Nobody really wants to think about their own funeral. But if you've ever had to make funeral arrangements for a parent, spouse, or close friend on short notice, you know just how overwhelming it can be. In the middle of grief, you're suddenly expected to make dozens of decisions — often within a day or two — about everything from casket selection to cemetery plots, all while trying to process a loss.
That's exactly why pre-planning exists. It's not a morbid exercise; it's a gift to the people you love. And in Washington State, pre-planning is a well-established, legally protected process, so knowing what to prepare ahead of time makes the whole thing much easier.
Here's a look at what information you'll need to gather, how Washington's funeral requirements factor in, and what pre-planning can save you compared to arranging a funeral at the time of need.
Personal Information You'll Need to Gather
Before you can sit down with a funeral director, it helps to have some basic information ready. This is the same information that will eventually be needed for a death certificate, so getting it together now saves your family from scrambling for it later. You'll typically want to have on hand:
- Full legal name (and any former names)
- Date and place of birth
- Social Security number
- Marital status and spouse's name, if applicable
- Parents' full names, including mother's maiden name
- Education level and occupation
- Military service information, including discharge papers (DD-214), if you're a veteran
None of this needs to be memorized or perfectly polished. Funeral homes like ours are used to helping families track down details, but having a head start makes the whole process smoother.
Decisions About the Service Itself
Once the biographical basics are covered, the next step is thinking through what kind of service and disposition you'd like. This is really the heart of pre-planning, because it's where your personal wishes get put into writing. Consider:
- Burial or cremation. This is usually the first fork in the road, and it shapes almost everything else that follows.
- Type of service. A traditional funeral with a viewing, a graveside service, a celebration of life, or something simpler and more private.
- Cemetery or final resting place. If you already own a cemetery plot or niche, have that documentation ready. If not, this is a good time to decide where you'd like to be laid to rest.
- Personalization details. Music, readings, photos, and any special touches that reflect your life and personality.
- Religious or cultural preferences. Any traditions or customs you'd like included.
Funding Your Pre-Plan
This is where a lot of families have questions, and understandably so — this is where Washington's rules actually matter. If you choose to prepay for your arrangements (which most families do, since it locks in today's costs), your funeral home is required by state law to place those funds into a prearrangement funeral service trust. Washington requires at least two designated trustees to oversee that trust, and it exists specifically to protect your money until the time it's needed.
A few consumer protections worth knowing about:
- You have the right to receive a written statement summarizing everything included in your prearrangement contract.
- You can typically cancel a preneed agreement within the first 30 days for a full refund.
- After that window, most contracts allow a refund of the funds paid, minus a small percentage, plus any accrued interest.
- If you move out of the area, your plans can generally be transferred to another licensed funeral home.
Funding options usually include a preneed trust, a life insurance or annuity-based policy, or a combination of both. A licensed funeral director can walk you through which option makes the most sense for your situation.
Washington-Specific Requirements to Know
A few things are unique to Washington that are worth understanding as you plan:
- Embalming isn't required by law. Funeral homes must tell families that embalming isn't mandatory unless the state board of health specifically calls for it. Refrigeration is typically used instead when a body isn't embalmed.
- A General Price List is required. Any funeral home you're considering is legally obligated to provide a General Price List so you can see costs for services and merchandise up front. It's smart to compare a few before deciding.
- Only licensed funeral establishments can sell preneed contracts. Make sure whoever you're working with holds a valid certificate of registration.
- A death certificate and burial-transit permit are required for final disposition, whether burial or cremation. Your funeral home handles the filing and coordination with the local registrar on your behalf.
Pre-Planned vs. Unplanned Funeral Costs
This is often the part that surprises families the most.
Pre-planning isn't just about peace of mind — it can mean a real difference in cost.
When a funeral is arranged at the time of need, families are often working under emotional pressure and time constraints, which can lead to upgraded packages, rush decisions, and services priced at whatever the current rate happens to be. Prices across the funeral industry have also been climbing steadily, so locking in today's rate through a pre-need plan can protect your family from tomorrow's price increases.
As an example, here in Pierce County, direct cremation pricing can vary dramatically between providers — from under $700 at some local, family-owned funeral homes to well over $3,000 at larger corporate providers. That's not a small gap, and it's exactly the kind of comparison shopping that's much easier to do calmly, in advance, rather than in the middle of a loss.
Pre-planning also tends to reduce hidden costs. When your wishes are documented and, ideally, prefunded, your family isn't stuck absorbing rushed decisions, last-minute merchandise upgrades, or services they weren't sure you actually wanted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to prepay when I pre-plan a funeral? No. Pre-planning simply means documenting your wishes. Prepaying is optional, though most families choose to do it for the added financial protection and peace of mind.
Can I change my pre-plan later if my wishes change? Yes. Preneed arrangements can typically be updated as your circumstances or preferences change. Just let your funeral home know, and they'll help you revise the plan.
What happens to my pre-plan if I move out of Washington? Your arrangements can usually be transferred to a funeral home in your new location, though it's worth confirming the details with your provider ahead of time.

Is embalming required in Washington? No. Washington law doesn't require embalming for most situations. Your funeral home is required to tell you this, and refrigeration is commonly used as an alternative.
Let Us Help You Get Started
At
Valley Burial & Cremation, we've spent decades helping families throughout Puyallup, Pierce County, and Western Washington navigate these decisions — whether that's at the time of need or well in advance. Our staff will walk you through every piece of information needed, answer your questions about Washington's requirements, and help you find a funding option that fits your situation.
If you're ready to start the process, give us a call at (253) 447-7300, or fill out our secure online preplanning form. There's no pressure — just guidance from people who genuinely want to make this easier for you and your family.
