August, 2018

Dear friends and supporters,

It was a treat to see some of you at our recent national conference in Rochester, New York. Thank you for bringing the enthusiasm, the vision, and the knowledge that made it a great success!

If you couldn't come, we've put up a post-convention wrap up page with photos of attendees and events, plus free downloadable presentations from our expert speakers. Interested in conversations about "death with dignity" laws? Curious about the experience of immigrant families holding their first funerals in the US? All that and more is available. Check out the testimonials from our sponsors, too. These are regular people and small businesses that care about our mission enough to help pay for it, and we're so grateful for their commitment.

And hats off to the FCA of Greater Rochester—we couldn't have asked for better hosts and volunteers.

Click on the image, or go to this direct link: https://funerals.org/conference-2018/

Scam Alert

Think twice before you talk to one of those allegedly low-priced direct cremation companies advertising nationwide service. Several US states are taking action against Heritage Cremation and Legacy Services. Regulators say the company falsely promises that families will get local service, but they fail to deliver on that promise leaving grieving families in the lurch.

This alert from the Arizona Funeral Cemetery and Cremation Association has more.

Stuffy Brits?

We know that Americans don't like to talk about death, but the British have taken that farther with government regulators pulling ads that had been run by an innovative cremation company that uses humor to break down taboos. More in the New York Times (hint: If you don't have a subscription you can usually right-click a link to the Times and open the story in an anyonymous browser window. The Times has a 'soft' paywall.)

Kind words from good friends

Your support is what makes the work happen here at Funeral Consumers Alliance. Without your gifts, we wouldn't be here. Will you help us get a jump start on fall fundraising with a gift today? We asked some of our long-time supporters why they choose us for their charitable giving. Ellie Klein, a founding mother of the organization, had this to say. Click the picture for more. Thank you, Ellie, and thank you, reader and supporter!