Because the death of an individual has profound impact on those remaining, the customs and practices--both conventional and traditional or alternative and individualized--surrounding it are of great significance. Planning, based on sound information and thoughtful consideration spares family and friends the burden of making decisions and arrangements at a time of stress and grief. Having plans in place before a crisis assures people that their wishes for simple, dignified, reasonably priced arrangements through the mortuary of their choice will be honored.

The Funeral Consumers Alliance of Western Pennsylvania, founded in 1958 as the Pittsburgh Memorial Society, is a nonprofit, nonsectarian association of more than 4,000 members that helps people in southwestern Pennsylvania plan appropriately for death. It also assists in planning for whole body and organ donation and provides information about other end-of-life matters such as living wills and health care powers of attorney.

Controlled democratically by its members, activities are carried out by an unpaid board of trustees elected at an annual membership meeting. It is a member of the Funeral Consumers Alliance, a federation of 118 nonprofit, consumer information, autonomous local organizations in the United States and Canada. Reciprocal arrangements within this network permit members to transfer to other affiliates for a minimal recording fee should they move.

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