DeathCare SuperConference — Seattle, WA
2024-09-27 - 2024-09-29 | Seattle Public Library, Central Branch, 1000 4th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98164
The 2024 Deathcare Superconference: Building Bridges in the Deathcare Landscape will be held in Seattle this September 27-29, 2024. I’ll be there in person at event, being held at the Seattle Public Library, 1000 Fourth Ave. Seattle, WA. I’ve never been to Seattle!
This conference is for alternative deathcare and funeral care providers to share resources and have high-level conversations about what the future of deathcare could look like, from death doulas to hospice to home funerals to green burials and alternative disposition options to protecting consumer funerary rights.
You can attend online. CLICK HERE to learn more and register. This is being put on by the the Funeral Consumers Alliance, National Home Funeral Alliance, the National End of Life Doula Alliance and People’s Memorial Association.
Patti Muldoon, PresidentFuneral Consumers Alliance of Eastern Massachusetts
Click image below to view conference details and to register

Planning Ahead — An FCAEM Workshop Series for Members
2023-11-01 15:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | WA
To help you write the plans you want to have in place for when you die.
Sign Up Today — until we email you a confirmation, you are not registered.YOU MAY HAVE BEEN THINKING, now and then, about making plans. You’ve probably thought it would help your family if you gave them a thorough plan about your wishes for after-death care along with information and instructions for your family and your worldly goods.
But, as with so many of us, you may not have written anything down…you haven’t gotten it done.
Now, by participating in this FCAEM workshop, you have a chance to make your ideas, your thoughts and your wishes become a known reality in the form of a finished plan. Here you will have the support and structure to create and finish the plan, to get it done.
The workshop will meet on Zoom on the first three Wednesdays of November, (Nov. 1, 8 and 15) from 3:00-4:30. In addition, workshop leaders will be available for brief consultations over the phone for one hour on Monday afternoons and Thursday evenings.
We will use the Funeral Consumers Alliance workbook, “Before I Go, You Should Know,” to guide us and as a place to record information.
This workshop is free as a support for members of FCAEM. When you joined, you would have received a copy of the guidebook we’ll be using, but they can also be purchased separately for $15, which includes shipping.
If you aren’t currently a member, now’s a good time to become one! The lifetime membership of $40 includes the guidebook that will be used in this workshop.
This workshop is limited to 10 participants. It will be repeated periodically.
Paula Chasan and Ruth Faas, co-leaders of this workshop

Cape Cod Death Cafe
2021-05-11 18:30 - 20:00 | Online Meeing

FCAEM at the Toxic Action Center's 33rd Annual Conference!
2020-03-07 | Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, United States
Come join us at the FCAEM’s exhibit table at the MCAN/Toxic Action Center 33rd Annual Conference at Northeastern University on March 7th, 2020!
We look forward to seeing you!

Living While Dying: Report on Clinical Conference about MAiD
2020-03-05 15:00 - 16:30 | Woods Hole Library, 581 Woods Hole Rd, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, United States
Come join us as we discuss this month’s topic: Report on Clinical Conference about MAiD

End of Life Panel
2020-03-05 11:00 - 17:00 | Yarmouth Town Hall, South Yarmouth, MA
Heather Massey from the Funeral Consumers Alliance will speak of after death care, green funerals and more. Joe Casper who specializes in funeral and cremation services will cover the myths and mysteries as well as current trends and information about body donation.

Martha's Vineyard Community Death Education
2020-03-01 14:30 - 16:30 | West Tisbury Libray, 1042 State Rd, West Tisbury, MA, 02575, United States
Topic: “Natural Deathcare and Furthering Green Burial on Martha’s Vineyard”
(Heather Massey, Death Educator and Joan Pillsbury, Green Burial MA)

Martha's Vineyard Death Cafe
2020-03-01 13:30 - 14:30 | West Tisbury Libray, 1042 State Rd, West Tisbury, MA, 02575, United States
Martha’s Vineyard Death Cafe 1:30-2:30pm West Tisbury Free Public Library

Deadline for Newsletter Submission!
2020-02-15 00:00 - 21:00 | WA
Today is the deadline for our annual newsletter!
Please submit your articles!

Vineyard Haven Death Cafe
2019-11-17 14:00 - 16:00 | vineyard haven public library, 200 Main St, Vineyard Haven, MA, 02568, United States
A Death Cafe is part of an international social franchise started in Europe to encourage people to talk about the taboo subject of death. It is simply a gathering in a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere with refreshments, allowing us to share a respectful, engaging, thought-provoking and life-affirming conversation on any topics related to death and dying. The objective is to increase awareness with a view to lessening the fear of death while enhancing life.

A Death Cafe gathering is a group-directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes, nor affiliated religious organization. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counseling session. The monthly death education programs follow each Death Cafe and feature a wide range of topics of interest and concern related to death, dying and bereavement.

(Facilitation by Heather Massey)

Cape Cod Community Death Education
2019-11-11 19:30 - 20:30 | First Congregational Church, 68 Main St, Falmouth, MA, 02540, United States
TALKING ABOUT DYING
Community Death Education Class and Death Cafe
“Dying As I Know It: How to Skillfully Open a Dialogue about Death” will be the subject of the November community death education class, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at First Congregational Church of Falmouth on the Village Green. The Cape Cod Death Cafe will precede the presentation, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., featuring facilitated conversation on matters relating to death, dying and mortality. Refreshments will be served.
Ron Hoffman of West Falmouth, founder and executive director of Compassionate Care ALS and author of “Sacred Bullet: Transforming Trauma to Grace while Tending the Terminally Ill,” helps people and their families navigate the complexities of living and dying with ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. “There is no handbook on being with a friend, family member or patient with a terminal disease,” he says. “As a culture that does not talk about death, there is a hole in the patient experience as death approaches, often with no one with whom to express wants and needs.” Hoffman will describe the landscape of a terminal illness and meaningful ways to create dialogue about death and dying for everyone involved. He will define and discuss “tending,” the art of showing up fully for those facing terminal illness.
Opening the evening, at 6:30, will be a one-hour Death Cafe — part of an international social franchise started in Europe to encourage people to talk about the taboo subject of death. It is simply a gathering in a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere with refreshments, allowing us to share a respectful, engaging, thought-provoking and life-affirming conversation on any topics related to death and dying. The objective is to increase awareness with a view to lessening the fear of death while enhancing life.
A Death Cafe gathering is a group-directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes, nor affiliated religious organization. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counseling session. The monthly death education programs follow each Death Cafe and feature a wide range of topics of interest and concern related to death, dying and bereavement.
The two sessions on Nov. 11 are distinct, and folks may attend either portion, or both.
Beverages and desserts will be provided. The events are free, and all are welcome. Donations for out-of-pocket expenses and future programming are always gratefully accepted.
The events are hosted by the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Eastern Massachusetts and First Congregational Church of Falmouth. For more information call Heather Massey at 508-457-1612 or visit deathcafe.com. More information about Compassionate Care ALS can be found at ccals.org.

Cape Cod Death Cafe
2019-11-11 18:30 - 19:30 | First Congregational Church, 68 Main St, Falmouth, MA, 02540, United States

Living With Dying
2019-11-07 15:00 - 16:30 | Woods Hole Library, 581 Woods Hole Rd, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, United States
Topics of particular interest for the this session will be: “Your favorite writing about death and dying, and new ideas about activism in this area.” (This is an ongoing, monthly program.)

Hospice & Palliative Care Federation of MA
2019-10-30 | WA
Workshop: “Everything the Hospice Funeral Consumer Needs to Know.” (Presenters: Heather and Jasmine). Conference attendees/ members only.

West Tisbury MV Death Cafe
2019-10-27 14:00 - 16:00 | West Tisbury Libray, 1042 State Rd, West Tisbury, MA, 02575, United States
A Death Cafe gathering is a group-directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes, nor affiliated religious organization. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counseling session. The monthly death education programs follow each Death Cafe and feature a wide range of topics of interest and concern related to death, dying and bereavement.

Quality of Life Summit 2019
2019-10-17 08:30 - 15:00 | Cape Cod Healthcare Hyannis, MA, Hyannis, MA, 02601
The “Quality of Life Summit 2019” will feature the results of research designed to test concepts and language about advance care planning and present a panel discussion with leading local experts. (Presenter: Heather.)
Conference attendees/ members only.

Cape Cod Community Death Education
2019-10-14 19:30 - 20:30 | First Congregational Church, 68 Main St, Falmouth, MA, 02540, United States
“A FOCUS ON DEATH WITH DIGNITY”
A short documentary film on medical aid in dying will accompany a talk by a leader in the Massachusetts death-with-dignity movement at a community death education class, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14, at First Congregational Church of Falmouth on the Village Green. The Cape Cod Death Cafe will precede the presentation, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., featuring facilitated conversation on matters relating to death, dying and mortality. Refreshments will be served.
The 15-minute film “Dying on Your Own Terms” provides a personal glimpse into the way medically assisted death works in Canada. Following the documentary will be a presentation by Dr. Roger Kligler of Falmouth, a retired physician and a cancer patient who serves on the steering committee of the Cape Cod Action Team of Compassion and Choices. Kligler is a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the state of Massachusetts that seeks to allow terminally ill patients and their doctors to make compassionate end-of-life decisions without fear of prosecution.
Opening the evening, at 6:30, will be a one-hour Death Cafe — part of an international social franchise started in Europe to encourage people to talk about the taboo subject of death. It is simply a gathering in a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere with refreshments, allowing us to share a respectful, engaging, thought-provoking and life-affirming conversation on any topics related to death and dying. The objective is to increase awareness with a view to lessening the fear of death while enhancing life.
A Death Cafe gathering is a group-directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes, nor affiliated religious organization. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counseling session. The monthly death education programs follow each Death Cafe and feature a wide range of topics of interest and concern related to death, dying and bereavement.
The two sessions on Oct. 14 are distinct, and folks may attend either portion, or both.
Beverages and desserts will be provided. The events are free, and all are welcome. Donations for out-of-pocket expenses and future programming are always gratefully accepted.
The events are hosted by the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Eastern Massachusetts and First Congregational Church of Falmouth. For more information call Heather Massey at 508-457-1612 or visit deathcafe.com.

Cape Cod Death Cafe
2019-10-14 18:30 - 19:30 | WA

Workshop: Taking Charge Before You Go
2019-10-02 10:45 - 12:00 | Danvers Doubletree Hilton, 50 Ferncroft Rd, Danvers, MA, 01923, United States
Your Choice / Your Control / Your Options
Sandy Ward and Patti Muldoon, respective presidents of FCA of Western Mass. and FCA of Eastern Mass. will present a workshop at the Massachusetts Council on Aging’s Fall Conference.
Learn how to take control of your own final arrangements and to help others do the same. The workshop presents 5 steps to creating a custom plan for funeral and body disposition. First, you will go through these steps for yourself. Then you will get tools to aid you in giving this workshop to help others design their own plans. Planning documents and online resources will be presented.

Community Death Education
2019-09-16 19:30 | First Congregational Church, 68 Main St, Falmouth, MA, 02540, United States
Judith Lorei, co-founder and president of Green Burial Massachusetts, was a funeral director/embalmer apprentice 20 years ago when she left the industry to become an educator and advocate on behalf funeral consumer rights and natural burial. Her talk will touch on Green Burial Massachusetts’ work with various land trusts to establish a conservation cemetery open to all in Massachusetts; update green burial activities throughout the state; and discuss an ongoing project to provide information on where natural burial is allowed in Massachusetts.

Cape Cod Death Cafe
2019-09-16 18:30 - 19:30 | First Congregational Church, 68 Main St, Falmouth, MA, 02540, United States

Living with Dying
2019-09-05 15:00 - 16:30 | Woods Hole Library, 581 Woods Hole Rd, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, United States
Woods Hole Library (ongoing monthly program) Topics of particular interest for the this session will be: “Your favorite writing about death and dying, and new ideas about activism in this area.”

Coffin Building Workshop — Greenfield
2019-06-30 13:00 - 16:00 | Greenfield, MA, Greenfield, MA, 01301, United States
Joan Pillsbury has invited carpenter Chuck Lakin of Maine to bring his Coffin Building Workshop to western Massachusetts. He agreed to do so if we have eight (8) interested participants, each paying $200 for the materials and instruction. YOU would then have your own “plain pine box” for future use. Note: plan to bring a roof rack or truck to transport your coffin home. For photos and more information about Chuck Lakin, see his website: lastthings.net .
Interested? Email us at fcawmass@gmail.com or leave a message for Joan on our FCAWM voicemail: 413-376-4747. This workshop is sponsored jointly by Green Burial Massachusetts and the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Western Massachusetts.
For more on the idea of building one’s own coffin, see Sandy’s Blog entry, “Build it yourself?“

Inspired Funerals — Barnstable
2019-06-25 18:00 - 20:00 | Barnstable Senior Center, 825 Falmouth Rd, Hyannis, MA, 02601, United States

End of Life / Funeral Planning — Falmouth
2019-06-24 13:30 - 15:00 | Falmouth Senior Center, 300 Dillingham Ave, Falmouth, MA, 02540, United States
Are You Ready? What Are Your Spiritual Concerns for Late Life and End of Life? What Will Your Legacy be to Family, Friends, and Community? (pre-registration required)

Cape Cod Pride Festival (Table)
2019-06-22 12:00 - 17:00 | Hyannis Village Green, 367 Main St, Hyannis, MA, 02601, United States
The Funeral Consumers Alliance of Eastern Massachusetts will have a table at this event. For more information about the Cape Cod Pride Festival go here.

After Death: Exploring More Options
2019-06-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Weston Council on Aging, 20 Alphabet Ln, Weston, MA, 02493, United States
FCAEM President Patti Muldoon will present information about laws and practices pertaining to death, burial (including green burial), direct cremation, donating to science, how to document your choices and how to pay for what you choose. You’ll come away with a total picture of your options and how to make the right plans for you and your family. Bring your questions; all are welcome. RSVP to the Weston Council on Aging.

Cape Cod Death Café / Death Education
2019-06-17 18:30 - 20:30 | Falmouth Senior Center, 300 Dillingham Ave, Falmouth, MA, 02540, United States

End of Life and Funeral Planning — Falmouth
2019-05-20 13:30 - 15:00 | Falmouth Senior Center, 300 Dillingham Ave, Falmouth, MA, 02540, United States
Are you ready? What are your legal arrangements for late life and end of life?
Pre-registration required.
Contact: Heather Massey
In Loving Hands, the Natural Deathcare Collaborative,
Cape Cod Death Cafe, & Death Education
Community Centered Natural Deathcare, Funeral Consumer Advocacy,
Consultation & Education * Mentorship * Lectures * Seminars & Workshops
Cape Cod, MA 508-457-1612

Cape Cod Death Cafe — Falmouth
2019-05-13 18:30 - 19:30 | First Congregational Church, 68 Main St, Falmouth, MA, 02540, United States
“END-OF-LIFE SUPPORT: WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE AND WHY”
Community Death Education Class and Death Cafe, May 13
Many of us have heard of “doulas”; but what’s a “death doula”? And how is that different from an “end-of-life coach”? Those are among the questions that will be answered at the May community death education class, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, May 13, at First Congregational Church of Falmouth on the Village Green. The Cape Cod Death Cafe will precede the presentation, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., featuring facilitated conversation on matters relating to death, dying and mortality. Refreshments will be served.
With the rise of the “death-positive” movement, various roles have evolved to meet the need for support and guidance through the final stages of life. A panel discussion at the May 13 session will feature an end-of-life doula (Arza Goldstein), an end-of-life/grief coach (Cathy Hope), a sustainable-legacy planner and celebrant (Jasmine Tanguay) and a community death-care educator and funeral consumer advocate (Heather Massey). They will discuss their varied roles and welcome questions from listeners.
Opening the evening, at 6:30, will be a one-hour Death Cafe – an international social franchise started in Europe to encourage people to talk about the taboo subject of death. It is simply a group-directed gathering in a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere with refreshments, allowing us to share a respectful, engaging, thought-provoking and life-affirming conversation on any topics related to death and dying. The objective is to increase awareness with a view to lessening the fear of death while enhancing life.
A Death Cafe is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counseling session. The monthly death education programs follow each Death Cafe and feature a wide range of topics of interest and concern related to death, dying and bereavement.The two sessions on May 13 are distinct, and folks may attend either portion, or both.
Beverages and desserts will be provided. The events are free, and all are welcome. Donations for out-of-pocket expenses and future programming are always gratefully accepted.
The events are hosted by the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Eastern Massachusetts and First Congregational Church of Falmouth. For more information call Heather Massey at 508-457-1612 or visit deathcafe.com.
