Funeral Consumers Alliance of Greater Kansas City fca

© 2011 report FCA-GKC Some cooperate, some don’t in price survey By Steve Nicely FALL 2011 FCA-GKC president Welcome to our metropolitan-wide Stalter keynotes survey of cemetery prices and services, our first in many years. You Day of the Dead will notice something strange when you open Annual meeting the newsletter to the survey on pages 4 and Most people pick a 5. There are about as cemetery based on its many blank lines after appearance, whether the cemetery names as family members are there are filled-in lines. buried there and its Why is this so? We reputable, ethical, service-oriented religious affiliation. can only speculate, but first we Those are all good must express gratitude to the providers. We know price isn’t cemetery operators who filled everything. There are some well- reasons, but not nearly out their surveys and sent them managed, beautifully maintained good enough to avoid in. They seem to recognize the in the area with well- future pitfalls, says function of the survey as a public endowed maintenance trust William Stalter, an service, which is the sole reason funds that charge higher prices Overland Park attorney for the existence of the than others. Sometimes people and a national authority Consumers Alliance of Greater pay for what they get. Still, price Bill Stalter on death-care issues. Kansas City. The responders were is the basic beginning point in Stalter, who will be the willing to lay out their prices for a consumer’s examination of keynote speaker Nov. 1 at the 50th anniversary all to see, even the competition. cemetery options and we think meeting of the Funeral Consumers Alliance of What do you think, will the blank- providing this information publicly is Greater Kansas City, has a list of questions for line cemetery operators visit our a good practice. consumers to ask cemetery representatives website, www.funeralskc.org, for a One cemetery operator in the including: peek at the responders’ numbers? Gardner area wouldn’t even give us ■ Do you maintain a trust fund for continued Now go to our website for the an address. We were told they didn’t grounds maintenance after the cemetery is Funeral Price Survey of funeral want people outside Gardner trying full? homes in the metropolitan area to buy plots. What about the several ■ If so, Who is the trustee? What is its market and see that virtually all of the price thousand people in Gardner? value? Does it meet state regulations? Is it lines are filled in. That is because Wouldn’t they like to know? That is audited? May I see a report? why we chose to include the names the Federal Trade Commission’s ■ If I buy my space with installment Funeral Rule requires funeral and contact information for the payments, under what circumstances homes to provide price lists to blanks as well as the responders. would I lose the money I paid if I fall We think consumers have a right to all who asks for them, but there behind? is no such thing as a “cemetery know about both categories. ■ Can the cemetery sell my space to rule” covering cemeteries. Should There is another reason for including the blanks. We want to someone else if I fall behind? there be? The Funeral Consumers Can I return my space for a refund if I move Alliance believes so. leave the opportunity open for them ■ to another state? FCA-GKC observed its 50th to include their numbers in the anniversary last month (see Jim future. This survey will have a life ■ If I purchase a space, then decide to be Fitzpatrick’s story) demonstrating on www.funeralskc.org after it has cremated and have my ashes placed in a our long history educating the been printed in this newsletter. We niche instead, will I be credited for the price public about the and difference? industries. We appreciate Continued… on Page 5 Continued… on Page 2 He watches our pennies and spends our dollars By Jim Fitzpatrick with renewal of our FCA-GKC treasurer 501(c)(3) status and $100 for the IRS The “high finance division” of the renewal fee. Funeral Consumers Alliance of Greater We also paid Kansas City brings you good news: $193 to the In the wake of our spring/summer national Funeral Silent auction item at annual meeting newsletter, we received 41 contributions Consumers for a total of $1,428.50. Alliance. As treasurer of the organization, I That amount Cemetery focus was very pleased with that result, and, represented 15 percent of the speaking for the seven-member board of Jim Fitzpatrick on Day of the Dead directors, we sincerely thank you. In the second-quarter last newsletter (available on our website – contributions that we received. That is our continued from Page 1 www.funeralskc.org), I laid out where we agreement with the national organization, Honest, consumer-friendly cemetery stood and our hopes for improving and based in South Burlington, VT: We give operators should have no problem solidifying our financial situation. them 15 percent of our contributions answering such questions, said Your response provided a big push. to help them advance the Funeral Stalter, who was quoted last year in a That said, however, we have no reserves Consumers Alliance goals nationwide. Consumers Digest investigative report and just $1,252.63 in our checking As I said in the last newsletter, we are on cemetery scams. For instance, he account (Country Club Bank) at this starting, in this edition, to list the names said in the report, “It should be a red writing. As I reported in the last newsletter, and cities of residence of our contributors, flag if the operator can’t explain what it costs $1,000 to $1,200 for printing and unless they request that their names not state requirements are.” mailing of each newsletter, so the cost of be listed. Stalter will address those and other the newsletter you are reading will again So, here is the list of most of our issues at FCA-GKC’s November 1 take us down to near zero balance. contributors in recent months: meeting from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the As you can see, this edition of the Joel McGill, Wichita; James and newsletter is very special: We are Janice Grebe, Shawnee Mission; Donald Belvoir Winery, 1325 Odd Fellows including in it the results of a cemetery Puett, Overland Park; Philip And Betty Road, Liberty. Another major topic at survey – the first such survey we have Calabrese, Overland Park; Sandra the meeting will be FCA-GKC’s survey done since 1997. I hope you will conclude Myers, Kansas City; Tom Woodbury, of Kansas City area cemeteries printed that, by doing this survey, we are always Kansas City; William Reitinger, Overland in this newsletter. November 1st in trying to expand our horizons and improve Park; Paul M. Galatas, Kansas City; many traditions is recognized as the our services to you, the consumers. The Jess and Lois Rowland, Kansas City; Day of the Dead. A silent auction will survey took a lot of time and patient work, Virginia Kenney, Lenexa; Jan Holdeman, feature several Day of the Dead items. but today you see the results. Independence; Joyce Bradley, Kearney; Certificates of attendance for one clock So, once again we ask you to please Don Baken, Liberty; Don Robertson, hour will be given to all social workers. consider additional contributions to help Kansas City; Dixie and John Baum, us continue to provide what we trust you Lenexa; Ruth K. Gieschen, Lee’s Directions to Belvoir Winery: regard as a valuable service to the public. Summit; Ivan Waite, Raymore; Mary The winery is located in Liberty, MO’s As you know, we have no paid staff, and and Henry Droll, Kansas City; Geral Odd Fellows Historic District next to none of us board members receives pay and Dorothy Culp, Blue Springs; Kermit Missouri 291 highway. From downtown of any kind, except for reimbursement of Karns, Imperial, NE. Kansas City, take I-35 to the Liberty organization-related expenses, such as Forrest Bartlett, Independence; exit at Missouri 152. Turn east on 152 purchases of supplies and stamps. John H. Griffith, Gladstone; William one mile to 291, then turn right (south) You can contribute either by credit and Esther Boothe, Independence; on 291 a few miles to Claywoods card on our website (www.funeralskc. Doris Yonker, Kansas City; Judy Drive. Turn left (east) on Claywoods org) or by putting a check in the self- Reynoso, Washington, MO; Lenore Drive, then an immediate right on Odd addressed envelope that is included in Carroll, Kansas City; Virginia L. Powers, Fellows Drive at the T into the winery. this newsletter. Shawnee Mission; William Mauer, Belvoir Winery is the long-held You might notice that we have a new Independence; Center dream of Dr. John L. Bean and his address, again. Earlier this year, after we of Kansas City, Shawnee Mission; wife, Marsha, to turn the Odd Fellows stopped having our board meetings at Sherman Cox, Blue Springs; Jack and Unitarian Universalist Church in Kansas Barbara Chafee, Oak Grove; Mark Historic District into a unique event City, which we also had used as our location. The name Belvoir is French Pikell, Merriam (in memory of Robert address for years, we changed the mailing Pikell); Peter Lott, Kansas City; The for Beautiful view. The winery’s first address to my house. That is not the ideal vines were planted 15 years ago. The O’Laughlin Group, Kansas City; Jane situation, however, and now we have a Wilkes, Kansas City; Ray and Kay Howa, FCA-GKC meeting will be held in the post office box in the Brookside area, not southernmost and oldest building on Mission; and Jan Cohen, Kansas City. far from my house. The address is P.O. Thanks to all of you! the property. Yes, wine will be available Box 7021 Kansas City, MO 64113. and tours of the building will be If you have any questions, feel free to But back to finances…In recent months contact me – [email protected] conducted after the meeting. we have had several significant one-time or (816) 361-1303. expenses, including payment of almost ⌘⌘⌘ $500 to an accountant who helped us ⌘⌘⌘ Funeral Consumers Alliance of Greater Kansas City Page 2 Research yields a surprising discovery

By Jim Fitzpatrick shelter in the early 1980s, was FCA FCA-GKC treasurer president for many years, until he died in 2006. We darn near missed our 50th In the winter 2006 edition of our anniversary. newsletter, several people wrote In fact, until a few months ago, none tributes about Whitney, a warm and of the eight members of the FCA- soft-hearted man. GKC board of directors knew how Brad Stratton of Overland Park old the organization was. We knew wrote: “Stuart’s legacy of compassion it had been around at least a few and understanding will live on through decades, but we didn’t know when the many lives that he touched while our organization was founded. other lawful means, dignity, on earth. Those of us that had the Then, as I was taking the necessary simplicity and economy in privilege of knowing him have been steps to renew our non-profit status funeral arrangements and in the both touched and blessed by the with the IRS, I began scouring the disposition of the remains of experience of his friendship.” Secretary of State’s electronic records deceased humans. Succeeding Whitney as president on FCA-GKC. ■ To conduct, arrange, assist in was Bev McGill, who has been on And way back -- way down the list conducting, or assist in arranging the board for 16 years. McGill, who of various state filings over the years simple and dignified religious stepped down as president last -- I found Articles of Incorporation, services upon the death of year, recruited several current board which we had lost track of. It was then members or others. members, including Steve Nicely, who that I began learning about the history ■ To make contracts, solicit succeeded her as president. Nicely of the Funeral Consumers Alliance of contributions and borrow money also is a retired Kansas City Star Greater Kansas City. to accomplish any or all of the reporter. The articles were filed on Aug. purposes. Besides McGill, Nicely and I, the 31, 1961, and the name of the Over the decades, the organization’s other board members are Sally organization was Greater Kansas purposes have remained essentially King, vice president; Linda Johnson, City Memorial Society. Reflecting the the same. Our mission statement, secretary; Sue Fine, Nancy Petersen urban nature of Kansas City at the which can be found on the home page and Pam Thomas. time, seven of the eight members of our website, www.funeralskc.org, is: We board members are proud to of the first board of directors were “To educate and support individuals serve the Funeral Consumers Alliance Kansas City, MO, residents. (Now, four and families in making informed in trying to help educate people about of our eight board members live in decisions about death-related their rights in regard to and suburban cities.) services, consistent with their values other end-of-life decisions. We hope The three incorporating members and lifestyles.” we and our successors can continue were Dr. Harold Buschman, Dr. John A section called “Our Values,” also to offer people sound advice and McLeod and Lowell L. Smithson. on our website, says that we believe: guidance for another 50 years… The other board members were Ray ■ Individuals/families have the at least. Watson, Donna Adcock, Frank Baxter, right to make informed choices Raymond Bragg, Fred Havens and concerning funeral/memorial ⌘⌘⌘ Thorpe Menn. options. I’m sure many of your readers ■ High ethical standards in the recognize some of those names. The funeral industry are a consumer FCA-GKC only names that I recognize are Fred right. Havens, president of Havens Steel, ■ Consumers can make appropriate Board of Directors and Thorpe Menn, who was book- decisions without severe financial review editor of The Kansas City Star consequences when they make Steve Nicely, president for many years. (I was a reporter and choices free from vested interests. Sally King, MSW, vice president editor at The Star for 37 years before ■ Price/cost of a funeral/memorial is retiring in 2006. When I started, in not a measure of love or respect Linda Johnson, MSW, secretary 1969, Thorpe Menn was still working for the deceased. Jim Fitzpatrick, treasurer at the paper.) ■ Individuals/families can make Article II or the Articles of better plans when all parties are Sue Fine, MS Incorporation spelled out the involved before necessity arises. organization’s purposes. Those Perhaps the most prominent figure Bev McGill purposes included… in the history of our organization was Nancy C. Petersen, MSW ■ To promote and foster by the Rev. Stuart Whitney. Whitney, education, publication and all a founder of the reStart homeless Pam Thomas, Ph.D

Funeral Consumers Alliance of Greater Kansas City Page 3 5 2 3 4 9 1 6 7 8 S 38 28 35 14 13 15 16 18 19 21 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 36 37 40 42 43 44 12 17 10 11 20 31 32 33 34 39 41 22 P age 4 R n/a n/a Unsold Acerage na/ 40% na/ 40% 1 ac/ 2% & Percent 45 ac/ na 30 ac/ na 4 ac/ 25% 5 ac/ 40% 40 ac/ 3% 70 ac/ 20% 70 ac/ 20% 70 ac/ 20% 10 ac/ 15% 10 ac/ 40% 28 ac/ 25% 45 ac/ 50% 10 ac/ 50% 20 ac/ 40% 60 ac/ 36% 50 ac/ 75% 60 ac/ 35% 80 ac/ 40% 50 ac/ 80% 120ac/60% 190ac/75% 121 ac/ 50% Q No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes n/a n/a Allow Plots? Resale of 9/30/2011 P na No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes n/a n/a n/a Plots? Buyback Cemetery O No No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Fund? Endowed Care/Maint N No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes ? Bury Ashes Bury in Occupied M No No No No No No No No No No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Urn Req'd Vaults No Response- Prices from Web Page No Response- Prices from Web L na na No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Req'd Vaults Casket 325 350 550 550 300 300 300 625 175 325

K n/a $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a $550 Close Fee Columb'm Opening + $250-­‐$450 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 10/06/2011 $ 995 700 700 700 725 875 725 725 100 995

1,120 1,120 1,120 1,195

J $0 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Mausol'm Close Fee Opening + $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 735 525 350 710 710 125 300 300 300 550 550 710 735 175 550 550 515 550 550 325 250 150

I n/a $475 Ashes Close Fee Opening + $250-­‐$450 $ $ $ $ $ $ $125-­‐$595 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

750 900 700 700 700 950 950 865 950 950 975 875 675 950 950 800 450

1,195 1,395 1,025 1,120 1,120 1,395 1,120 1,195

H n/a Standard Close Fee Opening + $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

3,850 2,600 7,185 6,285 3,850 4,995 3,850 6,285 4,500

G n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Double Lawn Crypt $500-­‐$1000 Price Range $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $5495-­‐$6995 500 650

1,200 1,200 1,200 1,450 2,400 1,000 1,425 1,650

F n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1450 iam Space Columbar- $550-­‐$1500 $575-­‐$1695 Price Range $ $2095-­‐$2920 $2200-­‐$4300 $2100-­‐$2500 $405-­‐$17000 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $950-­‐$1750 $990-­‐$1995

4,000 7,390 E n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Burial Mausoleum Price Range $1575-­‐$3575 $1575-­‐$3575 $1575-­‐$3575 $6200-­‐$9000 $3995-­‐$6995 $4250-­‐$6900 $ $ $4100-­‐$13000 $4000-­‐$14000 $4000-­‐$12000 $3495-­‐$4331 $4995-­‐$11495 $0 750 750 750 550 125 515 450 100

1,000 D n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1,195 Burial Ashes > $475 $525-­‐$675 $250-­‐$500 $2625 & up $500-­‐$1100 $700-­‐$1125 Price Range $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $550-­‐$4995 $295-­‐$2900 $1095-­‐$1745 $550-­‐$3195 for recent changes) for recent (Check www.funeralskc.org Declined to Participate Declined to Participate Declined to Participate Declined to Participate 750 750 750 900

1,200 1,500 1,095 1,000 1,000

No Response to the Survey No Response to the Survey No Response to the Survey No Response to the Survey No Response to the Survey No Response to the Survey No Response to the Survey No Response to the Survey No Response to the Survey No Response to the Survey No Response to the Survey No Response to the Survey C 1,195 Standard Burial Plot $450-­‐$950 $500-­‐$700 $2625 & up $520-­‐$1100 $750-­‐$1050 $995-­‐$4995 $250-­‐$1000 Price Range $1550-­‐$1850 $1000-­‐$1400 $1500-­‐$1750 $1475-­‐$1650 $1350-­‐$1500 $1400-­‐$1700 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ No cost to veterns and their dependents. See story. No cost to veterns and their dependents. See story. $895-­‐$4995 $1095-­‐$1745 $1395-­‐$3195 B Gov't Muni Muni Muni Muni Muni Gov't Muni Muni Owner- Cemet'y For Profit For For Profit For For Profit For Profit For For Profit For For Profit For Profit For Profit For Profit For Profit For ship Type Religious Religious Religious Religious Religious Religious Religious Religious Religious Religious Religious Non-­‐Profit Non-­‐Profit Non-­‐Profit Non-­‐Profit Non-­‐Profit Non-­‐Profit Non-­‐Profit Funeral Consumers Alliance of Greater Kansas City Funeral Consumers Alliance of Greater A SCI Inc. SCI Inc. Ownership Declined US Govt VA Govt US VA Govt US City of Olathe of City M & D Matney D M & City of Shawnee of City Shawnee of City Lot Owners Asso Lot Owners Asso Lot Owners City of Lawerence of City Lawerence of City Lawerence of City Belton Cem. Asso. Belton Stewart Enterprise Enterprise Stewart Enterprise Stewart Enterprise Stewart Enterprise Stewart Cems Asso Catholic Enterprise Stewart Cem Asso Brooking Catholic Cem -­‐ NEKS Cem Catholic -­‐ NEKS Cem Catholic -­‐ NEKS Cem Catholic City of Bonner Sprgs Bonner of City Lenex Cemetery Asso Cemetery Lenex Memorial Pk Cem Inc AnLoch Pioneer Cem -­‐ NEKS Cem Catholic -­‐ NEKS Cem Catholic -­‐ NEKS Cem Catholic Oak Hill Spring Hill Edwardsville ResurrecLon Maple Grove Maple Highland Park Highland Mount Calvary Mount Calvary Mount Memorial Park Memorial Bonner springs Bonner Pleasant Valley Pleasant Gate of Heaven of Gate Barry Cemetery Blue Ridge Lawn Ridge Blue Belton Cemetery Belton Lenexa Cemetery Lenexa Eudora Cemetery Eudora Corinth Cemetery Corinth Maple Grove Cem Grove Maple St. John Cemetery St. John Gardner Cemetery Gardner Brooking Cemetery Brooking Edgerton Cemetery Edgerton Shawnee Cemetery Shawnee St. Joseph Cemetery St. Joseph Maple Hill Cemetery Maple Hill Blue Springs Cemetery Springs Blue ResurrecLon Cemetery ResurrecLon White ChrisLan Church ChrisLan White Cemetery White Chapel Cemetery Chapel White Pleasant View Cemetery View Pleasant Sunset Memory Gardens Memory Sunset Mount Muncie Cemetery Muncie Mount Chapel Hill Memorial Gar AnLoch Pioneer Cemetery AnLoch Pioneer Leavenworth NaLonal Cem Leavenworth Olathe Memorial Cemetery Memorial Olathe Mount Moriah Terrace Park Terrace Moriah Mount Mem Park-­‐Sunset Cemetery Park-­‐Sunset Mem Fort Leavenworth Nat'l Cem Leavenworth Fort Tonganoxie-­‐Hubbel Hill Cem Tonganoxie-­‐Hubbel C Jo County Memorial Gardens Memorial Jo County Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens Lawn Memorial Oak Sh Mission Memorial Gardens Sh Mission Memorial -GK Greater Kansas C ity emetery Survey Greater 3 4 1 5 6 7 8 9 2 39 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 42 41 43 44 P40 age 4 Funeral Consumers Alliance of Greater Kansas City Cemetery Survey for 2011 City Greater Kansas of Alliance Consumers Funeral Clay County, MO Clay County, Jackson County, MO County, Jackson Survey collected in Aug/Sep 2011 collected Survey KS Douglas County, KS County, Leavenworth KS County, Wyando9e MO Cass County, Johnson County, KS Johnson County,

Funeral 2011 © FCA Consumers Alliance of Greater Kansas City S 46 45 48 49 50 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 66 68 69 47 63 64 65 67 51 P age 5 R na/ na 80 ac/ 99% 130 ac/ 37% 40 ac/ 60% 30 ac/ 90% 17 ac/ 50% 10 ac/ 15% 50 ac/ 75% 22 ac/ 10% 120 ac/ 40%

Q No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes P No No No No No No No No Yes Yes O No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes N No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes M No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes n/a n/a L No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 325 625 500 625 625

K n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a $ $ $ $ $ 995 500

1,195 1,195

J n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a $ $ $ $ 465 595 785 350 500 785 300

I n/a n/a $290-­‐$625 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 825 695 950 800

1,395 1,195 1,195 1,195

H included included $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Permit families who wish to do so fill the grave by hand. I n fact, encouraging them would be a therapeutic gesture. – body burial directly of your cemetery for “green” Set aside areas in the earth without vaults or caskets required. unwanted lots. Have a policy to repurchase and make it Have a printed price list for all goods and services you offer Post it on the internet any purchase. on available on inquiry and before you should have a web site. your web site. Yes, choice. a families give least At remains. cremated for vaults urn require Don’t

Lisa Carlson, executive director, Funeral Ethics Organization, makes the Funeral Ethics Organization, Lisa Carlson, executive director, ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ advised to check with the provider of their choice to confirm the accuracy the accuracy confirm of their choice to check with the provider advised to 816-561-6322 or email at FCA-GKC of individual prices. Contact funeralskc.org address: Web [email protected].

4,030 4,500

following suggestions for cemetery operators: C onsumer friendly actions for cemeteries G n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a $ $4350-­‐$4690 $4290-­‐$6075 $ $2800/$2800 1,150

F n/a n/a n/a n/a $0-­‐$3000 $410-­‐$4395 $275-­‐$1380 $ $300-­‐$2295 $395-­‐$7940 E n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a . Web address: funeralskc.org address: Web . $0-­‐$5000 $2885-­‐10185 $3995-­‐$8000 850 300 450

D n/a n/a ⌘⌘⌘ $200-­‐$2495 $300-­‐$1800 $265-­‐$2400 $ $

$ [email protected] $1195-­‐$3295 $1095-­‐$2295 Declined to Participate Declined to Participate Declined to Participate 1,000

No Response to the Survey No Response to the Survey No Response to the Survey No Response to the Survey No Response to the Survey No Response to the Survey No Response to the Survey No Response to the Survey No Response to the Survey No Response to the Survey No Response to the Survey No Response to the Survey C 850 $895-­‐$4990 $900-­‐$1800 $900-­‐$1800 $600-­‐$1495 $1800-­‐7200 $1500-­‐$2500 $ $1195-­‐3295 $1095-­‐2295 B pregnancy, coordinated the massive massive the coordinated pregnancy, Shawnee of VanVleet Lyle effort. making us, for charts the assembled talent preparer’s tax his of use good Kathleen numbers. handling for student graduate Stanford a Palmer, at internship her doing gerontology in Aging, on Center Landon Med’s K.U. members Board effort. the joined also Jim and McGill Bev Johnson, Linda Bonnie volunteer and Fitzpatrick We effort. the joined also Fairchild thank cannot enough. them Muni For Profit For For Profit For For Profit For For Profit For For Profit For For Profit For For Profit For Profit For Religious Religious Religious Religious Religious Religious Religious Non-­‐Profit A SCI Inc. Cong Beth Shalom Beth Cong Stewart Enterprise Stewart Stewart Enterprise Enterprise Stewart Enterprise Stewart Cems Asso Catholic Cems Asso Catholic City of Lee's Summit of Lee's City Mem'l Prk Cem Asso Elmwood Cem Soc'ty Elmwood Speaks Family Legacy Family Speaks New Salem Cem & Mo New Cong Beth Israel Abraham Israel Beth Cong Park LLC Mem Lk Swan Lincoln Highland Park Highland Kahilath Israel Kahilath Lobb Cemetery Sheffield Cemetery Sheffield Mount Washington Mount Elmwood Cemetery Elmwood Floral Hills Cemetery Hills Floral Mount Carmel (Ditzler) Carmel Mount Mount Carmel (55th) Carmel Mount New Salem Cemetery Salem New Mount Olivet Cemetery Olivet Mount Mound Grove Cemetery Grove Mound Twelve Gates Mem. Gdn Gates Twelve Six Mile Cemetery Assoc. Six Mile Swan Lake Memorial Park Memorial Lake Swan Mount St. Mary Cemetery St. Mary Mount Forest Hill & Calvary Cems Hill & Forest Mem Park and Green Lawn Park and Mem Oak Ridge Memory Gardens Memory Oak Ridge Lee's Summit Historical Cem Historical Lee's Summit East Slope Memorial Garden Slope Memorial East Longview Memorial Gardens Memorial Longview C Floral Hills East Mem Gardens East Hills Floral Mount Moriah Cemetery South Moriah Mount The prices displayed above have been taken from the FCA Cemetery Survey provided by each of the cemetery operators. Although the informaLon was oien difficult to interpret, operators. cemetery of the by each provided Cemetery Survey FCA the from taken been have above The prices displayed are advised to check with the provider of their choice to Consumers as possible. as accurately the price informaLon to report faith ajempt good a made has FCA-­‐GKC the Contact FCA-­‐GKC at 816-­‐561-­‐6322 or email prices. accuracy of individual the confirm -GK Continued from Page 1 Continued from FCA-GKC vice president Sally Sally president vice FCA-GKC 47 45 69 46 49 50 51 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 67 48 64 65 66 68 52 Page 5 Pla9e Countr, MO Countr, Pla9e Some cooperate, some don’t will modify it, expand it and correct correct and it expand it, modify will and correcting need will it Yes, it. couldn’t I clarifying. and modifying and hours the all guess to begin survey cemetery our meetings special project, this on spent committee aren’t results the sure are we but advance in apologize We perfect. to promise we and errors any for Our website. the on them correct comprehensive a it make to is goal area’s the of picture accurate and cemeteries. of month seventh her in now King, 2011 © FCA

Funeral Consumers Alliance of Greater Survey Cemetery the FCA from been taken have above The prices displayed Although the information operators. each of the cemetery by provided attempt faith has made a good the FCA-GKC interpret, to difficult often was are as possible. Consumers as accurately the price information report to Kansas City FCA-GKC Cemetery Directory 10/6/11 Funeral Consumers Alliance of Greater Kansas City Cemetery Directory for 2011 10/6/11 Survey collected in Aug/Sep '2011 A B C D E F G Cemetery Address City State Zip Phone e-mail Web Page Douglas County, KS 1 Eudora Cemetery PO Box 650 Eudora Kansas 66025 785-­‐542-­‐4111 caeudora@sunflower.com n/a 2 Maple Grove 1605 Oak Hill Ave Lawrence Kansas 66044 785-­‐832-­‐3450 [email protected] www.lawrenceks.org 3 Memorial Park 1605 Oak Hill Ave Lawrence Kansas 66044 785-­‐832-­‐3450 [email protected] www.lawrenceks.org 4 Oak Hill 1605 Oak Hill Ave Lawrence Kansas 66044 785-­‐832-­‐3450 [email protected] www.lawrenceks.org Johnson County, KS 5 AnRoch Pioneer Cemetery 75th & AnRoch Merriam Kansas 66204 913-­‐557-­‐3298 n/a www.speakschapel.com 6 Corinth Cemetery Declined to Participate 7 Edgerton Cemetery PO Box 164 Edgerton Kansas 66021 913-­‐522-­‐1499 8 Gardner Cemetery Declined to Participate 9 Jo County Memorial Gardens 11200 Metcalf Ave Overland Park Kansas 66212 913-­‐451-­‐1860 [email protected] www.johnsoncountychapel.com 10 Lenexa Cemetery 89th & Pflum Lenexa Kansas 66285 913-­‐441-­‐4364 n/a n/a 11 Mount Calvary 158th & Hwy 169 Olathe Kansas 66061 913-­‐371-­‐4040 [email protected] www.cathcemks.org 12 Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens 13901 Blackbob Road Olathe Kansas 66062 913-­‐441-­‐3300 afi[email protected] www.johnsoncountychapel.com 13 Olathe Memorial Cemetery 738 N. Chestnut Olathe Kansas 66051 913-­‐971-­‐5226 [email protected] www.olatheks.org 14 Pleasant Valley Cemetery 9500 W. 159th Overland Park Kansas 66221 913-­‐897-­‐3607 n/a www.pleasantvalley.com 15 Pleasant View 6105 Quivira Road Shawnee Kansas 66203 913-­‐631-­‐5200 16 ResurrecRon 83rd & Quivira Lenexa Kansas 913-­‐371-­‐4040 [email protected] www.cathcemks.org 17 Sh Mission Memorial Gardens 23215 W. 75th Street Shawnee Kansas 66227 913-­‐441-­‐3300 afi[email protected] www.johnsoncountychapel.com 18 Shawnee Cemetery 11810 W. 61st Street Shawnee Kansas 66203 913-­‐631-­‐5200 19 Spring Hill 701 W. South Street Spring Hill Kansas 66083 913-­‐592-­‐3419 20 St. John Cemetery 89th & Pflum Lenexa Kansas 66215 913-­‐371-­‐4040 [email protected] www.cathcemks.org 21 St. Joseph Cemetery 61st & Quivira Shawnee Kansas 913-­‐371-­‐4040 [email protected] www.cathcemks.org Leavenworth County, KS 22 Fort Leavenworth Nat'l Cem 395 Biddle Blvd Levenworth Kansas 66027 913-­‐758-­‐4105 [email protected] www.cem.va.gov 23 Leavenworth NaRonal Cem 150 Muncie Road Levenworth Kansas 66048 913-­‐758-­‐4105 [email protected] www.cem.va.gov 24 Maple Grove Cem Hwy 24 Tonganoxie Kansas 66086 913-­‐845-­‐2666 25 Mount Muncie Cemetery 1500 N. 8th Street Lansing Kansas 66043 913-­‐727-­‐1935 [email protected] n/a 26 Sunset Memory Gardens Declined to Participate 27 Tonganoxie-­‐Hubbel Hill Cem PO Box 365 Tonganoxie Kansas 66086 913-­‐845-­‐2228 Wyando9e County, KS 28 Bonner springs 205 E. Second Street Bonner Springs Kansas 66012 913-­‐667-­‐1716 [email protected] www.bonnersprings.org 29 Chapel Hill Memorial Garden 701 N. 94th Street Kansas City Kansas 66112 913-­‐334-­‐3366 [email protected] www.chapelhillmemorialkansas.com 30 Edwardsville 105th Street Edwardsville Kansas 913-­‐441-­‐3707 31 Gate of Heaven 126th & Parallel Kansas City Kansas 66109 913-­‐371-­‐4040 [email protected] www.cathcemks.org 32 Highland Park 3801 State Ave Kansas City Kansas 66102 913-­‐371-­‐0667 [email protected] www.highlandparkc.com 33 Maple Hill Cemetery 2301 S. 34th Street Kansas City Kansas 66106 913-­‐262-­‐6610 [email protected] www.maplehillfuneralhome.com 34 Mem Park-­‐Sunset Cemetery 3223 N 18th Street Kansas City Kansas 66104 913-­‐321-­‐5100 n/a n/a 35 Mount Calvary 38th & State Kansas City Kansas 66102 913-­‐371-­‐4040 [email protected] www.cathcemks.org 36 White ChrisRan Church Declined to Participate Cass County, MO 37 Belton Cemetery S.Scod & W.Cambridge Belton Missouri 64012 816-­‐769-­‐8535 [email protected] www.beltoncemetery.com Clay County, MO 38 Barry Cemetery 1327 NW Barry Road Kansas City Missouri 64155 816-­‐452-­‐8430 [email protected] www.dwnewcomers.com 39 Mount Moriah Terrace Park Cem 801 NW 108th Street Kansas City Missouri 64155 816-­‐734-­‐5500 www.mountmoriahterraceparkcemetery.com 40 ResurrecRon Cemetery 5001 NE Cookingham Kansas City Missouri 64164 816-­‐734-­‐2356 [email protected] www.cemeterieskcsj.org 41 White Chapel Cemetery 6400 N. AnRoch Road Gladstone Missouri 64119 816-­‐452-­‐8419 [email protected] www.dwnewcomers.com Jackson County, MO 42 Blue Ridge Lawn 2640 Blue Ridge Blvd. Kansas City Missouri 64129 816-­‐836-­‐3554 43 Blue Springs Cemetery 2800 SW Walnut Street Blue Springs Missouri 64105 816-­‐220-­‐3151 n/a n/a 44 Brooking Cemetery Assoc 10004 E. 53rd Raytown Missouri 64133 816-­‐353-­‐4278 [email protected] www.brookingcemetery.com 45 Elmwood Cemetery 4900 E. Truman Road Kansas City Missouri 64127 816-­‐231-­‐0373 john.weilert@elmwoodcem-­‐kc.org www.elmwoodcem-­‐kc.org 46 Floral Hills Cemetery 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd. Kansas City Missouri 64133 816-­‐353-­‐1218 [email protected] www.floralhillsfuneralhome.com 47 Floral Hills East Mem Gardens 25201 E. US 50 Hwy Lee's Summit Missouri 64086 816-­‐353-­‐1218 [email protected] www.floralhillsfuneralhome.com 48 Forest Hill & Calvary Cems 6901 Troost Ave. Kansas City Missouri 64131 816-­‐523-­‐2114 foresthill655@gmail www.afercareplanning.com 49 Highland Park 2000 Blue Ridge Blvd. Independence Missouri 816-­‐836-­‐3554 50 Kahilath Israel 1901 S. Blue Ridge Independence Missouri 64052 816-­‐461-­‐3330 51 Lee's Summit Historical Cem 806 SE 3rd Street Lee's Summit Missouri 64063 816-­‐969-­‐1590 bill.rust@cityofls.net www.lsparks.net 52 Lincoln 8604 E. Truman Kansas City Missouri 64126 53 Lobb Cemetery 2505 Lobb Cemetery Rd Independence Missouri 816-­‐373-­‐3600 [email protected] www.speakschapel.com 54 Longview Memorial Gardens 12706 S. Raytown Road Kansas City Missouri 64149 816-­‐761-­‐6272 longviewfuneralhome.com www.longviewfuneralhome.com 55 Memorial Prk and Green Lawn Declined to Participate 56 Mound Grove Cemetery Declined to Participate 57 Mount Carmel (55th) 9331 E. 55th Kansas City Missouri 58 Mount Carmel (Ditzler) 5529 Ditzler Ave Raytown Missouri 816-­‐353-­‐4196 n/a www.bethshalomkc.org 59 Mount Moriah Cemetery South 10507 Holmes Road Kansas City Missouri 64131 816-­‐942-­‐2004 n/a www.dignitymemorial.com 60 Mount Olivet Cemetery 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd Kansas City Missouri 64138 816-­‐353-­‐1900 [email protected] www.cemeterieskcsj.org 61 Mount St. Mary Cemetery 2201 Cleveland Ave Kansas City Missouri 64127 816-­‐353-­‐1900 [email protected] www.cemeterieskcsj.org 62 Mount Washington 614 S. Brookside Ave Kansas City Missouri 64053 816-­‐252-­‐4141 [email protected] n/a 63 New Salem Cemetery 1823 N. Blue Mills Road Independence Missouri 64058 816-­‐796-­‐8600 www.newsalemfuneralhomeandcemetery.com 64 Oak Ridge Memory Gardens PO Box 259 Independence Missouri 64051 816-­‐252-­‐7000 [email protected] www.speakschapel.com 65 Sheffield Cemetery 6200 Wilson Road Kansas City Missouri 64123 913-­‐341-­‐2444 sheffi[email protected] www.sheffieldcemetery.com 66 Six Mile Cemetery Assoc. Independence Missouri 64057 816-­‐795-­‐2821 [email protected] www.sixmilecemetery.org 67 Swan Lake Cemetery 30000 Valor Drive Grain Valley Missouri 64029 816-­‐509-­‐2510 [email protected] n/a 68 Twelve Gates Mem. Gdn Declined to Participate Pla9e Countr, MO 69 East Slopes Memorial Cemetery 5011 NW Gateway Riverside Missouri 64150 816-­‐741-­‐1881

Funeral Consumers Alliance of Greater Kansas City Page 6 Generous burial options for veterans and families

By Bev McGill and Linda Johnson Missouri has national veterans FCA-GKC board members cemeteries in St. Louis (314-845- 8320) and Springfield (417-881-9499). The United States has a long Springfield has space for caskets only tradition of honoring its military if family members are already buried veterans and their families with final there; otherwise they accept only resting places in its 131 national cremains (ashes.). Five Missouri state cemeteries in 39 states. veterans cemeteries are in St. James, Leavenworth National Cemetery At no cost to the family, burial of Higginsville, Springfield, Bloomfield, a veteran at national cemeteries and Jacksonville. A listing of state includes the grave site, opening veteran’s cemeteries can be found setting the marker. The opening and and closing of the grave, grave at www.cem.va.gov/lsvc.asp. All closing of the grave can run over a liner, perpetual care, a government federal and state cemeteries are well thousand dollars. The grave liner may headstone or marker, a burial flag, and maintained, and beautiful. cost several hundred dollars. Private a Presidential Memorial Certificate. The VA does not make funeral cemeteries do not provide any burial National cemeteries will honor services to the veteran’s next of burial traditions of Muslim, Jewish, kin. Native American, and various Burial benefits available for other religions with unique burial veterans buried in a private requests. Some or all of the cost cemetery include a Government of transporting the deceased to headstone or marker, a burial the national cemetery may be flag, and a Presidential Memorial reimbursed. Certificate. No benefits are Burial benefits available for available to spouses and spouses and dependents buried in dependents buried in a private a national cemetery include burial cemetery. Veterans may also be with the veteran, perpetual care, eligible for the following burial and the spouse or dependent’s allowances: name and date of birth and Service-Related Death. VA will death inscribed on the veteran’s pay up to $2,000 toward burial headstone, at no cost to the family. Bev McGill Linda Johnson expenses for deaths on or after Eligible spouses and dependents September 11, 2001 (up to $1500 may be buried even if they arrangements or perform . for deaths prior to Sept. 10, 2001). predecease the veteran. Information Families make these arrangements on who is eligible for burial in a with a funeral or cremation provider. Nonservice-Related Death. VA Veteran’s Cemetery is posted at www. Any item or service obtained from a will pay up to $300 toward burial and cem.va.gov or call 800-827-1000. funeral home or cremation office will funeral expenses and a $300 plot- Veterans or their families must be be at the family’s expense. interment allowance for deaths on prepared to document their service, Cremated remains are buried or or after December 1, 2001 ($150 for and that their discharge was not inurned in national cemeteries in the deaths prior to Dec. 1, 2001.) If the “dishonorable” same manner and with the same death happened while the veteran The Department of Veterans Affairs honors as casketed remains. There is was in a VA hospital or under VA (VA) National Cemetery Administration generally a with niche contracted nursing home care, some operates three national cemeteries in markers for inurnment of cremains or all of the costs for transporting the Kansas: one at Fort Leavenworth, one at veteran cemeteries. Cremains can veteran’s remains may be reimbursed. in Leavenworth near the VA Medical also be buried in the ground and VA Center and one at Fort Scott (316- cemeteries provide gardens for the To apply for burial benefits, fill out 223-2840.) Brochures and information scattering of cremains VA Form 21-530, Application for Burial on veteran’s burial are available by Benefits. You should attach a copy calling the Leavenworth sites at 913- of the veteran’s military discharge 758-4105. ‘Free’ plots for vets document (DD 214 or equivalent), In addition, there are four Kansas There are cemeteries in the , funeral and burial state veterans cemeteries located in Metropolitan Kansas City area that bills. They should show that you have Fort Dodge, Wakeeney, Winfield and advertise free plots for veterans. In paid them in full. You may download Manhattan. A partnership of state and those cemeteries only the plot is free. the form at http://www.va.gov/ U.S. governments provide essentially The government will furnish a marker vaforms/ the same services. but the cemetery usually charges for ⌘⌘⌘

Funeral Consumers Alliance of Greater Kansas City Page 7 Consumer’s Funeral Consumers Alliance of Greater Kansas City guide to P.O. Box 7021 cemeteries Kansas City, MO 64113 --- from the Funeral Consumer Alliance’s brochure available at funerals.org. Phone: 816/561-6322 Email: [email protected] Many people ask us about the costs to expect with a funeral, but they often www.funeralskc.org forget that cemetery expenses are in addition to and separate from funeral return service requested expenses. Cemeteries aren’t sufficiently regulated in many states. It’s important to know exactly what you’re guying. Some basics: Right of interment --- what most people call “the grave.” You don’t actually buy a piece of property. You buy the right to be buried in a particular space. Opening/Closing--- The charges to dig the grave and fill it back up. You will likely pay an additional fee for this. Vault --- also known as an outer burial container or grave liner. They are boxes for your box. There are no laws in any state requiring them, but many cemeteries do. They prevent the ground from sinking as caskets deteriorate over time. No casket, vault or container will prevent the body from decomposing. Mausoleums---above ground buildings where the casket is placed in a drawer-like space. --- miniature versions of mausoleums designed for urns containing cremated remains. One-of-a-kind book Perpetual Care --- Most states require cemeteries to deposit a percentage of FINAL RIGHTS Reclaiming the American Way of Death every sale into a maintenance fund to ensure upkeep of the grounds over the Final Rights is the definitive book for consumers on years. Many cemeteries manage their the modern funeral industry and how to navigate it. funds carefully, but many have not. The Part investigative report and part practical guide, the Funeral Consumers Alliance is seeing a book explains in detail the tricks of the funeral trade, rise in the number of cemeteries going and how to avoid being victimized. And for those broke from either mismanagement, theft who wish to take charge of the funeral themselves of the funds or low returns because of a without using a funeral home Final Rights will show poor investment market. you how, with a chapter on each state’s requirements Before you buy, get a printed, written in plain English. The book by Joshua Slocum, itemized price list for all services national executive director of FCA, and Lisa Carlson, and merchandise. Get a copy of the executive director of the Funeral Ethics organization, cemetery’s rules and regulations ahead is available for $19.95 at www.funerals.org. of time. Pay attention to the type and size of monuments that are allowed. Be aware of the cemetery’s rules on grave decorations ahead of time. Don’t do business with any cemetery that won’t Presentations are available provide this information ahead of time. Think long and hard before you buy Are you part of an organization that would benefit from an unbiased a plot ahead of time. What if you move presentation about important practical aspects of funeral planning? Contact away? It can be quite difficult to sell a FCA-GKC at 816-561-6322 or email us at [email protected]. We will line you grave you no longer need, especially up with one of our board members for a visit. with the cremation rate rising. However, buying ahead may make sense if you have a family tradition, strong feelings about using a specific cemetery or if the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Greater Kansas City Page 8 cemetery is about to run out of space.