KAREN CLINE-PARHAMOVICH, DO
Chief Medical Examiner
NICOLE JOHNSON, DO, MS
Deputy Chief Medical Examiner
Dear Area Funeral Directors,
Pursuant to Pierce County Council Ordinance No. C2025-552 which created Pierce County
Code Chapter 8.102 AUTHORIZATION FOR THE DISPOSITION OF HUMAN REMAINS, the
Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office will launch our Disposition Authorization Program
(DAP) on August 3, 2026. We appreciate the feedback given by funeral homes during pre-
launch discussions and in response, on July 7, 2026, Pierce County Council approved the necessary amendment to the section of the County Code, removing the word “embalm” as
discussed (O2026-533 Signed Final Ordinance).
The following information will be added to our website under the Information for Funeral
Directors:
Disposition Authorization Program
The Pierce County Medical Examiner (PCME) must provide authorization for final disposition
for all deaths (excluding fetal deaths) in Pierce County.
This authorization process becomes effective on August 3, 2026, and the authorization is
provided via the Washington Health and Life Events System (WHALES).
For all deaths certified by a provider other than a Pierce County Medical Examiner,
funeral homes must submit a proof/work copy of the death certificate from WHALES
(after medical certification) and a completed copy of the Disposition Authorization
Request Form to PCMDXDA@piercecountywa.gov. This email inbox is monitored 24/7/365
by our Investigations and Administration teams. If you do not see the authorization in
WHALES within 24 hours of submitting your request, this means there is an issue with the
cause or manner of death that requires further investigation before disposition can be
authorized. Please contact our office at 253-798-6494 for an update if it has been more than
24 hours – you may also be able to help our Investigations team get in contact with the
certifier to resolve the concern(s) preventing authorization. If there is a sincere religious or
cultural need to expedite a specific request, please indicate this on the request form. We will
work to accommodate these needs to the extent possible.
For deaths certified by PCME, disposition will be authorized when we certify the death,
and a request form is not required.
Pierce County Code Chapter 4.58.070 authorizes a fee of $100 per authorization. This
includes deaths certified by PCME. Generally, PCME will provide monthly invoices to funeral
homes at the beginning of each month, for the previous month, though PCME reserves the
right to alter the billing schedule (including to make payment due upon submission of authorization request) at its discretion. Decedents whose disposition costs are borne by the
County (i.e., unclaimed decedents), and decedents who prepaid in full for their funeral costs
before 01/01/2026 are exempt from this fee.
Please contact our office if you have any questions.
On Friday June 26, 2026 several funeral professionals met with PCME to go over the new DA Program. If you missed it, click "PCME_DA" to review. PCME DA. If you have questions please feel free to send them to director@wsfda.org, we will be compiling questions and concerns as we stay in communication with the PCME and PC Council.
As many of you know, the WSFDA has been working closely with Pierce County as they finalize and implement their new DA Program. To help ensure everyone has a clear understanding of the upcoming changes, we will be hosting a Zoom meeting on Friday, June 26, 2026, at 2:00 PM.
We encourage all funeral professionals who work with Pierce County cases to attend. This meeting will provide an opportunity to review the new program, ask questions, share feedback, and gain clarity on procedures that will be taking effect soon.
The WSFDA appreciates the opportunity to collaborate with Pierce County as they build and refine this program. We look forward to seeing you on Friday, hearing your thoughts, and helping answer any questions you may have.
Topic: Pierce County DA Review Meeting
Time: Jun 26, 2026 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82284832759?pwd=UaVplCBEKfvNVx9FDk9yJdsSzhhp8b.1
Meeting ID: 822 8483 2759
Passcode: 125209
As you are aware, we are working with 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 following email was sent out:
Dear Funeral Directors,
I hope this message finds you well.
We are reaching out to bring attention to 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, we 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.
Please visit the WSFDA website for updated information. We will continue to post updates as information becomes available. 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.
Thank you for your patience as we continue working collaboratively with the PCMEO to make the appropriate corrections and clarifications to the ordinance.
There will be a Zoom/Teams meeting scheduled to for all funeral professionals to address and questions or concerns. 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.
Cc: Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office
We spoke with the PCMEO- EMBALMING will be removed from this ordinance. It is likely that this program will be pushed back. In order to make this change, the PCMEO needs have approval from Piece County Board Members.
Pursuant to Pierce County Council Ordinance No. O2025-552 which created Pierce County Code Chapter 8.102 AUTHORIZATION FOR THE DISPOSITION OF HUMAN REMAINS, the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office anticipates launching our Disposition Authorization Program (DAP) on June 1, 2026.
Sections:
The purpose of this Chapter is to establish a process for the Medical Examiner to authorize the disposition of human remains in accordance with RCW 68.50.108. This Chapter is intended to ensure compliance with state law, protect public health, and support timely, transparent procedures, while authorizing a reasonable fee to support administrative functions.
The definitions in this Section apply throughout this Chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
"Authorization" means the written consent of the Medical Examiner for the disposition of the human remains.
"Disposition" means the final disposition of human remains as defined in RCW 68.50.110 which includes, but is not limited to, burial, cremation, natural organic reduction, and alkaline hydrolysis.
"Medical Examiner" means the Pierce County Medical Examiner in PCC 2.06.010.J, or their designee.
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. EMBALMING WILL BE REMOVED
A. A person must apply to the Medical Examiner to receive authorization for the disposition of human remains.
B. The Medical Examiner shall make the application for authorization readily available to the public, both online and in person.
C. The application shall include the following information:
1. Full name of the deceased;
2. Date and place of death;
3. Proposed method of disposition; and
4. A proof copy of the death certificate.
D. The Medical Examiner may require additional information necessary to review and process the application.
A. The person submitting the application shall pay the fee established in PCC 4.58.070 at the time the application is submitted.
B. The Medical Examiner may approve an alternate billing arrangement if requested.
C. The fee is nonrefundable.
A. Upon receipt of a complete application and the required fee, the Medical Examiner shall review the application to determine whether immediate issuance of the authorization is appropriate.
B. In cases where the Medical Examiner determines death is natural and no further investigation is necessary, the Medical Examiner shall promptly approve the application and issue the authorization.
C. If the circumstances of the death require further investigation or if the Medical Examiner determines additional investigation is warranted, the Medical Examiner will withhold authorization pending completion of necessary investigative steps, such as a forensic postmortem examination, the issuance of a new death certificate, or other actions by the Medical Examiner.
D. Upon completion of the investigation, the Medical Examiner shall issue the authorization.
E. If the application is ultimately denied, the Medical Examiner shall provide the applicant with a written notice stating the reasons for the denial.
Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office
3619 Pacific Ave | Tacoma, WA 98418
o 253-798-6494| f 253-798-2893
Mon - Fri: 9 am - 2 pm PST
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Contact: (509) 608- 0710
PO Box 13273 Des Moines, WA 98198
