Read the latest announcements about Funeral Consumers Alliance of Greater Orlando and our Services.

 FUNERAL CONSUMERS ALLIANCE OF GREATER ORLANDO

 Non-profit – Nonsectarian – Founded 1963 – Serving Orange, Lake, Osceola, and Seminole Counties

MEETING NOTICE

Members and friends of the FCA are invited to attend a meeting at 10:15 on Saturday, October 13, 2007 at the Edgewater Library in Orlando. From I-4, exit on Lee Road, go west about one mile, and turn right on Edgewater Drive. The library is in Northgate Plaza at 5049 Edgewater Drive (407) 296-5153. It is the same place as last year. We will be there when the library opens at 10 a.m. to set up the room. We will have refreshments, but they won’t be just like Mom used to make unless she was a really bad cook.

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER

The real treat will be a talk by Attorney Kenneth Murrah, founding partner of the Winter Park law firm of Murrah, Doyle and Wiggle, P.A. For over 45 years he has concentrated his practice in the areas of estate planning and administration of estates and trusts. He understands the FCA, and many of his clients are members. 

He will speak on the topic of “What Happens When You Die in Florida.” The fate of your soul is up to you, but the fate of your body is up to Florida, if you do not plan in advance. You must make decisions ahead of time, and record them in a format that the courts will honor. Even if you already have a living trust or other arrangements, you will enjoy this opportunity to hear current information from a distinguished expert. After his talk, we will have questions from the group, and an opportunity to ask individual questions after the meeting adjourns. We have the room reserved until 1 p.m.  

Originally I invited Mr. Murrah to speak because I am receiving many invitations for free lunches to update me on new rules for estates and trusts in Florida. Mr. Murrah says that recent changes in trust law are not significant. It appears that someone is trying to sell me investments or annuities. There is no free lunch, so buy your own after you come hear from Mr. Murrah. 

BUSINESS AS USUAL 

Before Mr. Murrah speaks we will have our annual business meeting, with financial, membership and activity reports. Please be sure to read this entire letter for important topics we will be discussing. We will distribute informative literature and possibly some door prizes. As usual, we hope for new officers, so please volunteer. To nominate yourself or someone else, e-mail fcago63@yahoo.com or call (407) 677-5009 (voicemail) (407) 294-1651 (Victoria Laney home number for urgent calls). I always enjoy the opportunity to see you again, and look forward to another interesting meeting. We are planning to send a mailing after the meeting with minutes and more information. 

Before and after the meeting, you can purchase, “Before I Go, You Should Know,” information packets at a discounted price. Cleverly illustrated by Edward Gorey, the booklet comes complete with a magnet and a plastic case so it can be kept in the refrigerator where survivors can find it easily. The packet also contains a Florida Living Will and a Florida Designation of Health Care Surrogate form. If you wish, we can witness signatures on these before you leave the meeting. 

PRICE INCREASES

After almost three years, Carey Hand Cox Parker has increased its prices. Please see the enclosed letter and price sheet for more information on the services included for each category. Although this is a large increase, our savings are still substantial. 

    FCA Member price  General Price List

Direct cremation:     $1110.                          $2690 and up

Direct Burial       $2195.    $3690 and up

Shipping out of State       $ 995.    $3095

Bequeathal to science       $1495.    $2595

The Garden Chapel and Carey Hand Cox Parker have been FCA providers since 1963, and they will remain the choice for many members despite the increase. Members in Clermont, the Villages and Osceola County have been asking for closer providers, and those who live in Orlando may want a cheaper option for direct cremation. We will report on those options at the meeting and in a follow-up mailing. Tampa FCA’s provider has locations in Lake County, including Kurfiss Clermont chapel, and Kurfiss Groveland. They have agreed to honor FCA Tampa prices for FCA Orlando members, with no need to transfer your membership. Please call or visit the Kurfiss location to verify that nothing has changed since I spoke with them. The Tampa affiliate posts its prices at www.funerals.org/tampabay. Their prices might seem lower, but may not necessarily include the same services as ours. Members living in Northern Seminole County may consider using the services of the Funeral Society of Mid-Florida, which has a funeral provider in Deland. PO 740413, Orange City, Florida 32774 386-789-1682.

NEW YELLOW PAGES LISTING 

We have always had a listing in the Bell South and Embarq white pages, the Embarq Yellow Pages, and yellowpages.com.  The name change from Memorial and Funeral Society to Funeral Consumer’s Alliance has been confusing. In response to your requests, we have contracted for a three-line advertisement in the 2008 edition of the Bell South Yellow Pages. It is under the heading, “Funeral Referral and Consulting Services.” 

WEB SITE IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED

The Yellow Pages will include our web address, www.funeralsorlando.org, so we need to improve it before the directory is distributed in December. My dream is to have a web site where people can join on-line using paypal or possibly a credit card. They could access a members-only section of our website with provider prices and information. They could print a computer generated membership card, and complete membership forms on-line and e-mail copies to their next of kin and funeral director. Maybe not all of this is possible, but there must be a better way of allowing people to join quickly and easily. 

Feel free to e-mail any suggestions or offers of help to fcago63@yahoo.com.

AFTER THE MEETING, ENJOY THE WINTER PARK ARTS FESTIVAL

Many of you drive long distances to attend our annual meeting. It is being held the same weekend as the nearby Winter Park Autumn Arts Festival, featuring Florida artists. With the money you are saving on your funeral, you can indulge in something lovely. They may have pottery or others containers there that would work to hold cremains.