News & Events

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will be holding a free public workshop on September 7, 2023, at 9:30am on the proposed revisions to the Funeral Rule. The event is in Washington, D.C., but will be webcast live on the FTC’s…

Update 7/25/23: The July 26 Hearing was cancelled 7/21/23. The Public Health Committee has now postponed the hearing until at least September (the exact date to be determined). You may still send in WRITTEN testimony to the Committee and reach…

“We’re hearing about a new scheme that involves imposters preying on people who are grieving the loss of a loved one,” writes Alvaro Puig, Consumer Education Specialist, in an FTC Consumer Alert dated June 14, 2023. “The imposters pretend to…

Our Spring newsletter is ready! You can read it here on this website. Print copies are being sent via bulk mail to our members who are print subscribers, and to organizations on our “courtesy” list. Email notices via Mailchimp will soon…

We have added an article from FCA about third-party caskets: your rights and what funeral homes are allowed to do, and not allowed to do. We have also updated contact information (on our Burials page under the Options tab) for…

Our FCAWM board received the following notice from the national Funeral Consumers Alliance (FCA) about some changes in their organization. We are a separate nonprofit organization, affiliated with FCA. This message was sent to all their Affiliates. Dear Funeral Consumers…

Among proposed new bills filed in the current session of the Massachusetts legislature are several related to burial options, funeral assistance, and other matters of interest to our consumer advocacy group. We have now set up a committee, chaired by…

Today, January 17, 2023, is the final date for submission of comments to the FTC about the proposed updating of the Funeral Rule. As of 5:30pm today, the official government site reported a total of 546 comments. Our document from…

New York has approved natural organic reduction (N.O.R.), also known as human composting. Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed legislation legalizing this option, making New York the sixth state in the nation to allow this method of burial. Washington State approved…

Green Burial Massachusetts (GBM) welcomes a new president, Elizabeth Cardaropoli, and thanks outgoing president Judith Lorei, who has led GBM since its official incorporation in 2016. GBM evolved from a committee within our organization (FCAWM) with participants also from the…