Spring, 2016
In This Issue:
|
60% of Minnesotans Chose Cremation in 2015
Preliminary data from the Minnesota Center for Health Statistics on "method of disposition" (i.e., burial, cremation, body donation) show that the rate of cremation rose to 60% in 2015.
By comparison, the overall US cremation rate was 45.3% in 2013, the last year complete data was available.
In Minnesota, the cremation rate has increased 2% annually. (For example, in 2007, the cremation rate was 43%.) It's projected that at the current rate, by 2020 cremations will account for 70% of dispositions in Minnesota.
The Minnesota Center for Health Statistics collects annual data on total deaths, breaking down the total number by county in which the death occurred, and the method of disposition for deaths in each county. For example, in Cook County up in Grand Marais country, there were a total of 36 deaths in 2015. Methods of disposition were:
Burial: 7
Cremation: 26
Removal: 1 (Removal means the body was transported out of state.)
Body Donation: 2
The graph below is a partial view of the preliminary county data and shows the total of Minnesota deaths by method of disposition:
By comparison, the overall US cremation rate was 45.3% in 2013, the last year complete data was available.
In Minnesota, the cremation rate has increased 2% annually. (For example, in 2007, the cremation rate was 43%.) It's projected that at the current rate, by 2020 cremations will account for 70% of dispositions in Minnesota.
The Minnesota Center for Health Statistics collects annual data on total deaths, breaking down the total number by county in which the death occurred, and the method of disposition for deaths in each county. For example, in Cook County up in Grand Marais country, there were a total of 36 deaths in 2015. Methods of disposition were:
Burial: 7
Cremation: 26
Removal: 1 (Removal means the body was transported out of state.)
Body Donation: 2
The graph below is a partial view of the preliminary county data and shows the total of Minnesota deaths by method of disposition:
The Other category includes above ground entombment in a mausoleum. Sometimes the Other box is checked but nothing further is specified.
While more and more Minnesotans are choosing cremation, many of them have not yet made decisions about whether to hold an event (such as a funeral ceremony, memorial event or other gathering), or what the final destination of the cremated remains will be (such as inurnment, or scattering). In other words, they haven't done any planning beyond choosing Cremation as the method of disposition. If that sounds familiar, you'll find a wealth of information about choices and options on the Cremation, Green Cremation, and Plan Ahead pages of this website. And if you haven't seen it yet, check out our 2015 Direct Cremation Price Survey.
While more and more Minnesotans are choosing cremation, many of them have not yet made decisions about whether to hold an event (such as a funeral ceremony, memorial event or other gathering), or what the final destination of the cremated remains will be (such as inurnment, or scattering). In other words, they haven't done any planning beyond choosing Cremation as the method of disposition. If that sounds familiar, you'll find a wealth of information about choices and options on the Cremation, Green Cremation, and Plan Ahead pages of this website. And if you haven't seen it yet, check out our 2015 Direct Cremation Price Survey.
Upcoming Event:
FCA of MN Booth at Twin Cities PRIDE | June 25 & 26, Loring Park
For the first time in our history, Funeral Consumers Alliance of Minnesota (FCA of MN) will have a booth at the Twin Cities Pride Festival June 25 & 26.
The location - as always - is Loring Park on the edge of downtown Minneapolis, across Hennepin Avenue from the Sculpture Garden.
Festival admission is free.
The largest free Pride celebration in the country and one of the largest Summer events in the Twin Cities, the TC Pride festival features over 400 exhibitors, 40 food and beverage booths, and 300,000+ visitors in this celebration of the GLBT community.
The location - as always - is Loring Park on the edge of downtown Minneapolis, across Hennepin Avenue from the Sculpture Garden.
Festival admission is free.
The largest free Pride celebration in the country and one of the largest Summer events in the Twin Cities, the TC Pride festival features over 400 exhibitors, 40 food and beverage booths, and 300,000+ visitors in this celebration of the GLBT community.
The 2016 Twin Cities Pride celebration starts June 19 at Como Park in St. Paul and ends with the Festival and Parade in Minneapolis.
For the first time in TC Pride history, the festival weekend will kick off on Friday, June 24, at CHS Field with the St. Paul Saints vs. Winnipeg Goldeyes game. The Saints will don rainbow uniforms with proceeds from the auction of the jerseys going to Pride. For more information, check out the TC Pride website. Stop by our booth. |
With over 400 exhibitors, it can be a challenge finding the booth your looking for at Loring Park. A TC Pride map will be available to help you locate exhibitors. It will not only list all exhibitors, it will color code the section of Loring Park the exhibit booth is located in. The FCA of MN booth will be located in the section TC Pride calls Boomertown. We don't know what color Boomertown will be. Maybe gray.
Come visit our booth and say hello.
Come visit our booth and say hello.
Upcoming Event:
The New Death & Dying | A Night with Dr. Karen Wyatt MD
Dr. Wyatt is founder of End-of-Life University, a rich online resource of articles, podcasts, and interviews that cover all aspects of the topic we usually avoid talking about: health care at the end of life, death and dying, and the last stages of life. She is the author of the book What Really Matters: 7 Lessons for Living from the Stories of the Dying.
At this event, Dr. Wyatt will be talking about the national and local landscape of grassroots initiatives that are expanding end of life options and transforming the current mindset about how we live and die.
At this event, Dr. Wyatt will be talking about the national and local landscape of grassroots initiatives that are expanding end of life options and transforming the current mindset about how we live and die.
The New Death & Dying
May 19, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
Spring House
610 West 28th Street, Minneapolis
Tickets:
Online: $20 at http://karenwyatt.bpt.me
At the door: $25
May 19, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
Spring House
610 West 28th Street, Minneapolis
Tickets:
Online: $20 at http://karenwyatt.bpt.me
At the door: $25
Download flyer HERE.
Written Instructions for After-Death Arrangements
Sooner or later, each of us will die, and someone will need to take charge of the body. Before that happens, there's something you can do. You can lessen the burden that will fall on your loved ones when you die. You can put in writing your plans and wishes for what you want to happen to and with your body after death.
Written Instructions
Minnesota statutes spells out what is required (see the blue text box below):
"Arrangements made in advance of need must be in writing and dated, signed, and witnessed."
In your written instructions, you can, if you wish, name the person or persons you wish to carry out your wishes.
Written Instructions
Minnesota statutes spells out what is required (see the blue text box below):
"Arrangements made in advance of need must be in writing and dated, signed, and witnessed."
In your written instructions, you can, if you wish, name the person or persons you wish to carry out your wishes.
FCA of MN has created a simple-to-use two-page form - After Death Arrangements - for recording your wishes.
You can download either a .pdf or .doc version of the form. There are several ways to use this form: ▪ Use it to review your options. The form may prompt you to think about and explore options you're not familiar with or that you haven't heard of before. ▪ Use it to guide you as you create your own personalized after death plans and put them in writing. ▪ Use it to begin a conversation with family members about your after death plans. ▪ Use it as a form you'll fill out, copy, and give to the person you've designated to be responsible for carrying out your wishes. |
What About Other Funeral/Death Planning Forms?
There are many free after death planning forms available online. Funeral homes also offer planning forms. Most of these forms run to several pages and allow you to check boxes for such specific funeral details as whether you want your eyeglasses on our off (presuming you want others to view your body after death), names of pall bearers (presuming you will be buried), and favorite music (presuming you'll have a ceremony of some kind).
Long forms can be overwhelming. The important thing is to take the leap and put your plans and wishes in writing, and then share them with loved ones. You can change them or add to them anytime. But now is the right time to begin. |
National FCA Conference July 24-25 in Atlanta
Every two years, Funeral Consumers Alliance, of which FCA of MN is an affiliate, holds a national conference. We were pleased to be the host of the 2014 conference in Bloomington. This year, Atlanta has the honors.
Keynote speakers include Katrina Spade, founder of the Urban Death Project, a new system for gently and sustainably disposing of the dead using the process of composting. We featured the Urban Death Project in our Summer 2015 Newsletter.
You can download the conference flyer HERE.
Keynote speakers include Katrina Spade, founder of the Urban Death Project, a new system for gently and sustainably disposing of the dead using the process of composting. We featured the Urban Death Project in our Summer 2015 Newsletter.
You can download the conference flyer HERE.
Still 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 2-3 people
to serve on our Board of Directors in the coming months.
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 90 minute meetings on the 2nd Saturday of the month, from 9-10:30 AM.
- Take on one or more ongoing task requiring 4-5 hours per month.
- Participate in organizational planning and development (usually at Board meetings).
- Keep informed about consumer issues related to the funeral (death-care) industry.
Board members are expected to:
- Attend monthly 90 minute meetings on the 2nd Saturday of the month, from 9-10:30 AM.
- Take on one or more ongoing task requiring 4-5 hours per month.
- Participate in organizational planning and development (usually at Board meetings).
- Keep informed about consumer issues related to the funeral (death-care) industry.
Will you join us?
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. For more information, send us an email at info@fcaofmn.org. Put Board Interest in the Subject line. |
Invite an FCA of MN Speaker
A speaker from Funeral Consumers Alliance of Minnesota (FCA of MN) is available to talk to your group about the wide range of after-death choices, including:
▪ Traditional Funeral ▪ Cremation ▪ Green Cremation ▪ Home Funeral ▪ Green/Natural Burial Your speaker will also address: ▪ the "how tos" of after-death planning ▪ 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.
We Can't Do It Without You
Plans for 2016
The board of FCA of MN plans to expand our reach by being present at a number of events in the Twin Cities area over the coming year. Some events require a registration fee. At all events we'll be handing out printed materials.
The board of FCA of MN plans to expand our reach by being present at a number of events in the Twin Cities area over the coming year. Some events require a registration fee. At all events we'll be handing out printed materials.
Will You Help?
Because these events draw huge numbers of people from all walks of life, they're an excellent way to spread the word about FCA of MN resources. Even the printing of a small card to pass out with our name, purpose, web address, and phone number on it will add to our normal expenses. Please consider a donation of $10, $20 (or more) to help us expand our presence in 2016. |
Remember: we provide families and individuals with a breadth and depth of information about after-death choices unavailable any place else in Minnesota.