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IN THE NEWS/OF INTEREST

In The News/Of Interest

Your family member or person who you have/had financial power-of-attorney for died over a year ago. Your loved one was formerly covered by Medicare Parts A & B. You just received a medical bill for services provided before their death.

What do you do?

Click here to find out.

Date: November, 2024

(Share with us all by Member, P.D. Thank you, sir!)

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The quest to alter our last ‘toxic’ act: Inside the rise of human composting.

By: Jeanette Marantos, Staff Writer 

DateMay 22, 2024

(Share with us all by: Former Board Member, Janet Cornwell. Thank you, Janet!)

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I'm a funeral director and embalmer. These are the 8 things everyone gets wrong about what happens after we die.

By: Louise Pachella

Mon, January 22, 2024 at 9:59 AM PST

(Share with us all by: Former Board Member, Janet Cornwell. Thank you, Janet!)

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Funeral homes come up with 'digital human' to mourn the dead

By: Hu Min, SHINE

19:44 UTC+8, 2023-12-22

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Remains of at least 189 people removed from Colorado funeral home, up from 115, officials say

By: JESSE BEDAYN AND MATTHEW BROWN, ASSOCIATED PRESS

OCT. 17, 2023 4:58 AM PT

Death becomes her: This Gen Z mortician wants to dispel morbid misconceptions of the funeral industry

By: Danielle Abreu • Published September 26, 2023, NBC Los Angeles

Updated on September 27, 2023 at 6:45 am

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The next generation of funeral directors prepares for change

By: Matt Busse, Cardinal News

June 13, 2023

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Funeral Industry Statistics

Members of the Media: If you have questions about the statistics below, would like additional information or data, or would like to interview an expert, please contact National Funeral Director's Association (NFDA's) public relations team.

60.5% vs 34.5%

cremation vs. burial: according to nfda’s 2023 cremation and burial report, the 2023 cremation rate is projected to be 60.5% and the burial rate is projected to be 34.5%. click here to learn more

 

$7,848

cost of a funeral: the national median cost of a funeral with a viewing and burial in 2021 was approximately $7,848 while the median cost of a funeral with cremation was approximately $6,971. click here to learn more.  

60%

interest in green funeral options: according to NFDA’s 2023 consumer awareness and preferences report, 60% would be interested in exploring “green” funeral options because of their potential environmental benefits, cost savings or for some other reason, up from 55.7% in 2021.

53.1%

non-traditional funeral locales: according to NFDA’s 2023 consumer awareness and preferences report, 53.1% of respondents have attended a funeral at a non-traditional location.

 

31.7%

 

cremation ... and burial: according to NFDS’s 2023 consumer awareness and preferences report, 31.7% would prefer to have their cremated remains buried or interred in a cemetery, as opposed to kept in an urn at home, scattered in a sentimental location, split among relatives, kept in a place of worship, or some other option.

$16.323 billion

funeral homes are vital businesses that contribute to our nation in ways both seen and unseen. nearly 87% of funeral homes are family- or privately owned, creating a significant tax base and jobs.  according to the latest data (2012) from the U.S. census bureau economic census, the funeral industry generates $16.323 billion in revenue (funeral homes and funeral services: $13.004 billion; cemeteries and crematories: $3.319 billion). the U.S. census bureau economic census also reports that the funeral industry employs 141,002 people, creating $4.7 billion in wages (funeral homes and funeral services (108,385; cemeteries and crematories: 32,617). 

 

89.2%

 

still family owned: approximately 89.2% of funeral homes in the united states are privately owned by families or individuals. 

 

20,000

NFDA members: founded in 1882 and with more than 20,000 individual members representing nearly 11,000 funeral homes in 50 countries, NFDA is the largest association in the world for the funeral service profession and is dedicated to supporting its members in their mission to provide families with meaningful end-of-life services at the highest levels of excellence and integrity.

113

small businesses: the average NFDA-member funeral home serves 113 families per year and has three full-time and four part-time employees.

Click HERE to download a PDF of the article.     

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More than 115 bodies ‘improperly’ stored at 'green' funeral home

By: Chloe Kim, BBC

October 7, 2023

Click HERE to download a PDF of the article.   

 

Special Note: While no one can guarantee 100% of the time any business is being run according to all current industry codes, rules, regulations, and laws, visiting the State of CA Department of Consumer Affairs, Cemetery and Funeral Bureau (CFB) is a strong recommended step to better assure you are dealing with a compliant and non-violative cemetery, mortuary, or funeral home.

CFB's Website Home Page: https://www.cfb.ca.gov

CFB's Enforcement and Disciplinary Actions webpage: https://www.cfb.ca.gov/enforcement/index.shtml

CFB's Telephone Number: (916) 574--7870

CFB's Email Address:  emailcfb@dca.ca.gov

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How I planned my own green funeral

By: Becca Warner, BBC

August 21, 2023

Click HERE to download a PDF of the article.     

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Human composting: The rising interest in natural burial

By: Ben Tracy, SUNDAY MORNING, CBS NEWS

June 18, 2023

Click HERE to download a PDF of the article.     

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Become a diamond or get launched into space —

7 alternatives to burial or cremation

By: Karen Garcia, LA TIMES

May 19, 2023

Click HERE to download a PDF of the article.     

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Why human composting with ‘green burials’ is the next big thing

By: Gavin Newsham, New York Post                                                                                               Jan 21, 2023

Click HERE to download a PDF of the article.

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7 interesting burial options conducted in US state of California

By: DEUTSCHE PRESSE-AGENTUR - DPA | EDITED BY BUSE KESKIN DAILY - SABAH

May 24, 2023

Click HERE to download a PDF of the article.     

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When the dead don't stay buried: The grave situation at cemeteries amid climate change

By: Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY

September 14, 2023

Click HERE to download a PDF of the article.     

[Thanks, Former Board Member Janet Cornwell, for sending us this article.] 

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Imposters prey on families preparing for the funeral of a loved one

By: Alvaro Puig, Consumer Education Specialist

June 15, 2023

Click HERE to download a PDF of the article.

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(While the first article was first posted by the Federal Trade Commission in 2022, it is timeless and provides valuable info for us all.  Be sure to share a link to this page with someone you care about.)

Funeral providers must give accurate information

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION CONSUMER ADVICE

By: Bridget Small, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

April 22, 2022

Click here to visit the State of CA Department of Consumer Affairs Cemetery and Funeral Bureau which includes a lot of helpful info, including but not limited to current and past lists of businesses that were investigated by the Bureau as well as those businesses that received enforcement and disciplinary actions.

Click here to see the list of our participating mortuaries who do not "play games witpeople." (The rows of our participating providers are highlighted in green.) 

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Hidden Funeral Costs Can Add to Your Loss 

Kiplinger's Retirement Report

By: Laura Vecsey

March 2023

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When somebody dies, what happens to the body?

THE CONVERSATION

By: Mark EvelyProgram Director and Assistant Professor of Mortuary Science, Wayne State University

Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

September 15, 2020

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What is human composting? Experts explain how the eco-friendly burial option works.

yahoo!life

By: Rachel Grumman Bender

June 8, 2022 at 5:00 AM (8 min read)

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Yes, anybody can be buried at sea. Why people pick the ocean as their final resting place sea?

Los Angeles Times

By Deborah Netburn, Staff Writer

Photography by Carolyn Cole

April 12, 2022

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Colorado lays to rest first legally composted

human remains

NBC News

By Tim Fitzsimons

Monday, Mar 21, 2022 (3 min read)

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For Sale: Cemetery Plots: Two women learn the demand for gravesites is weaker than it used to be

AARP THE MAGAZINE

By Jean Chatzy

Monday, Feb 21, 2022

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Reef ball burials: The New Trend for Becoming

 

'Coral' When You Die

The Guardian

By Abby Young-Powell

Monday, Feb 21, 2022

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The Last Pandemic Aid Anybody Wants to Need

New York Times

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California Expected to Legalize Human Composting, an Eco-Friendly Burial Method

Green Matters

By Sophie Hirsh

Aug 12, 2021

(Special thanks to FCALA Member, Lisa Edmondson, for submitting this article.)

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FEMA Funeral Assistance

Website of the United States of America

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. At FEMA, our mission is to help people before, during, and after disasters. We are dedicated to helping ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus.

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.

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If you care about the planet, decide what to do with your body when you die

Bangor Daily News, Maine

By Sam Schipani

May 3, 2021

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Why Funerals Are So Expensive In The U.S.

In the past decade, dying has become an increasingly expensive thing to do. More and more families are choosing cremation or simply scaling down on memorial services for their loved ones. Both of which bring in less revenue for funeral businesses that tend to rely on extravagant services and expensive caskets and burials. So with traditional funeral rituals becoming more obsolete, increasingly expensive, and entrenched in criticism, what does this mean for the death-care industry?

CNBC

Produced by: Dymond Green

Senior Producer: Jacqui Frank

April 24, 2021

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South Coast AQMD Issues Emergency Order for Crematoriums due to COVID-1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 17, 2021

MEDIA CONTACT: Kim White, (909) 396-3456, Cell: (909) 323-9479

Nahal Mogharabi, (909) 396-3773, Cell: (909) 837-2431

press@aqmd.gov

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The Lost Art of Dying

A physician and human ethicist argue that modern society has lost sight of the cultural, spiritual, and practical resources we need to confront our mortality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COLUMBIA MAGAZINE

By: CHERIE HENDERSON '14 SPS | WINTER 2020 - 2021

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FireShot Capture 800 - The Lost Art of D

Financial steps to take immediately when spouse dies

Consider hiring an estate planning or probate attorney to help with these tasks.

 

GRIEF CAN impair judgment. Be careful about making big

changes in the year after a spouse’s death.

(Matt Born Associated Press)

By: liz weston

december 29, 2020 | la times

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FireShot Capture 775 -  - enewspaper.lat

Funeral Costs Are Driving Families Hit by

COVID-19 to Desperate Measures

Clockwise from top left: The Hinojosa family; Hannah Hae In Kim

and her parents (2); The Kellogg family

By: melissa chan

december 21, 2020 | time

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FireShot Capture 758 - COVID-19 Funeral

Part of The Coronavirus Pandemic: What You Need to Know

How to Have 'The Talk' During COVID-19

The pandemic is the prime time to discuss end-of-life matters

Kai, his dad, and Kai's little sister | Credit: Courtesy of Kai Drewry

 

By: bruce horovits

december 7, 2020 | caregiving

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When someone dies, what happens to the body?

The Conversation - Academic rigor, journalistic flair

By Mark Evely

Program Director and Assistant Professor of Mortuary Science, Wayne State University

September 20, 2020 (But still informative.)

(Special thanks to FCALA Board Member, Janet Comwell, for submitting this article.)

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thetalk.webp
07-01-2020_BOSTON GLOBE NO REFUND ISSUES

New York City funeral home was storing bodies on ice in U-Haul trucks

By: Jonathan Dienst and Tim Stelloh

aPrIL 29, 2020 | NBC News Digital

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FireShot Capture 523 - New York City fun

The children of Julia Flaherty, who died from COVID-19 on April 13, feel they were overcharged by the funeral home for her arrangements. From left, Daniel Flaherty, Maureen O'Leary, and Sean Flaherty visited their parents' grave in St. Joseph Cemetery, in West Roxbury, holding a photo of their parents on their wedding day.

By: sEAN P. MURPHY, GLOBE STAFF

JUNE 4, 2020 | BOSTON GLOBE

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Death Industry Is No Safe Haven in a Pandemic

 

 

 

 

By: spencer jakab

aPrIL 11, 2020 | WALL STREET JOURNAL

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04-11-2020_DEATH INDUSTRY IS NO SAFE HAV

Ecuador builds emergency cemeteries amid rising deaths, coronavirus cases

By: reuters | aPrIL 8, 2020 

04-08-2020_pic of ecuador story.jpg

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March 27, 2020

Video - 2020 FCA Postponed Funeral Video by FCA's Executive Director: Josh Slocum

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She got coronavirus at a funeral and died. Her family honored her with a drive-up service

 

By: SUSANNE RUST, CAROLYN COLE

april 8, 2020 | l.a. times

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In Stanislaus County, how coronavirus is affecting the way mortuaries do their work

By: erin tracy

March 27, 2020 | modesto bee

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Funerals Postponed Article

March 25, 2020 | BLOG - THE DAILY DIRGE

March 20, 2020 Video - Funerals during a pandemic

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Dust To Dust - I Don't Relish Joining My Cremated In-Laws on our Bookcase.  Luckily, There Are Alternatives

 

By: amy goldman koss

March 8, 2020 | LA Times

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Death is Forever: Cemeteries, as they currently exist, might not be

By: Bess Lovejoy

FEBRUARY 26, 2020 |  CONSIDERABLE

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Compost your departed loved one and save the planet, L.A. lawmaker says

By: melody gutierrez | staff writer

FEBRUARY 24, 2020 |  LA TIMES

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Beverly Hills Man Says He Didn't Get Fair Share of His Wife's Ashes

By: hannah fry | staff writer

december 31, 2019  |  la times

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03-27-2020_STANISLAUS FUNERAL HOMES - DF
04-08-2020_MADERA WOMAN.jfif

Hidden Funeral Prices: An Evaluation of California Funeral Home Price Disclosure and Lack of Disclosure

CONSUMER FEDERATION OF AMERICA

September 30, 2019  |  Report

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51% of California Funeral Homes Hide Prices or Make Them Hard to Find Online, Consumer Groups Say

Five years after passage of law, some price lists are difficult to find on websites and others are nowhere to be found

By TERI SFORZA | tsforza@scng.com | Orange County Register

PUBLISHED: September 30, 2019 at 5:55 pm | UPDATED: October 1, 2019 at 2:43 pm

 

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FCA News -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 27, 2019

PRESS TELE-CONFERENCE ADVISORY 
September 30, 2019 at 1:00 PM Eastern
Call-in: 800-247-5110
Passcode: CFACALL

Contact: Josh Slocum, FCA, 802-865-8300
 
NEW REPORT ON FUNERAL SERVICES: ARE CALIFORNIA HOME FOLLOWING THE ONLINE PRICE DISCLOSURE LAWS
 
Adequate Disclosure of Funeral Home Costs Critical to Fair Prices

Washington, D.C. – At a 1 p.m. EST, press teleconference on Monday, September 30th, Consumer Federation of America, Funeral Consumers Alliance, Funeral Consumers Alliance of California and Consumer Action will release the results of a new report on the adequacy of online price information from funeral homes in California.  The report analyzed this information for more than 200 funeral homes in six large urban areas (Sacramento, Alameda County, City of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego). In addition, Stephen Brobeck, a Senior Fellow at CFA and Josh Slocum, FCA’s Executive Director will address how a loophole in the California online price disclosure law is allowing some funeral homes to bypass the intent of the law.
 
To be released at the press teleconference:

  • The difficulty of obtaining funeral pricing information online and how that impacts prices
     

  • City by city and company by company differences in the posting of funeral pricing
     

  • What California legislators must do to protect grief-stricken consumers
     

  • Why the Federal Trade Commission needs to take steps to protect bereaved consumers in California and across the country



EVENT:             Press Tele-conference: Release of New Report on California Funeral Price

                          Disclosures
DATE:               Monday, September 30, 2018 1 p.m. EDT
Call In #:           800-247-5110 and use Passcode: CFACALL
SPEAKERS:     Stephen Brobeck, Senior Fellow, CFA                                        
                          Josh Slocum, Executive Director, FCA

NO INFORMATION WILL BE RELEASED BEFORE THE TELECONFERENCE

The release will be available after 11:30 a.m. EDT September 30th @ www.consumerfed.org
 
The Consumer Federation of America is an association of more than 250 nonprofit consumer organizations that was established in 1968 to advance the consumer interest through research, advocacy, and education.

Funeral Consumers Alliance is a nonprofit federation of consumer education organizations. Founded in 1963, FCA works to educate the public on funeral options and costs in order to protect the consumer’s right to choose a meaningful and affordable funeral.
 
Consumer Action has been a champion of underrepresented consumers nationwide since 1971. A non-profit 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in San Francisco, Consumer Action focuses on consumer education that empowers low- and moderate-income and limited-English-speaking consumers to financially prosper.

Funeral Consumers Alliance of California represents the interests of member educational organizations and consumers throughout the state. 

Click on any of the teal or blue - colored text above to visit the respective websites.

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