HB 2239 was introduced this year, as follow up to previous years. It was brought forth by the legislators in the central and easter part of the state. The gist of the bill was to allow private family cemeteries to exist without some of the heavier challenges of creating a private “Cemetery” in Washington state. The original concerns were addressed more by Department of Licensing. Industry did not weigh in on the bill.

2025 was the 2nd attempt at changing the trust amount for pre-arranged funeral and clarifying language for delivery of pre-need items. Bill has not been re-introduced for 2026.

Quick view of what is on the radar screen as of March 2026:

SB 5903 — Cemetery District Elections (Typically not something we would weigh in on)

SB 5016 — Prearrangement Funeral Services (Introduced 2025, applicable to 2025–26 biennium) As mentioned previously – died in 2025 – not re-introduced

HB 2239 — Family Burial Grounds on Private Property (2026 Session) (In the senate and appears it will go through with little to no opposition)

SB 6025 — Updating Definition of Fetal Death (not directly funeral or cemetery but death care Adjacent)

• Inslee's 8 Billion Dollar Tax Increase Update - 2016/2017

• Chapter 18.39 RCW Dispositions: Embalmers - Funeral Directors

• Chapter 68 RCW Dispositions: Human Remains 

• Washington Administrative Code 98: Cemetery Board

• Washington Administrative Code 246-500: Handling of human remains

• Washington Administrative Code 308-47: Rules of Procedure for cremation

• Washington Administrative Code 308-48: Funeral Directors and Embalmers

• Washington Administrative Code 308-49: Pre-arrangement funeral services

• Chapter 18.235 RCW Dispositions: Uniform Regulation of business and professions act.

• Bill Info: Find a Washington State Bill

• Frequently Asked Questions: Funeral and Cemeteries: Contact the Washington State Funeral and Cemetery Board, or for answers to frequently asked questions about cemeteries, funeral homes or crematories

•  Funeral and Cemetery Board: Access Washington state Funeral and Cemetery board members, meeting minutes, agendas and policies

• Washington State Office of the Attorney General: Contact the Washington State Attorney General's Office