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We remember the life of Daryl Gordon

3/30/2015

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Remembering the life of fallen Cincinnati Firefighter Daryl Gordon. 
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A free educational seminar "Make my final wish green." Sponsored by the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Greater Cincinnati, Inc. A local educational non profit organization. 

3/13/2015

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For generations Americans have practiced burial methods which have polluted millions of acres of precious land. There is good news. We now have a choice. Learn your consumer rights about green funerals, and other green disposition methods. Attend this free presentation sponsored by the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Greater Cincinnati Inc. 


                            "Make my final wish green."  
                                            
This 40 minute presentation will be followed by questions and answers. Come join us! 
Make your final wish GREEN.
Locations and time:

Monday, March 23, 2015                                           
Sharonville branch library 
10980 Thornview Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45241

Starts @ 6:30 PM
Doors open @ 6 PM






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Learn more about your green funeral options.

12/29/2014

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Register Soon for class 4916 Make My Final Wish Green: 
Green Burial and Final Disposition

Thursday, Jan. 29, 12:15–1:15 pm (TUC)

The educational nonprofit Funeral Consumers Alliance of
Greater  presents “Make My Final Wish Green.”
This lecture features a visual presentation that explores
current burial practices that damage our planet and provides
solutions to becoming more green in our burial practices. E. Todd Fowler - moderator. 

http://www.uc.edu/ce/olli.html

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Exciting announcement from the FCAGC

11/24/2014

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FCAGC. Inc/ Executive Director will be presenting at the 
Osher Lifelong learning Institute part of the University of Cincinnati- A vibrant learning community. 

The course topic is "Make My Final Wish Green."

WINTER 2015 REGISTRATION INFORMATION

December 12: Catalogs go to the Post Office.

December 15: PDF of catalog posted here.

January 5, 9 a.m.: Registration begins.




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Caregiving in Cincinnati and Dayton Ohio. The Funeral Consumers Alliance cares about you. 

7/20/2014

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Dealing with a family member who is facing a terminal or life long condition calls for those who are nearest to become caregivers. Care giving can be stressful and it can be rewarding. Remember a few tips. 
1. Pace yourself. This could be a long time so set up boundaries and a pace. It will change as the disease progresses, but it's good to start with a plan of action. 
2. Be sure to take time for yourself. Reward yourself. This is an act of love and commitment as you give of yourself. 
3. Consider joining a support group. You may not feel so alone in your care giving role. 
4. Search out information. Here is a great website to learn more.
   http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/stress-management/in-depth/caregiver-stress/art-20044784


   

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What does the Funeral Consumers Alliance do? Cincinnati and Dayton funeral consumers alliance. 

7/14/2014

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Watch this video from one of our affiliates. The funeral consumers alliance is a national group. Our group helps the Cincinnati, Dayton, Springfield funeral consumers. We have prices for over 90 funeral homes and 30 cemeteries.  Learn more. Free

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Funeral consumer information from the nonprofit source

7/12/2014

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Learn how to be a smart funeral consumer. Prudent. Fair. Honest.

About The Consumers' Funeral Director and the executive director of FCAGC, Inc.
In 1983 E. T. Fowler began a career in the funeral directing profession. What he soon learned was the cost and process of the caring for the dead was overwhelming to many of the families. He intuitively knew there had to be a better way . Earning his Ohio funeral directors and embalmers license in 1985, Mr. Fowler worked in the funeral business until 1992. He went on to establish a financial services company in West Chester, Ohio. Still recalling his earlier career, he desired to help the funeral consumer. In 2003 he began to educate and assist families through the funeral planning and grief recovery process. He finds great personal satisfaction in helping families through this painful and confusing part of life. 

Mr. Fowler is currently serving as the Executive Director of the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Greater Cincinnati (http://www.fcagc.org). A non profit organization dedicated to protecting and educating the funeral consumer. He donates his funeral background and professional knowledge to the members . As "The Consumers' Funeral Director", Mr. Fowler continues to be the advocate for the consumer. His professional background and prudent thinking has helped hundreds of families through the funeral and grief recovery process. 

Does your group need a speaker? He provides techniques and concepts to better prepare the consumer to deal with funeral sticker shock. Contact Mr. Fowler @ fca,cincinnati@gmail.com for information
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5 out of 15 Dayton Funeral homes failed the ftc funeral rule.

7/10/2014

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FTC press release disclosing Dayton Ohio funeral homes failing to comply with the Funeral consumers funeral rule. Consumers hurt. 



From the FTC press release


FTC Undercover Inspections of Funeral Homes in Nine States Test Compliance with Funeral Rule Disclosure RequirementsFTC’s Funeral Rule Requires Funeral Homes to Provide Price Lists to ConsumersFOR RELEASE
March 11, 2014TAGS:

 
  • Funerals
  •  
  • Bureau of Consumer Protection

Investigators working undercover in nine states found that, in 30 of the 122 funeral homes they visited during 2013, the funeral homes failed to disclose pricing information to consumers as required by the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule.

The FTC conducts undercover inspections every year to make sure that funeral homes are complying with the agency’s Funeral Rule. The Rule, issued in 1984, gives consumers important rights when making funeral arrangements. Key provisions of the Rule require funeral homes to provide consumers with an itemized general price list at the start of an in-person discussion of funeral arrangements, as well as a casket price list before consumers view any caskets and an outer burial container price list before they view grave liners or vaults. The Rule also prohibits funeral homes from requiring consumers to buy any item, such as a casket, as a condition of obtaining any other funeral good or service. By requiring itemized prices, the Funeral Rule enables consumers to compare prices and buy only the goods and services they want.

Funeral homes with price list disclosure violations can enter a training program designed to increase compliance with the Funeral Rule. The three-year program is known as the Funeral Rule Offenders Program (FROP), and is an alternative to an FTC lawsuit that could lead to a federal court order and civil penalties of up to $16,000 per violation. It is run by the National Funeral Directors Association and provides participants with a legal review of the price disclosures required by the Funeral Rule, and on-going training, testing and monitoring for compliance with the Rule. In addition, funeral homes that participate in the program make a voluntary payment to the U.S. Treasury in place of a civil penalty, and pay annual administrative fees to the Association.

The results of the FTC inspections for price list disclosures by region are as follows:

  • In Palm Springs, California, 1 of 8 funeral homes inspected failed to make a price list disclosure as required;
  • In Southern Connecticut and Northern New Jersey, 2 of 12 funeral homes inspected failed to make a price list disclosure as required;
  • In Monroe, Louisiana, 8 of 17 funeral homes inspected failed to make a price list disclosure as required.
  • In Baltimore, Maryland, 2 of 19 funeral homes inspected failed to make a price list disclosure as required.
  • In Dayton, Ohio, 5 of 15 funeral homes inspected failed to make a price list disclosure as required.
  • In Portland, Oregon, 2 of 14 funeral homes inspected failed to make a price list disclosure as required.
  • In Amarillo, Texas, 6 of 19 funeral homes inspected failed to make a price list disclosure as required.
  • In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 4 of 18 funeral homes inspected failed to make a price list disclosure as required.
All but two of the funeral homes with price list disclosure violations have agreed to enter the NFDA’s FROP program. The names of homes that have entered FROP are not released under the terms of the FROP program, and the FTC does not identify businesses under investigation. In addition, the FTC identified a number of funeral homes within the nine states with only minor compliance deficiencies. In such cases, the FTC contacts the funeral home and requires it to provide evidence that it has corrected the problems. Since the FROP program began in 1996, the FTC has inspected over 2,800 funeral homes, 459 of which have agreed to enter the FROP program.

The FTC educates consumers in English and Spanish about their rights under the Funeral Rule, and provides guidance to businesses in how to comply. For more information read or order Paying Final Respects:  Your Rights When Buying Funeral Goods & Services, Shopping for Funeral Services and Complying with the Funeral Rule.

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.


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Should you prepay for your a funeral?

7/10/2014

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Cincinnati and Dayton funeral consumers need to be aware of many factors when deciding to prepay their funeral or cremation.

For nearly 30 years people have asked me,  "Should I prepay a funeral?"

The answer is not cut and dry.

As a general rule, I caution people in prepaying to a funeral home. There are several reasons. First, if you do pay the funeral home make a follow up call to the funeral home 35 days after the contract has been signed to be sure the money was placed in a trust or proper funding plan. DEMAND a receipt from the holding company, NOT the funeral home. Be sure to know a third party is holding your monies.The problem has been some funeral directors will take the money and NOT put place the funds in the proper accounts.  Funeral directors are required to place the prepaid funds in a trust or insurance company within 30 days of the transaction. News reports from all over Ohio have shown funeral director facing criminal issues due to this theft or misappropriation.  


Secondly, funeral homes are sold and the new owners may not be the people you want to conduct the funeral services or cremation. When the funeral business is sold the prepaid accounts typically transfer to the new owner. This could be problematic for the consumer. 


Lastly, call the state board of embalmers and funeral directors and inquire of the funeral home you are considering to use has file the proper annual reports disclosing their prepaid accounts. If the board tells you the funeral home has not filed the report you may want  consider an alternative plan.

When should you prepay?

There are two reasons I have found why people prepay. 

First, if you are trying to qualify for state assistance for long term care or medical care, and you need to reduce assets in order to qualify. Funeral cost is an allowable spend down expense.  Be sure to consult an qualified attorney regarding estate planning and spend down for your state before paying for a funeral in spend down.


Secondly.
There are people who desire to have everything - all their affairs- in order and buttoned up. They want to be sure their wishes are honored. They do not want their family or friends to have to deal with any details. If this is your situation or desire, then  prepay your funeral cost. But follow up and get all the details of where the monies are held. 


Our office can help you navigate the questions and process of planning your final wishes. Give us a call during normal business hours for more details. Do not sign ANY contract with a funeral home before you speak with us. 
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Cincinnati Funeral Consumers need all the facts

7/9/2014

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Cincinnati Funeral Consumers need to understand their options.
Click here for prices for cremations and funerals in Cincinnati and Middletown Ohio. We are nonprofit. We care. We are here to help.

When planning a funeral the Cincinnati consumer must be aware. There are plenty of funeral homes touting low prices online. But in a recent secret shoppers experience the funeral home's general price list doesn't match up to their bargain basement online price. The price online is a hook to get you to call and make arrangements with their funeral home.


Here is a plan. 
Decide what your want in a funeral.
Decide on your budget.
Shop 3 funeral homes. YOU HAVE TIME. 
Negotiate with the funeral provider. Remember the price list is the highest price that  the Cincinnati funeral home can charge. There is no funeral rule that states they can not lower their high prices. 

Don't be fooled by the internet advertisements. Shop all the Cincinnati funeral prices and Cincinnati cremation prices online at www.fcagc.org We care. We are here to help. 
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    Author


    E. Todd Fowler is the executive director of the Funeral consumers alliance of Greater Cincinnati. A licensed funeral director who educates the public on how to purchase final expenses. Todd does not perform funeral services. He is known as the "Consumers' Funeral Director" based on his consumer advocacy.

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Cincinnati funeral prices  and Dayton, Springfield, Xenia and more. Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. 
                                          For more information email fca.cincinnati@gmail.com. 
                                                Please note we do not provide financial assistance.
                                  WE DO NOT know of any group that does give financial assistance.