While our advocacy efforts span a wide variety of topics, below are the current legislative targets of the Order.
Calls to Action
Protect Moses African Cemetery in Bethesda, Maryland
Background
Stop the ongoing desecration of a historic Black burial ground in Bethesda, Maryland.
What You Can Do
Attend a rally in support of protecting Moses African Cemetery on December 21, 2024, 111am, at 5119 River Road, Bethesda, MD. Organized by the Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition.
Death Done Differently vs. The State of Indiana
Background
Recent lawsuits brought against death doulas by the funeral industry in California and Indiana have been a growing concern for community death care practitioners and educators nationwide. In January of 2023, the state attorney general’s office served Lauren Richwine, a death doula who founded Death Done Differently, a cease and desist – ordering her to get funeral-director and funeral-home licenses to continue advising her clients. To make matters worse, later that year, in August the State Board of Funeral and Cemetery services issued a gag order.
“All that Lauren Richwine does is speak to people: to educate them about end-of-life options, to help them make end-of-life plans, and to be an advocate for them with funeral directors. Her activities are thus entitled to the full protection of the First Amendment,” says attorney Ben Fields.
To learn more about these landmark cases read our article How the Funeral Industry is Trying to Limit Free Speech By Targeting Death Doulas.
What You Can Do
If you are in the Chicago Illinois area you are welcome to show your support by attending the session and sitting in the gallery.
What: Death Done Differently vs. The State of Indiana
Where: 219 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago Illinois
When: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 15th, 2025
Exact start time depends upon the order in which the cases are listed
Help Expand Green Death Care Options in New Jersey
Background
New Jersey introduced a revised version of the bill, now SB 3610 in early 2024. A hearing for the bill was held in May 2024.
What You Can Do
We are currently looking for New Jersey licensed funeral directors who would be willing to testify in favor of the bill at future hearings. Interested directors can reach out to us at info (at) orderofthegooddeath (dot) com. We’re happy to send you a copy of the bill for review, connect you with a legislator who can help walk you through the process, and answer any questions you might have.
If you are a NJ resident and would like to help us with grassroots organizing tasks such as, spreading the word about calls to action, reaching out to local practitioners and nonprofits, and future opportunities to voice your support for the bill in your state please fill out our contact form.
Beware Of Funeral Related Scams
Digital scammers are becoming more prevalent in the end-of-life and funeral space, targeting dying people and their families. Below is an ongoing list of recent scams that have been reported so you can keep yourself and your community safe.
Facebook Funeral Livestream Scam
Scammers are exploiting mourners by creating fake funeral livestream groups on Facebook, tricking victims into providing credit card information.
How It Works: After a real person’s actual death, the scammers allegedly create fake Facebook groups with all of the correct funeral information. They then target the friends and family who join the group with malicious links, which ask for credit card information to access the funeral service.
Obituary Pirating
Scammers are creating fake death announcements and obituaries for people who are still very much alive, in an effort to generate clicks and engagement which result in income.
How it Works: Scammers use AI to create convincing death announcements and obituaries, as well as images to support their claims, that will generate a few cents a month in ad revenue. Some scammers will monitor Google trends data for words like “obituary,” “accident” and “death,” to select people.
Impersonating Funeral Homes
Individuals are placing calls to bereaved families experiencing a recent death, falsely claiming they are representing the funeral home contracted to care for the deceased and facilitate funeral arrangements, demanding payment.
How it Works: Funeral homes believe that scammers may be using online obituaries or details from the funeral homes website to target families.
Funeral Insurance Scam
Some new benefit programs that are claiming to cover 100% of your funeral costs and final expenses up to $35,000 are targeting seniors.
How it Works: Ads treating seniors are using official city seals to trick people into purchasing fake funeral insurance. Head over to our Funeral Costs page for help and information regarding planning and paying for funeral costs.
Museum Buries Remains of 20 Black Philadelphians Without Identification or Notifying Descendants
Photograph by Margaret Sanford
Founders of Finding Ceremony and others, gather outside a Philadelphia court hearing about the remains of 20 Black Philadelphians.
Background
“A Pennsylvania court decided the fate of cranial remains from 20 Black Philadelphians that have been kept in the basement of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.
The court granted Penn Museum’s request to bury the remains—without requiring the university to identify the deceased and notify their descendants.
For generations, Penn has exerted control over these and other ancestors’ remains through theft, display, and research-based extraction. We seek a consent-based process controlled by descendants and descendant community members, a process we call “Finding Ceremony.”” – via Sapiens article by Abdul-Aliy Muhammad and Lyra D. Monteiro.
In November 2024, Penn Museum disclosed that they had found more remains from bombing victims in their collection.
For more details regarding this case please read Amid a Fraught Process, a Philadelphia Museum Entombs Remains of 19 Black People.
What The Order is Doing
We are following guidance and carrying out the calls to action outlined by Finding Ceremony.
What You Can Do
The following actions have been suggested by Finding Ceremony:
If you’re local to Philly, please contact your electeds and let them know what is going on, and that this is a matter of importance to their constituents. The details on the case are above; and I’m linking here the annotation Finding Ceremony made of the Orphans’ Court Decree: as well as two news stories that highlight some of the major ways that Penn violated the decree.
If you’re an anthropologist, historian, museum worker, scholar, bring it to the attention of your national organizations, departments, workplaces, Facebook friends–and, most importantly, friends and colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania, who may not be aware of all of this.
Updating the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule
Background
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is considering updating and strengthening The Funeral Rule, a regulation that protects consumers by requiring funeral homes to provide consumers with prices if requested in-person or by phone, to include other forms of communication like email, and websites. Since the Funeral Rule was created in the 1980s it doesn’t include modern forms of communication like emails, texting, or websites. We know that consumers can potentially save thousands of dollars on funeral costs by shopping around and comparing prices, however the FTC’s 2020 review found that over 60% of funeral homes had little to no pricing information on their websites. This update would not only be beneficial to everyone, but it has the potential to improve access for disabled, low income, and non-English speaking communities, as well as families planning funerals out-of-state.
The FTC is considering a number of updates in addition to online price disclosure including clarifying the language around embalming, and including options like green burial, aquamation, and human composting.
What We Are Doing
The Order believes that funeral pricing and practices should be transparent and accessible so the public can make informed choices, and avoid paying for goods and services they do not want or need. Earlier this year the Order launched a campaign to inform the public about the FTC soliciting comments about the proposed changes to the Funeral Rule and how it could impact them.
In May 2023 the FTC reached out to the Order to request a meeting to get our input on the proposed Funeral Rule changes. In June and July we had two meetings with the FTC in which we advocated for consumer rights, transparency of pricing, and expanding accessibility. At the invitation of the FTC we participated alongside other leading experts at their Funeral Rule Workshop where we addressed the proposed changes and advocated for protecting and expanding your rights.
What You Can Do
The period for public commenting has closed, however if you interacted with a funeral home that you believe violated the Funeral Rule, you can file a complaint with the FTC. You can find directions for filing a compliant at the Funeral Consumers Alliance website, or, if you aren’t sure you can reach out to us here at The Order for assistance.
Status
While we have not seen any changes in 2024 what we have seen from the FTC this year are two reports, which we suspect will be used to further demonstrate the need to require funeral homes to display their prices online, something many in the funeral industry strongly object to. The first report came early in 2024, when the FTC announced they had been conducting an undercover phone sweep, that resulted in the FTC issuing warnings to 38 out of 250 homes for Funeral Rule violations. FTC callers experienced misleading information, outright lies about the law, refusals to answer questions, and inconsistent information about identical services. Find details abut the phone sweeps and the reports in this November 2024 press release.
Human Composting, aka Natural Organic Reduction
Background
To put it simply, human composting aka Natural Organic Reduction (NOR) refers to an eco-friendly alternative to burial or cremation wherein a body is turned into nutrient-rich soil. Recompose, founded by Founding Order member Katrina Spade, has spearheaded the legalization process across the country. As of 2024 composting is currently legal in Arizona, Washington, Colorado, Vermont, Oregon, California, Nevada, and New York, with bills having been introduced in a number of states.
Learn more about composting in our Green Death Tech resource.
What We Are Doing
Our organization and founding members continue to work closely with assembly members in their efforts to legalize composting across the United States. The Order has been featured in numerous articles about this issue, and along with several founding members have provided testimonies to lawmakers in favor of this legislation in several states. The Order has also created videos educating the public of the benefits of NOR, used its social media platforms to mobilize support around this legislation, and detailed guide about how a composting bill becomes a law.
What You Can Do
Learn more about the legalization efforts and get notifications for any calls to action by signing up for our newsletter, the Death Positive Advocate. You can follow the Order of the Good Death on social media to get real time updates and action alerts. We have also created a guide for advocates who are looking for ways to become more involved in the legalization process.
Status
For a full list of states that have human composting bills in process and their status, visit our Support Composting Legislation page.
Aquamation (also known as Alkaline Hydrolysis or Water Cremation)
Background
Alkaline Hydrolysis is a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional cremation. Instead of being burned at a high temperature, bodies are dissolved in liquid which eliminates the greenhouse gases that traditional cremation produces. Another benefit of this process is that Alkaline Hydrolysis can help to restore traditional native Hawaiian burial practices. Learn more about Alkaline Hydrolysis.
What We Are Doing
From consulting on the creation of the bill to providing testimony, The Order was instrumental in getting Alkaline Hydrolysis legalized in California. In addition to the Order of the Good Death creating videos, and publishing articles educating the public about the process and benefits of Alkaline Hydrolysis, we have continued to advocate for the legalization of this process across the country in press coverage and by putting out calls to action on our social media platforms.
What You Can Do
You can keep track of legalization efforts around the country as well as find out if it is legal in your state. If you have social media, you can also follow the Order of the Good Death to get real time updates and alerts about upcoming legislation. If you live outside of the U.S. find out whether Alkaline Hydrolysis is being spoken about and/or advocated for in your country.
Status
Take action now by signing this petition urging lawmakers to legalize aquamation in Texas.
Genocide In Gaza
Background
Over 2 million people are trapped in Gaza as they are being bombed, cut off from food and water, care, and communication, resulting in mass death making it impossible for people to provide a “good death.”
What We Are Doing
Death Positivity does not ask that we passively “accept” death but that we engage with and push back against the systems and actions that lead to unacceptable “bad” deaths resulting from violence. We join with others to demand a ceasefire.
What You Can Do
Find information about current local and global actions in your area.
Open Air Funeral Pyres
Background
As the name suggests, this is a practice where bodies are cremated outdoors under the open sky. This practice can provide a more intimate, healing experience for participants while also providing a pathway for some Indigenous tribes to restore traditional funeral and burial rituals. This practice is currently only legal in Crestone, Colorado but there are currently ongoing efforts to legalize this practice in Vermont, Maine, and Minnesota. Learn more about this practice.
What We Are Doing
The Order of the Good Death continues to share information and resources around this burial ritual with our audience as well as providing updated information on the legislative efforts in Vermont, Maine, and Minnesota.
What You Can Do
To find out ways to support the ongoing efforts in Maine, check out Good Ground Great Beyond, and in Minnesota, Northern Pyre.
Status
Bill H.216, an act to legalize open air cremation pyres was introduced in March 2023 by Rep. Matt Birong. It is currently being reviewed by the General and Housing Committee.
The People’s Response Act
Background
In 2023 Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01), Congresswoman Ayanna Presley (MA-07), Congresswoman Jan Shakowsky (IL-09), and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) reintroduced the People’s Response Act which reframes public safety as a public health issue. This act would create a new agency within the Department of Health and Human Services that would research and fund alternatives rooted in community health and safety, instead of incarceration and policing which often result in preventable bad deaths. Find out more information on this legislation.
What We Are Doing
The Order of the Good Death continues to vocally support this bill.
What You Can Do
There are two ways that you can support this legislation. The first is by signing the petition.
The second is by letting your Congressperson know that you support this act by contacting them. Resist.bot has made this easy; all you have to do is text ‘Resist’ to 50409 and Resist.bot will help you send an email or fax to your Congressperson. You can also email your representatives directly using the email template provided on the bill’s website.
Status
In July 2023 a press conference was held to reintroduce the People’s Response Act.
Fetal Tissue Burial Laws
Background
Across the country, states are passing laws that place requirements on how fetal tissue and remains are handled. While legislation varies from state to state, the majority require that fetal tissue be buried or cremated as is required of human bodies. This type of legislation not only further stigmatizes abortion and miscarriage, but also allows the funeral industry and politicians to further exploit people and fuel their fear of death. Learn more about fetal tissue burial laws.
What We Are Doing
The Order of the Good Death has put together a list of resources and contacts for people navigating these laws, and an article detailing how the Death Positive Movement can counteract anti-choice efforts. The Order has also provided grant funding to A Sacred Passing to develop a program to increase the access to education for people wanting to learn how to support and care someone through abortion and pregnancy loss. We continue to monitor legislation and push out calls to action when appropriate.
What You Can Do
As states continue to pass restrictive fetal tissue burial laws it is important to make your voice heard about how this places an undue burden on both providers and pregnant people. One easy way to reach out to your legislators is through Resist.bot. Simply text ‘Resist’ to 50409 and this service will turn your text messages into a letter to either fax or email directly to your chosen representatives.
Status
In May 2023 the the U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up a lawsuit challenging Indiana’s fetal burial laws.
African American Burial Ground Network Study
Background
Senate Bill 2827 of the 116th Congress was introduced as a way to study and find ways to identify, interpret, preserve, and record unmarked, previously abandoned, or otherwise underserved African American peoples’ burial grounds. To read the full text of this bill, click here. The bill was passed by the Senate on December 20, 2020 but was never passed by the House.
What We Are Doing
The Order of the Good Death was one of the official signers of this bill when it was introduced to the Senate by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Senator Tim Scott (R-SC). In addition to this, The Order has continued to create videos and publish articles centering on the history and preservation efforts of Black burial spaces.
What You Can Do
At the end of 2022 Senate Bill 2827 (116th) secured inclusion in the omnibus bill.
Status
President Biden is expected to sign the bill into law in 2023.
End of Life Option Act
Background
The California End of Life Option Act (ABX2-15) allows terminally ill Californians to request medication to peacefully end their lives and free them from suffering. Read the full act.
What We Are Doing
In 2015, in addition to founder Caitlin Doughty serving on the Southern California Advisory Council for bill sponsor Compassion & Choices, the Order of the Good Death successfully launched a social media and information campaign to help get this bill passed.
What You Can Do
To stay up to date on current legislative efforts around end of life rights check out Compassion & Choices.
Status
Medical Aid in Dying laws have passed in the following states as of 2023: Oregon, Washington, Montana, Vermont, Colorado, California, Washington D.C., Hawaii, New Jersey, Maine, New Mexico.