Funeral

Contact Information

Address
3507 E. McKinley Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98404

Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday
8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Phone
P: (253) 573-7884
F: (253) 573-7851

Email
 Funeraldept@PuyallupTribe-nsn.gov

Staff
Elsie Thomas, Director

Funeral Travel Assistance

Mission Statement

The intent of the Funeral Travel Assistance Program is to assist Puyallup Tribal members with traveling expenses associated with attending a relative’s funeral.

Maximum Assistance Guidelines

When the funeral is:
• Located within the county that the applicant is residing, the maximum travel assistance is $75;
• Located outside the county in which the applicant is residing and in the state in which the applicant is living, the maximum is $125;
• Located outside the state in which the applicant is living, the maximum amount is $500;
• The applicant may have the option to request the cost of round-trip airline ticket, if living outside the state;
• When a family has to fly into Washington State, they can be offered five rooms at the Emerald Queen Fife Casino at no charge based on the availability of rooms. The family spokesperson will determine who receives the rooms. Any other family members wishing to stay at the hotel will be offered a discounted rate when rooms are available. Rooms will be available for a maximum of 3 days for people who reside out of country or state.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant must be:
• Enrolled member of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians;
• An immediate relative of the individual deceased: Spouse, Mother, Father, Child, Sister, Brother,
Grandmother, Grandfather, Great-Grandmother, Great Grandfather, Grandchild, Stepparent, Stepchild, Aunt, Uncle, Niece, Nephew or Foster Child (must provide notarized statement that indicates individual was foster parent); and
• 18 years or older.

Applications, Policies and Procedures

Applications and completed Puyallup Tribe of Indians Funeral Travel Assistance Policies and Procedures Manual can be obtained at the above address. Please Note: Policies are subject to change during the course of the year.

Funeral Expense Assistance

Mission Statement

The intent of the Funeral Expense Assistance Program is to assist Puyallup Tribal members with expenses associated with funeral arrangements.

Maximum Assistance Guidelines – Tribal Member

When deceased is a Puyallup Tribal member:
• Maximum amount of funeral assistance is $6,000;
• Maximum assistance for miscarriage or stillbirth (unborn child) $750;
• Funding can only be used for funeral, which includes; casket, urn, travel, funeral dinner and miscellaneous, i.e. clothing, blankets, flowers, or other items relating to funeral (receipts must be provided); and
• (1) Pendleton blanket – donated by Tribal Council.

Eligibility Requirements – Tribal Member

Deceased is:
• Member of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians;
• Spouse (Native or non-Native) of a Puyallup Tribal member;
• Stepchild or adopted child of a Puyallup Tribal member; or
• Stillbirth of a Puyallup Tribal Member.

Maximum Assistance Guidelines – Relative of Tribal Member

When deceased is a relative of a Puyallup Tribal member:
• The maximum amount of funeral assistance to aid a Tribal member when the deceased relative is not a Puyallup Tribal member is $750 (one-time payment to head of household).

Eligibility Requirements – Relative of a Tribal Member

When deceased relative is a:
• Spouse, Mother, Father, Child, Sister, Brother, Niece or Nephew, Aunt, Uncle, Grandmother, Grandfather, Grandchild or Great-grandchild.

Applications, Policies and Procedures

Puyallup Tribe of Indians Funeral Expense Assistance Program Application and Policies and Procedures Manual can be obtained at the above address. Please Note: Policies are subject to change during the course of the year.

Funeral Hardship Assistance

Mission Statement

The intent of the Financial Hardship Assistance Program is to provide monetary assistance to individuals (18 and older) who are the spouse or head of household of deceased Puyallup Tribal member to help alleviate the financial burden.

Maximum Assistance-Spouse of Head of Household

• The maximum amount of financial assistance is $2,000;
• Applicant can submit for more than one financial hardship at a time (up to $2,000). Payments will be made directly to the vendor. Bill statements cannot be more than 60 days past due (before or after death of the deceased Tribal member).

Eligibility Requirements

• Designated spouse or head of household (18 and older) of deceased Puyallup Tribal member; and
• Deceased Puyallup Tribal member must have been 18 years of age at the time of death.

Hardship Categories

• Mortgage payments: Must contain the name of the deceased and be the primary residence of the deceased;
• Rental payments: Rental or lease agreement must contain the name of the deceased;
• Utility bills: Must contain the name of the deceased on the utility bill; and
• Miscellaneous (credit cards, car payments, etc.): Must have the name of deceased on bill statement.

Applications, Policies and Procedures

Applications and completed Puyallup Tribe of Indians Financial Hardship Assistance Program Policies and Procedures Manual can be obtained at the above address. Please Note: Policies are subject to change during the course of the year.