FAQ

You have many options, as Oregon law defines disposition as “burial, entombment, burial at sea or cremation.”  Of course, the two primary options are burial or cremation.  Other options which exist include: mausoleum entombment, burial at sea and whole body donation. 

Burial has been widely practiced and most commonly accepted for many centuries.  Burial typically takes place in a dedicated cemetery which may be privately owned or may include a state-owned veteran cemetery.  In Oregon, burial on your own private property is an option, although rarely selected.  Most cemeteries require the use of a casket and outer burial container, such as grave liner or burial vault; however, this is not required by law. 

Another option for burial includes Entombment in a Mausoleum.  Mausoleums are structures, commonly placed on cemetery grounds, which hold a number of “crypts”.  Each crypt has space for 1 or more caskets.  The mausoleum will provide the specific requirements as to costs of the crypt and opening/closing fees associated with this.  Many mausoleums require embalming prior to placement in the crypt.

Cremation continues to gain popularity in which many families prefer due to the lower cost.  Once the cremation process is completed, the family has several options for the destination of the cremated remains (often referred to as “ashes”).  These include: 1) Cemetery placement; 2) Niche placement – in a Mausoleum or Columbarium within a cemetery;

3) Retained at Home; or 4) Scattering – Oregon law does not address the scattering of cremated remains and is not considered illegal.  Scattering on private properly simply requires the approval of the owner of that property.  You may even bury cremated remains upon your own property (at home), so long as you provide this information upon the sale of that land.

Aqua Cremation. A cremation process that is an eco-friendly alternative to flame cremation and burial. Individual body is placed in a stainless-steel vessel. A combination of water flow, temperature and alkalinity is used to accelerate the natural process of tissue hydrolysis. The scientific name for this is alkaline hydrolysis.

Whole body donation can be an option that suits some families.  Donating a body to a university or anatomical gift foundation can benefit society by helping to advance medical research and education.  Not all bodies are eligible for whole body donation.  Most programs that accept whole body donation will use the body for education purposes and then cremate the body following that study, returning the cremated remains to the family.

No.  Embalming is not required by law, except in certain cases.  Embalming is the process of temporarily preserving the body and preparing an individual for viewing by injecting a formaldehyde-based solution (embalming fluid) through the body’s circulatory system.  This is accomplished through a small incision in the skin, allowing access to one or more arteries and veins.  Embalming may be necessary if you select certain funeral arrangements, such as a funeral with viewing. 

Note that after the funeral home has received the body, Oregon law specifically requires refrigeration, embalming or disposition within 24 hours.  Following that, if refrigerated, the body may not be removed from refrigeration for more than 6 hours, including travel time to the cemetery or crematory. 

­Death Certificates: a Guide For Your Information & Assistance

BANKS:  You should notify the deceased's bank of the death.  Banks will generally photocopy the certified copy for their files and return the original to you.  Check for insurance on bank loans and installment contracts.  Change names on banking accounts, government bonds, saving accounts and certificates.  Check your safety deposit box. 

DEATH CERTIFICATES: Your funeral service provider will be responsible for completing and filing a death certificate with the proper agency. During that process, the certified copies may be ordered and returned to your family. This process usually takes about a week, depending on the location of death (county), the certifier (physician, medical examiner, etc.) and the funeral service establishment.  Often times, a medical examiner’s office may take up to 10 weeks to return an original completed death certificate.

Certified copies may be ordered through the funeral home or Environmental Health/Vital Records office at the health department in the county of death.  (Marion County, 3180 Center St., N.E., Suite 2274 in Salem, 503-588-5406).  The certified copies are issued by the vital records office at the health department in the county of death; the original certificate is then filed in the state archives. If additional certified copies are needed later after 6 months) you will need to order them from the Portland Oregon Department of Human Services, 800 NE Oregon St. Portland, OR 97232, (971)673-1190.

The state charges a one-time $25.00 state filing fee, for making this a permanent record.  The certified copies are then $25.00 for the first certificate and $25.00 for each additional certificate when ordered at the same time.  Be sure to inquire if the person requesting a death certificate needs a certified copy or just a photo copy of the death certificate. 

Certified copies are needed for insurance policies, insurance loans, stocks, bonds, and real property.

DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES/OREGON STATE MARINE BOARD:  When removing the deceased's name from a motor vehicle title, the DMV will generally use a photocopy of the death certificate, returning the certified copy to you. In some cases, a newspaper obituary may suffice in place of the death certificate. You can reach the DMV at: http://www.oregon.gov/ ODOT/DMV/ or by phone at: 503-945-5000.

HOME AND REAL PROPERTY (County Clerk’s Office):  Take or mail in a short form certified death certificate to the Marion County Clerk’s Office, 555 Court St., Salem, OR, 97301, 503-588-5226.  The Marion County Clerk’s office ONLY records the death of the property owner associated with the property deed.  If you hand carry in this short form the office will make a photo copy and return it to you immediately.  A short form is required for recording the death within the county and omits the lower ½ of the death certificate information (cause of death details), to protect some of the individual’s information.  Should you mail this to the county clerk’s office, they will mail this back after 10 days. You will need to do the same for each county in which the deceased owned property.  For single ownership property you should consult an attorney. 

TAX ASSESSOR’S OFFICE:  In certain circumstances, the spouse of a deceased veteran may have eligibility for the WIDOW’S VETERANS EXEMPTION BENEFIT and assessing of tax information.  Marion County Tax Assessor, 555 Court St., Salem, OR, 97301, 503-588-5144.

INSTALLMENT LOANS:  Call in all loans and see if they are insured.

INSURANCE:  Notify the insurance company or agent.  Check coverage for employment, auto, medical, health, accidental, life, union, bank, credit cards, and loans.  If the deceased was a beneficiary on a policy, request a Change of Beneficiary form. 

INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE / OREGON DEPT. OF REVENUE:  For specific information regarding requirements of the Oregon Department of Revenue, you should contact them directly.  You can reach the Oregon Dept. of Revenue at: http:// www.oregon.gov/DOR/ or by phone in Salem (503) 378-4988 or toll-free from an Oregon prefix 1-(800)-356-4222, Oregon Department of Revenue, 955 Center Street NE, Salem OR 97301-2555.

PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM:  In the event of your death, a member or representative of your family must call PERS Customer Service at 503-598-7377 or toll free at 888-320-7377 and report it as soon as possible. PERS will request a photocopy of the death certificate.  More info may be found at:  https://www.oregon.gov/pers/

RAILROAD RETIREMENT:  Promptly notify the nearest RRB field office at (877) 772-5772 (620 SW Main St., Suite 112, Portland, OR 97205-3025) when an employee, spouse, or survivor annuitant dies to avoid possible overpayment. Please have the deceased person's name, exact date of death and railroad retirement claim number when you contact the RRB.  If you will be visiting our office, call ahead for an appointment. Most RRB field offices are open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Additional details may be found online at https://rrb.gov

SOCIAL SECURITY: The funeral director will file and report a death electronically through the Oregon Vital Electronic Records System to Social Security.  You may contact Social Security to apply for survivor benefits at 1-800-772-1213, between 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. You may go to, or make an appointment by phone and go to, the local office at: 1750 McGilchrist St. SE, Ste. 110, Salem, Oregon, 97302.  Office hours are 9a.m.-3p.m. on Mon./Tues./Thurs./Fri.  Limited hours on Wednesday’s are 9a.m.-12p.m.  You may need a copy of your wedding certificate, if applicable.  A one-time death benefit may also be available to a divorced spouse if married for 10+ years, as eligible, or benefits may be available for dependent children.  You may also visit http://ssa.gov

STOCKS/BONDS/MUTUAL FUNDS:  Contact the stock broker and/or company for procedures to transfer ownership.  The procedure for transferring ownership of stocks after someone passes away depends on how the deceased chose to hold the shares. An account beneficiary may be able to carry out the change of ownership on their own. When the stock must go through probate, the responsibility for transferring ownership of the shares falls to the executor of the estate.

UNIONS: Unions may be listed under Labor Organizations or Associations in the yellow pages or online at www.unions.org 

U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: Notify the post office of the death.  Ask that the deceased’s name to be removed from all mail listings.

U.S. CIVIL SERVICE / FEDERAL EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEMS (FERS):  For an Application for Death Benefits, contact 1-202-606-1800, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 1900 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20415-1000, or online at: https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/csrs-information/survivors/

VETERANS BENEFITS:  Upon request, we will: 1) file for and provide a flag to the next of kin and 2) request military honors for a service at the cemetery/church/Celebration of Life in your home, etc.  Keep in mind that a 21-Gun Salute is only provided by Military Honors Guard for Veteran’s who retired from military service or were high ranking officials.  In some situations, a V.F.W. post may assist in military honors and provide a 21-Gun Salute.  The funeral home may also help in filing for: 1) burial within a national veteran’s cemetery, 2) for a V.A. marker or headstone (or V.A. medallion for privately purchased stone) and 3) filing for burial benefits to which you may be entitled, if applicable. Additional benefits may be available if the death occurred in a veterans facility, was service connected, or if the deceased was receiving disability income or a pension.

To request benefits, a copy of the honorable discharge and/or form DD214 for the Veteran is required.

For further information contact local Veteran Services: 700 Summer St NE, Salem, OR 97301-1285.  Office hours are 8a.m. – 5p.m., and may be contacted by phone at: 503-373-2000 or 800-828-8801, or Salem Benefit Claims: 800-692-9666.  More information may be found at: http://www.oregon.gov/odva/

A funeral director offers comprehensive support to grieving families after the loss of a loved one. Beyond coordinating cremation, burial, and memorial services for the deceased, they provide essential bereavement and consolation to the living. Their multifaceted role encompasses funeral arranging, directing, attending, and embalming.

Key responsibilities of a funeral director include:

• Arranging for the deceased's removal and transfer from the place of death to the funeral home.
• Providing professional care for the deceased, such as embalming, casketing, and cosmetology.
• Meeting with the family to plan the funeral service.
• Completing necessary paperwork, including certificates and permits.
• Acquiring copies of the death certificate.
• Coordinating with cemeteries, crematories, or other final disposition locations.
• Writing and publishing the obituary.
• Organizing aspects of the service like clergy, music, flowers, transportation, pallbearers, and specialized fraternal or military tributes.
• Overseeing the funeral service and procession.
• Aiding the family with death-related claims and resources, such as Social Security, VA benefits, and grief support.

A funeral or memorial service offers a meaningful opportunity to honor the life of a loved one and pay tribute to the impact they had. It creates a space where family and friends can openly express their emotions, reflect on cherished memories, and find comfort in the support of others. Through shared remembrance, it allows us to grieve, connect, and begin the journey toward healing.

Yes, cremation or burial is merely the disposition of the body. Funeral services are to honor and remember your loved one, regardless of disposition.

Funerals usually involve the deceased's body and often lead to burial or cremation. In contrast, memorial services occur without the body and can be scheduled days, weeks, or months after the death.

No, services are not required by law. However, many families find comfort and closure through a ceremony that honors the life of their loved one.

Common options include burial (in-ground or above-ground), cremation, or donation to science. Each choice can be paired with a traditional or personalized service.

Absolutely. You can include specific music, readings, photographs, videos, personal items, and more to reflect your loved one’s life and wishes.