Planning a funeral is something nobody actually wants to do. It’s heavy. It’s confusing. Most of the time, you're making massive financial and emotional decisions while your brain is still trying to process the fact that someone you love is just... gone. If you've lived in the Treasure Valley or anywhere near the Idaho-Oregon border, you’ve probably driven past the Shaffer Jensen Memory Chapel Payette a thousand times. It sits there on North 9th Street, a quiet fixture in a town that values its roots.
But here is the thing: a lot of people think all funeral homes are basically the same "corporate" experience tucked behind a somber facade. That’s rarely the case with places that have been around for a century.
The Century-Old Reality of Local Care
Honestly, the history of Shaffer-Jensen is intertwined with the history of Payette itself. They’ve been around for over 100 years. Think about that for a second. That means they were helping families through the Spanish Flu, the Great Depression, and every major shift in how we handle death in America. It’s not just a business; it’s a repository of community stories.
The Payette location at 112 North 9th Street isn't just a building with a chapel. It’s a place where the staff actually knows the names of the people walking through the door. While many modern funeral homes have been swallowed up by massive national conglomerates that prioritize "efficiency" (which is often code for cutting corners), Shaffer-Jensen has managed to maintain a reputation for being deeply local.
You’ve got options here that didn’t exist twenty years ago. They’ve adapted. For example, they offer Spanish-speaking care advisors and multicultural services, which is pretty vital given how diverse our region has become.
Why the "Memory Chapel" Name Actually Matters
Some people think the "Memory Chapel" part is just a fancy branding trick. It isn't. Traditional funerals used to be very "one size fits all." You had the casket, the black suits, the somber organ music, and a standard service.
Shaffer Jensen has leaned into what they call the "ShareLife" approach. Basically, it’s about moving away from the "cookie-cutter" funeral. If your dad spent every weekend fishing on the Snake River, why are we sitting in a sterile room talking about abstract concepts? They help families create "themed celebrations." It sounds a bit modern, maybe even a little "trendy," but it’s actually more human. It’s about making sure the service feels like the person it’s supposed to be honoring.
Breaking Down the Cost (No Secrets)
Let’s talk money. Nobody likes to, but we have to. Funerals are expensive, and the lack of transparency in the industry is a huge pain point for families.
At the Shaffer Jensen Memory Chapel Payette, they’ve actually put their General Price List out there. As of mid-2025, a traditional full-service burial is roughly $8,233. If you’re looking at direct cremation—no service, no viewing—you’re looking at closer to $1,780.
Here is a quick look at how those costs break down in real life:
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- Direct Cremation: Starts around $1,630 to $1,780. This is the "no frills" option that includes transportation and the basic cremation process.
- The "Middle Ground": Affordable burial packages usually hover around $4,345.
- The Full Service: Cremation with a full service can cost about $6,073.
Prices change, obviously. But knowing these numbers upfront helps take the "sticker shock" out of an already miserable week. They also do this thing called "solidified remains." It’s weird but cool—they turn cremated remains into these smooth, stone-like spheres. It’s a lot less "spooky" for some people than a jar of ash.
Cremation vs. Burial in Payette
There’s a shift happening. More people in Payette and Fruitland are choosing cremation over traditional burial. Part of it is the cost, sure. But part of it is the flexibility.
Shaffer-Jensen has leaned into this by offering 24/7 support. They also do something pretty unique for the environmentally conscious: they purchase carbon offsets for every cremation they perform. They’re literally funding projects that reduce greenhouse gases to balance out the environmental impact of the cremation process. For a small-town Idaho funeral home, that’s a surprisingly forward-thinking move.
What People Get Wrong About Planning Ahead
Most of us think pre-planning a funeral is morbid. Or we think it’s just a way for the funeral home to lock in a sale.
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But honestly? It’s a gift to the people you leave behind. When someone dies without a plan, the family has to guess. "Did Mom want to be buried or cremated? Did she want that specific hymn or would she hate it?"
Shaffer-Jensen allows for "pre-need" arrangements. You can literally pick out your casket or urn, decide on the service, and pay for it at today’s prices. This protects your family from inflation and, more importantly, from having to make $10,000 decisions while they are crying in an office.
The Community Impact You Don't See
It’s easy to judge a funeral home by its lobby or its pricing. But the real work happens in the quiet moments.
I’ve looked at the feedback from local families. People like Mel Needs and Marvin Peden have shared how the staff walked them through the process when they had zero clue what they were doing. That’s the "expert" part of the job—not just knowing how to handle a body, but knowing how to handle a grieving human being.
They also offer 365 days of grief support. It’s a daily message or email designed to help you get through that first brutal year. Most businesses stop caring the second the check clears. In the funeral industry, the "aftercare" is where the real value lies.
Real Steps for Moving Forward
If you are currently facing a loss or just trying to get your affairs in order, don’t just "wing it." Here is how you should actually handle things with Shaffer Jensen Memory Chapel Payette:
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- Call them immediately if a death has occurred. They have a 24/7 answering service at 208-740-3686. You don't have to wait for business hours.
- Ask for the General Price List (GPL) right away. By law, they have to give this to you. Use it to compare their packages (like the "Legacy" or "Remembrance" options) against individual items to see what actually saves you money.
- Consider a "Private Viewing" first. If you aren't sure about a full open-casket funeral, they offer a brief, private moment for close family to say goodbye. It’s often much less overwhelming.
- Look into the "ShareLife" options. If the person you're honoring wasn't a "church person," don't force a church service. Ask the funeral director how they can incorporate hobbies, favorite music, or even specific colors into the chapel setup.
- Check your insurance. If you're using a life insurance policy to pay for the service, let them know early. They work with third-party funding partners to verify assignments so you don't have to front all the cash yourself.
The Shaffer-Jensen team has been a staple of Payette for a long time for a reason. They aren't just selling caskets; they are managing the most difficult day of your life. Whether you need a simple cremation or a massive community memorial, the key is to be vocal about what you actually need—and what you can actually afford.