People's Memorial Association

Established in Seattle in 1939, People’s Memorial Association is dedicated to broadening the choices for funeral care both in Washington State and across the country. Our focus is on making the process of handling after-death arrangements transparent and easy to understand. Our founders believed that dignified, meaningful memorials are possible even with a limited budget and simplified services. Since the beginning, PMA has strived to provide advocacy and education to all funeral consumers.

"For me, PMA matters because it stands at the intersection of information, equity, and compassion when it matters most." –Janice Jackson-Haley, PMA Board Member

Your GiveBIG donation supports People's Memorial Association's:

• “No Questions Unanswered” phone and email staffing, providing trusted information about funerals and deathcare
• Printing of legal planning forms shared online and in person, providing peace of mind to all through clear documentation
• 2026 Price Survey, an invaluable consumer report providing an overview of the pricing of all 200+ Washington State funeral homes
• 30+ educational workshops and events held across WA about end-of-life topics in 2026
  
  

As a highly-respected resource, data and research about the funeral industry conducted by PMA was heavily cited by The Seattle Times in their May 2025 article about the capacity of crematories in Washington State. We were on the frontlines with the legalization of natural organic reduction in 2019, the latest deathcare option sweeping the nation. Our current advocacy focus is on ensuring everyone has access to deathcare that aligns with their values regardless of their financial situation. 

"PMA matters to me because it’s fulfilling. When I left the corporate world and was looking for an organization that allowed me to help a worthy cause, PMA fit that bill exactly. That’s why I’m still around and an ongoing financial supporter." – Rod Stout, former PMA Board member & longtime advocate

Our website is an accessible resource for information about end-of-life and funeral planning.

Find out more at https://peoplesmemorial.org/ and view our 2025 Annual Report here.