We hope this short compendium of links will prove helpful, particularly the Massachusetts-Specific sites. A much more comprehensive list of links can be found on the national FCA website.
Links Page
National FCA
National Funeral Consumers Alliance (FCA) website http://www.funerals.org/
We are an affiliate of Funeral Consumers Alliance, Inc.
This national FCA site provides access to a vast amount of information, directly or via extensive links, to virtually anything related to end of life issues!
On this national FCA site, you can also join the FCA discussion group where the very latest issues and developments are reported and discussed by FCA members including affiliate and national leaders.
Federal Rules
Funerals: Consumer Rights Under the Funeral Rule - from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) http://www.ftc.gov/funerals/
This is the excellent site that lays out the basics that a consumer most needs to know to begin planning final arrangements, including an introduction to the so called Funeral Rule.
- It includes a Consumer Info. link to a page with good advice for consumers and further links including to the current actual wording of the Funeral Rule.
- It also includes a Business Info. link to a page with links to detailed information telling funeral directors what they must do to comply with the Funeral Rule. This is helpful to consumers in interpreting the actual wording of the Funeral Rule as it applies to what they should expect from a funeral director.
- There is even a button that takes you to a page that permits you to file a complaint.
State Rules - Massachusetts-Specific Information
This is an excellent primer on what the Massachusetts consumer should know before talking with a funeral director. It includes a very useful section on Pre-Paid ("Pre-Need") Funeral Arrangements.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of Investigations Application for Complaint
Guidelines for the Issuance of Burial Permits and Disposition of Human Remains
- from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health
This is a must for anyone in Massachusetts who is considering caring for their own dead. It is also an excellent source of basic information about what must be done in Massachusetts from the time a death occurs through the final disposition of a body or ashes.
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TO READ THE SPECIFIC LAWS THAT APPLY IN MASSACHUSETTS
Cemeteries And Burials. Cemetery And Crematory Corporations (General Laws Of Massachusetts, Chapter 114) http://www.state.ma.us/legis/laws/mgl/gl-114-toc.htm
The primary source for looking up the actual wording of the laws most directly involved in these topics
Promotion Of Anatomical Science (General Laws Of Massachusetts, Chapter 113)
http://www.state.ma.us/legis/laws/mgl/gl-113-toc.htm
Includes laws related to body and tissue donation.
Veterans' Benefits (General Laws Of Massachusetts. Chapter 115)
http://www.state.ma.us/legis/laws/mgl/gl-115-toc.htm
Includes some provisions related to final arrangements specific to veterans.
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More Massachusetts-specific links
The Forum For Massachusetts Law
http://www.malawforum.com
A question and answer column and legal resource clearinghouse for MA residents set up by Mark Bernardin who gave the presentation at our 2005 Annual meeting - on the book he co-authored with his brother Choosing Your Path: How Massachusetts Residents Can Take Control of their Medical Care, Estate Plans, and Funeral Arrangements. (His book is available from PoiDog Books, 140 Elm Street, Andover, MA 01810, or by calling 978-685-1177, Mon-Sat 10 AM to 5 PM.)
Pre-paying for Your Funeral in Massachusetts
http://www.funeralethics.org/MA.pdf
Prepared by the Funeral Ethics Organization in Hinesburg, VT
Other Links
Note: a far more extensive set of links is found on the national Funeral Consumers Alliance (FCA) website http://www.funerals.org/
Massachusetts Commission on End of Life Care
http://www.endoflifecommission.org
Includes many useful links including a list specific to Western Massachusetts
One particularly useful feature is their "after death occurs" checklist.
Good Article on "Planning a Funeral"
http://fcaemass.org/FHs/checkbook.pdf
Excellent general discussion and references (details, including list of funeral homes, are specific to the Greater Boston area for which this article was written). It is in pdf file format. Note: click here if you need to download free Adobe Reader to open pdf files.
Another Good Overview Article (recommended to us by a mortuary science student who found it useful) http://www.usa-people-search.com/content-a-consumers-guide-to-funerals.aspx
Book by Mark Harris titled GRAVE MATTERS (2007, Scribner, New York, ISBN 0743277686)
"This is an excellent exploration of several forms of disposition of a body leading chapter by chapter to a very logical concluding chapter on "green burial". Each chapter has been carefully researched and is given sympathetic coverage." - quoted from an Amazon.com customer review.
Link to Amazon.com information and reviews.
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What to do if you have been violated - complaint forms for both the Federal Trade Commission and the Commonwealth's Office of Investigations.
Funerals: Consumer Rights Under the Funeral Rule - from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
http://www.ftc.gov/funerals/
See button at bottom of page.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of Investigations Application for Complaint
http://www.mass.gov/Eoca/docs/dpl/complaint.pdf
Note: click here if you need to download free Adobe Reader to open pdf files.
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Read a Boston Globe article on Green Burial in Massachusetts
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2009/03/05/going_green/
http://www.compassionatwork.com/weblinks.html
Tools for managing grief at the workplace
--an excellent collection of links to the web
http://www.obituarieshelp.org/obituaries_hub.html
Obituaries Help is a helpful resource (maintained by volunteers) for a person
looking for guidance in composing obituaries, expressing condolence/sympathy and more.