​At-a-Glance Information

​If this is the first time you have had to arrange a funeral, this page is designed to help you get straight to the most critical information about what to expect and whom to call for help. There are several steps that must be followed, but taken one at a time they are all achievable.

On This Page

• Step-by-step family- or community-led funeral planning
• List of local authorities with contact info
• Death certificate worksheet

Step-by-Step Family- & Community-Led Funerals in ​Washington

Detailed descriptions of the following can be found on the How-To pages:

• Determine who has the legal authority to make funeral arrangements.
• Care for the body by bathing, dressing, and cooling.
• Purchase or make burial containers such as caskets or shrouds.
• Arrange for burial plot purchase if desired.
• Obtain, complete, and file the death certificate. (See Complete Paperwork for details.)
• Obtain the Burial-Transit permit.
• Design and conduct ceremonies in the home, other facility, or graveside, if desired.
• Hire professionals (clergy/celebrant, funeral director, transport company, etc.) as needed.
• Transport the body as necessary to the home, place of worship, other facility, or place of disposition.
• File for Social Security and Veteran’s Benefits.
• Obtain and distribute copies of certified death certificates to banks, insurance companies, etc.

Funeral Goods and Services, Options and Opportunities

Adapted from Bereavement Authority of Ontario, Canada. Note: ​The term “family” in the chart above refers inclusively to family or designated unpaid support people, friends, and community members within legal requirements. 

State and County Authorities Contact Info

Washingtonians wishing to handle the paperwork without hiring a funeral director must:

• Contact the Health Department in the county where the death occurred to obtain a blank paper death certificate (find the county office from this list of local health jurisdictions).
• Complete the demographic portion and obtain the signature of the appropriate medical authority.
• File with a local registrar in the local health jurisdiction where the person died.
• Obtain a Burial/Transit Permit from the registrar.

(See Learn the Law and How to Complete Paperwork for more details.)

Death Certificate Completion Worksheet and Instructions

• Download the Washington Death Certificate Worksheet to capture information that will be transferred to the actual death certificate.
• Read the directions for filing a death certificate without a funeral director from the State of Washington's Department of Health.

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Resources and Online Links

Families Acting as Funeral Directors
County and District Health Department Map
Washington Death Certificate Worksheet