A new look at the empirical initial-final mass relation

We examine new methods of producing and analyzing the empirical initial-final mass relation for open cluster white dwarfs (WDs). We redetermine initial and final masses for the complete sample of published cluster WDs and then pare this sample using stringent criteria. We create an empirical initial-final mass relation by binning all WDs in individual clusters to a single point. Despite potentially significant systematics arising from this approach, we are comfortable concluding that, to within current observational constraints, the initial-final mass relation is linear, any intrinsic scatter in the relation these less than or similar to 0.05M(circle dot), and there is no metallicity dependence. More exploration of these issues is clearly warranted.