June 28, 2021. Press Release from CFA and FCA:New Report Concludes that 33 State Funeral Service Regulators Provide Poor or No Useful Information to Consumers While Seven State Agencies Make Available Excellent Information. Consumer Groups Urge Regulators to Make a Strong Commitment…
Continue readingOn the evening of November 18, 2020, a ZOOM meeting co-hosted by FCAWM and FCAEM focused on the challenges presented by “unclaimed bodies” and by indigent cases in Massachusetts. We titled this virtual event “Raising the Alarm about Bodies in Limbo: Delays in…
Continue readingDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, which has hit Massachusetts hard this spring, many adjustments have had to be made. Large gatherings are not allowed, and even small gatherings require extra spacing for safe “distancing” between people, so conventional full funeral services are not possible…
Continue readingThe “Funeral Rule” protecting consumers’ rights is up for review. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) seeks COMMENTS now, before the deadline (which was April 14, then extended to June 15, 2020). YOU can help by telling the FTC your thoughts on these…
Continue readingGood news: Human composting has been approved in the state of Washington. Legislation signed by the governor on May 21, 2019, will take effect in May 2020. I call this good news because I’ve long supported the concept; see my…
Continue reading“The funeral as we know it is becoming a relic” This headline caught my attention. Karen Heller of the Washington Post has written a good article about shifting trends and new ideas in U.S. funeral practices. You can read the full article on the…
Continue readingAn article published in U.S. News & World Report on October 31, 2018, is titled “Rethinking Death in America.” The author, staff writer Matthew Cella, describes the shift in choices that Americans are making regarding funerals and what to do…
Continue reading“Pull up a chair, let’s talk about death…” For two days at the Massachusetts Councils on Aging (MCOA) annual conference, October 18-19, 2017, Heather Massey and Sandy Ward represented FCAEM and FCAWM, providing information about death care options. Heather created a well-decorated…
Continue readingHave you ever thought of building your own coffin? Perhaps not, but please watch this delightful 3-minute documentary (and musical!) about a club of seniors in New Zealand who have fun building their own low-cost coffins: “The Coffin Club” :…
Continue readingAs of July 27, 2017, funeral directors in Massachusetts must comply with the recently revised state regulations about Pre-Need Contracts. “The provisions of 239 CMR 4.00 shall apply in full to all Pre-Need Funeral Contracts which are established on or after…
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