We have revamped our committees!
Conference & Events:
TBD
Education: Susan Oppie & Cassandra Yonder
Fundraising:
TBD
Finance: Lynn Barnett
Legislative:
Peg Lorenz
Membership:
Zalene Corey &
Sarah Crews
Public Relations:
Lee Webster &
Sarah Crews
Many hands make light work, as home funeral guides know. If you'd like to be part of any committee, you can join any time by contacting the chair. Go to About Us on our website for contact information. Welcome!
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We hope you find in this newsletter upcoming conferences, educational opportunities, information and connections that will advance the important work you are doing to bring funerals back home. Send us your news!
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NEW BURIAL & CREMATION STATISTICS
from Mary Woodsen, Green Burial Council
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 Thanks to Mary Woodsen for revisiting the statistics she first published in 2001 that have helped spread the word about eco-friendly burial practices!
Here are some new stats:
- 4.3 million gallons of embalming fluid (827,060 gallons of which is formaldehyde)
- 64,500 tons of steel
- 20 million board feet of hardwood for caskets
- 1.6 million tons of concrete
Learn more and include in your presentations:
Burial Statistics Cremation Statistics
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NATIONAL HOME FUNERAL ALLIANCE
2015 Biennial Conference
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You have spoken
and we have heard!
The survey results gathered from our members clearly favored holding a major conference every other year, and exploring options such as virtual conference opportunities as well as in-person. If you are interested in helping shape the next conference slated for 2015, please contact anyone on the Board. You can find all contact information for Board members on our website's About Us page.
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FUNERAL CONSUMERS ALLIANCE
2014 Biennial Conference
June 5-7
Park Plaza Hotel
Bloomington MN
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GREEN BURIAL CONFERENCE:
Exploring Issues and Options
October 10-11, 2014
Matthaei Botanical Gardens
Ann Arbor MI
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 Friday night screening of
A Will for the Woods
Saturday Conference with
panelists, demonstrations, open forum
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OUR NEW 501c3 STATUS (and what it means for you)
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NHFA Receives IRS Educational Nonprofit Designation
It was a long process, but we are pleased to announce that we have received our exempt tax status from the US government. Any donations made to the NHFA dating back to October 8, 2010 are retroactively tax exempt, meaning that you may now claim them on your taxes. Check with your tax accountant for details. Our Tax ID is
# 27-3614048.
For a history of the organization and to better understand how the decision to become a 501c3 evolved, read What Being a 501c3 Means to the NHFA. We welcome your comments and questions.
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IMPORTANT NEWS about EDRS -
Electronic Death Registration Systems
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 The EDRS in your state may inadvertently be preventing families from caring for their own dead by denying them access to death certificates and burial transit permits.
This new system allows state and town officials (medical examiners, doctors, hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, funeral directors, town clerks) to file death certificates directly into an electronic system. Unless specifically written, these new regulations may effectively deny families access to a paper death certificate and burial transit permit. To read more about EDRS, click here. And contact the Legislative Committee to learn what you can do to help.
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JOIN OUR DIRECTORIES ANY TIME!
Our new directories are up on the website and waiting for you to join. It's easy! Just send information to nhfa.paper@gmail.com:
Name of Individual(s) * Name of Organization * Town or City, State
Phone * Email * Website * Directory or directories
* A jpeg. photo head shot, or logo for groups
Note: Being on the Members List is NOT the same as being listed on a directory. Only other members can access your NHFA Member Profile. If you joined the NHFA so you could be recognized as a home funeral guide, a celebrant, or other, the directories are for you!
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UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES
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JOIN OUR MONTHLY TELECONFERENCES
Don't miss the chance to talk with other home funeral advocates and ask questions person-to-person on our monthly teleconferences hosted by Heather Massey. The call is free and you can join every second Sunday at 8 p.m.
- March 9
- April 13
- May 11
- June 8
- July 13
- August 10
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NHFA IN THE NEWS
Don't miss reading about NHFA as we enjoy more exposure in the mainstream press. Go to Resources>>Written & Visual>>Articles, Interviews, and Videos for recent home funeral features and/or The Press Room. And let us know about articles in your local newspapers, TV or radio stations!
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We are happy to have you as a friend of the NHFA. We appreciate your support and look forward to working together in 2014 to advance the understanding of home funerals across the country. Sincerely, Elizabeth Knox, President National Home Funeral Alliance |
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