Frequently Asked Questions
What is an alternative container?
An alternative container is an enclosed cardboard receptacle that your loved one is placed in for the cremation process. The cost for this is included.
What about social security? Do you contact them?
We contact Social security and notify them of the death. For the best information on survivor benefits we recommend you go to their website
https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ or call your local office.
Does Discount Cremation of Portland order Death Certificates for me?
In order to keep our costs as low as possible, the fastest and most efficient way is for the family to order the Death Certificates.
How do I get Death Certificates?
We know how important it is for many families to get Death Certificates so we want to take a moment and explain how the process works
before they can be ordered. This information is subject to change without notice, we recommend you call the county before placing the order to verify all ordering instructions.
Before Death Certificates can be ordered, Discount Cremation of Portland will:
- You will need to complete the vital statistics information form that will be emailed to you.
- You will then receive another email with a working copy of the death certificate for you to verify and approve.
- We will then coordinate with a Doctor to sign the death certificate, either electronically or through USPS mail.
- When we receive the signed death certificate back, a licensed funeral director from Discount Cremation of Portland will then sign the death certificate.
- We will then send it to the health department to be certified.
This process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks and on rare occasions even longer. Yes, it can be frustrating. The time
frame depends on how fast the Doctor signs and returns the death certificate and how fast the county takes to register the death certificate. When this process has been completed you will receive an email from Discount Cremation of Portland notifying you the Death Certificate has been signed and certified and you can order certified copies if you should you need them. Below is the contact information for local counties.
Multnomah County Vital Records
Download:
Multnomah County Death Certificate Order Form
847 NE 19th Avenue, Suite 350
Portland, OR 97232
Phone: 503-988-3745
Email:
vitals@multco.us
Website: https://multco.us/vitals
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8 am- 5 pm
Washington County Vital Records
Download:
Washington County Death Certificate Order Form
155 North First Avenue, MS 5, Suite 160
Hillsboro, OR 97124
Phone: 503-846-3538
Website: www.co.washington.or.us/HHS/birthdeathcertificates
ORDER BY MAIL
ADDRESS: Washington County HHS-Vital Records
155 N First, Ave., MS 5, Hillsboro, OR 97124
INCLUDE: Completed order form, payment & photo copy of valid ID/documents
PAYMENT: Check or money order payable to: Vital Records (do not send cash)
Clackamas County Vital Records
Download: Clackamas County Death Certificate Order Form
2051 Kaen Rd #367
Oregon City, OR 97045
Phone: 503-655-8406
Website: https://www.clackamas.us/how-to-get-a-death-certificate
Email: vitalrecords@clackamas.us
Hours: Monday – Thursday 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
Clark County Vital Records
1601 E Fourth Plain Blvd.
Building #17, 4th floor Suite 419
Vancouver, WA 98661
https://clark.wa.gov/public-health/birth-and-death-certificates
You can order online: www.vitalchek.com
Is Discount Cremation of Portland affiliated with another Funeral Home or
Corporation?
Discount Cremation of Portland is locally owned and operated and not affiliated with another funeral home or corporation. In order to keep our costs as low as possible we work remotely. We do rent a small office space from a reputable. Funeral Home in Portland.
Can I place an obituary?
Absolutely, obituaries are usually placed online, below are links to some of the newspapers in the Portland Metro Area.
The Oregonian
https://obits.oregonlive.com/obituaries/oregon/
Portland Tribune
https://pamplinmedia.com/obits-papers/pt-obituaries
Can I pre arrange and pre pay with Discount Cremation of Portland?
At this time, you can pre arrange online with Discount Cremation of Portland but we cannot accept payment until the death has occurred.