BEFORE VISITING ANY FUNERAL HOME or considering any online or television advertising , we strongly recommend that consumers consider the following as minimum preparation.
See index of "What You Should Know" topics in sidebar at right ➙
What You Should Know Before You Go
Funeral Rule of the FTC
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…
Massachusetts Consumer Facts
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.
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Funeral Homes Listing
BEFORE VISITING ANY FUNERAL HOME, we strongly recommend that consumers read our information regarding the Funeral Rule and Massachusetts Consumer Facts.
Below is a list of all Western Massachusetts funeral homes known to us. Each entry includes the address, phone number and ownership information.
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Crematories
Crematories
Note: Most of this page is devoted to crematories located within Massachusetts (and one in New Hampshire), all of which presently require that arrangements be made through a funeral home, rather than through the crematory itself.
At the bottom of the page, see information on the …
Casket Retail Outlets
Casket Retail Sales Outlets
The Federal Trade Commission's Funeral Rule requires that funeral homes permit the consumer to purchase a casket from a separate source without imposing any additional charge for doing so. As always, we recommend comparison shopping before making a purchase. Be sure that…
Brochures
We offer educational brochures on a variety of topics. The brochures are free; however, your donation will help to offset our costs of duplication and mailing.
______ The Cremation Option in Western Massachusetts (FCAWM)
______ Funeral Home Price List for Western Massachusetts (FCAWM)
______ Funeral…
Speaker for your Group
Confused? It is a lot to take in just from reading the information online or in printouts.
We can supply a speaker for your group on the topic of
"What You Should Know ... Before you Go" issues.
A volunteer from the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Western Massachusetts will discuss:
- How to plan ahead…
NEW! Credit-free workshop at GCC
NEW! Credit-free workshop at GCC
Funeral Planning for the Living
If you had died yesterday . . .
. . . what kind of casket would your survivors be choosing for you? Is it what you’d want? Is there something else you’d prefer?
. . . how much would the funeral they’d be planning for you cost? …