PRINEVILLE.ORG
Whispering Pines Funeral Home
Whispering Pines Funeral Home is locally owned and was established in 1998. Wayne Hanson, Owner, has raised his family in Crook County and has a heart for the local community. Also ready to assist your family are Steve Hammond and Kathy O'Neal.
From the first time you visit Whispering Pines Funeral Home, you will notice a difference in our surroundings. They are brighter and more comfortable than the prevailing notions of a funeral business. It is an environment that is respectful and considerate, yet professional. One in which you will feel much more at ease with the issue at hand.
Still, we realize that any funeral home-even ours might be where you want to spend as little time as possible. We understand. For this reason, we can easily hold any of our discussions in your own home or office. Just another way we can help make the process easier. At Whispering Pines we provide you with the support and service you need to make reasonable, informed choices; to provide you with the kind of care that will allow you to trust us, and your own decisions.
We offer complete prearranged funeral planning.
Planning your own funeral helps relieve your loved ones of the financial responsibility and makes your wishes known.
Make an appointment today to answer any questions you may have on funeral preplanning.
WELCOME
Our understanding of family care comes from growing up in our community, working together and responding to each others needs as if they were our own. We are committed to total care, from our family to yours.
Whatever your wishes, they can be fulfilled in a way which creates a truly memorable service and offers real comfort for family and friends. Our pledge is personalized service, fairness and quality beyond doubt, and compassion with nobility. This is our promise to you and to your loved ones.
We pledge to serve all families, regardless of financial ability to pay. The loss of a loved one can be unexpected and paying for the funeral can be an added pressure. We want you to feel comfortable when choosing Whispering Pines for funeral service. Be assured that we will never turn anyone away due to financial reasons. We take the time to work with our families and have several payment options available.
We offer comprehensive prepaid funeral planning, cremation, traditional or personalized services as well as monuments and headstones. You can reach a member of the Whispering Pines staff at any time, day or night, just by giving us a call. Let us help you, call Whispering Pines Funeral Home today; where caring counts.
ABOUT US
The caring and experienced professionals at Whispering Pines Funeral Home are here to support you through this difficult time. We offer a range of personalized services to suit your family’s wishes and requirements. You can count on us to help you plan a personal, lasting tribute to your loved one. And we’ll carefully guide you through the many decisions that must be made during this challenging time.
You are welcome to call us at any time of the day, any day of the week, for immediate assistance. Or, visit our funeral home in person at your convenience. We also provide a wealth of information here on our web site so you can learn more from the privacy of your own home.
Whispering Pines Funeral Home was founded in 1998 by Prineville local Wayne Hanson. In 2014, Whispering Pines gained new owners Dennis and Darlene Teskey. They placed Troy Hanson in charge as general manager, with Wayne continuing as Funeral Director. Whispering Pines also welcomes a new Funeral Director, Steve Hammond, and Office Manager Kathy O'Neal.
Pre-Arrangements
The Advantages of Planning Ahead
All of us make plans in advance every day of our lives. We purchase concert tickets weeks ahead of time. We schedule dentist and doctor appointments regularly. We plan vacations long before we take them
And for the last several years more and more people of all ages are planning something else-their own funerals. Why? The reason is simple. These people recognize that there are many advantages to planning one's funeral.
They realize that one day a great deal of information about them will be needed by their families to settle their estates. So they've made sure their records are complete, organized and up to date.
They are also more comfortable knowing that their personal wishes will be fulfilled once they're gone. And they want to avoid any unnecessary legal or family problems. So they had wills drawn up.
But perhaps most important, they care deeply about their families. And because so, they have arranged their own funerals ahead of time with pre-need funeral planning-sparing those they love this emotional and financial burden in the future. Keeping good records. Few of us bother to keep good records of our personal and financial affairs. Unfortunately, disorganized or incomplete records can lead to costly complications, if something unexpected happens to you.
For your family's sake, write down everything you think the executor of your estate will need to know to carry out your wishes. This information should match the information in your will.
You should list all your biographical and financial information, including:
- A will
- Any children's names, addresses and telephone numbers
- Insurance polices
- Bank accounts and securities
- Safe deposit boxes
- Benefit entitlements
- Any other important documents
Then take a few minutes regularly to review this information and update it if necessary.
The Importance of Making a Will
Every adult should have a will, regardless of age or financial situation. A will is a legal document that can prevent many serious problems for those you leave behind. It ensures that your personal property will be distributed according to your wishes.
Without a will, your possessions will be distributed by a court appointed administrator. And it is unlikely that your possessions would be distributed the way you want.
So if you don't already have a will, plan to have one drawn up as soon as possible. It's in your and your family's best interests to do so.
When you have your will drawn up, you will also want to name an executor of your estate. The executor should be someone in whom you have complete confidence. That's because this person will be responsible for carrying out the provisions in your will.
In addition, since wills may be contested due to legal technicalities, we recommend you use the services of a competent attorney to draw up your will, as well as to help settle your estate.
Making Arrangements When the Need Arises
Contact your insurance agents to update all insurance policies and annuities for beneficiary and ownership corrections. Make sure that the deceased is not listed as beneficiary on any policies in force.
Notify all former pension fund accounts of the deceased to receive benefits and change accounts to show proper ownership.
Arrangements can be made in the comfort of your own home by clicking the button below. Fill in as much as you are comfortable with and we'd be pleased to meet with you to discuss further. See the form below for details.
Veterans Overview
The basic Military Funeral Honors (MFH) ceremony consists of the folding and presentation of the United States flag to the veterans' family and the playing of Taps. The ceremony is performed by a funeral honors detail consisting of at least two members of the Armed Forces.
The Funeral Honors rendered to you or your veteran will be determined by the status of the veteran. The type of Funeral Honors may be Full Military Honors, 7 Person Detail or a Standard Honors Team Detail.
At least one of the funeral honors detail will be from the Armed Force in which the deceased veteran served. Taps may be played by a bugler or, if a bugler is not available, by using a quality recorded version. Military Funeral Honor Teams may act as Pall Bearers if requested by the veteran/family.
Who is eligible for Military Funeral Honors?
- Military members on active duty or in the Selected Reserve.
- Former military members who served on active duty and departed under conditions other than dishonorable.
- Former military members who completed at least one term of enlistment or period of initial obligated service in the Selected Reserve and departed under conditions other than dishonorable.
- Former military members discharged from the Selected Reserve due to a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.
Who is not eligible for Military Funeral Honors?
- Any person separated from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions or whose character of service results in a bar to veteran's benefits.
- Any person who was ordered to report to an induction station, but was not actually inducted into military service.
- Any person discharged from the Selected Reserve prior to completing one term of enlistment or period of initial obligated service for reasons other than a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.
- Any person convicted of a Federal or State capital crime sentenced to death or life imprisonment.
How do I establish veteran eligibility?
The preferred method is the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. If the DD Form 214 is not available, any discharge document showing other than dishonorable service can be used. The DD Form 214 may be obtained by filling out a Standard Form 180 and sending it to:
National Personnel Records Center(NPRC)
9700 Page Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63132
The Standard Form 180 may be obtained from the National Records Center or via the following web site: http://www.archives.gov/research/order/standard-form-180.pdf
Is anyone else eligible to receive funeral honors?
Yes. Members of the Commissioned Officer Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as members of a Uniformed Service, are also eligible to receive funeral honors.
For NOAA personnel, eligibility is established using NOAA Form 56-16, Report of Transfer or Discharge. If the family does not have a copy of the NOAA Form 56-16, it may by obtained by contacting the Chief, Officer Services Division, NOAA Commissioned Personnel Center at (301) 713-3453, ext 102. or by writing:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Commissioned Personnel Center
Chief, Officer Services Division (CPC1)
1315 East-West Highway, Room 12100
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
For PHS personnel, funeral honors eligibility is established using PHS Form 1867, Statement of Service (equivalent to the DD Form 214). If the family does not have a copy of the Statement of Service, it may be obtained by contacting the Privacy Coordinator for the Commissioned Corps at (301) 594-3064 or writing:
Division of Commissioned Personnel/HRS/PSC
Attention: Privacy Act Coordinator
5600 Fishers Lane
4-36
Rockville, Maryland 20857