Sandy’s Blog

A joint report prepared by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and the Funeral Consumers Alliance (FCA) documents difficulties in obtaining funeral pricing information. These two organizations request that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) update the Federal Funeral Rule to…

The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Embalming and Funeral Directing welcomed us today (June 16, 2015) and received our comments about the revision of their rules and regulations.  Carol Coan, Susie Maddern and I traveled to Boston in response to this invitation…

“A Project to Turn Corpses into Compost” is the headline on an article published in the Science section of the New York Times on April 13, 2015. It describes the work of Katrina Spade, a woman who studied sustainable agriculture…

On Saturday March 28 Peter Stefan gave a passionate presentation about the importance of respectful funeral rites for each deceased person – rich or poor, famous or infamous. He was speaking at the Annual Meeting of the Funeral Consumers Alliance of…

Beware of “Burial insurance” advertisements. Today I received an email with the subject line:  “Get-Low-Cost Burial Insurance: No__Medical Exam.”  Here is the text: “Get $20,000 Burial Insurance for $2.50/Day*You are eligible for burial insurance. No_medical_Exam required.Payout is guaranteedBenefits never go away because…

FCAWM hosted an educational forum Wednesday, October 15, 2014, 1:00 – 2:30 pm: Dispelling Myths about Funeral Prepayments, at Rockridge Retirement Community, Northampton. See flyer (pdf). Panelists Morgan Mitchell, Funeral Director, Mitchell Funeral Home (Easthampton) and member of the state Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers (Boston),…

“Reforms aim to end funeral swindles”  This headline on the front page of the Daily Hampshire Gazette on September 30 drew attention to an excellent article by staff writer Dan Crowley.  “A state funeral industry regulator is proposing reforms…” “One proposal would stop…

A Will for the WoodsFeature Documentary “What if our last act could be a gift to the planet – a force for regeneration? Determined that his final resting place will benefit the earth, musician, folk dancer, and psychiatrist Clark Wang prepares…

Those words, “befriending” and “death,” are not usually put together. The phrase sometimes causes startled looks when I mention that I’m attending a discussion group called “Living Fully, Aging Gracefully, and Befriending Death.” That group, led by Martha Johnson, started August 6th…

Talking about end-of-life issues and final arrangements is a healthy process. Getting the conversation started can be tricky, but the outcome is usually rewarding, revealing priorities and deeply-held values. Peace of mind, or a sense of relief on dealing with…