We have a new supply of the FCA planner booklet titled “Before I Go, You Should Know” (also known as the B.I.G. book). See our newly-updated page about these planners, which have been published for years by the national Funeral…
Continue readingA woman I met in December 2025 expressed happiness that human composting had come to our state. Really? I was highly skeptical, knowing that our state has NOT YET passed legislation to legalize this process. Bills in support have been…
Continue reading“There’s a Lot of Money in Death”: Funeral Home Consolidation Hits Western Massachusetts, an article by Jonathan Gerhardson, was posted today on The Shoestring. This reporter has spent weeks investigating changes in ownership of funeral homes in our region and…
Continue readingOn Monday, September 29, at a public hearing (viewable via livestream 9am-1pm), several bills concerning death care are on the Agenda. We are especially interested in H.2444, An Act expanding after-death care options. Other bills of interest are H.2374, An…
Continue readingI’ve been deeply touched this week while reading the final sections of a book titled, “The Unclaimed: Abandonment and Hope in the City Of Angels,” by Pamela Prickett and Stefan Timmermans (2024). I was especially moved by Chapter 12, which…
Continue readingOur 8-page newsletter was completed last night. Production of the print version (black & white) started today and will be mailed out (via bulk mail) soon. See the color version now on our website. Content included: If you have ideas…
Continue readingWe invite you to a program titled, “Can We Talk? Starting A Conversation About Death.” Come learn about ways to talk with your loved ones about death, dying, and funeral plans. Dina Stander, an end-of-life navigator, will lead the discussion….
Continue readingWe’re sorry that our 2024 Price Comparison Table had failed to open. (You may have seen a message about needing an add-on required to open it. That problem was at our end, not yours.) Our Directory of Funeral Homes was…
Continue readingWe seek candidates for the Board of Trustees of this nonprofit organization. The Board has nine seats, with rotating terms to encourage inclusion of new people to “reinvigorate” the organization. We have 3 open seats now. We welcome people with…
Continue readingThe Devanny-Condon Funeral Home in Pittsfield, MA, has closed, effective May 26, 2025. This funeral home began in 1915 (110 years ago). It became an affiliate of Carriage Services in 1998. Carriage Services has posted this message on the website:…
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