How to get your license: Cemeteries
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We expect a processing delay for mailed applications and renewals. Renew or apply online for faster processing of your license. Thank you for your patience and we apologize for any inconvenience.
We expect a processing delay for mailed applications and renewals. Renew or apply online for faster processing of your license. Thank you for your patience and we apologize for any inconvenience.
Who needs a license?
Any corporation established to operate a cemetery in Washington must have a cemetery license.
Requirements
Before applying for a license, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- The cemetery must be operated by a corporation established for that purpose. This corporation must be established and adopt the appropriate bylaws before operating the cemetery. (RCW 68.20.010)
- You must deposit $25,000 in an endowment care fund before selling or disposing of any plot. (RCW 68.40.010)
How to get your license
- Contact the city or county where the property is located to see if it can be used as a cemetery.
- Dedicate the cemetery property.
- Be sure you've met all the requirements for the operating corporation and endowment care fund listed above.
- File a business license application to get a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number from the Department of Revenue. Once you receive your UBI you can apply for your Cemetery Certificate of Authority.
- Submit your license application:
Online
- Prepare your documents for upload
- Endowment Care Trust Fund Agreement
- Signed Endowment Care Fund Trustee Statement of Fiduciary Responsibility for each trustee
- Copy of sales agreement for the purchase of the cemetery (if applicable)
- Financial statement for cemetery
- Copy of corporation by-laws
- If also applying for Prearrangement Sales, completed and signed Cemetery Prearrangement Sales Annual Report
- Log in or sign up to apply and pay your application fee.
- Prepare your documents for upload
By mail
Please allow 7–10 business days, not including mailing time, to process your application- Complete an Cemetery Certificate of Authority Application.
- You must include your UBI number on the application.
- The application must be completed by the corporation.
- Be sure to provide all the required supporting documents.
- Mail documents with a check or money order for the application fee (payable to the Department of Licensing) to:
Funeral and Cemetery Board
PO Box 3777
Seattle, WA 98124-3777
- Complete an Cemetery Certificate of Authority Application.
Questions? Need help?
- Email us: funerals@dol.wa.gov
- Call us: 360.664.1555
