Welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ page). Below, we have tried to answer the most common questions visitors to this our Web site may have. If you find that your question is not answered on this page, please email us fcago63@yahoo.com or call us during [BUSINESS HOURS] at 407-677-5009.

What else do you do to protect consumers?

FCA President Victoria Laney staffs tables at many consumer events.  For example, she was at the Senior Expo at the Orange County Fairgrounds, sharing a table with the Attorney General’s Office.  She also staffs tables at Senior Day at McRae’s Department Store at the West Oaks Mall.  In addition to our FCA brochures, she hands out literature on a wide variety of consumer topics.  We welcome opportunities for speaking engagements and to staff tables.  If some of you want to learn to be a consumer advocate, you can join Victoria for on-the-job training.

Do you help pass new laws to protect consumers?

The FCA was essential in passing new legislation to protect funeral consumers, which will become effective.  The legislature named it after the late Senator Howard E. Futch, whose body had to be relocated after a cemetery buried it in the wrong grave by mistake.

The act requires cemetery operators to survey and plot new grounds, establish minimum grave sizes, and put names on vaults. It also establishes a monument dealer inspection program, and consolidates the regulation of the funeral industry under one department.

This legislation took several years to pass. Earlier, Victoria Laney, President of our  FCAGO chapter, traveled to Tallahassee to speak before the legislature, and initiated a letter writing campaign by FCA members. This is another example of the way the Funeral Consumer’s Alliance champions your right to a dignified, affordable funeral.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q. Why don’t we receive newsletters more often?

A.

Q. What is the FCAGO telephone number, and how often is it answered?

A. Our long-standing number, (407) 677-5009 is a voicemail system only, so it will not be answered in person.  You can call the number anytime, day or night because the telephone does not ring in anyone’s home.  One of our board members checks the messages, sends out literature requests, and returns calls. The goal is to check it at least once a day.   In an emergency, you should call an FCA recommended funeral provider directly, or you can call our national office, at 1-800-765-0107.

Q. Why can’t we have meetings more often? 

A. We can. We just need a room that everyone agrees upon, and someone to help notify members.  If we met more often we would have speakers on topics of interest to members, such as the recent case at Orlando Regional Hospital where a wife had power of attorney and wanted her husband to live, but the hospital pulled the plug because the husband had signed a living will. This couple thought they had done everything right to protect their end of life arrangements, but the wife’s wishes were overruled by a judge.

Q. I don’t drive, so it is difficult to come to this annual meeting. Is there a way you can assist me?

A. If you will arrange for a meeting room and help with publicity, we would be pleased to come to you. You can invite family members and we can give an update on the funeral industry or talk about other topics of your choice. Call our number (407) 677-5009.

Q. We used to have potluck meetings. Will our next meeting be a potluck?

A. We tried in vain to find a free, centrally located room with a kitchen where we could hold the potluck. We decided to give you a feast of ideas instead. We aren’t allowed to serve meals at this location, but we can serve light refreshments. If any of you would like to bring refreshments, please let us know at our telephone number, (407) 677-5009, or send an e-mail to fcago63@yahoo.com Otherwise, eat a good breakfast.

Q. What does the 63 in fcago63 stand for?

A. The fcago stands for Funeral Consumer Alliance of Greater Orlando, and the 63 is for 1963, when we were established in Orlando as the Memorial and Funeral Society.

Q. I don’t have time to volunteer right now, but I appreciate the FCA, and would like to make a donation in appreciation for all you’ve done.  How can I do that?

A. We are thrilled, and look forward to receiving your check at PO Box 953, Goldenrod Florida 32733-0953.  We would even come pick it up and thank you in person.  A percentage of all our dues and donations goes to support the work of our national office. If you prefer, you can send money directly to them.  They have done a superb job on the class-action lawsuit and other consumer initiatives, and deserve our support either way.

Q. What if there is a hurricane watch on the day of the meeting?

If the library is open, we will meet. If it is closed, we will not meet. If you are not sure whether we are meeting, call our FCA phone number at (407) 677-5009.  If you don’t hear a message that says the meeting is canceled, then we will meet as scheduled.