About Us
About Us
Our mission
Final Farewell provides financial assistance, advice and guidance to grieving families from all religions and backgrounds so they may provide an affordable and decent funeral for their loved child.
How we began
Through their funeral work, Mr. and Mrs. Quinn were often confronted with grieving, poor families who could not afford even the minimal burial and funeral expenses to bury a child. Occasionally, the Quinn's were able to help by giving money and contacting other vendors willing to donate funeral or burial-related services. In this way the Quinn's were able to help 1-3 families per year.
Several years ago the Quinn's were listening to a local radio station conduct its annual fundraiser for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia ("CHOP"). CHOP provides money for research and health care for critically ill children—but nothing towards providing a proper burial for those children who do not survive their illnesses. During that CHOP fundraiser the Quinn's decided to form Final Farewell to fill that obvious need. Their first case was the Lichtenhahn Family.
Activities
Providing financial assistance to needy families in the greater Philadelphia area constitutes 90% of our activities. We've also helped families throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and across the United States. For the most needy cases, families who meet our Charity Policy may receive full funeral services, including burial, at no cost.
Sources of funding
Our primary sources of funding are private foundations, government grants, individual solicitations and fundraisers. To extend the effect of that direct funding we solicit contributions "in kind" from funeral homes, cemeteries, and other service providers. In addition, we negotiate with regional funeral homes to provide "at cost" funeral and burial services.
In 2006 the Quinn's received charitable exemption from the IRS which enables us to seek additional charitable contributions and significantly expand our charitable mission to many families throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Compensation
Final Farewell has no employees or paid independent contractors. Our mission is managed by the Board of Directors, which includes a broad range of community members. If a Director seeks paid compensation, he or she will voluntarily resign from the Board of Directors. Any compensation paid will be determined in compliance with our Fair Market Value Policy.