The Washington Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association (WCCFA) is a non-profit professional association dedicated to educating members of the death care profession in sound, compassionate and ethical service to our communities.

NEW! Pierce County Code Chapter 8.102 regarding the authorization required from the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office prior to disposition activities involving decedents who passed away within Pierce County.

Specifically, Pierce County Code 8.102.030 states: “Authorization Requirement. A person shall not embalm, bury, cremate, or otherwise dispose of human remains of a decedent who died in Pierce County without receiving authorization from the Medical Examiner.”

The Washington State Funeral Directors Association (WSFDA) was contacted by several funeral professionals expressing concerns regarding the ordinance and the operational impacts it may have on funeral service providers and the families they serve.

The WSFDA addressed these concerns with the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office (PCMEO) Monday morning. At this time, they have been informed that while a Disposition Authorization (DA) will still be required, the Medical Examiner’s Office is working with the Pierce County Council to propose a revision to the Code removing the requirement of obtaining a DA prior to embalming. This will likely delay implementation to the Disposition Authorization Program, and updates will be communicated in advance of launch. The County Council to amend the Code to make clear there is no prohibition on embalming prior to our authorization.

With this, we have decided to delay launching this program until after the amendment is signed in to Code."

The WSFDA is actively working with the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office to ensure there is clear understanding and communication regarding the new program and its implementation.

We encourage funeral professionals to attend and bring any questions regarding the new program.

Thank you for your continued service to the families and communities of Washington State.

WHALES Enrollment for Death and Fetal Death Registration Modules

For the fetal death module, midwives must contact BirthRegistration@doh.wa.gov for enrollment options.

SecureAccess Washington or SAW

You must have a SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account to access WHALES.

The account must be a personal account speciﬁc to you because WHALES conﬁrms your identity as a person, not a business.
You may not share this SAW account with others – WHALES access is granted based on your role in WHALES.

Tips to set up your SAW account

Use your full legal name as it appears on your identiﬁcation or with your banking institutions.
If you moved recently and SAW doesn’t recognize your current address, try your previous address.
Once created, check your email for an activation link. Use that link to activate your account.

Requesting Access to WHALES

Use the link to the WHALES User & Facility Management Tool or click on the “News” section of the Washington Health and Life Events System (WHALES) landing page to access the management tool.

Select Request New User Access or Update Facility Location to start the request.
Input SAW and WHALES information.
Select the facility type:
- Funeral Home
- Medical Facility
- ME/Coroner
- Healthcare Facility (this option is for Fetal Death Data Entry only)
  - Select Role: Approver (if licensed) or Data Entry (for support staff)
  - Select Facility: Lookup is by county

Please note, the review can take up to 3 business days. Once approved, the next steps will be sent to the email address you provided to complete your enrollment.

If you tried the above steps and still have problems, please email us at DeathRegistration@doh.wa.gov.

President’s Letter

March 2026

As we step into the vibrant season of spring, I am delighted to invite you to our upcoming Spring Conference on March 18th, 2026.

This year’s conference will be a dynamic and engaging event designed to expand our professional knowledge and renew our energy. We have assembled an outstanding lineup of speakers, interactive panel discussions, and a motivational speaker who will inspire and empower us all. You will also gain valuable insight into the current needs and visions of students within our industry. In addition, we are excited to announce the launch of our new small regional meetings.

Be sure to visit the Resources tab under Latest News for save-the-date information.

As President of our association, I am especially looking forward to connecting with each of you and strengthening the sense of community that makes our organization so special. Cultivating meaningful relationships and collaborating with fellow members are essential to our shared success, and this conference offers the perfect opportunity to come together and deepen those connections.

I also encourage you to share information about our association and invite colleagues who may be interested in becoming members. Together, we can continue to grow and flourish, enhancing both our professional journeys and the services we provide to our families.

In closing, I am truly excited about what lies ahead. Let’s embrace the energy of spring, move confidently through the busy season, and continue striving for excellence for our families.

Respectfully,
Crystal Percifield

Updated Bylaws

The WCCFA has recently updated its bylaws regarding natural organic reduction, including alkaline hydrolysis and termination. These updates have now been incorporated into our membership options.

We would love to know if you are still interested in becoming a member. We have an exciting lineup of topics planned for this year, and we would be delighted to collaborate with you. If it’s something you’d consider, we may also have opportunities for you to serve as a board member.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions we look forward to the possibility of working with you.

Respectfully,
Crystal Percifield
Location Manager, Funeral Director, Embalmer
9353 W. Clearwater Ave
Kennewick WA 99336
P: 509-737-9717