News & Events

The Wall Street Journal has published an informative article about building your own coffin. It is on the front page of the July 19, 2022 print issue. Here is the link to the digital version posted 7/18/22, with audio. One…

A revised Consumer Fact Sheet for Funeral Planning is now posted on Mass.gov, linked from this page. This 6-page document from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Embalming and Funeral Directing (“EM Board”) can be viewed directly at https://www.mass.gov/doc/em-board-consumer-fact-sheet/download Our organization…

Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, June 21, 2022, the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and the Funeral Consumers Alliance (FCA) released the results of a new consumer survey on the public’s attitudes towards funeral price disclosure and other funeral services. CFA…

On Tuesday, June 7 at 10 AM the Holyoke Public Library will host “Choices in Final Arrangements” with FCAWM speaker Sandy Ward. The public is invited to come in person (Community Room, 250 Chestnut Street, Holyoke) or view it online….

We invite you to read our Spring 2022 Newsletter, which includes news of progress in 2022, some history to put our 60 years in context, and an article by our president about lessons learned from two recent deaths in her…

The national Funeral Consumers Alliance (FCA) invites the public to a workshop on basic funeral planning, Monday, May 23, 3:00 pm Eastern Time, via Zoom. You’ll learn: How to find a reasonable price by shopping around All the things you…

Consumers are warned to avoid the online marketer “Heritage Cremation Provider.” Its website can seem convincing, but this company has no legal basis for operating here in Massachusetts. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a press release on Friday April…

We appreciate the article in this week’s Greenfield Recorder publicizing our 60th anniversary. Five members of the FCAWM Board of Trustees gathered for a luncheon in March 2022 celebrating the 60th anniversary. Greenfield Reporter photographer Paul Franz stopped by to…

March 14, 2022, marks a 60th anniversary for this organization. On March 14, 1962, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts approved incorporation of the small nonprofit educational group “The Springfield Memorial Society.” As the organization grew, name changes reflected the broader service…

On Tuesday February 15, the Palmer Public Library is hosting an online presentation by Sandy Ward titled, “Planning for Final Arrangements.” To register for this free Zoom program, scheduled for 6:30-7:30 pm, please visit the Adult Programs and Services page…