Making a Final ExitFinal disposition is a legal term for a very practical matter: how a body is disposed of after death. While there are many variations described below, presently in Washington there are essentially four options: burial, cremation, natural organic reduction, and alkaline hydrolysis (sometimes called water or flameless cremation or aquamation).
In Washington, family or other designated support people may make all of the arrangements for the body's disposition themselves or may hire a funeral director to assist with or handle all plans. This page provides the information you need to “Do It Yourself”. (See How to Work With Professionals for tips on getting what you want from professionals.) |
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Cremation
Direct (or Simple) Cremation
Direct cremation is typically the least expensive disposition option. This means that the body will be removed from the place of death and the family will be alerted when the cremation is complete. It includes an alternate container (usually made of cardboard), transportation within a specific range, sheltering of the deceased until the cremation is completed, the cremation, processing of all necessary forms and documents, and assistance with obituaries.
Cremation Services and Packages
Funeral homes and cremation providers offer packages that include different product and service options beyond what’s provided in a Direct Cremation. Many choose to cremate and then plan a memorial service or celebration at another time, including interment of the cremated remains in a cemetery. Cremation packages, and products associated with cremated remains, can be arranged independently or with the assistance of a funeral home. Be sure to compare packages to a la carte components to get exactly what you want. (See How to Work with Professionals for more on coordinating directly with crematory staff.)
Witnessed Cremation
Witnessed cremations are exactly what they sound like: one or more family or community members being present at the facility, with the option of delivering the body into the cremation chamber, pushing the ignition button, and remaining through the end of the process. Not all crematory operators are open to it and not all funeral directors offer this product. Those who provide this by request may charge a small extra fee and it may only be available certain days or times of day. For those who choose this option, being in control and present to the end can be impactful and rewarding. Note: Witnessed cremations may take between four to six hours.
Read Alicia’s Story for one example of a witnessed cremation.
Disposition of Cremated Remains
Disposition by cremation results in an average of 7-10 pounds of pulverized bone in the form of calcium phosphate and sodium. In Washington, if you are not a direct family member or designated agent and are being paid to scatter cremated remains, you need a Cremation Remains Disposition Permit. Families do not need a permit to scatter on their own, and may scatter in all navigable waterways. There are no state laws governing where you may keep or scatter cremated remains; the process of cremation is legally considered final disposition and the remains are “personal property” posing no health hazards and no longer governed by rules for the deceased. Scattering in National Parks or State Lands requires permission first. There are a few considerations:
(See our Create Ceremony page for more on services associated with cremated remains, and How to Go Out Greener for information about products.)
Environmental Impact
Many people are unaware of the environmental impact of cremation, often erroneously believing it to be the greenest disposition method. Cremation burns fossil fuel, usually natural gas, at extremely high temperatures sustained for several hours per person, releasing 1.74+ billion pounds of CO2 emissions annually in the US, and emitting a significant amount of mercury and heavy metals into the atmosphere that end up in our rivers and streams. The resulting "ashes" from pulverized bones consists of calcium phosphate and sodium which can be detrimental to plants and trees, and to marine life when it runs off into fresh waterways. (For more statistical evidence of the environmental impact of various methods, go to the Green Burial Council and the Conservation Burial Alliance. See Cremation Curious for more detailed environmental information regarding all incomplete processes.)
To arrange a cremation, check with your local funeral director or crematory to see if they will accept a body directly from the family or other unpaid support people (versus via a funeral home or removal service). Depending on their answer, you may be able to conduct a home funeral through the endpoint in cremation without hiring professional help unless desired. You will need to locate an alternate container, either online or from a funeral home or the crematory you are using. (See How to Work With Professionals.)
Direct cremation is typically the least expensive disposition option. This means that the body will be removed from the place of death and the family will be alerted when the cremation is complete. It includes an alternate container (usually made of cardboard), transportation within a specific range, sheltering of the deceased until the cremation is completed, the cremation, processing of all necessary forms and documents, and assistance with obituaries.
Cremation Services and Packages
Funeral homes and cremation providers offer packages that include different product and service options beyond what’s provided in a Direct Cremation. Many choose to cremate and then plan a memorial service or celebration at another time, including interment of the cremated remains in a cemetery. Cremation packages, and products associated with cremated remains, can be arranged independently or with the assistance of a funeral home. Be sure to compare packages to a la carte components to get exactly what you want. (See How to Work with Professionals for more on coordinating directly with crematory staff.)
Witnessed Cremation
Witnessed cremations are exactly what they sound like: one or more family or community members being present at the facility, with the option of delivering the body into the cremation chamber, pushing the ignition button, and remaining through the end of the process. Not all crematory operators are open to it and not all funeral directors offer this product. Those who provide this by request may charge a small extra fee and it may only be available certain days or times of day. For those who choose this option, being in control and present to the end can be impactful and rewarding. Note: Witnessed cremations may take between four to six hours.
Read Alicia’s Story for one example of a witnessed cremation.
Disposition of Cremated Remains
Disposition by cremation results in an average of 7-10 pounds of pulverized bone in the form of calcium phosphate and sodium. In Washington, if you are not a direct family member or designated agent and are being paid to scatter cremated remains, you need a Cremation Remains Disposition Permit. Families do not need a permit to scatter on their own, and may scatter in all navigable waterways. There are no state laws governing where you may keep or scatter cremated remains; the process of cremation is legally considered final disposition and the remains are “personal property” posing no health hazards and no longer governed by rules for the deceased. Scattering in National Parks or State Lands requires permission first. There are a few considerations:
- Environmental Considerations: Because of their chemical makeup, cremated remains are not fertile and, in fact, deter plant root growth; water scattering is relatively benign.
- Public lands and beaches: City, county, federal, and zoning restrictions may apply to scattering on public lands though generally an informal “don’t ask, don’t tell” practice prevails. The Environmental Protection Agency prohibits scattering on beaches or tidepools; see Burial at Sea for further detail on EPA requirements.
- Private land: Cremated remains cannot be placed on or scattered in other people’s private property without their permission. This includes private property owned by companies, for example, your father’s favorite baseball stadium. (Read Rich’s Story of his remains scattered in his garden in lieu of a home burial.)
- Cemeteries: While the idea of scattering cremated remains on the grave of another loved one may be comforting, they’re likely to end up in a compost pile after the groundskeepers mow the grass. Burying cremated remains in a cemetery requires the cemetery’s permission.
- Veterans: Any honorably discharged veteran, and their spouse and dependent children, may have their cremated remains placed in a national cemetery or buried at sea at no charge. (See Military Veteran Burial below.)
(See our Create Ceremony page for more on services associated with cremated remains, and How to Go Out Greener for information about products.)
Environmental Impact
Many people are unaware of the environmental impact of cremation, often erroneously believing it to be the greenest disposition method. Cremation burns fossil fuel, usually natural gas, at extremely high temperatures sustained for several hours per person, releasing 1.74+ billion pounds of CO2 emissions annually in the US, and emitting a significant amount of mercury and heavy metals into the atmosphere that end up in our rivers and streams. The resulting "ashes" from pulverized bones consists of calcium phosphate and sodium which can be detrimental to plants and trees, and to marine life when it runs off into fresh waterways. (For more statistical evidence of the environmental impact of various methods, go to the Green Burial Council and the Conservation Burial Alliance. See Cremation Curious for more detailed environmental information regarding all incomplete processes.)
To arrange a cremation, check with your local funeral director or crematory to see if they will accept a body directly from the family or other unpaid support people (versus via a funeral home or removal service). Depending on their answer, you may be able to conduct a home funeral through the endpoint in cremation without hiring professional help unless desired. You will need to locate an alternate container, either online or from a funeral home or the crematory you are using. (See How to Work With Professionals.)
Alkaline Hydrolysis "Aqua-Cremation"
Learn more about incomplete processes such as Alkaline Hydrolysis and natural Organic Reduction by watching Cremation Curious
Washington recently legalized this process for human disposition (it’s commonly used for animals and in medical settings), effective May, 2020. There is one facility now available in King County that works directly with funeral directors. Until there are more in-state facilities providing this technology, many Washington funeral homes contract with the facility in Oregon for this service. Interest is growing in this alternative to flame-based cremation because it uses significantly less fossil fuels, without any harmful emissions, with a similar outcome. Also called aquamation, water cremation, hydromation, biocremation, flameless cremation, and resomation, the process uses water and an alkali solution of potassium hydroxide to dissolve the body within several hours, leaving behind bone fragments and a sterile liquid. The bone fragments are typically ground to a powder similar to cremated remains. The process is available through a funeral home only at this time, not direct-to-consumer. A specific silk shroud compatible with the process is used; families should discuss other desires regarding dressing and containment of the body. Facilities may permit witnessed cremation (see above) but families may need to initiate inquiries about this option. Pricing will vary depending on funeral home arrangements with the provider and their mark-up. (See Disposition of Cremated Remains above and our Create Ceremony and Go Out Greener pages for more on service and product options for the remains.)
Washington recently legalized this process for human disposition (it’s commonly used for animals and in medical settings), effective May, 2020. There is one facility now available in King County that works directly with funeral directors. Until there are more in-state facilities providing this technology, many Washington funeral homes contract with the facility in Oregon for this service. Interest is growing in this alternative to flame-based cremation because it uses significantly less fossil fuels, without any harmful emissions, with a similar outcome. Also called aquamation, water cremation, hydromation, biocremation, flameless cremation, and resomation, the process uses water and an alkali solution of potassium hydroxide to dissolve the body within several hours, leaving behind bone fragments and a sterile liquid. The bone fragments are typically ground to a powder similar to cremated remains. The process is available through a funeral home only at this time, not direct-to-consumer. A specific silk shroud compatible with the process is used; families should discuss other desires regarding dressing and containment of the body. Facilities may permit witnessed cremation (see above) but families may need to initiate inquiries about this option. Pricing will vary depending on funeral home arrangements with the provider and their mark-up. (See Disposition of Cremated Remains above and our Create Ceremony and Go Out Greener pages for more on service and product options for the remains.)
Natural Organic Reduction or Recomposition
In 2019, the Washington state legislature approved a bill which authorizes the use of Natural Organic Reduction as an approved means of disposition of human remains. The disposition method uses organic materials and livestock composting elements that rely on nature's aerobic decomposition process. Under the new law, remains reduced by natural organic reduction can be spread on private land with the owner’s permission. (Read Briar’s Story to learn about her pioneering role in helping to create this new option in Washington State and Harper Magazine's piece by Lisa Wells, To Be a Field of Poppies: The elegant science of turning cadavers into compost and in this New York Times piece If You Want To Give Something Back to Nature, Give Your Body by Caitlyn Doughty dated December 6, 2022)
Green/Natural Burial
According to the Green Burial Council, choosing natural burial is a way of caring for the dead with minimal environmental impact that aids in the conservation of natural resources, reduction of carbon emissions, protection of worker health, and the restoration and/or preservation of habitat. Green burial necessitates the use of non-toxic and biodegradable materials, such as caskets, shrouds, and urns, and may use GPS to locate graves rather than stone markers. Natural burial, whether in a hybrid, natural, or conservation cemetery setting, creates opportunities for family-led and family-designed body care and vigil, ceremony, and healing participation by family and friends, often including processionals to the grave, lowering of the body, and closing the grave by shoveling soil. (Read more about Types of Burial and Types of Cemeteries in our Glossary.)
To arrange a natural burial, find a green burial cemetery at Green Burial Cemeteries in the US and Canada. You may call directly or hire a professional to make the call for you.
For a range of green burial examples, read Heather’s Story, Mikaela’s Story, Jake's Story and Karen’s Story.
To arrange a natural burial, find a green burial cemetery at Green Burial Cemeteries in the US and Canada. You may call directly or hire a professional to make the call for you.
For a range of green burial examples, read Heather’s Story, Mikaela’s Story, Jake's Story and Karen’s Story.
Conventional Cemetery Burial
Modern burial in a conventional cemetery usually requires the use of a concrete or fiberglass grave liner and a hard-bottom casket. These requirements are dictated by convention rather than law, and the policies are often set forth in cemetery bylaws. Hands-on participation in graveside ceremonies—for example, in processionals, lowering, and closing the grave—may be permitted, though families may have to initiate discussion of these opportunities due to conventional cemetery staff's relative unfamiliarity with family involvement. Memorialization is accomplished through monuments and markers installed at a later date which can create another opportunity for a family-led service. Direct or immediate burial means that there is no contact with the deceased or ceremony either at the funeral home or graveside. (Read more about Types of Burial and Types of Cemeteries in our Glossary.)
To arrange a conventional burial, most cemetery operators and sextons will prefer to have a funeral director make arrangements in order to accommodate vault purchases and other scheduling needs. Those making these arrangements on their own will need to be extra diligent about understanding all of the requirements. (See Work with Professionals for more on coordinating directly with cemetery staff and our Create Ceremony page for more on services.)
To arrange a conventional burial, most cemetery operators and sextons will prefer to have a funeral director make arrangements in order to accommodate vault purchases and other scheduling needs. Those making these arrangements on their own will need to be extra diligent about understanding all of the requirements. (See Work with Professionals for more on coordinating directly with cemetery staff and our Create Ceremony page for more on services.)
Military Veteran Burial
Whether or not a funeral director is involved, veterans can access their benefits and have a military burial of either a full body or of cremated remains. For burial in a military cemetery, typically those making veterans’ arrangements are required to choose between either witnessed burial at the gravesite, or a short ceremony in a cemetery shelter. (Note: At Tahoma National Cemetery, the only national veteran's cemetery in WA with burial space, graveside services are not allowed. Ceremonies are hosted at the shelter.) While funeral directors can coordinate this process, families and other designated support people can take the following steps on their own.
To arrange a military service:
Determine the veteran's status:
If the veteran is still living, download the Application for Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility for Burial in a VA National Cemetery and print out the blank form. Filing this form makes the funeral scheduling go more smoothly.
After the death: Call National Scheduling at 800-535-1117 to schedule the funeral. They will need the DD 214 scanned or faxed to them at 866-900-6417. You can also get information at their website at NCA.Scheduling.
Learn more about what services are available by calling 1-800-535-1117 or go to their website Military Honors. (Funeral directors: call 1-877-645-4667)
After the National Scheduling office does the scheduling, wait about 5-7 hours, then call the veteran's cemetery the family has chosen to ensure they have the Funeral Honors scheduled. You can search online for these cemeteries, such as: “VA cemetery Seattle” and all their info will pop up. It’s important to confirm the time/date and any policies they have, such as, “Who provides the flag?”
The above information is for an ordinary funeral (not Burial at Sea or high-ranking officers or Medal of Honors), which usually includes two personnel who will perform Taps and fold and present the flag to the designated recipient.
The US Navy will perform full-body or cremated remains burial at sea for active duty or honorably discharged military from any branch of the service at no charge. Family are not allowed to accompany the remains and cannot choose the location. The west coast ports of embarkation for this program are currently San Diego, CA and Bremerton, WA. (See Navy Burial at Sea)
To order a flag for veteran burial purposes, complete and submit the application located here: https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-27-2008-are.pdf
To arrange a military service:
Determine the veteran's status:
- Do they have their DD 214 (Record of Military Service)?
- If they do not, go to www.va.gov/records (look for a blue link to the SF 180). Print the blank form and fill it in. Make sure to put the name the veteran used while in the service in Section I #1 and clarify their current name in Section III.
If the veteran is still living, download the Application for Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility for Burial in a VA National Cemetery and print out the blank form. Filing this form makes the funeral scheduling go more smoothly.
After the death: Call National Scheduling at 800-535-1117 to schedule the funeral. They will need the DD 214 scanned or faxed to them at 866-900-6417. You can also get information at their website at NCA.Scheduling.
Learn more about what services are available by calling 1-800-535-1117 or go to their website Military Honors. (Funeral directors: call 1-877-645-4667)
After the National Scheduling office does the scheduling, wait about 5-7 hours, then call the veteran's cemetery the family has chosen to ensure they have the Funeral Honors scheduled. You can search online for these cemeteries, such as: “VA cemetery Seattle” and all their info will pop up. It’s important to confirm the time/date and any policies they have, such as, “Who provides the flag?”
The above information is for an ordinary funeral (not Burial at Sea or high-ranking officers or Medal of Honors), which usually includes two personnel who will perform Taps and fold and present the flag to the designated recipient.
The US Navy will perform full-body or cremated remains burial at sea for active duty or honorably discharged military from any branch of the service at no charge. Family are not allowed to accompany the remains and cannot choose the location. The west coast ports of embarkation for this program are currently San Diego, CA and Bremerton, WA. (See Navy Burial at Sea)
To order a flag for veteran burial purposes, complete and submit the application located here: https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-27-2008-are.pdf
Home Burial
Home burial is not permitted in Washington. All burial must take place in a licensed established cemetery. Washington is only one of two states that prohibit burial on private property.
Burial at Sea
Regulated by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), rules for burial at sea are found here. Those wishing to use this option without hiring a funeral director must follow these steps:
- For full body burials, obtain an appropriate weighted shroud or casket (see specifications): “[a]ll necessary measures shall be taken to ensure that the remains sink to the bottom rapidly and permanently.”
- Arrange for a suitable boat. Full bodies must be buried in water at least 600 feet deep, no closer than three nautical miles from land. Cremated remains can be released into or onto ocean water of any depth as long as it’s three nautical miles from land.
- The location of the ocean burial or scattering must be reported to the EPA Regional Administrator within 30 days of the burial. Find the on-line reporting form here and an FAQ about this reporting requirement here.
- Families and designated agents handling their own death certificate must have the boat captain sign as Sexton on the 2nd& 3rd pages of the death certificate (which functions as the disposition permit). The person signing as Sexton (or the family member acting as FSP) must return the second page to the County Registrar where the death occurred and retain the third page for their records. Do not submit the death certificate to the EPA.
Body, Organ, and Tissue Donation
Full Body Donation
Donating bodies for medical research is arranged prior to death. To make arrangements, contact a reputable organization, as some receivers do not disclose the final use of the body and its parts. It can reportedly take up to 2 years for cremated remains to be returned to the family.
Organ and Tissue Donation
Organ and tissue donation is arranged prior to the death in most cases, although consent by presumption is also possible. Typical organs and tissue include kidneys, heart, liver, pancreas, intestines, lungs, bones, bone marrow, skin, gums, and corneas. Arrange for the donation prior to death, and indicate your preference in your advance directives as part of your discussion with family and physician. All costs are covered.
Forensic Anthropology "Body Farms"
A body farm is a forensic anthropology research facility where decomposition can be studied in a variety of settings. Often re-enactments of unsolved deaths are staged to determine cause of death. They are also used to gain a better understanding of the decomposition process. Arrange for donation prior to death. All costs are covered.
Questions to Consider
To Arrange Organ, Eyes, & Tissue Donations:
(Please note that organ donation is only possible under certain death circumstances and only when death occurs in a hospital.)
To Arrange Whole Body Donation:
(Please note that willed body programs take custody of the body as soon as possible after the death occurs.)
Donating bodies for medical research is arranged prior to death. To make arrangements, contact a reputable organization, as some receivers do not disclose the final use of the body and its parts. It can reportedly take up to 2 years for cremated remains to be returned to the family.
Organ and Tissue Donation
Organ and tissue donation is arranged prior to the death in most cases, although consent by presumption is also possible. Typical organs and tissue include kidneys, heart, liver, pancreas, intestines, lungs, bones, bone marrow, skin, gums, and corneas. Arrange for the donation prior to death, and indicate your preference in your advance directives as part of your discussion with family and physician. All costs are covered.
Forensic Anthropology "Body Farms"
A body farm is a forensic anthropology research facility where decomposition can be studied in a variety of settings. Often re-enactments of unsolved deaths are staged to determine cause of death. They are also used to gain a better understanding of the decomposition process. Arrange for donation prior to death. All costs are covered.
Questions to Consider
- Who benefits from this donation?
- Will the body be used to make a profit?
- How much will whole (full) body donation cost (specifically, what are the costs of transportation and cremation)?
- Will I have the option of donating my corneas?
- Will the body remain in the region?
- Will the cremated remains be returned to me following the donation process?
- Do you make available a complete listing of programs, companies, or institutions to which you supply tissues?
To Arrange Organ, Eyes, & Tissue Donations:
(Please note that organ donation is only possible under certain death circumstances and only when death occurs in a hospital.)
- You can register to become an organ donor with the WA DOL to become an organ donor online or by mail.
- Life Center Northwest
To Arrange Whole Body Donation:
(Please note that willed body programs take custody of the body as soon as possible after the death occurs.)
Resources and Online Links
FCA = Funeral Consumer Alliance
GBC = Green Burial Council
NEDA = National End-of-Life Doula Alliance
NHFREA = New Hampshire Funeral Resources, Education & Advocacy
VA = Veterans Administration
GBC = Green Burial Council
NEDA = National End-of-Life Doula Alliance
NHFREA = New Hampshire Funeral Resources, Education & Advocacy
VA = Veterans Administration
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Washington Funeral Resources and Education is a non-commercial public interest site dedicated to helping Washington consumers care for their own dead with or without the assistance of a funeral director. See FuneralPartnership.org for more state funeral information. This site is maintained as a project of White Eagle Memorial Preserve and Sacred Earth Foundation, which coordinates responses to inquiries with other Washington-based organizations and practitioners that support the mission of the Funeral Partnership.
Disclaimer:
This website has been created by volunteers making reasonable efforts to provide resources and materials for informational purposes only. Any information you obtain from this website is not legal advice and should not be relied upon without confirmation of current law. No warranties, expressed or implied, are made with respect to the information herein. There is no guarantee that the information contained here is complete or up-to-date as of the date that you view this site. The agencies linked via hyperlinks are responsible for the content of those sites. Their information is subject to change and should be consulted directly to ensure accurate and up-to-date information. Please report any inaccuracies to us in the form on the CONTACT page. Thank you!
This website has been created by volunteers making reasonable efforts to provide resources and materials for informational purposes only. Any information you obtain from this website is not legal advice and should not be relied upon without confirmation of current law. No warranties, expressed or implied, are made with respect to the information herein. There is no guarantee that the information contained here is complete or up-to-date as of the date that you view this site. The agencies linked via hyperlinks are responsible for the content of those sites. Their information is subject to change and should be consulted directly to ensure accurate and up-to-date information. Please report any inaccuracies to us in the form on the CONTACT page. Thank you!