Funeral Alternatives of Washington

Funeral Alternatives of Washington - Tumwater stands as a cornerstone of compassionate, personalized end-of-life care in the South Sound region. Founded in 2002 by second-generation funeral director Clair Ferris and his wife Sharon Ferris, this location is the original flagship of the Funeral Alternatives family. It is uniquely situated within the historic Masonic Memorial Park, in the South Sound Manor building—a facility deliberately designed to avoid the traditional funeral home atmosphere, offering a more welcoming and peaceful environment. The park itself was established in 1852 by the Olympia Masonic Lodge #1 and is among the largest and oldest cemetery properties in Thurston County, lending a deep sense of history and community connection to the location.

The funeral home provides a comprehensive range of services to meet diverse needs and preferences. These include traditional burial and cremation services, personalized funeral and memorial services, pre-need planning, and prepaid cremation options to lock in costs and provide peace of mind. The facility features a chapel, reception and event space for catered gatherings, and spaces for identification viewings and private family farewells. Families consistently praise the staff for their professionalism, sensitivity, and clear communication, noting that the arrangement process is well-managed with proactive follow-up and straightforward explanations of options.

Beyond traditional services, Funeral Alternatives of Washington - Tumwater offers innovative death care alternatives through partner providers, including memorial diamonds made from cremated remains, human composting (natural organic reduction), aquamation (water-based cremation), and parting stones. The location also provides veteran funeral specialists, certified celebrants, livestreaming, aftercare and grief support, and multicultural and religious options such as incense burning. Additional conveniences include online arrangement, free self-service online obituaries, home delivery of ashes, and international shipping. While the facility does not operate an on-site cemetery or crematory, it manages all logistics with care and transparency.

The funeral home is easily accessible with a wheelchair-accessible entrance, parking lot, restrooms, and seating, and is proudly LGBTQ+ friendly. Free on-site parking is available, and a prepayment plan option eases financial planning. With hours Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5 PM and a 24/7 answering service, the team is always available when families need them most. A strong online reputation—reflected in a 4.8-star rating on Google Maps from 96 reviews—underscores the trust and gratitude of the families they serve. Whether arranging a simple direct cremation starting at $1,660 or a full burial service starting at $2,500, Funeral Alternatives of Washington - Tumwater remains dedicated to creating meaningful, respectful memorials that honor each life with dignity.