Locally owned and operated by Burgman family since 1965.
Woodlawn is honored to serve you with dignity and reverence in your time of need. “Our Family Helping Your Family” is at the heart of all we do. We are a family owned, full-service funeral facility with a strong commitment to our community. Personalized customer care is our highest priority. We welcome all faiths, ethnic backgrounds and cultures.
Little bit of history of Woodlawn Funeral Home. The previous owner, Tim Burgman, along with his mother, Madge, Aunt Lucy and young family, moved to Lacey, WA in 1965, where they opened a new funeral home located on Pacific Avenue by the name of Forest Funeral Home & Cemetery.
In 1967, the Burmans purchased the historic Ruddell Pioneer Cemetery and adjacent property. Development began on the new portion in 1975, and in 1994 construction began on the current building, which was opened in the spring of 2002.
The spacious 24,000 square-foot funeral home is designed in a Northwest open-beam style. The funeral home features large and small chapels, viewing rooms and original stained glass. Two rose windows, inspired by the cathedrals of Europe, are placed prominently in each chapel.
When is the Best Time to Plan Your Funeral?
Any time is a good time to plan your funeral … except at the time of the funeral. Why? Because there are clear advantages to planning ahead. Can you imagine planning a wedding in just a few days? Or any celebration for that matter? Why leave the ultimate celebration of your life to the last minute?
At-Need vs. Preneed Funeral Planning
“At-Need” funeral arrangements are made at the time of death, usually by surviving family members or by a trusted friend on behalf of the deceased. Making funeral plans at the time of death is particularly difficult because the time frame is short, and emotions are high as survivors are dealing with their grief. Not only is there much planning to do, but there are also imminent financial concerns. Payment for funeral services is due at the time of the funeral which can be quite expensive, a considerable hardship for most families.
“Preneed” plans (also known as “Preplanning”) are the funeral plans that people make for the living. Preneed funeral plans can be made at any time and offer many advantages. Our Family Planning Advisors can help you preplan a funeral for yourself, your spouse or a parent. Also, how-to guides, planning worksheets, and interactive tools are now readily available at our website www.woodlawn-funeralhome.com to help you create a funeral plan.
Since 1960, the number of pre-planned funerals has increased by 1000%. Why such a dramatic increase in Pre-Planned Funerals?
Top 5 Reasons to Preplan Your Funeral
If any of the following statements describe you, then you are probably someone who will appreciate the benefits of preplanning your funeral.
- You want to ease the burden on your family.If your wishes are unknown when you die, they will be faced with making difficult decisions at a trying time. Will they know if you wish to be buried or cremated? Will they agree on an open or closed casket? Will they agree on how much to spend? Confusion and disagreements are common occurrences when there is no plan to follow. You can avoid this by leaving behind a plan.
- You want to assume the financial responsibility for your funeral.Planning ahead enables you to make financial arrangements to cover your funeral costs. Even if you are leaving behind enough money, will your survivors be able to access it? Funeral insurance and funeral trusts are sound financial planning options you can consider ahead of time.
- You want your family to have the benefit of a meaningful funeral.A funeral is an important event for a grieving family. Psychologically, it provides a sense of closure and enables the family to begin the healing process. Families benefit emotionally and socially by honoring the lives of their loved ones with a fitting ceremony and by giving them a proper send-off. It is difficult to make the funeral the best it can be when planning it in a short time.
- You want your final wishes to be followed.If you have specific preferences for the disposition of your remains and the nature of your funeral services, you can clearly express them in your funeral plan. You may prefer burial or cremation, the epitaph on your headstone, or the music and readings at your funeral. Or you may not want a funeral ceremony. Whatever your wishes, they need to be set forth in your funeral plan.
- You want to be self-reliant and have your affairs in order at the end of your life.Taking care of your funeral arrangements is a thoughtful and caring thing to do for your family. It is comforting to know that you have done all you can do to ease their burden. And you can be assured that they will appreciate that your caring for them continued after you are gone.
Call us at 360-491-3000 and ask to speak with one of our planning specialists
Woodlawn also offers:
- Woodlawn offers donated space for the Medical Equipment Bank.
- Woodlawn is available 24 hours a day.
- Woodlawn is a full-service facility and offers direct cremation with free scattering in Deer Creek Scattering Garden.