From traditional funerals to personalized celebrations of life, the team helps families make thoughtful decisions about every detail. Whether selecting from a curated range of caskets and urns, scheduling a viewing or visitation, or choosing between a church service or an intimate gathering at the on-site chapel, families receive guidance at each step. According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), over 60% of Americans now prefer more personalized services—and we embrace this shift by offering fully customizable options.

Cremation is an increasingly popular choice, with 59.3% of Americans opting for it as of 2023, a figure expected to rise to over 64% by 2028. The funeral home provides several dignified funeral and cremation options, including simple direct cremation, cremation with a public or private viewing, or cremation followed by a memorial or full funeral service. They also offer eco-conscious families the option of scattering ashes in a meaningful location or placing them in one of the many elegant urns or keepsake jewelry options available.

Beyond the service itself, families receive compassionate support through grief resources, including referrals to counselors and access to aftercare programs. Emotional wellness is a core part of healing, and Holman Hankins Bowker & Waud ensures that no family feels alone during the process.

Whether a loved one is being laid to rest at a local cemetery or in a family-owned plot, the staff manages every logistical and ceremonial aspect. This includes liaising with cemetery staff, arranging headstones or markers, and organizing military honors for veterans when appropriate.

Dignified transport is provided for both the deceased and family members. From hearse services to limousine accommodations for immediate relatives, every journey is handled with care and respect.

From obtaining death certificates to managing permits and Social Security documentation, the funeral home alleviates administrative burdens. This ensures families can focus on remembrance, not red tape.

In Oregon City, OR families have the opportunity to take a thoughtful, proactive approach to end-of-life arrangements through comprehensive funeral pre-planning. By addressing key decisions ahead of time—such as selecting between burial or cremation, personalizing service elements, and choosing whether to pre-pay—individuals can create peace of mind for themselves and their loved ones.

Funeral pre-planning is the process of organizing your final arrangements before the need arises. This includes decisions such as:

• Choosing between traditional burial, cremation, or green burial
• Deciding on the type of service—be it a religious ceremony, celebration of life, or military honors tribute
• Selecting a venue, casket or urn, memorial products, and even transportation options
• Preparing an obituary and listing preferred music, readings, or clergy
• Arranging pre-payment options to help manage future financial obligations

According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), more than 62.5% of Americans believe it is important to communicate their funeral plans to loved ones, yet only 21.4% have actually done so. Pre-planning bridges that gap.

1. Emotional Relief for Family
Grieving families are often faced with more than 70 decisions within the first 24 to 48 hours following a death. Pre-planning removes that pressure, allowing loved ones to focus on mourning and remembrance rather than logistics.

2. Cost Protection
Funeral costs, like all services, are subject to inflation. The median cost of a funeral with viewing and burial in the U.S. was approximately $7,848 in 2021 (NFDA). Locking in today’s prices through pre-payment can shield your estate from future increases and protect your family from unexpected expenses.

3. Control and Customization
Pre-planning ensures your wishes are honored. Whether you prefer a traditional chapel service, a unique celebration at a favorite local venue, or a direct cremation followed by a private scattering, every element can be tailored to reflect your life story.

4. Legal and Estate Planning Integration

Many individuals choose to integrate funeral pre-planning into their overall estate planning strategy. This ensures consistency between wills, trusts, and end-of-life directives, while reducing potential conflicts among surviving family members.

• Traditional Funeral Services: Includes visitation, funeral ceremony, graveside service, and hearse transportation.
• Cremation Options: Direct cremation, cremation with memorial services, keepsake urns, and scattering ceremonies.
• Memorial Services: Flexible and personal, often held days or weeks after passing, and can be held in chapels, outdoor venues, or family homes.
• Cemetery Services: Coordination of burial plots, headstones, vaults, and perpetual care arrangements.

A compassionate tribute from Oregon City, OR

When families are facing the loss of a loved one, compassion and clarity matter most. For one family seeking support in Oregon City, their journey through grief led them to Holman-Hankins-Bowker & Waud—and the experience became one they wouldn’t soon forget.

“Our experience with Holman-Hankins-Bowker & Waud in Oregon City was very positive when handling my mother’s services,” they shared. From the very beginning, every detail was handled with empathy and foresight. “Needs were met before we asked and questions were answered immediately,” the family recalled. In moments when emotions run high, this level of attentiveness can bring real peace.

Ron, a dedicated member of our team, played a vital role: “Ron was very personable and knowledgeable about items pertaining to end of life needs.” His caring nature and expertise helped ease a difficult time for this family.

They also made use of our reception area for a meaningful gathering, noting that it “worked well, too.” While they suggested a small improvement, their parting words said it all: “We would definitely recommend them.”

This is just one funeral home and cremation customer testimonial from Oregon City, OR that reflects the heart of our mission—serving with grace, dignity, and care.

If you're navigating a loss or planning ahead, we’re here to walk beside you. Reach out to our team and experience the difference that heartfelt support can make.

Choosing the right funeral home is one of the most important decisions you'll make when faced with the loss of a loved one. The right partner provides not just professional services, but compassionate guidance through unfamiliar territory. Located at 715 7th St, Oregon City, OR 97045, we are honored to serve local families during their time of need and are committed to upholding the highest standards of care and compassion in everything we do. If you're seeking guidance with Oregon City, OR funeral home and cremations arrangements, we invite you to contact us at (503) 656-2661 to discuss how we can best serve your family during this difficult time.