Announcement
It is with deep sadness we announce that after 68 years, the Funeral Consumers Alliance of the Finger Lakes – originally the Ithaca Memorial Society – will be closing down later in 2026. There will be more details in our spring newsletter which will include the basic elements of funeral planning that we have shared with our members over the years. We hope you can keep this as a “kit” to reference as needed in the future.
Timeline
We will no longer be accepting donations. We will stop responding to phone inquiries as of July 2026. We hope to have the website live through the end of 2026 and will continue to respond to emails during that time as well. We will be participating in the Talking About Death Won’t Kill You event on April 25, 2026 and we invite you to drop by.
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Talking about death won’t kill you…it can help you make informed decisions about end-of-life plans for yourself and others.
Many people die in ways inconsistent with their values and wishes. Planning ahead provides an opportunity to think about and communicate what you do and don’t want at the end of life.
Join us—Saturday, April 25, 1:00-4:00 pm, First Unitarian Society of Ithaca, 306 N. Aurora Street, Ithaca (enter on Aurora St. between the church and the Parish House)—to develop the practical know-how needed to plan well for the end of life. The format is open, so drop by for a few minutes or stay for a few hours.
Staff from local organizations and beyond can help you explore:
advance care planning: health care proxy & living will
patient rights including medical aid in dying
accessing palliative care & hospice care
funeral planning
green burial
In addition to speaking with staff at the different tables, there will be a mini-talk (10-15 minutes) on each topic starting at 2:00.
We suggest parking in the Seneca Street Parking Garage (one block away). Unfortunately, street parking downtown on Saturday is no longer free. There is free parking throughout Fall Creek (starts a block north of Unitarian Society).
Brought to you by On Dying Well, End of Life Choices New York, Funeral Consumers Alliance of the Finger Lakes, Greensprings Natural Cemetery Preserve, Hospicare
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The Funeral Consumers Alliance of the Finger Lakes, Inc. (FCAFL) is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, service organization that provides the public with unbiased information about funeral planning, practices, and costs. The Alliance, based in Ithaca, serves the Southern Finger Lakes Region of New York State.
Do you prefer funeral arrangements that are simple, dignified and reasonably priced? Do you believe it is sensible to make funeral plans in advance and put them in writing? Planning now for your funeral can assure that you have the final arrangements you want and spare loved ones the anxiety of making those decisions at a difficult time.
Explore the Resources section to learn about body disposition choices, funeral home costs, financing options, your legal rights and more. Consider supporting our work through your donation.
You are welcome to contact us for information about funeral or death-care issues or problems.
Price Survey
We survey funeral prices in our service area at 2-year intervals. The 2025 Survey, limited to Tompkins County, is now available.
Newsletter
Our Spring newsletter is online for your reading pleasure. Explore some of our past newsletters while you’re there.
Websites of Interest
There are many online resources to help you from the Conversation Project, dedicated to helping people talk about their wishes for end-of-life care, to the Home Funeral Alliance supporting home funeral education and more.