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News & Events

Here you will find announcements of FCAWM news, projects and events, as well as news of state and national developments relevant to consumer rights and death care options. Use the “Search” Box to find entries on topics of interest.

News & Events

2026 Price Comparison

Our 2026 Price Comparison report is ready, after months of work. Starting in January 2026, a committee of FCAWM trustees began the biennial price survey of funeral homes in western Massachusetts. By the end of April after contacting 83 funeral…

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News & Events

Program at Hadley Senior Center

The Hadley Senior Center will host a program on June 2 titled, “Funeral Planning for Those Who Don’t Plan to Die.” Advance signup required. See the May-July 2026 issue of the Hadley COA newsletter (available online in PDF format) or…

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News & Events

Update re “Caring for Your Own Dead”

We have launched a new webpage this week, providing updated information for families who wish to care for their own dead at home. We invite you to view this new Home Funeral page: https://funeralconsumerswmass.org/home-funerals-caring-for-your-own-dead/ Massachusetts has reformed its death registry…

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News & Events

Update re B.I.G. planner

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…

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News & Events

Funeral Home Consolidation

“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…

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News & Events

Our Fall Newsletter is here

Our 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…

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News & Events

Can We Talk?

We 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….

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News & Events

Apology re Technical Problems

We’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…

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News & Events

Seeking New Trustees

We 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…

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