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 ➙
Funeral Rule of the FTC
Funerals: Consumer Rights Under the Funeral Rule - from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/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.
Massachusetts Consumer Facts
Consumers Guide to Planning a Funeral
A very brief primer on what the Massachusetts consumer should consider before talking with a funeral director. It includes a brief section on Pre-Paid ("Pre-Need") Funeral Arrangements.
BEFORE ENTERING INTO ANY PRE-NEED CONTRACT, please think about the FCA general position on pre-need contracts: …
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 with contact information. Please inform us of any omissions or errors by e mail
2010 Funeral Home Price Survey
2010 Funeral Home Price Survey
Every two years FCAWM surveys funeral homes in Western Massachusetts to obtain General Price Lists (GPL). Funeral homes are required by the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule (revised 1994) to provide a General Price List to anyone who visits in person and inquires about funeral services and to provide specific prices if they are requested by phone. …
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 Vermont-based Eternal Blessings Cremation Service…
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 the retail outlet is, in fact, charging less than the funeral home would charge for a comparable item.…
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 or Cremation Checklist (FCAWM)
…
Workshop on Funeral Planning at GCC
Credit-free workshop
at Greenfield Community College
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?…
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 for dignified yet affordable end-of-life services
…
