Fall, 2015
In This Issue:
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FCA of MN Annual Meeting - November 14, 2015
Help us plan our activities for the coming year
The Board of Directors of Funeral Consumers Alliance of Minnesota (FCA of MN) invites you to attend FCA of MN's Annual Meeting Saturday, Nov. 14, 9:00-11:00 AM, at First Unitarian Society.
For the coming year, we want to focus on Outreach & Expanded Price Surveys.
Outreach
How can FCA of MN go from being the best-kept secret to the best go-to resource for finding out about consumer rights and choices for making after-death arrangements?
Outreach
How can FCA of MN go from being the best-kept secret to the best go-to resource for finding out about consumer rights and choices for making after-death arrangements?
How can FCA of MN go from being the best-kept secret to the best |
We want to get our name and our web address out where people can find us. There are internet strategies for this, and were working on them. We also want to get FCA of MN listed on and in as many resource lists and directories as possible.
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We've already begun to target senior and aging publications and services. What other ways can we get the word out about our fabulous web resources? What other groups should we target?
How can we become the first-choice, go-to resource when someone wants information about or help with after-death options and choices?
Expanded Price Surveys
In 2013, FCA of MN produced its first Funeral Home Price Survey, a user-friendly tool designed to help consumers compare funeral home prices for Direct Cremation, Immediate Burial, and Full Service Funeral. It could not have happened without the outstanding work of FCA of MN founding board member Don Skrivseth.
We've taken the 2013 Funeral Home Price Survey off the website because many prices have changed, and some funeral firms have closed, merged, or been renamed. In the meantime, we've conducted A Direct Cremation Price Survey and a Green/Natural Burial Price Survey.
In order to conduct another full-scale Funeral Home Price Survey, we'll need 5-10 volunteers to help with the many tasks necessary to produce a price survey.
How can we become the first-choice, go-to resource when someone wants information about or help with after-death options and choices?
Expanded Price Surveys
In 2013, FCA of MN produced its first Funeral Home Price Survey, a user-friendly tool designed to help consumers compare funeral home prices for Direct Cremation, Immediate Burial, and Full Service Funeral. It could not have happened without the outstanding work of FCA of MN founding board member Don Skrivseth.
We've taken the 2013 Funeral Home Price Survey off the website because many prices have changed, and some funeral firms have closed, merged, or been renamed. In the meantime, we've conducted A Direct Cremation Price Survey and a Green/Natural Burial Price Survey.
In order to conduct another full-scale Funeral Home Price Survey, we'll need 5-10 volunteers to help with the many tasks necessary to produce a price survey.
The first big task is to obtain the General Price List (GPL) of 70+ funeral firms in the greater Twin Cities metro area, since most funeral firms don't post their prices on their websites. Once we've collected all the GPLs, the fun of creating charts to display comparative prices begins.
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Should we conduct a full-scale funeral home price survey for 2016? Do we have the person-power to do the job? |
Our decision at the FCA of MN Annual Meeting November 10 will be: should we undertake a full-scale funeral home price survey reflecting 2016 prices? If so, do we have the person-power to do the job?
WHEN
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The FCA of MN Annual Meeting is open to all. We'd love to have you be a part of our planning for the coming year.
Plan to attend? Let us know by going to Contact Us on the menu above. Either send us an email or give us a call. It will help us plan for this important event. |
FCA Releases National Funeral Cost Study
FUNERAL HOMES CHARGE A WIDE RANGE OF PRICES, BUT MOST FAIL TO DISCLOSE THESE PRICES ADEQUATELY (OR EVEN AT ALL), ACCORDING TO A NEW NATIONAL SURVEY
Funeral Consumers Alliance and Consumer Federation of America
Call on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to Update
Antiquated Funeral Home Price Disclosure Rules
Funeral Consumers Alliance and Consumer Federation of America
Call on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to Update
Antiquated Funeral Home Price Disclosure Rules
Washington, DC – [October 15, 2015] Today, the Funeral Consumers Alliance (FCA) and Consumer Federation of America (CFA) released a report based on a national survey of the prices and price disclosures of a representative sample of 150 funeral homes from ten different regions of the country. The survey revealed significant price differences – for example, from $2,580 to $13,800 for a full-service funeral -- and the failure of most funeral homes to disclose their prices adequately: Only 38 of the 150 homes (25%) fully disclosed prices on their websites, while 24 (16%) failed to fully disclose prices both on their website and in response to an email and a phone call.
“The FTC needs to require funeral homes to disclose prices clearly and completely on their websites.” |
“Most funeral homes need to give consumers much better access to price information,” said Josh Slocum, FCA’s Executive Director. “The Federal Trade Commission should update antiquated disclosure rules developed in the pre-Internet 1980s, just as California has successfully done,” he added.
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For example, California requires funeral homes to disclose on their websites the same prices the FTC requires funeral homes to disclose by phone or in an in-person visit. Thirteen of 15 surveyed California funeral homes fully disclosed prices on their websites.
“The huge price ranges for identical funeral services within individual areas indicate that these markets lack effective competition,” noted Stephen Brobeck, CFA’s Executive Director. “The lack of price competition is unfortunate given the relatively high cost of funeral services and the reluctance of many bereaved consumers to comparison shop for these services,” he added.
“The huge price ranges for identical funeral services within individual areas indicate that these markets lack effective competition,” noted Stephen Brobeck, CFA’s Executive Director. “The lack of price competition is unfortunate given the relatively high cost of funeral services and the reluctance of many bereaved consumers to comparison shop for these services,” he added.
The research was undertaken this year by FCA with assistance from its local affiliates in Atlanta, District of Columbia, Philadelphia, Mercer Co. (NJ), Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Denver, Tucson, Orange Co. (CA), and Seattle. In each of these ten areas, 15 funeral homes were randomly selected for study, making certain that at least one home from any large chain was included. The researchers searched the websites of these funeral homes for price information. If the website failed to disclose prices completely, the researchers emailed the funeral home for these prices. If the email did not elicit the price information, the researchers phoned the funeral home. In several instances, a researcher visited the funeral home to obtain price information.
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Only 38 of the 150 funeral homes (25%) fully disclosed prices on their websites, while 24 (16%) failed to fully disclose prices both on their website and in response to an email and a phone call. |
Prices Vary Significantly, Even Within Individual Areas
Three types of service were priced – direct cremation without ceremony, immediate burial without ceremony or the cost of a casket, and full-service funeral including the following items: basic services of the funeral director and staff, transport of the body from place of death to funeral home, embalming, other preparation of the body, viewing or calling hours, funeral ceremony with casket present, hearse to cemetery, sedan or limousine for family, and graveside ceremony.
As the table below shows, prices for the same funeral services within individual areas almost always varied by at least 100 percent and often varied by more than 200 percent.
Three types of service were priced – direct cremation without ceremony, immediate burial without ceremony or the cost of a casket, and full-service funeral including the following items: basic services of the funeral director and staff, transport of the body from place of death to funeral home, embalming, other preparation of the body, viewing or calling hours, funeral ceremony with casket present, hearse to cemetery, sedan or limousine for family, and graveside ceremony.
As the table below shows, prices for the same funeral services within individual areas almost always varied by at least 100 percent and often varied by more than 200 percent.
Table 1: Low and High Prices ($s) for Funeral Services |
The Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule was issued in 1984 and amended in 1994. It requires funeral homes to provide only price information over the phone or a price list to those visiting the home. It does not require disclosure on the websites of funeral homes.
“The FTC needs to require funeral homes to disclose prices clearly and completely on their websites,” said FCA’s Slocum. |
“This disclosure will greatly increase consumer search for price information. It will also allow journalists, consumer information services, and consumer groups to much more easily research, compare, and report on prices,” Slocum added.
FCA and CFA are submitting this research to the FTC and are urging the agency to update the Funeral Rule.
FCA and CFA are submitting this research to the FTC and are urging the agency to update the Funeral Rule.
The FCA National Funeral Cost Survey in the News:
New York Times | "Funeral Prices Are Hard to Get and Vary Widely, Survey Finds"
Forbes | "Should Funeral Homes Have To Post Prices?"
Consumer Affairs | "Funeral price data not easy to find online"
Washington Business Journal | "Consumer group calls for full disclosure of funeral prices"
Yahoo! Finance | "Funeral homes go to a lot of trouble to keep prices hidden"
Washington Post | "Finding prices for funeral homes shouldn’t be this difficult"
Forbes | "Should Funeral Homes Have To Post Prices?"
Consumer Affairs | "Funeral price data not easy to find online"
Washington Business Journal | "Consumer group calls for full disclosure of funeral prices"
Yahoo! Finance | "Funeral homes go to a lot of trouble to keep prices hidden"
Washington Post | "Finding prices for funeral homes shouldn’t be this difficult"
"Given the way we use technology to shop, the law needs to be updated, especially for such an emotional purchase. Consumers ought to be able to find prices for funeral services online as easily as they can shop for a new or used car.
It’s okay to shop for a funeral as you would for any other service or product. And don’t equate how much you spend with the love you had for your loved one."
Michelle Singletary - Washington Post
Wanted: New FCA of MN Board Members
Do you envision a future where all of us have information about and access to death care options that reflect our personal values and resources?
Are you concerned that most people aren't aware of their rights as consumers of after-death products and services, and haven't yet heard of the many choices available to them after death?
Are you concerned that most people aren't aware of their rights as consumers of after-death products and services, and haven't yet heard of the many choices available to them after death?
Funeral Consumers Alliance of Minnesota is seeking 3-5 people
to serve on our Board of Directors beginning in January, 2016.
You don't have to be an expert. You need only be willing to give of your time and energy to help us promote consumer choice for after-death arrangements.
Board members are expected to:
- Attend monthly hour-and-a-half meetings on the 2nd Saturday of the month, from 9:00 - 10:30 AM.
- Take on one or more ongoing tasks requiring 4-5 hours per month.
- Participate in organizational planning and development (usually at Board meetings).
- Keep informed about consumer issues and concerns related to the funeral (death-care) industry.
We're a non-profit, all-volunteer, low budget organization with a commitment to helping people make wise, meaningful, and affordable choices in after-death arrangements.
Will you join us?
If you'd like to apply, or simply want more information about becoming a Board member, send us an email at info@fcaofmn.org. Put Board Interest in the Subject line.
Board members are expected to:
- Attend monthly hour-and-a-half meetings on the 2nd Saturday of the month, from 9:00 - 10:30 AM.
- Take on one or more ongoing tasks requiring 4-5 hours per month.
- Participate in organizational planning and development (usually at Board meetings).
- Keep informed about consumer issues and concerns related to the funeral (death-care) industry.
We're a non-profit, all-volunteer, low budget organization with a commitment to helping people make wise, meaningful, and affordable choices in after-death arrangements.
Will you join us?
If you'd like to apply, or simply want more information about becoming a Board member, send us an email at info@fcaofmn.org. Put Board Interest in the Subject line.
Invite a Speaker for Your Church Group
While the religious landscape of Minnesota is changing in ways unimaginable a half century ago, a majority of Minnesotans who claim some religious affiliation are Christian.
And many of these Minnesotans no doubt look to their church-parish-faith community for guidance when considering after-death arrangements. After all, local funeral homes are reliable advertisers on the back page of Sunday church bulletins. But there are a growing number of choices for after-death arrangements your local funeral director may not be telling you about.
And many of these Minnesotans no doubt look to their church-parish-faith community for guidance when considering after-death arrangements. After all, local funeral homes are reliable advertisers on the back page of Sunday church bulletins. But there are a growing number of choices for after-death arrangements your local funeral director may not be telling you about.
A speaker with Funeral Consumers Alliance of Minnesota (FCA of MN) is available to provide detailed information about the growing number of choices, including:
▪ Traditional Funeral ▪ Cremation ▪ Green Cremation ▪ Home Funeral ▪ Green Burial Your speaker will also address: ▪ how to make after-death arrangements more affordable ▪ the environmental impact of after-death choices |
To arrange for a speaker, go to our Contact Us page.
Talking Turkey During the Holidays
When asked how he wished to be buried, the Greek philosopher Diogenes famously left instructions that his body was to be thrown over the city wall so wild animals could feast on his body.
A caller to the FCA of MN phone line tells of a modern-day Diogenes - his father: "My sister and I are concerned that our 70-something parents haven't talked to us about what plans - if any - they have for funeral, burial, or cremation. When I brought up the subject with my Dad, he said, 'Oh, just put me out with the garbage. Monday's pick-up day.' I said, 'Does that mean you don't care what we do when the time comes?' 'When the time comes, you'll figure it out,' he said. Any ideas how to talk with our folks about this issue?" |
Talking Turkey
With the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year holidays fast approaching, many people are making plans to get together with family members near and far. Because of distance, the holidays for some are rare occasions for quality time with parents, or siblings, or adult children. Have you wanted to talk with a parent or parents, or your grown children, about after-death arrangements, but haven't found the right moment? While the right moment may not be when you've all sat down to a feast of turkey and trimmings, is there another time during a holiday visit when you can sit down with your loved ones and talk turkey? The Most Difficult Conversation? For some, the most difficult conversation is talking about the end of life - about your death. Only 25% of American adults say they have made after-death arrangements. Which isn't the same thing as pre-paying for after-death arrangements. And yet 66% of adults say they would choose to arrange their own final rites, whatever they may be. |
Making a plan, talking it over with loved ones - especially the person or persons who will likely shoulder the responsibility of carrying out your after-death arrangements - is a gift to loved ones. For if your loved ones are uncertain about what your wishes are after you've died, it can add to family turmoil at an already sad and stressful time.
Turn the Question Around
The modern-day Diogenes who replied to his son that he should be put out with the garbage when he dies was obviously not serious. But what he most likely was serious about was not wanting to talk about after-death arrangements. Fair enough. But there are other ways to get the conversation going than telling Dad and or Mom head-on of your concern that they haven't made after-death plans.
Instead, turn the question around, and share your thoughts and ideas about your own after-death arrangements. Here are a few conversation starters:
"I've been thinking about putting some plans in place for what I'd like to have happen after I die. I wanted to share some ideas with you to see what you think."
"I just read a cool article about green burial. Have you heard about it? I like the idea of not using up a lot of resources at the time of death."
"Did you see the news report that about 59% of Minnesotans now choose cremation? I'm thinking maybe that's what I'd choose. for myself."
Turn the Question Around
The modern-day Diogenes who replied to his son that he should be put out with the garbage when he dies was obviously not serious. But what he most likely was serious about was not wanting to talk about after-death arrangements. Fair enough. But there are other ways to get the conversation going than telling Dad and or Mom head-on of your concern that they haven't made after-death plans.
Instead, turn the question around, and share your thoughts and ideas about your own after-death arrangements. Here are a few conversation starters:
"I've been thinking about putting some plans in place for what I'd like to have happen after I die. I wanted to share some ideas with you to see what you think."
"I just read a cool article about green burial. Have you heard about it? I like the idea of not using up a lot of resources at the time of death."
"Did you see the news report that about 59% of Minnesotans now choose cremation? I'm thinking maybe that's what I'd choose. for myself."
Minnesota Threshold Network (MTN) - Upcoming Monthly Meeting
The topic of the November 10 MTN monthly meeting is:
The Vigil Project:
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WHEN
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A New Green Burial Ground Project
FCA of MN is re-printing the following article by Anne Murphy which spells out her reasons for choosing Green Burial. Anne is working to create a new Green Burial Ground near the Twin Cities across the border in Wisconsin.
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WHY I CHOOSE GREEN BURIAL
Anne Murphy
Exciting news! I'm currently working to create a Green Burial Ground just an hour away from the Twin Cities. We are in the seeding stages and wanted you to know as many people have started to express interest in Green Burial. It's an inspiring project and one that I am holding close to my heart and hope to share more information with you in the upcoming months!
Over the past couple years I've had many conversations between the choice of Green Burial versus Cremation and why I choose Green Burial. My main reason is this - the earth is my home and it has cared for me my whole life. I breathe its air, drink from its waters, eat its plants, animals and minerals and have consumed many of its valuable resources. I love the earth and want it to consume me after the many years of consuming it. Wrap me up in my favorite blanket and lay me down into the earth.
Over the past couple years I've had many conversations between the choice of Green Burial versus Cremation and why I choose Green Burial. My main reason is this - the earth is my home and it has cared for me my whole life. I breathe its air, drink from its waters, eat its plants, animals and minerals and have consumed many of its valuable resources. I love the earth and want it to consume me after the many years of consuming it. Wrap me up in my favorite blanket and lay me down into the earth.
And here's a bit of history - up until the 1830's most people were buried at family plots, family farms or at the church cemetery. Most if not all burials would be considered “green” before then. As the population began to grow, several outbreaks of infectious disease gave rise to an increased concern over sanitation. At that time people didn't fully understand how disease spread or how to prevent it. The culture started to adopt the belief that death is dirty and should be handled by professionals, and that belief is very much active today.
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Help Us Continue Our Work
Why Support Us?
Our mantra at FCA of MN is: "Your Right, Your Choice, Your Decision." We provide information and tools to help you make after-death decisions that are right for you. Through our website, group presentations, price surveys, and the personal care we take when you call or email us, we strive to bring you a breadth and depth of information about after-death choices you won't find any place else. |
If this website - and the work we do - has helped you, please consider a donation of $5, $10, $20 (or more) so that our all-volunteer organization can continue this work. Thank you for your support.