Title: Planned Funeral Society of Wisconsin Inc. Records
Inclusive Dates: 1956-1972

Creator:

• Planned Funeral Society of Wisconsin, Inc.

Call Number: Local History Manuscript Collection 373

Quantity: 0.3 cubic ft. (1 box)

Repository:

Milwaukee Public Library, Frank P. Zeidler Room

Archival Location:

Milwaukee Public Library (Map)

Abstract:

Planned Funeral Society of Wisconsin, formerly Thanatophely Ltd., was a nonprofit group closely affiliated with the First Unitarian Church in Milwaukee. Its purpose was to promote “the concept of dignity and simplicity in funeral rites”. The Society was a member of the Continental Association of Funeral and Memorial Societies, Inc., now known as Funeral Consumers Alliance. There were chapters in Wausau, Madison, Appleton, and La Crosse.

Note:

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Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.mwpl-lhmc0373

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Thanatophely Ltd. was incorporated January 22, 1957 to promote “the concept of dignity and simplicity in funeral rites”. It was a nonprofit group closely affiliated with the First Unitarian Church in Milwaukee. The word “thanatophely” was created from two Greek words to mean “help in the event of death”. In 1960 the group changed their name to Planned Funeral Society of Wisconsin. The Society was a member of the Continental Association of Funeral and Memorial Societies, Inc., now known as Funeral Consumers Alliance. There were chapters in Wausau, Madison, Appleton, and La Crosse. Local Society officers included: William (Bill) Frey, president; Daphne Duhnke, secretary; and Victor Duhnke, treasurer. First Unitarian Church of Milwaukee Pastor, Reverend John W. Cyrus, served on the Society’s board of directors. Due to a failure to submit annual reports, the Society was involuntarily dissolved by the State of Wisconsin, Department of Financial Institutions September 30, 1993.

The collection contains correspondence, agendas, financial records, by-laws, articles of incorporation on their founding as well as their 1960 name change, pamphlets, membership lists, and newsletters from the First Unitarian Church of Milwaukee newsletters and the Society.

The subjects are arranged alphabetically and then chronologically within each folder.

Planned Funeral Society of Wisconsin, Inc. Records, 1956-1972, Collection 373. Local History Manuscript Collections, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Funeral Customs the World Over.

The History of American Funeral Directing.

• William M. Lamers and Robert W. Habenstein Manuscript. Local History Manuscript Collection 34.

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials. The collection is open to all in accordance with state law. The public may view Local History Manuscript Collections by appointment at the Central Library. To request an in-person appointment, create/login to your Special Collections Account. If you have any questions, please contact the Archives and Special Collections Department at mplarchives@milwaukee.gov.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

Acquisition Information

This collection was donated by Orval Liljequist, former MPL Librarian, as a founding member and vice president of the Planned Funeral Society of Wisconsin, Inc. date unknown. Materials were accessioned as Local History Manuscripts Collection.

Processing Information

Described by Daniel I. Schramm, Fieldwork student, 2001. Processed by Casey Lapworth, 2019.

Box   1 Folder   1	By-laws, 1962
Box   1 Folder   2	Correspondence, 1960-1961
Box   1 Folder   3	Financials, 1961-1972
Box   1 Folder   4	Meetings, 1961-1971
Box   1 Folder   5	Membership lists, 1961-1970
Box   1 Folder   6	Miscellaneous, 1961-1962, undated
Box   1 Folder   7	Newsletters, various, 1957-1966
Box   1 Folder   8	Publications, 1958-1963, undated
	Thanatophely, Ltd.
Box   1 Folder   9	Correspondence, 1956-1960
Box   1 Folder   10	Financials, 1957-1959
Box   1 Folder   11	Incorporation and by-laws, 1957-1960, undated
Box   1 Folder   12	Meetings, 1957-1960, undated
Box   1 Folder   13	Miscellaneous, 1957-1958, undated