Funeral Services

We always say that we are here to facilitate, never to dictate and that is the way we have always done business.  We are able to plan with you in arranging for a traditional burial cememony, meaningful memorial or celebration of life, out of town arrangements or a simple cremation:  the choice is yours.  We will assist you in holding meaningful ceremonies and services in a wide variety of locations...from our chapel, your church, at the cemetery of your choice or even some other location such as a lodge or meeting hall.  Our years of expertise assures you of a service done right.  It's the small town way of doing business, and rest assured, there's never any hustle or hassle.

Penttila's Chapel offers...

--On-site crematory.  Pacific Crematory, a modern, state-of-the art facility and the only crematory in Pacific county.

--Modern chapel facility equpped with modern sound system, video screen, adjustable seating (no pews!), handicapped restroom facility and ample off-street parking.  The facility has recently been remodeled with new furniture and chairs, is "user" friendly and frankly not what many expect at a mortuary.

--Celebrant services.  For those families wishing a service that truly celebrates a life, Penttila's has available a Certified Celebrant on staff.  This experienced speaker spends time with the family ascertaining a complete personal history and then with the addition of a poem or two, a prayer or two (optional), and the participation of those attending the service, relates a truly unique portrait of a life uniquely lived.  We encourage family participation including photos and other memorbilia reflecting the life remembered.  Our Celebrant has conducted hundreds of these "celebration of life" services.

--All chapel services include a complimentary reception of coffee, punch and cookies for 75 guests.  This is served in our reception area adjacent to the chapel.  Additional catering services are available as is table set-up.

--When families have a church home or specific religious affiliation we encourage them to use their minister for services.  Services may be conducted at your church or our chapel and we will assist clergy in any manner, honoring religious traditions.  Ministers are avilable to conduct services at our chapel if requested.

--Veterans of military service to our nation have benefits rightly due them.  Burial in a national cemetery, often with military honors, it but one such benefit.  We can plan such services and explain all benefits due--all it takes is a copy of the "DD-214" to get things rolling.

Pre Planning

There are many advantages to planning "death care", cremation or burial decisions ahead of time.  Pre-planning  your choices often minimizes decisions by surviving family during a time of grieving and stress.  You will be able to make an informed choice, and compare options. Your wishes can be put into writing to give your family direction when the time for essential services arises. Our staff will help you plan so that your family can carry out your wishes.  And, yes, services may be pre-paid in advance, with several important estate planning features. An informed consumer makes the wisest choices.

Online Memorials

We can set up an online memorial for your loved one as part of our complete service. Our online memorials provide information about the funeral/memorial services and also provide a tribute to your family member. Guests will be able to gain information about dates, times and locations of services and will also be able to order flowers, make donations and sign a guest book through the memorial. The family will have access to the memorial to add photos to create a photo gallery for their family member. By providing information to guests about services our online memorials help lessen the load on a family during a difficult time. We have received many positive comments about this service and know that many visit our site regularly.

Obituaries

We will prepare an obituary from information you provide us to be published about your family member.  Many newspapers now charge, in some cases substantially, for publishing an obituary.  We have access to this information and will advise you regarding the costs as they pertain to individual newspapers.  A photograph is also an option to be considered.  (An obituary is optional and not a legal requirement.)

Veteran's Benefits

We will help you secure your potential veterans benefits, such as a burial flag, government markers, memorial certificate and a burial plot.   A DD214 forms is necessary for this service, a form that each honorably discharged veteran has.  Additional benefits may be available if the veteran dies in a VA medical facility or has a service-related disability. 

Social Security

We  notify the Social Security Administration of the death and will explain and help you apply for any benefits you may be entitled to through Social Security.  These benefits vary with each individual.

Death Certificates

We will obtain for you death certificate(s) which can be important for insurance purposes, property transfers, financial matters as well a host of other issues.   Obtaining a death certificate varies by state as does the cost of these certificates.  Penttila's Chapel is licensed in both Washington and Oregon and we can provide information on other states as well.

About us

PENTTILA'S CHAPEL BY THE SEA has served area families since 1955 when Eldred and Dorthy Penttila began operation in Long Beach, Washington. Eldred served this community for a number of years as county commissioner, deputy coroner and in other public service capacities until his death.

Our facility has always been where it is now, though the neighborhood has changed a bit.  The initial building consisted of an Army barracks from Fort Canby.  Later a chapel was added and then offices and an arrangement area.  In 1989 Ron and Liz Hylton purchased the facility from Mike and Gail Sonnenberg and over the years have made many changes.  Out went the Hammond organ, replaced by a modern sound system, piano, computers and a reception area was added.  In 2006 a state-of -the art crematory was installed, the newest facility of it's kind in the lower Columbia region and the only crematory in Pacific county.  And then there was this:  our website; user friendly and complete.  

For those wishing burial services, a little background:  there are 4 cemeteries located on the Long Beach Peninsula at Oysterville, Ocean Park, Lone Fir (Long Beach) and Ilwaco.  All are operated by community backed volunteer associations without public funds.  Oysterville has limited space but the other three have ample room for current or future need.  We can assist those wishing to purchase graves and explain options regarding burial of cremated remains and purchase of headstones or other memorialization choices, and have cemetery records for genealogy research.  By the fall of 2009 Ilwaco Cemetery will have in place three granite columbariums for placement of cremated remains. 

Historically we have been priviledged to serve the Naselle-Rosburg area.  Cemeteries in this area include Peaceful Hill and Salmon Creek in Naselle; Deep River, Seal River and Rosburg cemeteries in western Wahkiakum county; and Grays River and Eden Valley a little further east.  Here again, these pioneer cemeteries are locally operated and maintained by dedicated individuals and we can assist with those wishing to use these historic grounds. 

We arrange for all cemetery "opening and closing" services which include tent and chairs. 

For families wishing a burial service outside the local area, Penttila's Chapel can arrange services, burial  and personal transport throughout Oregon and Washington or anywhere in the US.  We have arranged international shipments to countries such as Canada, Finland, The Netherlands and The Philippines. For those families who have served our country burial at Willamette National in Portland, Oregon or Tahoma National in Kent, Washington are regularly arranged. Penttila's Chapel handles all the details and we are licensed in both Oregon and Washington.  

For families selecting cremation, we offer many options and at prices that are very reasonable, even lower than many of the so-called cremation societies or such services.  Fact:  (as of August 31, 2009) according to a recently released price survey of charges for cremation Penttila's Chapel is $350.00 less that the average statewide charge!  Remember, too:  we operate our own crematory so you can be assured of dignity at all times and attention to all details.  From a simple cremation without any services, memorial service at our chapel or other facility, rental casket for those selecting viewing--our experienced staff has arranged and conducted hundreds of celebrations that honor one's life in a personal manner. Our chapel is "user friendly" with flexible seating arrangments to accommodate attendance up to 125.  It is handicapped accessible, with ample parking, sound system, piano and equipped with a screen suitable for DVD presentations.  In addition, a complimentary reception is provided for family and guests featuring coffee, Ocean Spray cranberry juice punch (of course!) and freshly baked cookies from Long Beach's Cottage Bakery. Catering services are available for those wishing additional food service.  We respect your in put  in persoanlzing the facility to meet your needs...and frankly, receive many compliments from families who have used our facility: "it's not what we expected"..."it's not funerally"..."the colors, decore and carpeting are very nice and comforting".

Families with a church home or fraternal affiliation are encouraged to utilize these sources of support at a time of loss.  Our years of experience and expertise in assisting with the arrangements for services at churches, lodges or other locations eases the burden on families and assures that these ceremonies are conducted professionally.  The value received from having us "at the service" is appreciated not only by the family but also by those attending the service as we take care of details which might otherwise go by the wayside.  An old funeral associate once said that a funeral is a one act play: you've only got one chance to do it right.  We never forget this!

Thank you for visiting our web site! We invite you to contact us by phone, e-mail or in person for additional information whether it be a inquiry or just to say hello.