Funeral Consumers Alliance
of the Virginia Blue Ridge

The ninth Annual Meeting of the Funeral Consumers Alliance of the Virginia Blue Ridge, was held on September 14, 2009 at the YMCA at Virginia Tech. President Marcia Bailey welcomed the members (30) and others in the audience. She then introduced our speaker, Trev Smith, his topic, “The Home Funeral: A Family Undertaking,” his wife Jenny Schwanke, and FCAVBR board member Crosby Houston, who then interviewed Mr. Smith. After relating their experience burying Mr. Smith’s mother on their property, Mr. Smith and Ms. Schwanke answered questions from the audience with honesty and humor. While not discouraging people from attempting a home burial, the couple made it clear that careful planning was necessary. For more details see this article, Backyard Burial, What a Way to Go, which is inked to from our Web site.

Following this, the winning number for the door prize was drawn and the winner, Dorothy Dykers, awarded a ‘garden apron’ contributed by Franklyn Moreno.

Business Meeting:

1. Treasurer’s report: Darrel Clowes reported that we are in good shape. We received $2200 last year, contributed mostly by our members.

2. The Nominating Committee proposed the following slate:Jo Burroughs, Judy Campbell, and Harriett Cooper. Crosby Houston proposed that we vote on the entire slate, which was elected unanimously.

3. The Annual Report of the FCAVBR : Isabel Berney presented a synopsis of the Report. She noted that our outreach efforts have increased and have resulted in our being better known. We have been contacted by several organizations as well as by individuals who either wanted us to speak at a meeting, participate in a workshop, or answer questions. We also have added 31 new members to our rolls. The entire Annual Report will be included in our next Newsletter.

After the meeting was adjourned, all were invited to partake of the refreshments: coffee, tea, and cookies.

The Board of Trustees met immediately to elect officers. Present were Marcia Bailey, Jo Burroughs, Judy Campbell, Darrel Clowes, Harriett Cooper, Bob Youngs. The following were nominated and unanimously elected: Harriett Cooper, president; Chris Brownlie, vice-president; Marcia Bailey, secretary; Darrel Clowes, treasurer;

Submitted by Harriett Cooper, Secretary