Our Long History

Columbia Funeral Home has served the Rainier Valley and greater Seattle since 1907. It is still located at its original site in Southeast Seattle at the corner of Rainier Avenue and South Alaska Street. 

To many, Columbia is a Seattle landmark, recognized for its well-kept building and immaculate landscaping. Many Seattleites know Columbia Funeral Home for its traditional Christmas display that annually attracts thousands to the Rainier district. Columbia is the oldest business in southeast Seattle and the oldest member of the Chamber of Commerce. Over the years the business has been very active in the community, especially in sports. Columbia is well known in the Rainier Valley for sponsoring successful teams in baseball, hockey, bowling and Little League. 

Wilbert Lewis, former owner for over 40 years, was very active in the community, city and state serving, among many other activities, as president of the Washington State Boxing Commission, the Lions Club, Seattle Park Board and the Washington State Funeral Directors Association. Columbia Funeral Home continues to support many groups, causes and churches throughout southeast Seattle. 

The original owners of Columbia Funeral Home were Fred and Georgia Rasmussen. Wilbert Lewis worked for Georgia Rasmussen for many years before and after WWII and eventually bought the business in the early 1950's. After faithfully serving the Seattle community for many years, Wilbert retired in 1988 and passed away in 1996. Wilbert's son, Paul Lewis, then bought the business and operated Columbia Funeral Home until 2006 when it was sold to the Weeks Family. As one can see, Columbia Funeral Home has remained independent and family owned since its inception. 

The menu below, described by decade, gives a brief history of Columbia Funeral Home: