Strategic Plan

A list of objectives was created in June 2024, after months of consultation and feedback from affiliate leaders. Thank you to all who participated in this process. We have looked at each of these objectives, how they align with our mission, vision, and values, and offer action steps to implement these goals. Some of the action steps address more than one objective and are listed more than once. This is a reflection of the interweaving of our action steps with our overall mission, vision, and values. 

We invite you to collaborate with us, as we continue to improve our effectiveness in meeting the needs of our affiliates and all consumers.

 Objective 1: To publish educational content in a variety of media and formats at little or no cost for all consumers

This aligns with our overall mission, vision, and values to provide greater access to funeral consumer information for all people, available in a variety of formats. These types of content are generally static and posted online so that consumers can find them asynchronously at their convenience (not live events). Our Board members also respond to interview requests from regional and national news media and researchers on funerary issues.

 Objective 2: To host events for all consumers

We will provide greater access to funeral consumer information for all people, specifically in live/dynamic events that are in-person and/or virtual. This is in addition to our other formats, which are static. Live events offer the opportunity for real-time engagement, and consumers can interact with nationally-known presenters and leaders, and on relevant and timely topics. 

 Objective 3: To serve as a consumer advocate and informed resource for pending legislation or regulations regarding end-of-life care and funeral industry practices

We will advocate for legislative change, for greater access to accurate funeral information, the rights of consumers to make informed funeral decisions; and the right of designated representatives to make final arrangement decisions. This includes providing greater access to funeral consumer information for all people on relevant and time-sensitive topics. 

 Objective 4: To refer individuals with funeral-related complaints to appropriate agencies

An understanding of how to direct funeral-related complaints supports consumer empowerment, to equip consumers to self-advocate when purchasing funeral goods and services regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomics or other factors; and supports the rights of consumers to choose funeral goods and services that are in line with their religious, philosophical, or ethical beliefs. 

 Objective 5: To encourage the presence of local affiliates and to refer inquiries from the public to affiliates

This objective underlines our mission and identity as an educational nonprofit with a nationwide network of affiliates. We encourage and support our affiliates, both newly formed and those that are well-established, as they offer funeral consumer support, information, and advocacy for legislative change. Our affiliates are the heart of the Funeral Consumers Alliance. 

 Objective 6: To facilitate the exchange of information and experience among affiliates

This aligns with our overall mission, vision, and values in a unique way: As we support our affiliates in their efforts to communicate and learn from each other’s lived experience, this in turn will help them offer more nuanced funeral consumer support, information, and advocacy for legislative change. We have heard from many affiliates who want to communicate more frequently with each other. We at National look forward to facilitating these important avenues of communication and support between our affiliates spread across the country. 

 Objective 7: To provide guidance to our affiliates in achieving the above stated purposes

This last objective stands as a firm commitment to support our affiliates as they offer funeral consumer support, information, and advocacy for legislative change. In addition to the action items listed for previous objectives, we also want to support affiliates to grow their local organizations, increase their knowledge base, and deepen their impact, locally, regionally, and nationally.