The University of Massachusetts Amherst
Robert S. Cox Special Collections & University Archives Research Center
CredoResearch digital collections in Credo

Memorial Society of New Hampshire

Memorial Society of New Hampshire Records

1993-2000 Bulk: 1995-1999
1 .25 linear feet
Call no.: MS 1243

Formed in the wake of investigative journalist Jessica Mitford’s 1958 book exposé of exploitative funeral industry practices, The American Way of Death the Memorial Society of New Hampshire was registered as a non-profit organization on Dec 12, 1963 in Epping, NH as a watchdog and consumer advocacy organization for consumers of funeral services. Like similar organizations around the country, the Memorial Society was federated with other similar organizations to create the Continental Association of Funeral and Memorial Societies (CAFMS). When Canadian groups separated from CAFMS, the federation name changed to Funeral and Memorial Societies of America (FAMSA), and later (2000) the Funeral Consumers Alliance (FCA). As part of their work, they: conducted surveys of funeral home prices, generated newsletters, informational pamphlets, and end of life planning documents, organized informational programs, lobbied local and state legislatures to reform laws around funeral and burial practices. Their tax exempt status was revoked in 2011 after not filing 990 tax forms for three consecutive years.

This small collection consists of records from the early 1990s to early 2000s and contains meeting minutes, financial reports, and materials produced by the group such as: newsletters, pamphlets, planning documents, and funeral home surveys.

See also:
Funeral Consumer’s Alliance of Western Massachusetts

Gift of Sandra Ward, 2024

Subjects

Consumer Protection--New HampshireDeath care industry--New HampshireFuneral Homes--New HampshireFuneral service--New HampshireFuneral supplies industry--New Hampshire

Types of material

Agendas (administrative records)BookletsBrochuresFinancial statementsFliersInstructional materialsLeaflets (printed works)Membership applicationsMembership listsMinutes (administrative records)NewslettersPrice listsSubscription listsSurveys (documents)
Restrictions: none none