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Funeral Consumers Alliance of the Triangle (FCAT)

Providing Information, Education and Advocacy since 1966.

Mission

To protect and empower people making decisions regarding end-of-life health care and disposition of human remains
The funeral industry in North Carolina is sometimes encountered by people only at the time of a death -- a time when most of us are stressed and decisions may be hasty. This is when emotional vulnerability makes us prey for the unscrupulous.   FCAT strives to provide information and education to people well in advance of their need for it.  We also advocate for the public with various government agencies.
We have found that funeral homes using sensitive, ethical business practices applaud FCAT's efforts to educate the public.

FCAT encourages:

  • Early consideration of personal values
  • Advance document preparation
  • Informed decisions regarding burial and types of service
  • Knowledge about laws in NC regarding disposition of remains
  • Open information regarding funeral home practices and pricing
  • Curiosity about the body disposition process

Join us!  Your experience, ideas, talents will help us grow this burgeoning social cause.  As a member, you will enjoy:

  • Interaction with compassionate realists
  • Comparative price list of funeral homes in the area
  • Participation in a cause rooted in ethics
  • Knowledge that will empower you and those you love to make wise personal decisions
  • Having your opinions heard and considered seriously
  • Great fun with a bunch of happy renegades!

Do you know

  • Why some "Pre-Need" arrangements are not encouraged by FCAT?
  • Whether embalming is a requirement?
  • What your choices are regarding disposition?
  • Laws regarding transportation of a body?
  • Who to call first if someone dies at home?
  • Whether you can have your dog's ashes buried with your father's?

FCAT is affiliated with the national Funeral Consumers Alliance. FCAT is a 501(c)(3) organization under IRS regulations.

Please use the menus or the search function to explore this site.
Last Updated on Sunday, 01 January 2012 13:52
 
Why You Need What FCAT Offers PDF Print E-mail
Written by Michael Rulison   
Tuesday, 23 August 2011 18:18

FCAT is here for YOU...

... because bad things do happen in the stress at end of life.

Honest mistakes can be very painful. And attempts to profit from consumer ignorance may be costly as well as painful.

FCAT is here, especially in advance of need, but also when a crisis arises, to help you in dealing with the funeral and cemetery markets with which you may be unfamiliar.

For example:

Preneed Contracts - Board of Funeral Services Sanctions Laurinburg NC Funeral Home
by  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (Ed)
The Pilot, Southern Pines NC, Friday, July 29, 2011
The N.C. Board of Funeral Services has sanctioned Purcell Funeral Home [Laurinburg NC] and its director, Kenny Purcell, for violations related to preneed contracts.
According to a consent document filed in the matter, an examination of funeral home practices conducted in 2010 concluded that the funeral home committed fraud in the practice of preneed funeral planning and in the practice of funeral service.
http://www.google.com/reader/view/#stream/feed%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.funerals.org%2Fnewsandalerts%2Fdailydirge%3Fformat%3Dfeed%26type%3Drss

FCAT advises against paying for preneed contracts in most cases for several reasons.

Direct Cremation - may not include the cost of the actual cremation process. Ask at least twice to be sure what the TOTAL cost of direct cremation will be and will include.
Read more...
 
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