Serving You through Coronavirus

Sumner Cemetery is committed to serving you through the coronavirus situation while adhering to the CDC’s and State’s guidelines to keep us all safe. Rather than visit, please call us at 253-299-5510 for any services or other questions you may have. We are allowed to hold services with special rules in place to keep you safe. Funeral directors, please also call and stay in touch about services being scheduled and/or postponed. We are here to continue serving you while looking out for your safety.

About Us

Welcome to a place where traditions are honored with modern options expanding your choices for the future.

Established in 1864, Sumner Cemetery offers the respect of the past plus plenty of room to grow for future generations.

A Proud History

In 1864, the Pioneer Cemetery began on two acres of land donated by Isaac Woolery. In 1902, the “town” section of the cemetery was added. Isaac Woolery’s son Bill acted as sexton for the pioneer section until the two sections were united and the City of Sumner took over its management.

Traditions Continue

Sumner Cemetery helps families honor loved ones with two annual events. At the Christmas holidays, you can purchase wreaths that the cemetery will place on loved one’s memorials. You can also choose to have markers pressure-washed.

In addition, every Memorial Day features a traditional ceremony. The Thursday before, members of the Sumner VFW Post 3070 plus other volunteers place flags at the markers of all veterans, continuing this tradition since 1943. On Memorial Day itself, a formal ceremony at 10 am commemorates those lost in battle with participation from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Sumner VFW, the local Rainbow Girls and more.

Choices Available

Sumner Cemetery offers a variety of choices that range from traditional to unique. There are many different options for casket burial, cremains or remembering a loved one who is at rest elsewhere. Click here to explore your options.

Honoring All Faiths and Traditions

Being a publicly run facility, we honor and accept all faiths and traditions. Services held at our cemetery have included a wide range of religions as well as non-religious memorials. At Sumner Cemetery, you are welcome to pray and mourn based on your own beliefs.

Service, Not Sales

Being operated by a City means we’re about service, not sales. Led by Scott deCarteret, our staff are here to help guide you whether you’re planning for the future, handling an immediate need or simply visiting to explore the history of our region.

Plus, with an endowment fund and the stability of a government budget, you know that Sumner Cemetery will be well cared for into the future.