Funeral
Consumer Society of
(formerly
303-759-2800
E-mail: fucosoco@yahoo.com
The Society is the best one-stop source of consumer information
about funerals and cremations in
--- Funeral Consumers Alliance
What we are and what we are not
Founded in 1963, the Society is a nonprofit consumer organization whose main goal is to enable its members to plan for funeral or memorial services at fair prices. The Society is open to all, regardless of age or ethnic background, and is nonsectarian. It is particularly appropriate for individuals who accept responsibility and prefer to make their own decisions concerning end-of-life choices. We provide information to help you, or your survivors, make these choices. We are a force promoting consumer choice and fair dealing with the funeral industry. We are a member of Funeral Consumers Alliance, Inc., a national organization active in consumer rights.
We are not a funeral insurance plan, nor a prepayment plan. We are not a mortuary or funeral provider. We do not make decisions for our members. We are not anti- funeral-industry, but we are anti-consumer-abuse.
Why is the Society needed?
A death in the family creates an emotional situation. It often leaves people vulnerable and likely to make hasty and expensive decisions if they lack sufficient information regarding the wishes of the deceased. The Society encourages its members to study options and make decisions in advance, and to make a written record of their wishes, thereby sparing their survivors from having to make difficult decisions under stress.
Benefits of membership
The Society aims to secure fair prices for basic types of services. Through contracts with mortuary and cremation service Providers, the Society acts as a cooperative buyers' club, to give its members the opportunity to obtain lower prices than those generally prevailing in a local area. Contract Providers are selected by the Society on the bases of price, reputation, adherence to contract terms, location, and other factors. Our contract terms require Providers to serve our members at low fixed prices for most basic services. Extra items, or upgrades to more expensive options, are negotiated by the member and the Provider. Our contract Providers are obligated not to pressure members or their survivors to buy services or goods they do not want. In many cases, services may be arranged with a single telephone call, making arrangements much easier for survivors in a time of stress.
Our members are under no obligation to use the Providers we contract with. We do not have contract agreements with cemeteries.
Member Handbook
This valuable resource provides information to help members plan their arrangements and helps survivors carry out those plans. Topics include: what to do when someone dies, the need for estate planning, medical powers of attorney, living wills, body donation, organ donation, simple or elaborate burial arrangements, cremation, and memorial services.
Newsletter
A newsletter is published several times a
year to inform members of matters of interest.
Here is the current issue. The annual meeting is
Who governs the Society?
Directors are elected by the members at the annual meetings of the Society. The Society is run entirely by volunteers. There are no paid employees, officers, or directors.
Cost of Membership
Each adult applicant pays $10.00 to join, which includes dues for the first two years of membership. Dues of $10 per adult member are payable every second year to maintain membership. Dependent children are covered under a parent's membership at no additional cost. Dues may be waived in cases of true hardship. Transferees are subject to the same terms as new members. Members are entitled to reciprocity or transfer rights among any of the organizations in the United States that are affiliated with Funeral Consumers Alliance, at little or no charge.
How to Join
Download and fill out the application form and mail it to the Society with your check.
When you join the Society
You will receive contract mortuary service Provider information, and personal data forms for indicating your preferences for services. You will also receive a Member Handbook (one per household), wallet-size membership card, and forms for Living Will, Advance Medical Directive, and Durable Power of Attorney.
Links to other sites of interest:
Funeral Consumers
Funerals and Ripoffs: www.funerals-ripoffs.org
Issues on Aging With Dignity: http://www.agingwithdignity.org/
2008
Legislative Bill: www.cu.edu/govt_relations/state/hc_leg.html
FCSC
Position: http://www.funerals.org/affiliates/colorado/FCSCpositionpaper.pdf
For grief issues, try GriefNet at:
or for
more local resources on grieving (based in
Revised April 2008
Return to directory of societies page.