About Us

The Funeral Consumers Alliance of Greater Kansas City is a nonprofit chapter of the national Funeral Consumers Alliance, which is dedicated to protecting the right of consumers to choose a meaningful, dignified, affordable funeral.

The national alliance was started in the late 1930s in response to two primary influences: the Great Depression and the increasing cost of funerals stemming from the use of embalming and more elaborate manufactured caskets. Since then, the alliance has kept pace with new technologies and trends as well as a growing return to older, simpler ways of death and disposition. The alliance now has about 70 chapters across the United States.

To accomplish its goals, our chapter:

• Monitors local prices for many funeral-related services, including standard funerals, immediate funerals, and direct cremations, and provides price surveys in print and online.
• Engages in education by:
  • making informational presentations to organizations throughout the area;
  • producing and distributing succinct informational cards for residents of senior facilities, particularly in at-risk communities;
  • providing print materials to health care institutions, hospices, and social workers; and
  • organizing an annual meeting that offers continuing education units to professionals and general education to the public.
• Produces a twice-yearly newsletter about funeral choices to increase public awareness of funeral options, including how to care for the dead without using a funeral home.
• Maintains an email address and a phone line for consumers to ask questions about specific concerns, and serves as an advocate in resolving those concerns or pointing consumers to other resources.
• Serves as a credible and respected source of information for local media about topics of death and dying.

We believe that:

Individuals and families have the right to make informed choices concerning funeral and memorial options.

Choices made by individuals and families based on their religious, cultural, and socio-economic background are valid.

Commitment to the community is fundamental and focuses us on serving the needs of those around us.

Collaboration with other organizations dealing with death and dying issues makes us all more sensitive, stronger, and effective.

Adherence to high ethical standards in the funeral industry is a consumer right.

If many people carry out small parts of our mission, we can be more effective.

Consumers can make appropriate decisions without severe financial consequences when they make choices free from vested interests.

The cost of a funeral or memorial is not a measure of love or respect for the deceased.

Individuals and families can make better plans when all parties are involved before necessity arises.