As a member of the FCA of the Finger Lakes, you have serveral options for funeral arrangements. The options and the corresponding price schedules are listed below. Funeral homes serving members of the Alliance can be found on this website.

A funeral director who, under contract, serves members of the FCA of the Finger Lakes, is responsible for:

• Removing the body from place of death
• Consulting with survivors to confirm necessary arrangements and gathering information for the death certificate
• Filing the death certificate with the Health Department after getting a doctor's signature
• Obtaining one or more certified copies of the death certificate, if they are desired and immediately available when the certificate is filed
• Obtaining the required permits
• Preparing a death notice for the Ithaca Journal, with a copy for the survivors (Survivors must write obituaries and pay the newspaper directly.)

Service Options

Type I: Direct Cremation. Body is wrapped, placed in a container, and transported to the crematory. Ashes are returned to the funeral home for prompt pickup by survivors. (Costs not included: cremation. See Price Schedules.)

Type II: Direct Burial. Body is placed in a simple casket or alternative container and transported to a cemetery for private burial. (Costs not included: cemetery lot, grave opening and equipment, markers, and outer enclosure, if required.) This service type can be linked to "natural" or "green" burial.

Type III: Funeral or Mass followed by Cremation. Body is placed in a modest casket suitable for service, is transported to service and from service to crematory. Ashes are returned to the funeral home for prompt pickup by survivors. (Costs not included: cremation see Price Schedules.)

Type IV: Funeral or Mass followed by Burial. Body is placed in a modest casket suitable for service and is transported to service and from service to cemetery. There is no funeral procession. (Costs not included: cemetery lot, grave opening and equipment, markers, and outer enclosure, if required.) This service type can be linked to "natural" or "green" burial.

Arrangements for memorial services and funeral ceremonies are the responsibility of the survivors.

Type V: Donation of Bodyto a medical institution. Arrangements must be made by the member with the receiving institution. Upon death, after approval is granted by the institution, the body is transported promptly in a suitable container. (Costs not included: $2.50 per mile one-way to the institution, less any amount received from the institution.

Other services: Rates for services include only the items listed with each Type on this page. A member or survivor who desires any other type of service can arrange it using the funeral home's General Price List.

Payment is due when services are rendered and on receipt of the statement for cremation and services of the funeral director. Cemetery expenses are paid directly to the Cemetery Association.

The costs of grave opening and equipment, and an outer enclosure or grave liner, may be itemized by the funeral director and then paid on receipt of statement. Payments past due may be charged interest.

Note: Since prices of service types change -- with FCAFL Board approval -- the cost of a chosen plan may be different at time of death than it was when elected. Members will be kept informed. The price to be paid will be that in the Continuing Agreement, between FCAFL and the funeral director, current at the time of death.

Contact us if you have any questions about the FCA of the Finger Lakes or anything you find in this site.