News & Events

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…

Thanks to expert help from WizardPig.com, this re-designed website is now up and running. The public can now see the improvements that we and a WizardPig designer have been working on for months. We are delighted to reach this milestone….

We are working to improve the design and functionality of our website. Volunteer webmaster Sandy Ward, who learned from and built on the earlier work of Ed Brown (former board member; self-taught webmaster 2003-2013), is coordinating this new project with…

On Tuesday, December 7, 2021, at United Way’s “On Board” event in Springfield, Jim Couchon and Sandy Ward greeted potential volunteers, telling them about our mission and the opportunity to join us in this important work. Many people came by…

The Fall 2021 Newsletter is now available.  In this Newsletter you’ll find…        • Upcoming Educational Programs (virtual) from Trusted Sources        • Consumer Groups Urge State Regulators to Provide Consumer Information about Funerals     …

August 25, 2021. An article in today’s Daily Hampshire Gazette reports our recent project of building infant coffins for donation to Empty Arms Bereavement Services. Photographs of FCAWM volunteers (Elizabeth, Joan, Kate and Carol) at work in Jonathan LaGreze’s woodworking shop…