Funeral Alternatives of Snohomish County

10/14/2025

TRUE AMERICAN HERO 🇺🇸 80 years after making the ultimate sacrifice in WWII, Platoon Sgt. Harold Weaver has finally come home. His remains were laid to rest in his hometown, surrounded by the community that never forgot him. http://www.king5.com/article/news/nation-world/world-war-ii-veteran-harold-weaver-remains-ohio-accounted-for/507-9fdefe51-da83-4b30-aa06-c5d5eda89b80?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_KING_5

09/12/2025

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In Detroit, high school students are volunteering to serve as pallbearers at the funerals of homeless veterans who have no family to honor them.

This initiative, called the Pallbearer Ministry, began in 2015 when a group of six seniors from the University of Detroit Jesuit High School decided to step in and offer a dignified farewell to veterans who passed away alone.

Since then, the program has grown, and over 50 students have been trained to assist at these services. Each student learns about the life and military service of the veteran before the funeral, which helps them connect more deeply with the person they are honoring.

By participating, the students provide a final act of respect for those who served the country but had no family to carry their casket. The experience is not only a way to show respect to the deceased but also offers the students valuable lessons in empathy, dignity, and community service.

The program has become an important reminder that every life has worth, and that even those who may have been forgotten by society deserve to be treated with dignity in their final moments. Through their involvement, the students are learning to reflect on the significance of service and the impact they can make on others, particularly those who are marginalized.

This small act of kindness highlights the value of community and the importance of standing together to support those in need.

08/29/2025

08/23/2025

A death doula (also referred to as an end-of-life doula) is traditionally a non-clinical companion and guide for someone who is navigating a terminal illness. I like to think of my role as being a choreographer of someone's last dance, helping them design their last few months, weeks, days, and hours... sometimes even years, as there is no specific start date to bring a doula in.

You do not have to be given a terminal diagnosis to have a doula assist you. Some people utilize the skills of a doula to specifically help prepare an end-of-life plan for them, which is designed according to their wishes, but a doula can assist you with many other areas of life, death, and grief as well. People are questioning their mortality more now than ever before, which leaves many people wondering what they will want when it is their time to die. A doula can help with this.

The doula is paid out of pocket, and is not covered under insurance. Each doula sets their own price, and some offer a sliding scale.

The doula is not currently a part of the hospice team, however some hospices are training their volunteers to be doulas and offering that service.

One of the differences between a doula and a member of the hospice team, is that a doula has the luxury of time. The doula can support the person navigating the end of their life, at whatever stage that might be, and can also be there for those preparing to say goodbye. The doula is a companion, a guide, a mentor, a co-pilot, an usher, a driver, and a reliable, dependable friend.

Please note that the doula is not a replacement for any member of the hospice team, and they cannot act in lieu of a member of the hospice team regardless of their training. The doula can work with the hospice team and add to what you receive from them. If you are considering hiring a doula, please do not choose to see a doula as opposed to starting hospice. Personally, and in my opinion, I think that you will need and benefit from both.

One of the misconceptions about the role of a doula is that there is no certifying board, so a doula is not “certified,” they receive a certificate of completion after taking a doula training course, which means they are certified under that particular program. Doulas are not licensed, or state mandated, and they cannot provide medical advice or act as a clinician, even if they have a nursing license. A doula must honor the boundaries and stay in their lane, which has been hard for me to do as a hospice nurse, and something I must be mindful of at all times.

Please note that you DO NOT need medical training to become an end-of-life doula. You do need bedside experience and this comes with time, not the certificate you receive at the graduation of your program. Please do not take on the role of a doula until you have had experience at bedside and understand what it truly means to be present for someone who is dying.

One of the reasons I co-wrote “The Doula Tool Kit” with my friends and end-of-life doulas Diane Button and Angela Shook, is because we want to make sure ALL doulas receive the necessary skills, advice, and guidance to be able to do this work well. In many cases, doulas are paying a lot of money for a doula training program, but still come out of it uncertain of what to do next. Please do not mis-understand, I think these training programs are necessary, helpful, and a great first step. BUT you should also have bedside experience, and the tools to feel confident when present for someone who is dying, and those preparing to say goodbye.
You can find this book here:
https://www.amazon.com/Doula-Tool-Kit-End-Life/dp/B0CNN5LJMS

I offer my “At the Bedside” class for those who have already graduated a doula program and need a little more personal direction or are curious and interested about being a doula but don’t know where or how to start. I hand over tips and tools to make things a little easier for you, I share a list of doula training programs I recommend, and I offer a realistic explanation of what you can expect when you start this journey. One of my favorite things to do in this class is to help you to define what gifts you can bring to this work, making your offering unique and beautifully yours. If finances are an issue, I often have scholarships available, so please do not hesitate to ask for one.
You can learn more about my class here: https://www.thehospiceheart.net/at-the-bedside

As a doula, I think it is important that we lift one another up, extend a hand and offer support to those starting out and struggling, and share our tools generously. Caring for someone who is dying is an honor, and death is a sacred and intimate moment that should never be entered into casually, or without the proper training, tools, and experience. It is very important that everyone understands that a piece of paper stating that you have completed a doula training program is not enough to be able to do this work effectively.

We should all be on the same page, making sure that anyone who requests the support of a doula receives beautiful, compassionate, and heart-centered care and that collaboratively we help improve the way human beings are cared for when they die, and when they grieve.

Doulas are a community and should never be in competition with one another. We are not a solo act; we do not do this work alone.

You absolutely must take the time to gain experience before sitting at the bedside of someone who is dying, and I would very much love to help you get started.

xo
Gabby
www.thehospiceheart.net

08/20/2025

Speaking at a funeral can be one of the most emotional and meaningful experiences a person can face. Whether you’re delivering a eulogy or simply sharing a few words, the task often comes with a mix of sadness and a deep desire to honor the memory of a loved one. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, especially when you’re grieving. However, with a little preparation and the right mindset, you can speak from the heart and help provide some comfort to others in attendance. Here are four helpful tips to guide you through speaking at a funeral with grace and confidence.

Speaking at a funeral can be one of the most emotional and meaningful experiences a person can face. Whether you’re delivering a eulogy or simply sharing a few words, the task often comes with a mix of sadness and a deep desire to honor the memory of a loved one. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed...

08/03/2025

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Washington State Ferries allows people's ashes to be committed to Puget Sound from its vessels, and this year the system is on track to host 300 memorials.

07/14/2025

When a loved one passes away, the days that follow are often filled with grief, uncertainty, and a long list of difficult decisions. During such an emotional time, a funeral director becomes an essential guide, helping families navigate the planning process with compassion and professionalism. A skilled funeral director ensures that all arrangements are handled with dignity, precision, and sensitivity. Their role is much more than simply coordinating a service—they manage numerous details and provide crucial support throughout the grieving process. At Funeral Alternatives of Snohomish County, our local funeral directors will work diligently with you to assist in this process. Here are four important responsibilities of a funeral director.

When a loved one passes away, the days that follow are often filled with grief, uncertainty, and a long list of difficult decisions. During such an emotional time, a funeral director becomes an essential guide, helping families navigate the planning process with compassion and professionalism. A ski...

06/20/2025

Writing an obituary is a deeply personal and meaningful task that serves to honor a loved one’s life while sharing the news of their passing with others. It’s more than just a notice—it’s a tribute that captures the essence of the person and provides important information for friends, family, and the community. A well-written obituary balances emotion, respect, and factual detail. If you’ve been given the responsibility of writing one, here are five important things to consider.

Writing an obituary is a deeply personal and meaningful task that serves to honor a loved one’s life while sharing the news of their passing with others. It’s more than just a notice—it’s a tribute that captures the essence of the person and provides important information for friends, family...

05/17/2025

Choosing a funeral director is an important decision during a time when emotions are high and decisions must be made quickly. A compassionate and trustworthy funeral director can make the process significantly easier, helping you honor your loved one while navigating necessary arrangements. Knowing what to look for can help ensure you’re working with someone who truly supports your needs. Here are four signs that you’ve found a reliable funeral director.

Choosing a funeral director is an important decision during a time when emotions are high and decisions must be made quickly. A compassionate and trustworthy funeral director can make the process significantly easier, helping you honor your loved one while navigating necessary arrangements. Knowing....

04/16/2025

We recently partnered with a local woodworker to make these beautiful custom wood urns.

04/16/2025

Grief is a sensitive subject, but we need to talk about it.

Grief is a deeply personal and often overwhelming experience. When someone you care about is mourning the loss of a loved one, it can be difficult to know how to offer support. While you may not be able to take away their pain, your presence and understanding can make a meaningful difference. Knowin...

04/11/2025

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How to BE in the midst of the deep grief of others

Before you step in the door, breathe.
Breathe in, trusting that you are meant to be here.
Breathe out, releasing all that is not present to this moment.
As you step in the room, imagine stepping out of your shoes,
Honoring the fact that you are entering holy ground.
Read the room with your eyes, the faces and body language
may have some very important things to tell you.
Breathe in, trusting that you are here for a reason,
Breathe out your inner agenda.
This is the space of gentle presence and listening.
When you speak, do so with the humility of a learner.
You may be here for a reason you did not anticipate.
Say the name of the person in the bed, and,
If they are able to speak it,
Listen as their loved ones paint a picture of their life
Till you can see them more clearly in their yesterday life
Than today’s struggle.
When grief erupts, filling the air of the room,
Breathe it in deeply.
It is not your grief, but taste the flavor of it
for one day it will be your grief filling the room.
Breathe out deeply, your air carries the promise of
Days without this intensity of suffering.
For it is the nature of this life,
That one day we are the witness,
Another day we are the griever,
And none of us knows when
The switch will happen.
Only breath moves us forward,
Only compassion eases the pain,
And the presence of love
Softens the hard ground
Of grief.

By Krista Reeder

With thanks to the poet.