Frequently Asked Questions.

Since most death occur in health care institutions such as hospitals and nursing homes, the attending staff may provide you with some preliminary information. If the death occurs at home, please notify the physician or attending registered nurse (if the death was unexpected, or if there are any peculiar circumstances, phone the police immediately). If the deceased was under hospice care at home, the hospice staff should have left some basic information for you to follow. No matter what the circumstance, give us a call and we will help guide you to the next steps. We are available 24/7.

When you call, we will ask you a few questions.

• What is the full name of your loved one?

• Where did your loved one pass? Are they still at this location?

• Who is the legal Next of Kin, and what is their contact information?

• What is your name and contact information (If you are not the legal next kin)? 

Compassionate Cremation Society, like you, calls Eastern Washington home. The local men and women who formed this company, along with the boards of directors are local individuals who have more than 60 years of combined experience caring for families who have experienced a death. Our Tri-Cities based team responds within 45 to 60 minutes of receiving an initial notification of death.

Compassionate Cremation Society partners exclusively with a local-crematory, both respected and recognized on a national level for their expertise in the cremation industry. Through this partnership, we perform the cremation and issue death certificates quicker than many other low cost cremation providers.

We are licensed by the state of Washington and comply with all local and state regulations.

Compassionate Cremation Society is an online, direct cremation provider. We do not have an office open to the public. We are based out of Richland, WA. When we work with families, we complete everything online, over the phone and/or via email.

Unfortunately, we are unable to meet in person because we are an online, direct cremation provider. If an in-person arrangement experience is important to you then we recommend utilizing a Full-Service Funeral Home and Cremation Service and/or an Alternative Funeral Home option. We partner with Einan’s at Sunset Funeral Home in Richland, WA and CODA Alternative Cremation & Funeral in Kennewick, WA. They are both top-notch options if you are looking for more than what we can provide.

You are more than welcome to give us a call or start arrangements online. If your loved one was brought into our care, one of our specialists will reach out to the listed next of kin the following day. 

o Vital Statistic Information for your loved one Including:

• Full Legal name

• Date and Place of Birth (City & State)

• Parents’ names, including mother’s maiden name.

• Marital Status and Spouse’s name (Maiden)

• Education Information

• Veteran Status and Branch

• Social Security Number

• Next of Kin Contact Information

o Other Documents (If Applicable)

• Power of Attorney / with Photo ID (Including Rights to Disposition)

• Last Will and Testament / with Photo ID

• DD214

• Cemetery Lot Documentation

• A recent photograph or copy of driver’s license for positive identification purposes.

o Determine the number of Certified Copies you will need. We will order them for you, and you can choose to either pick them up, have them delivered, or mailed.

Great question! The 35-mile radius starts from our crematory, which is in Richland, WA.

The entire process can take 8-10 business days to complete. This includes, but is not limited to, receiving all client, state and local paperwork required to perform the cremation, the cremation itself, and ordering and obtaining the certified copy of the death certificates.

It normally takes one to two business days for families to get all necessary and required paperwork submitted to us. Pursuant to RCW 70.58.170, we are responsible for filing the death certificate with the local health department and state offices. It is the responsibility of the physician to certify the cause of death according to his/her best knowledge for us to be issued a burial transit permit (required for cremation). The law states that the physician has two business days to sign unless good cause for not signing can be established (such as holidays, weekends etc.). 

No. There are no hidden fees. We can complete cremations within 8-10 days (pending all client, state, and local paperwork has been completed) because we partner exclusively with a local crematory that is both respected and recognized on a national level for their expertise in the cremation industry.

If you need us to expedite the cremation process, then we can work to accommodate your needs however there is an additional fee for this. Please see our general price list for more information regarding our expedited cremation options and/or call us so we can discuss the situation further.

Yes, Washington State health regulations require a full body enclosure for the health and safety of the worker and for the dignity of your loved one. This container may take the form of anything from a traditional wood casket to a cardboard box; the only requirement is that it cannot have any metal parts. Many families select an alternative container for cremation. An “alternative container” is an unfinished wood box or other non-metal receptacle or enclosure, without ornamentation or a fixed interior lining, which is designed for the encasement of human remains. It is made of fiberboard, pressed wood, and composition materials or like materials, with or without an outside covering.

We now offer Parting Stones (a.k.a. solidified remains) at Compassionate Cremation Society. Solidified remains are stone-like in appearance. They resemble river rocks and are clean and smooth to the touch. An average adult cremation produces 40-60 stones, ranging from 1/2 inch to 3 inches in diameter. Families planning to place remains in a cemetery, take remains home, and/or distribute portions to family members now have the option to choose solidified remains as a clean alternative to ashes.

With cremation, you now have the option of receiving your loved one back in the form of ashes and/or stones. Receive 100% of the remains as stones and give your family a healing sense of connection. Solidified remains let you feel close and connected to your loved one in daily life. When solidified remains and/or stones are how you prefer to receive your loved one, the average person returns 40-60 stones. The appearance of each collection of solidified remains is 100% natural. People can result in different hues and textures making each stone uniquely beautiful. For more information on this newer option with cremation, click here. 

Yes, good question. Solidified remains are an additional add-on option, in addition to our cremation fee. Please see our online arranger for more information on the cost of solidified remains.

Whether plain or ornate, the cremation urn is often a reflection of the individual contained therein. There are many different types of urns such as marble, wood, brass, ceramic, or biodegradable materials. Please be sure to check our assortment when making your arrangements online or ask a specialist for more options. 

Please be sure to check our assortment when making your arrangements online or ask a specialist for more options.

If you do not wish to purchase an urn through us, you will need to provide your own. Let our specialist know if you will be providing your own.

If you decide to purchase something down the road online or from another facility you can easily transfer your loved one’s ashes to the urn you have selected.

We use the proper identification process to identify and track your loved one throughout the entire cremation process as well as ensure their safety and security.

At the point of removal, we will identify your loved one and place a name tag around his/her arm or leg to ensure proper identification when transported to the crematory.

Upon arrival at the crematory and holding facility, we begin our intake process by entering your loved one’s information into our electronic tracking system.

We assign an identification number to your loved one as an extra measure in our identification process.

Then, we place them into our temperature-controlled holding facility until the cremation takes place.

Your loved one is always treated with respect and dignity.

As we prepare your loved one for cremation, we confirm all identification methods are complete and update our tracking system to indicate the day and time the cremation takes place. Everything is tracked from the moment your loved one comes into our care until the ashes are returned to you.

Compassionate Cremation Society only offers direct cremation services which do not include witness cremation. If witness cremation is something, you may be interested in we would encourage you to reach out to a full-service funeral and cremation company or alternative funeral home. We partner with Einan’s at Sunset Funeral Home in Richland, WA and CODA Alternative Cremation & Funeral in Kennewick, WA. They are both great resources for services such as this.

We’ve got you covered. Mailing your loved one’s remains are a standard practice for us, for an additional fee. Just let us know where you would like us to ship your loved one’s ashes in the contenal US and we’ll take care of the rest.

Although scattering ashes in Washington State is legal, we encourage you to consider all your options prior to making such a permanent decision.

Ask yourself the following questions:

“Does this satisfy the entire family?”

“What about friends within the local community? Where will they go to remember your loved one?”

“Will this place be here forever, or will it turn into a parking lot one day?”

“Will I be able to make it to this special spot in 20, 30, 40 years?”

Scattering is a permanent decision. Many families today are choosing to place a portion of their loved one’s ashes in a local cemetery while still scattering a portion in a favorite or meaningful location. Some even take a portion home with them to keep forever or to utilize in special cremation jewelry. The point is there are many options! Please consider all of them prior to scattering the ashes of your loved one.

If you choose to scatter cremated remains, please visit http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/funeralcemetery/fcfaq.html to learn more about laws and regulations in Washington State.

If you are interested in learning more about permanent memorialization for your loved one, we partner with Sunset Gardens in Richland, WA. They have beautiful grounds and the most unique cremation placement options in the Tri-Cities and surrounding areas. Give them a call for more information at 509-943-0803.

Applicants seeking a burial flag should:

• Visit https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-27-2008-ARE.pdf to fill out VA Form 27-

2008, Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes.

• Submit a completed VA Form 27-2008 and attach a copy of the veteran’s DD214,

Certificate or Release or Discharge from Active Duty to your local Post Office

• Applications can be submitted by family members.

• There is not time limit for requesting a flag.

At Compassionate Cremation Society, we require payment, in full, prior to bringing your loved one into our care. Often times, social security or veteran’s benefits can take an extended period of time to receive; therefore, we cannot accept them as a form of payment.

https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records

Visit to submit a new request.

• If your veteran was established at one of the local VAs, they might have a copy on record. 

• A Certified copy of the death certificate will be included for veterans.

• https://www.va.gov/survivors/contact_us.asp

• https://www.va.gov/survivors/faqs.asp

•https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/claims-special-burial.asp

A death certificate is an official document issued by the government, which declares cause of death, location of death, time of death and some other personal information about the deceased.

There are several reasons why you may need to obtain death certificate. Most often it’s to serve as proof for legal purposes. These reasons may include accessing pension benefits, claiming life insurance, or settling estates

Upon completion of all client, state, and local paperwork we will commit to providing certified copies of the death certificate within 8-10 business days. Our goals is to call you when we have everything ready, to reduce the number of times you must visit the local crematory. 

Some companies require a certified copy. Contact the organization to find out what they need. Most families order 2-3. It just depends on what the needs are. 

After your first order you will need to go through the health dept to obtain more. 

https://www.bfhd.wa.gov/programs_services/vital_records

Yes, you will need to go through the Heath Department. Follow the link for instructions and location. https://www.bfhd.wa.gov/programs_services/vital_records 

Follow the link for Instruction on how to file an Affidavit.                                  https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/vital-records/how-correct-record

A death notice is an announcement in a newspaper that gives the name of the person who passed and details of the funeral or memorial service, as well as where donations can be made.

Obituaries put words to your loved one’s life and help their legacy live on. Remember we’re only limited by our imagination. 

•       We provide a memorial page for your loved one. Once arrangements have been made with us, we will send you invite to become the Keeper of your loved ones memorial page to customize.

• If you want your loved one’s obituary posted in the Tri City Herald, we recommend working directly with them. It’s a process requiring tight deadlines including payment, and it’s most efficiently handled by the family of the loved one to ensure the information is accurate and timely. You can also visit https://placement.memoriams.com/Tri-CityHerald/Obituary and complete online. Customer service: 855-637-6638

Maybe. We know many more people are writing their own obituaries today as it's often given as an assignment in certain college and university courses.

How you document your loved one's life story is up to you. With that said, we recommend that in addition to the facts of a death notice listed above, the enhanced death notice, known as an obituary, could also include these details

Parents' names

Information about the spouse and children

Church affiliations

Job or career information

Personal and professional accomplishments

Personal character and interests

Influence on his or her community.

It's now time to push the facts aside. Sit back and think about the anecdotes and memories you could share to shed some light on your loved one's character and personal interests. Bring factual details into play whenever you can to help the reader clearly see who your loved one was, how they lived, what they did, who and what they loved. The more rich in detail, the more memorable the obituary becomes.

o Remember to allow patience and time for yourself. 

o Make a list of people and places to notify of your loved one’s death.

• Family and Friends

• Doctor

• Personal Representative and/or Trustee

• Churches, Clubs, and other Organizations

• Bank(s)

• Insurance companies

• Social Security

o Make a list of regular bills and when each are due. Make note if any are on automatic payment. Some examples

• Utility bills: Phone, internet, electric, and heating, etc.

• Long term debts: Home mortgages, bank line of credit, car loans, etc.

• Rental payments: Home, apartment, assisted living, or nursing home.

• Credit Cards

• Insurance bills: Health, Long Term Care, homeowner’s, car, life insurance, etc.

• Property tax bills

o Access to back accounts

o Check and take care of the deceased’s home, property, and pets, if necessary.

o Contact the Post Office with forwarding information, if necessary. Stop all deliveries of unneeded newspapers, home care services, and cancel any appointments for doctors, dentists, etc.

o Email Accounts, keep all email accounts open for several months, because important correspondence might only be accessible through email accounts. You will need to locate the username and password for each account.

o Cancel services that are no longer needed: Cell phones, internet

This is not a service Compassionate Cremation Society provides. 

• If you need to report a death or apply for benefits, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). You can speak to a Social Security Representative between 8:00 am – 7:00 pm Monday – Friday. 

• Local Social Security Office

Address: Suite A 8131 W Klamath Ct, Kennewick, WA 99336

Phone: 1-800-772-1213

TTY: 1-800-325-0778

Fax: 1-833-950-2626

Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Before you give a copy of the final draft of your loved one's obituary, be sure to read it through twice or even three times. You're looking for errors in spelling and grammar but you also want to make sure your facts are straight.

If corrections to a death certificate need to be made after it has been filed. You will need to file an affidavit. View Death Certificate FAQs for further information. 

We would be happy to offer some suggestions if you're stuck. Call us to discover how we can help you to shine a brighter spotlight on their life.

If your loved one is imminent, please give us a call and we will try to work with you in advance. If you are looking to plan ahead and pay for your cremation arrangements in-full, then we can help. Simply select Start Here at the top of the screen.

 If you are looking to plan ahead and make payments on your cremation arrangements, then we would encourage you to reach out to a full-service funeral and cremation company so they can help you set everything up. We refer clients to Einan’s at Sunset when they are looking to pay in advance for cremation services. They are top-notch.

We recommend Pre-Planning for everyone. Most people tell us thery think it is agood idea. We agree. Our staff wants to make it easy to talk about and easy to make arrangements for your wishes. 

Pre-planning before the need arises is a sound economic decision that relieves your loved ones of the financial burden during a time of loss. With pre-planning, individuals feel reassured that the funeral will reflect their wishes and that important financial decisions will not be made during a time of stress. 

Most people are not aware that when a death occurs payment is often due upfront and in full. Preplanning gives you time to think about what you want, and you can pay the costs over time, so it is more affordable.

You should Pre-Plan before the need arises. No one should have to make final decisions and worry about finances on the worst day of their lives. Planning today avoids conflict in the future. 

We recommend Pre-Planning before the need arises because it is the responsible thing to do. Alleviating decisions and paying in advance is the best gift you can give your loved ones. 

You can start by filling out our online arranger or you can give us a call. We will ask a few questions to help determine what you are looking for. 

To start we will send you a Vital Statistics form. We will gather information needed to prepare the Pre-Planning paperwork. 

We will schedule a time to meet, review, and sign

Is additional coverage to relieve your family of the stress and financial implications in bringing you home should death occur 75 miles or more from your legal residence. 

When a loved one dies, grieving family members and friends often are confronted with dozens of decisions about the funeral - all of which must be made quickly and often under great emotional duress.

Shop around in advance, compare prices from 2 -3 funeral homes. It allows you to comparison shop without time constraints, creates an opportunity for family discussion, and lifts some of the burden from your family.

If you have any questions about how to price shop or need more guidance give us a call, our specialists are here to help.

Are looking for burial or cremation?

Will there be a service? What kind of service are you envisioning?

What is included in their burial or cremation packages?

Does the funeral home have the type of facilities you'd like?

If you'd like to have the funeral service at the funeral home, can it accommodate the number of people you expect will attend?

Does the funeral home offer the goods and /or services that you're interested in purchasing?

If not, are they willing to help you find the goods and or services you'd like?

If you're interested in bringing in your own products, does the funeral director seem amenable to this idea?

Consider how much money you want to spend on the funeral. This number can include the cost of all products and funeral home services you will be purchasing, as well as all cemetery costs.

If you have a sense of the amount of money you want to spend on the funeral, is the funeral director willing to work with you based on your budget?

Does the funeral director understand your religious or cultural needs?

Shop around in advance, compare prices from 2 -3 funeral homes. It allows you to comparison shop without time constraints, creates an opportunity for family discussion, and lifts some of the burden from your family.

If you have any questions about how to price shop or need more guidance give us a call, our specialists are here to help.