Q.  What is the difference between your cremation and burial service and a traditional mortuary?

A.  In terms of service, there is very little difference.  We all offer the same services and exactly the same caskets and burial merchandise.  In terms of facilities, that is another matter.  I do not have a chapel in which to hold a ceremony nor a parking lot to accommodate guest parking for such a ceremony, but have access to many such buildings for free or a nominal fee.  Also,  I do not have several people on staff to wait around for a death to occur or a ceremony to be scheduled.  I have staff available, but they are not full time.  We specialize in holding all of our ceremonies at churches, graveside services, fairgrounds, school gymnasiums, maritime museum, maritime memorial, Camp Rilea's hall,  the chapel at Ocean View Cemetery, Convention Centers, or a very simple ceremony at a park or even at the family's home.  In my nine years of serving the greater Astoria area, well over 70% of the public does not use a funeral home chapel.  By eliminating the building and staff, I can pass on savings that make traditonal funerals affordable for families that otherwise would not be able to arrange the services that they desire.  Refer to our price list comparison section of this website for a review of these savings.

Q.   We have been told that you use a cremation center in Portland or elsewhere where thousands of bodies are cremated each year and our loved one's ashes will be "mailed" back to Astoria.  Is this true?

A.  The only crematory that we use is located in Long Beach, WA which is only a 25 to 30 minute drive from our door.  If you are being told that smaller volume is better, consider that this crematory is a very small family operation and probably does fewer annual cremations than any crematory in Clatsop County.  There are currently two crematories in Clatsop County, both in Astoria almost directly across the street from each other in a residential neighborhood.  Our county needs to have about 200 cremations per year performed.  Each crematory can perform just over 1,000 annually so one crematory is more than sufficient, but sadly we have two.  This is one of the primary reasons why cremation costs are nearly doubled here as compared to Portland where well intentioned funeral directors learned long ago that sharing resources is one of the best ways to deliver value to the families.  The community certainly does not  need me to install a third crematory in Astoria and neither does the neighborhood.  By working together with another firm, instead of relentless competition, I can save at a minimum of $400 and sometimes much more for identical cremation services.  It would be advantageous if the body never left our building to an off site crematory,  but most families appreciate the $400 savings if that is what it takes and are not concerned where the crematory is located as long as it is in our area and the ashes are hand carried back to our offices, not "mailed".  I have personally inspected all three crematories and I use the cleanest one I can find.  I also have seen the security measures taken to insure that the properashes are returned and the crematory in Long Beach has the most fool proof method available and neither of the two crematories in Astoria employ this much safer method. 

Q.  What are the veterans benefits?  

 A.  I have been helping veterans receive all of their benefits for many years.  They are available in a tiered program, depending upon length of time served, type of honorable discharge, if the veteran is receiving a disability compensation, and what age and relationship the decedent is to the qualifying veteran.  At a funeral arrangement conference or  pre-arrangement meeting, we will carefully explain all of the benefits available so that you or your family can make a well informed decision.  We have forms necessary to apply for these benefits and will obtain all of your benefits, not just some.

Q.  Do you perform burial services as well as cremation arrangements?  

A.  Absolutely yes and I have been doing so since 1974.  That is a very common question even though the words burial service appear in our name.  We also serve all cemeteries, not just Ocean View.  No one is more qualified to make these arrangements.  After discounting our service fees, we can also discount the casket and other merchandise for families.  The savings can really mount up and approach $2000 for exactly the same thing elsewhere.  We invite you to obtain price quotes and then come see us.  You will not be disappointed.  If obtaining price lists is uncomfortable for you, then just stop by our building.  We have the general price lists of all three firms that serve our area.  They are posted on our window for you to read, even without coming inside the building.  Check out our price list comparison page on this website as well.

Q.  Can we pre-pay our funeral or cremation arrangements with you?

A.  Of course you can as you can with any funeral home, maybe even easier.  In Oregon the funeral home must deposit pre-paid funds with a qualifying depository.  I use Great Western Insurance Company and we do not have to search for an Oregon licensed insurance agent appointed by Great Western.  I already am one and so I can issue a policy here in my office or in the comfort of your own home.  This is the most simplified process that I know of.    

Q.  The low cost facility option was not available until you opened and our plan is already planned and filed with another firm.  Can we change and if we do, what happens to the excess funds that we pre-paid?  

 A. You would not be the first to change.  Just give me a call and do not delay.  I can honor any plan here and will be happy to do so.  I will contact the depository of the funds and check into obtaining an immediate return of your excess funds or let you know how much extra there is.  If you choose to leave those funds on deposit you will need to let me know who in your family should receive those funds.

Q.  Why is it that offering these services for a lower cost is so important?

A.  It is our way of helping families in a way that we believe funeral directors should.  Your funds are hard earned and your family's needs as well as your own are important to us.  We prove that to you by making sure that your funds are put to good use.  Isn't there really a better use for these funds than to overpay for your final expenses?  What about your health care costs while you are still here?  

 Q.  What is the best way to purchase a burial plan and still receive an excellent value at a reasonable cost?

 A.  This is a new concept for our area, so you are seeing it here for the first time.  Every funeral home offers packaged selections to their service fees because of the discount factored into the package.  We go one step further.  We also include a casket in some of our packaged offerings so that we can give you a discount on the casket as well.  We began doing this very recently in mid-May of 2008.  If accepted by the public we think this is the newest and most innovative value that cannot be matched by our competitors on a regular basis.  This plan can be pre-arranged and pre-paid.  There are also several metal caskets to choose from, so color should not be a problem.  Just because it is not the most expensive casket available, does not mean it has to be unattractive or something the family would be ashamed of.  In other words, you will be pleased with this packaged savings, including the quality of the merchandise delivered and the compassionate services you receive.  It is a wonderful offering to the community. 

Q.  I have my funeral plan purchased at another firm for a whole lot more than you charge.  Can I transfer to your firm and how do I go about doing that?

 A.  Please understand that you have not puchased your funeral and the funeral home does not have your prepaid funds.  They are on deposit as required by law and that account belongs to you.  Yes, you can transfer your plan.   The investment vehicle that your funds are deposited  into may have a penalty for withdrawl.  If that is the case you may want to leave funds on deposit with instructions on file of who you want me to refund the funds to after your funeral service has been provided.  Until the funeral home does the job and upholds their end of a contract, the funds are yours and under your direction.  We agree, there is nore value in putting the excess funds into a living charity or even for a grandchild's education or health care as opposed into the profit margin of a funeral home owner.  But the choice is yours and your choice is respected here.  If you would like to just know the details of what the possibilities are, I can find out for you on your behalf and report my findings to you. You may be entitled to a cash refund upfront.  Why not do that?  Like the old saying goes, "its the economy".   I will do all of the work for you should you decide to transfer, but only upon your authorization to do so.