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. More information will be posted here soon.
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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 Fall 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.