Puyallup Tribe renovates this Tacoma church into community funeral home
The Puyallup Tribe is renovating its newly acquired Tacoma property to serve its membership and community as a full-service funeral home.
The space was “deeply needed” as funeral services had previously been held at the Tribe’s school, youth center or buildings the Tribe had outgrown, Vice Chair Sylvia Miller said.
“This building was a blessing. It came at just the right time. It was sent to us from the Creator,” Miller said.
The new funeral home, which has yet to be named, can accommodate 800 guests with ample parking.
“I’ve been on council for 22 years. Our Tribe’s grown and with that growth comes death as well,” Miller said. “We’re so lucky to be able to provide these services.”
The Tribe acquired the building and accompanying gymnasium, previously the Tacoma Christian Center, for $5.7 million in February. Items left behind by the previous tenant, such as a sound system and projectors, have been put to use for memorials.
The center is already providing services with its own hearse, private rooms and staff: Director Elsie Thomas, Coordinator Daniel McCloud, Merrilee Satiacum and Marsha Pluff.
Some of the staff are already taking classes to provide embalming services and they are working to have an inventory of caskets and urns available. Embalming is currently done elsewhere.
“We try to make it as easy as possible on them,” McCloud said.
Tribal members and the Tribe’s community — employees, school staff, etc. — can utilize the funeral home for free as well as some services.
“When you’re a community like this, it’s a big family. We help in any way we can,” Miller said.
In Puyallup tradition, the deceased must be buried within four days of death with the body facing east. A wake is held the night before the burial as the family gathers, tells stories, shares songs, prayers and a meal. Someone stays with the body all night before the final goodbye.
The COVID-19 pandemic put a pause on many of these traditions and the ability to grieve as a community — in person.
“It’s not just for the last two years. For centuries we haven’t been able to do this. I can remember we had a little trailer with water coming through the light sockets. I remember not having anywhere for my mother’s funeral. So many different traditions have been handed down. It’s important to have a place to put our people on their way to their journey,” she said.
Additionally, if the deceased is not taken care of properly, some, like Miller, believe their spirits may linger.
“A school or youth center isn’t the proper place for these services,” Miller said.
The funeral home team is now equipped to console families, collect their loved ones, transport them and take care of them to fulfill the families’ wishes.
Miller, who has helped with Tribal member funeral services as a cook for decades, is excited the space will be renovated to include a full kitchen to accommodate six to 10 cooks.
“As a young kid I was taught from the elders to come in and give your services. It’s healing to your soul to be able to get in that kitchen with good thoughts and mind to nourish others,” Miller said.
A dining area, outdoor fire pit and a mural of ancestors are also planned for the renovation.
“Before, all we could do was pass out donuts and coffee because there was no way we could cook or eat or anything. The space was so small,” Miller said. “Just to show the importance of the size of this building, Herman Dillon, an elder of ours, passed while still on council. We had to rent the Tacoma Dome.”
Trees in the parking lot will be replanted to make room for more parking, which can continue to be used by local businesses when funeral services are not in session.
The Tribe is also providing space on 72nd street at its new fireworks location for the community market, which utilized the parking lot, to relocate.
“We considered fencing off the parking lot, but local businesses use it. It’s important for us to work with the community. We’re part of this community. These are our lands and we’ve always been welcoming people,” Miller said.
Miller believes the funeral home is the first of its kind for Washington Tribes.
Other Tribes in the area have reached out about using the space or learning how to start their own. Tribes from Oregon and South Dakota have contacted the funeral home, McCloud said.
The Tribe previously considered building its own space, which would cost an estimated $10 million, before the property became available.
“It’s amazing that we’re right back to where we started. It’s really important for us to obtain the properties back that really do belong to us, that were taken from us. Our economic development — casinos, stores, gas stations — have given us this opportunity. Our ancestors fought and fought and fought and we’ve fulfilled their wishes,” Miller said.
The renovations are already underway and services will continue to be provided as the space is completed.
The Tribe is also looking to purchase more land for a cemetery for its members.
This story was originally published May 29, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
