October 17, 2022

Dear Neighbors and Friends in Spokane Valley and Surrounding Communities,

It has been 19 years since I first started working at a funeral home at the age of 18. The idea of it was foreign to me at first, but as I learned from wonderful, compassionate mentors, I quickly understood the important role a funeral director plays in his or her community. The responsibility of caring for those that pass and the loved ones they leave behind is indeed sacred.

Over the years as I have sat at the table with thousands of grieving families, a question comes up—what happens when someone can’t pay for this? Well the answer is complicated, but far too often there’s no good answer. There’s financial assistance for families who lose a young child, a veteran, or a victim of a crime. But there’s no safety net for the rest of our neighbors who simply cannot afford even the most basic of cremation or burial arrangements.

As I listened to the recent general conference address by Dallin H. Oaks, my heart yearned to do more. I felt inspired to ensure cremation and burial services are provided to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. Period. But how can that be accomplished?

I serve as the managing partner of Hennessey Valley Funeral Home & Crematory. We own and operate the ONLY crematory in Spokane Valley. Our funeral home is also the ONLY funeral home in Spokane Valley where the embalming happens right on-site. Families find it comforting to know their loved one is in our care, right here at Hennessey Valley, the whole time.

In addition to the funeral facility we are blessed with, there are community members that want to give and support our neighbors in need. I have had multiple people feel moved to call our funeral home in the past few months to donate money toward the funeral expenses of people they don't know. We have a great community with people who want to help!

With all the local resources that are available and those we have at Hennessey Valley, I want each person reading this to know, that I will take care of anyone who needs the care, regardless of their ability to pay. So, when someone asks, “Where does a person go when they can’t afford funeral arrangements?” The answer is simple, “They come to me.”

If you have the financial means to contribute funds toward the cremation or burial arrangements of someone who is less fortunate, I would invite you to check the list to the right, reach out directly, or use the contact form below to get involved.

If you have any questions at all or need to refer someone, you can reach me at our office at 509-926-2423.

Thank you,

Trent Nielsen
Managing Partner
Hennessey Valley Funeral Home & Crematory

“Where does a person go when they can’t afford funeral arrangements?” The answer is simple, “They come to me.”

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