Announcement March 2026: PMA's Funeral Financial Assistance Fund is CLOSED for now
With a heavy heart, I'm sad to announce PMA's Funeral Financial Assistance Fund is closed for now.
The fund relies on grants and donations from the general public to stay open. If you would like to donate so that we can keep supporting families in need in Washington state, you can Donate to the Funeral Financial Assistance Fund. With the average cost of cremation being $1,685 according to our Price Survey, our fund helps families who are financially struggling and living paycheck to paycheck by no fault of their own. If you would like to support a family in need by making a gift to this fund, please donate to the FFA fund here. Thank you.
There are other sources of financial assistance for those faced with funeral costs. Please read our Non-PMA Financial Assistance Resources page, a list we'll keep updated even with our fund temporarily closed. Don't forget to read our Price Survey to locate affordable funeral services near you, and a PMA Membership can save you 15% on funeral services as long as your purchase membership before your loved one arrives at a funeral home.
We humbly ask our neighbors, representatives, and members to help us with our mission. Everyone deserves dignity, even in death, and that includes getting a funeral they desire and can afford.
Sincerely,
Casey Husseman Brandt
Executive Director
People's Memorial Association's Impact via the Funeral Financial Assistance Fund
In 2024, People's Memorial Association helped 23 families maintain control over their loved one's funeral services through the Funeral Financial Assistance Fund providing each an average of $1,000.
The cost for funeral services increases each year, yet support services have dwindled. Since 2018, PMA has supported almost 150 families experiencing significant financial hardship dispensing a total of $107,000 in grants. Although the spirit of this fund is more than just numbers, it’s about the individual people and the friends and family members grieving their loss. Many of those who need financial assistance are young parents who are working hard to provide for their own families.
Here’s a story of one young mother who applied:
Robin’s professor wrote to us on her behalf, advocating for her student who needed financial assistance for her father’s funeral arrangements. Robin is a single mother who recently broke the cycle of homelessness and is pursuing an associates degree in Applied Science.
Working hard to get on her own two feet, Robin wasn’t prepared for the sudden cost of her father’s funeral arrangements after his unexpected death. As his only next-of-kin, the responsibility of handling his arrangements was hers to handle. We have the opportunity to show Robin she’s not alone in this. By providing her with financial assistance so she can pay for her father’s cremation, Robin won’t experience yet another barrier while she tries her best to be a good mother and outstanding student.
PMA is one of the only organizations offering this type of support. There are limited to no resources provided by the state or counties to help in situations like these. If you would like to support a family in need by making a gift to this fund, please donate via this link. Thank you.
For more funeral home price information, check out the PMA Funeral Home Price Survey
Every two years, PMA staff and volunteers conduct a survey of all Washington funeral homes. We collect and organize their price lists into one super list which lets anyone more easily compare prices for funeral services.
Check out our PMA Price Survey to find low cost services in your area.
PMA Members save 15% at partner funeral homes
PMA has worked to connect its members with discounted funeral services since 1939. Today, PMA Members receive a 15% discount at all 30+ of our Partner Funeral Homes across the state. As long as membership is purchased before you engage with a partner funeral home, your loved one may still be eligible for membership and its savings. Memberships are individual (one per adult) and cost a one-time fee of $99.
Membership can be purchased immediately via our website or call 206-325-0489 to speak with a PMA staff member who can sign you up for membership over the phone.
People's Memorial Association is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and is primarily supported by donations and new membership purchases. If you can, please consider joining as a member or donating to support PMA. Any gift to People's Memorial Association is fully tax-deductible as allowed by law EIN 68-0621888.
