Evergreen Washelli Columbarium — Local services in Seattle

I'm not surprised to see many negative reviews after our recent experience. Even more disappointing is seeing how far back these reviews date. Obviously Washelli is no longer focused on ground care or visual consideration for family/friends attending services. On the scheduled service date I arrived an hour in advance to find the plot area in Memory Glen totally unacceptable. Garbage floated in the pond, un-mowed grass/weeds around the grave markers, chipped paint/boards/graffiti and weeds growing thru the gazebo. With a very short window to get things somewhat cleaned up we headed to the office requesting our "outside" service contact, Kate Stone. She was unavailable and the receptionist was more concerned about our raised voices and disturbing "others" who had lost loved ones. With the clock ticking until service time and our demands for someone in authority getting louder, we were finally ushered into a room and met with Aaron, only 2 weeks on the job, who apologized, admitted Washelli had failed us and immediately had a crew on scene. Although this delayed the service, the area (except for the gazebo) was made presentable. Aaron did not offer excuses but shared that ownership had changed and like other businesses, Washelli has a problem with transients, drug users and property defacement. Although insightful, and with 4 months lead time on our service, it did not excuse or explain the poor appearance of my Mother's plot on that date. As Kate was our point of contact and the face of Washelli to us, it was our expectation that she would follow thru and confirm preparations to ensure that the area was acceptable for her customers and their guests. Obviously that was not the case and I believe had she seen it, would agree the site was far below the standard Washelli claims to showcase. What should have been a comforting, tranquil and peaceful afternoon was emotionally marred by a totally preventable situation. My Mom was the 5th family member to be interred at Washelli. Based on this experience I would not recommend...

This is the worst place to rely on for your family memorial service. My old mother paid for a full service memorial a decade ago to anticipate a burden relief for our family when time comes. She passed away more than 2 months ago and at the times it was very very difficult to arrange for the service that we paid for as they said that it was fully booked or lacked of available staff (?) as an excuse. I guessed that as the money being paid ahead there is no need for proactive customer service. It took more than 1 week to initiate such an arrangement and ..in a 2 days spread service! In addition, we paid as requested additional ($1500+) for the gravestone. A month ago, our family visited the grave location and nothing has been done. This week, we visited the place anagin and no gravestone has been done. When confronted at the office, they told us that will be soon, but when requested for an estimate date; the answer is "don't know". So the only recourse may be a lawsuit for unrendered paid service that we have to initiate if they keep postponing the delivery date. This is a reminder for prospective clients that you should consider all contingency as these people are very unreliable; when the money changes hand you will be at...

Evergreen Washelli is an SCI owned funeral home and columbarium. Most funeral homes in operation today are SCi owned and operated and if you don't know what SCI is I suggest you do a little research before you really start looking into long term burial investments. That being said, Evergreen Washelli does have it's own unique place in Seattle history. It's Columbarium is beautiful. Most of the actual cemetery itself is beautiful and well maintained. I know for a fact they are doing a complete rehaul of the water system and a re-roof of the Columbarium. Most of my family is interned at Evergreen Washelli and I have a pre-planned niche there as well. They are also unique in they have a witness crematorium. I think they might be the only funeral home in the state with one. They are not cheap though. A funeral at Evergreen Washelli, a bare bones cremation will run you at least 5,000 minimum. So you need to remember when you walk into the door that death at a funeral home is first and foremost a business. Funeral directors are not grief counselors, they are salesmen. So remember that Nana isn't going to see whatever you put her in. And I know this because I was a...