Sandy’s Blog

During 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…

The “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…

Good 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…

“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…

An 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…

“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…

Have 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” :…

As 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…

National Public Radio (NPR) aired a two-part program February 7-8 reporting on deceptive pricing in the funeral industry. NPR found that SCI, the largest funeral company in the world, routinely charges high prices, but also conceals the fact that they…

Caitlin Doughty has produced a Youtube video about Direct Cremation, with advice for consumers. This video is part of her “Ask a Mortician” series, which combines humor with good education about death-care topics.  As a young funeral director in Los…