Funeral Alternatives of Washington - Tumwater

Funeral Alternatives of Washington - Tumwater is a funeral home in Tumwater, Washington. It is part of Funeral Alternatives of Washington, a family of funeral home locations serving the South Sound area. The location serves families throughout the South Sound region and offers burial services, cremation services, funeral and memorial services, pre-need planning, reception and catered events, veterans services including military honors, ash scattering assistance, and certified celebrant services. Memorial diamonds, human composting, and aquamation are available through partner providers.

Funeral Alternatives of Washington was founded in 2002 by Clair Ferris, a second-generation funeral director, and his wife Sharon Ferris. The Tumwater location was the original flagship location of the brand. Prior to founding Funeral Alternatives, Clair Ferris spent approximately ten years at Mills & Mills Funeral Home and Memorial Park, one of the oldest operating funeral homes in downtown Olympia.

The location is situated within the historic Masonic Memorial Park, in the South Sound Manor building — a facility specifically constructed to avoid the appearance of a traditional funeral home. Masonic Memorial Park was established in 1852 by the Olympia Masonic Lodge #1 and is among the largest and oldest cemetery properties in Thurston County. The cemetery's administrative offices operate from within the same campus complex.

The South Sound Manor building serves as the primary facility for Funeral Alternatives of Washington - Tumwater. It includes a chapel, reception and event space, and accommodates identification viewings and private viewings. The reception and event space is available for memorial receptions and catered events arranged through Funeral Alternatives.

Funeral Alternatives of Washington - Tumwater does not operate an on-site cemetery or crematory. Pet cremation, licensed grief therapy, and legal or estate planning services are not offered at this location.

Families frequently recognize individual staff members by name in reviews and consistently describe the arrangement process as clear and well-managed, including proactive communication and straightforward explanations of available options.