Sara Marsden-Ille
Editor and funeral consumer advocate · Co-founder, DFS Memorials LLC
About Sara
I have been researching and writing about the death care industry for the past 18 years. End-of-life services and experiences are topics most people avoid thinking about until they must face them. My work provides comprehensive and independent resources for families, explaining the workings of the funeral industry, the laws governing funeral practices, and the death care trends that impact consumers.
With a BA in Cultural Studies, I bring a unique perspective to analyzing cultural death care rituals, complemented by a career background in Business Management. I write for US Funerals Online and DFS Memorials LLC, and contribute to various forums and publications within the death care industry.
Experience and credentials
~18 years
researching and writing about the funeral profession
Established 2003
US Funerals Online, where Sara has been author and chief editor since 2008
Co-founder
DFS Memorials LLC (2012), a member of CANA and ICCFA
How Sara reviews this site's guides
Every guide is written in plain language for families making decisions under pressure. Plan details, including pricing, coverage distances and what is and isn’t included, are checked against the current plan terms, and cost figures are kept consistent across the site. Read our full Editorial Policy.
Guides by Sara
- Funeral shipping costs without insurance
- What to do when a parent dies out of state
- The Senior Traveler’s Complete Protection Checklist
- Snowbird travel insurance: what it covers, and the gap most snowbirds miss
- What happens if you die in Mexico? A guide for American snowbirds
- Best snowbird cities in Florida for seniors