Q: According to Oregon law, when does a body have to be embalmed?

A: When the person died of a contagious or communicable disease.

Q: Are Home Funerals legal?

A: Families in Oregon can legally care for their own dead.

Q: What is the fee, if any, for a member of the clergy to conducting services.

A: Generally, the standard honorarium is $200.

Q: Do I have to buy a casket from the funeral home?

A: The funeral home has to accept the casket you want to use, and cannot charge you a handling fee or service charge if you provide your own.

News & Events

Honoring Life's Final Passage – A seminar presented by Jerrigrace Lyons, founding Directot of Final Pasages. Jerrigrace is a minister, death midwife and reiki master who has revived the sacred and traditional ritual of family-directed funeral services. With the average cost of a funeral running $7,323 (which does not include the price of burial or cremation), many families, congregations and groups are rediscovering the loving and compassionate tradition of families caring for their loved ones. Jerigrace has assisted hundreds of families, and has been featured in the acclaimed PBS documentary "A Family Undertaking", as well as the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, L.A. Times, and Mother Earth News.

Death Midwifery Training is ongoing, for level one ($365) and for level two ($365). Both levels are $700. CEU's are available for anyone in nursing. For more information, contact Final Passages: 707-824-0268 or www.finalpassages.org or admin@farewellassistance.com

Facts:

Franklin D. Roosevelt left a detailed 4 page document with explicit instructions for his funeral should he die in office as President. Nobody in the Roosevelt family or staff knew of the existence of this document, and it was found in his private safe after his burial. Only one of his wishes was carried out: that of not lying in state. But he was embalmed, his casket was not simple, and his grave was lined with a cement vault, all against his wishes.

In many states property is reassessed and taxes increased when there is a change in ownership.

The Federal Trade Commission requires Funeral Homes to quote prices over the phone when asked.

Pallbearers are usually six members of the family or close friends. Both males and females can serve in this honored position.