Questions & Answers

Honestly, we don't know what every other funeral home or crematory charges. However, don't be fooled by a "new in town" or "out of town"  discount  service offering "cheap" pricing which may not be the lowest price after all. Some so called "specialty" cremation companies send out thousands of direct mailers to your address hoping you don't compare local prices to theirs. We don't believe a family should spend their life savings on funeral or cremation expenses. Because this is our philosophy, we will offer the most reasonable prices on the Oregon Coast for Simple Direct Cremation. Compare our costs, staff & modern facilities and you will most likely find  that we are the best choice...and...the lowest cost. We offer premium service without premium prices!

Because we use pricing methods that every family can afford. This is our business philosophy and we will always offer the finest professional caring service with the most reasonable costs in your community.  

Any monies paid to us in advance of need is placed into a state audited trust or insurance fund and held in accordance with all applicable laws. Annual reports are submitted by a third party administrator.

Upon your written request, any amounts placed into trust funds can generally be returned to you in accordance with applicable laws. Any amounts placed into insurance funds can generally be returned to you in accordance with the terms of each individual policy.

Generally yes, if the merchandise is manufactured and delivered at the time you pay in advance. If the merchandise is an urn or cemetery marker, you can store the merchandise at home or have it placed ahead of time at your permanent memorial. If the merchandise is large, like a casket, it may be impractical to store it at home. Because we have no control over our cost of delivering merchandise in the future, there may be additional charges at that time if the merchandise was not initially delivered to you.

Possibly, however each individual’s personal finances are different and you should check with your financial advisor or accountant.

Yes, even if you have made arrangements elsewhere, by law you always have the right to change it. We specialize in assisting you with filing the claim with the insurance or trust company.

Yes. The law says you have the right to choose (or transfer) to the funeral home or crematory of your choice. We accept and honor most plans from other funeral homes and can assist you in transferring these if you wish. We may even be able to save you money and provide a credit or a refund in some cases.

As part of our service, we facilitate the completion and recording of all required documents. We can also order additional “certified copies” of the death certificate for estate or insurance settlement purposes.

Most states require proper recording of the death certificate and insurance companies require proof of death and “advance planning” documents require all of your personal data, including social security numbers. Because of this, we are bound by confidentiality agreements and your information is secured in your permanent file with us.

Since most people have individual ideas and life styles, we encourage each and every family to “personalize” their wishes for memorial or funeral services. The most meaningful memorial is a tribute designed around the person’s lifestyle. Our staff can also assist you with the personal design and purchase of a reasonably priced cemetery headstone or memorial marker.

The choice to scatter ashes or place them in a permanent memorial location is a personal matter. Some also choose to go out on a boat arranged by us for a “formal” sea scattering ceremony. However, most people choose to have a permanent memorial in the cemetery of their choice.

If arrangements for taking personal delivery of the ashes has been made, we can hold them for a reasonable length of time. However, after that time arrangements must be made for delivery or permanent placement at a memorial site.

Yes, our Funeral Directors and technicians operate two local modern eco friendly cremation centers in Lincoln City and Newport. We also have an affiliate cremation center in the greater Portland area. These cremation centers are state certified assuring the highest possible standards. You are invited to inspect our cremation center upon request.

No. However, most people do not have the facilities or necessary equipment to provide the services that are needed at this time. In addition, regulatory issues must be adhered to along with numerous documents that need to be prepared for final disposition. These are complex and time consuming issues. By engaging a funeral home to facilitate these services on your behalf, you have access to their facilities, professional staff and other valuable resources. This generally provides emotional comfort for those going through this process.

No. However, most people have found that purchasing these items from third parties or Internet sellers has not saved them considerable amounts of money over what they would have paid by purchasing directly from us. Our merchandise selections and prices are reasonable and generally compare favorably with third party and Internet sellers. In addition, when these items are purchased at our location, you can generally see them directly and immediately know if it is suitable and acceptable for your needs.

Each state, city and county has its own regulations regarding this. You should check with each individual agency (including real estate use rules) within the county of your residence. Most people choose an established cemetery because of location or family heritage. However, if you choose to use your private property as a cemetery, you should consider what impact it may have on your land in the future.

Yes, we have two “on-site” crematories in Lincoln County and an affiliate in Portland. This assures no other third party involvement or special out of town transport costs. While many other funeral homes offer cremation, actually they rely on “out of town” facilities to conduct the cremation and then return the ashes to them, we rarely do that unless absolutely necessary. Our qualified staff and technicians operate certified modern crematories. Our crematories are licensed and inspected by regulators and the DEQ. We allow you to accompany your loved one to the crematory, if requested. You may also arrange for a private inspection of the crematory operations or funeral home facilities. 

The back of our CREMATION AUTHORIZATION form fully explains the cremation process. The appearance is a grayish white and somewhat like that of crushed seashells or course sand. The quantity is generally the size of a 6 x 6 x 6 inch small box. The weight is approximately 5-6 lbs. After initial removal from the crematory chamber, they are finally processed with specialized equipment and then placed into a temporary transport container, a standard urn or a specially designed permanent urn. Following that, the urn is generally placed at in a permanent memorial at a cemetery or specially designed cremation garden or mausoleum or scattered at an appropriate and meaningful location.

If you have made “advance planning” arrangements, our funeral home should always be called first. Your instructions will be carried out at that time. If a death occurs in a medical facility or nursing home, generally they will hold the body until our staff arrives. If a death occurs outside of a medical facility or nursing home, such as at home, we will contact the medical examiner and your doctor in order to assure all applicable procedures are followed.

Generally within an hour or two after we are contacted, however this time can vary greatly depending upon the location and circumstances of death.

Generally, a member or affiliate of our own specially trained staff, however under certain circumstances a representative from the medical examiner’s office or an ambulance will perform this service.

Generally, the body is taken directly to one of our affiliate cremation centers for holding "in our care" until funeral or cremation arrangements have been made. However, under certain circumstances the body may be taken to the medical examiner’s office prior to being taken to the funeral home.

No. But from a convenience and economic standpoint, many families prefer to have the service at one of our affiliated chapels or small gathering rooms. Our affiliates have large or small gathering rooms and modern audio video equipment for your use. Some families choose to have a funeral or memorial service at their church, fraternal lodge or other meaningful and appropriate location. We can assist you in making any of these arrangements.

Yes. We specialize in this and believe that a funeral or memorial service should be a time to pay tribute and celebrate one's life at the same time. Each person has lived their own life individually and each person's funeral or memorial service can and should reflect that. When properly and appropriately designed, a personalized funeral or memorial service is a very meaningful and powerful experience.    

The funeral home will always review your instructions and proceed appropriately. Generally, your family will notify the funeral home and give us instructions to proceed in accordance with your “advance planning” arrangements. They may (or may not) want to come to the funeral home. Final instructions may also be given via fax, email or, if necessary, our representative can deliver documents to your home for final review and signatures.

This depends upon your individual circumstances. Generally, you will need one for each insurance policy and possibly one for each bank account. The cost varies with each individual county. Our staff will assist you in determining the amount you will need and facilitate the order for them on your behalf.

No, however many people want to place either a “notice” or a formal “obituary” in their local newspaper. We can also assist you in placing “life stories” or obituaries online through our website.

Yes, it is very important for you to notify us of this when you are requesting information ahead of time. It is generally easier for you to gather information prior to the actual time of need. Pricing and service information is readily available at any of our offices or over the phone or email.

Generally, this is not the case either. There is a “single pay” amount which may or may not be available in the amount of $255, however it is only paid to a surviving spouse. Living in the same household, or minor children. For further information you may click here for the Social Security Administration website.

We can assist you in recommending a reputable pet crematory. However, if your pet was cremated and you wish to deliver the ashes to us, they can be placed in a permanent memorial (either separately or with you) at one of our mausoleum or cemetery locations.

Yes, this is always possible with cremation, however if the body is to be buried or entombed, there generally is a funeral or memorial tribute scheduled within 7-10 days.