a family. Our team can explain both options clearly before you commit to either one.
What documents do I need to bring to the arrangement conference?
Bring your loved one's full legal name, birth date and place, Social Security number, and marital status. If they served in the military, bring their discharge papers. A recent photo for the obituary and any pre-planning paperwork are helpful too, though we can work with whatever you have on hand.
Can Valley Burial & Cremation help with military funeral honors and VA benefits?
Yes. Our team coordinates military honors and helps families apply for VA benefits, including burial allowances and markers through the VA. Bring your loved one's discharge papers (DD-214) to the arrangement conference, and we'll handle the coordination with military and veteran affairs offices on your behalf.
Whenever you're ready to talk, we're here. There's no pressure and no obligation, just a local team that knows how to help. Call Valley Burial & Cremation at (253) 447-7300 any time, day or night, we're available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
