FAQs

People's Memorial has led the state in advocating for and educating about simple, dignified cremation and burial arrangements since 1939.

Our contracted funeral providers are selected for their quality of service and business integrity.

With People's Memorial, you will receive no sales pressure at any point in the process and there are no surprises in our negotiated member pricing.

Whichever plan you choose includes the items necessary for that type of service. Our cremation and burial plans include the requisite container or casket.

Members are not charged extra if you die at home or outside of business hours.

As a nonprofit organization, our purpose is to provide simple, quality, supportive services to our members, so that their funeral arrangements are consistent with their values and within their family’s budget.

People's Memorial Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization that was founded in 1939 to provide consumer education and advocacy. All gifts to People's Memorial Association are fully tax deductible.

The Co-op Funeral Home of People's Memorial was created in June 2007 and is a licensed funeral home on Queen Anne in Seattle. The Funeral Home is incorporated as a cooperative and is owned by the members of the Association. Non-members can always use The Co-op Funeral Home. People's Memorial Association has negotiated contracts with over 20 funeral homes throughout Washington to provide low-cost burial and cremation options for members.

No. And you don’t need a reservation! At the time of death, your member benefits are good at any of our contracted funeral providers.

Your next of kin should present your PMA membership card and funeral planning paperwork when they make your final arrangements. If not, they should tell the funeral home that the individual was a PMA member and the funeral home can verify the membership with us.

At the time of death, contact the PMA contracted funeral home of your choice. The funeral home will come and pick up the body.

If you are unsure which funeral home to use, call our toll free Time of Death line at 1-888-762-2762 and our answering service with help you choose the funeral home nearest you.

A Disposition Authorization is a legal document that, when properly signed and witnessed, provides legal authorization for your cremation or burial. If this form is not completed and signed prior to death, authorization for cremation must be obtained from next-of-kin.
A Disposition Authorization allows you to authorize your choice of cremation or burial as well as where you choose as your final resting place.   Complete the form online, print, sign and keep with your important papers.  Be sure to discuss your wishes with your survivors and let them know where your original documents are filed so they can present them to the funeral home at time of death.
A second form called a Designated Agent form is like a power of attorney for funeral arrangements. Normally a power of attorney ends when you breathe your last breath. This allows you to designate a specific person to oversee and authorize your funeral arrangements for you.
Completing these forms and discussing them with your next of kin will help assure that your wishes are honored and spare family and friends any undue stress.

Make a copy for your loved ones or whomever will be making your arrangements at time of death.
Have a discussion with them about your wishes.
Keep the original documents with your important papers at home – make sure your survivors know where they are located. They will need to take these documents to the funeral home at time of death when they make your arrangements.

In 2023, PMA switched from a set price across all our contracted funeral homes to a 15% off model. Since July 2023, all PMA contracted funeral homes offer 15%* off any services and merchandise (pre-tax).
*Return Home offers 20% off. Recompose offers 10% off.

No, People's Memorial Association does not accept prepayment. Payments and prepayments should go directly to the funeral home responsible for rendering services.

We encourage pre-planning, but advise that you educate yourself regarding the risks, benefits, and options of prepayment before you put any money down. All prepayments and pre-arrangements should be done through a funeral home. Your PMA Membership does not include prepayment for services. Membership does give you a discount on funeral services through one of our partnered funeral homes.

NO! Any funeral home can handle the burial arrangements at any cemetery.

Yes. Notify the contracted funeral home you chose and have them pick up your loved one.

There will be a charge from the first funeral home for the transportation from place of death. You will probably need to pay this amount before they will release the body.

Each spring we email our annual newsletter to our membership. We also send monthly E-Newsletters to our members about upcoming events, education opportunities, and any changes in death care.

We lose contact with many of our members when they move. Please help us keep our database up to date by notifying us of any address, phone, email, or name changes.

Definitely. You can also give gift memberships to loved ones.

Sales tax.
Medical Examiner Taxes. In King County, it is $70 per death.
Certified copies of the death certificate. The funeral home will file the original death certificate and assist you with ordering copies.

People's Memorial renegotiates contracts with partnered funeral homes every year. During that period, prices are fixed and guaranteed. When the contract is renegotiated--typically in the summer--prices may change, which is why its important for you to remain connected with PMA through the e-newsletter and check our website for the latest prices.

Yes, but prices and the availability of services will vary depending on where you are located.

A list of all local membership groups affiliated with the national Funeral Consumers Alliance is available on the FCA website.

Not every affiliate secures reduced mortuary prices for its members.

Some affiliates simply provide consumer education and advocacy, however they may be able to provide you with recommendations.

Many of the FCA affiliates are volunteer run and may not have regular business hours.

If you move outside of Washington State or northern Idaho you can transfer your membership to another affiliate at little or no cost.

Notify us of your new address.

The Federal Trade Commission enforces a funeral price disclosure law called The Funeral Rule. The Funeral Rule requires that every funeral home make available to the public a General Price List (GPL) with its prices for common services. They must provide this list to you if you ask for it when on the premesis. They are not required to send it in the mail, however. Many funeral homes now post their GPLs on their websites.