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We are on Vacation crusing from the West Coast out of Los Angeles to Mexico. Fred Almeida, Jr will solo host Sunday's America On Line chat. If you care to see where our vacation is try this link ----> http://www.princess.com/ipix/ships/star_cam.html
In a message dated 2/9/03 6:27:04 PM, AmSocEmbalmers@aol.com writes:
I wanted to let everyone know who has expressed interest in this association, that it is moving forward. I have started the process of the required business set up within the state of Illinois.
To everyone who responded I say thank you. This is something that after 3 years of going back and forth about the idea is now actually going to be fulfilled. Clearly the overwhelming response is that this is something is needed and more importantly WANTED. There clearly is a deficit for embalming knowledge and education within this country.
The majority of respondents indicated they wanted an email newsletter, technical support, and was willing to provide at least 1 additional name for membership. Sources of embalming seminars and education was also an important aspect of membership. To date, there are over 100 names in my email database. I have started looking at websites and if you have any suggestions for website providers I welcome your advice, and information. The dues will be affordable and attractive to everyone. With some options that are not currently available through other organizations. Once the legal aspects of the business start up are in place you will receive an email application and directions for membership.
For those of you interested in embalming seminars, ICFA (Internation Cemetery and Funeral Association) has recognized the importance of embalming and the lack of seminars fulfilling that need. In July they are adding to their Colleges a Embalming and Restorative College. This will be a 5 day intensive embalming seminar. Bob Mayer, Todd Van Beck, Bob Inman, Charles Harrison and myself along with others will be part of the faculty of that College in Memphis. The fee is reasonable for 5 days of seminar. Please visit there website at www.icfa.org for more details. Even if you no longer are embalming it is important that you keep current on this part of your business.
I want to again thank everyone who responded and you will be hearing from me in the near future about membership. If you have other individuals that would be interested in joining, please have them respond to this email address.
If you would like your name added to this email list, please just let me know.
Melissa Johnson Williams, CFSP
NFDA's most recent bulletin "exclude licensed funeral directors and embalmers from the minimum wage and overtime provisions of the FLSA" END
I wonder what the heck is FLSA? Hmmm, Behold! FLSA stands for Fair Labor Standards Act, I now realize how low NFDA has gone to decieve readers, in other words NFDA is against Fair Labor Standard for employees, last Sunday night we held a chat on the topic and the announcement for the chat reads
"National Funeral Directors Association screws professional employees again"
You may enjoy the e-mail swapping on the issue
In a message dated 2/10/03 10:05:29 AM, jfitch@nfda.org writes:
John, it is always a pleasure to debate you on this issue because you
are so misinformed and out of touch with what licensed employees want,
with what the facts are on this issue and how inconsistent you are vis a
vis our companion position on this issue. First, licensed employees in
Michigan and Tennessee have sued their employers to be classified as
"professionals" for purposes of exemption from the minimum wage and
overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1934.
Both the federal Circuit Courts in the 6th and 3rd Circuits have ruled
in favor of these employees. KEY POINT: Licensed employees, not
employers, seeking redress from this rather outdated law. Second, NFDA
has had a public policy position on this very point for years. We are
currently working with the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of
Labor to make that happen. It is likely to occur this year or next.
Third, the bill you are so opposed to would have the same effect as
classifying licensed funeral home employees as professionals for the
purposes of the professional exemption under the current law.
As always, you are not in control of all the facts nor with the views
of most licensed employees. As a result, your credibility on this issue
is seriously eroded. My door is always open to you to discuss this
issue.
John H. Fitch, Jr.
Senior Vice President, Advocacy
National Funeral Directors Association
202-547-0441
202-547-0726 (fax)
jfitch@nfda.org
=================================
Greetings from Lovely Lowell Massachusetts
Tuesday, February 11, 2003 * 5:16 AM
Dear Senior Vice President Fitch,
Don't sugarcoat your feelings, just give it to me straight.
We could have used your input Sunday Night, not Monday morning, working in funeral service to most of us little people, is an every day deal, the eighty funeral professionals who did come to America on Line's chat on NFDA's position to eliminate Fair Wage and Hour protection, would have welcomed your keen wit and wisdom.
NFDA's abbreviation of the issue is what sparked this latest round of discussion on NFDA's insistence to prevent employees from continued Federal Wage and Hour Protection.
NFDA's bulletin disguised the issue with abbreviation, is this how NFDA advocates on an issue, using a disguise of underintelegence.
Now to the core of the issue, NFDA membership consists of almost 100% of Funeral Home Managers and Owners, the bill NFDA pushes will eliminate Fair Wage and Hour Protection for employees. I know NFDA is representing Management and trying to pull the wool over congressional members of their representation.
Fact is most congress members know NFDA is pulling the wool as well, and by doing so NFDA looses credibility on all issues, to the congressional delegation who read this I want them to know National Funeral Directors Association represents Funeral Home Owners and Managers.
I stand up for the Funeral Professional at all levels, NFDA represents Funeral Home Ownership and Management and NOT LESS THAN MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES! I have strongly opposed this issue for years, your office has failed to move on the matter, perhaps it is time to realize NFDA's bleeding credibility is the real reason Funeral Service is in such trouble in Washington. The Department of Labor shared with me 100 (and growing) complaints against funeral homes both publicly held and privately owned.
Frankly the bigger the bang we get out of this discussion the more Funeral Directors and Embalmers will bring actions against UNFAIR WAGE AND HOUR COMPLIANCE. There is plenty of info at www.dol.gov or a search through
www.Google.com
Department of Labor Wage and Hour Complaints Funeral Directors
As far as I know Comp. Time is illegal, if you work over 40 hours you are owed Time and a half of your proportional hourly rate. In other words if you make 40,000. a year divided by 52 that is near $769. per week divided by 40 hours that is close to $19. per hour, for each day you work of 8 hours you should be paid time and a half around $28., lets say a Licensed Funeral Director does a house removal at 2 am, s/he get's 28.00 for each hour they are on that removal, by the way the owner has no say, the overtime pay is US federal regulation, the boss is breaking the law by not paying you that overtime, the good news is you can go back for the past three years of unpaid compensation.
IF NFDA gets Funeral Directors Exempts Funeral Director employees will have no recourse, they will make that 2 am removal for NOTHING EXTRA in their paycheck and it will be legal.
Most employees in the United States have enjoyed fair wage and hour protection since 1939, I feel Funeral Directors should continue to FAIR WAGE AND HOUR PROTECTION
My mind is open on the issue. I cannot speak about the Funeral Professionals in Michigan and Tennessee, It is nice to know the Funeral Directors and Embalmers in Tennessee and Michigan are so satisfied with their compensation that they have asked you to advocate on their behalf.
STIYPASI, Mr. Vice President of Advocacy! I was here before you came along and with the help of God I'll be here long after your gone. I am not going away on this issue.
Honestly
John L. McDonough
Founder
Funeral Service Professional Association
Current posting of FSPA's Weekly Update
Moderator for America on Line's: Funeral Professionals Forum
http://www.funeralserviceprofessional.com
Funeral Industries: Standards, Principles and Practices
c/o McDonough Funeral Home
"The Runway to Heaven" ©
==========================
In a message dated 2/11/03 10:21:21 AM, jfitch@nfda.org writes:
John, I always love your unsubstantiated allegations and
misrepresentation of the facts. When the harsh light of reality shines
on your arguments, they seems to evaporate. However, I do enjoy the
repartee! By the way, I hope we both live long and prosper and lock
horns on this or any other issue you choose for as long as we remain
engaged in our respective positions.
John H. Fitch, Jr.
Senior Vice President, Advocacy
National Funeral Directors Association
202-547-0441
202-547-0726 (fax)
jfitch@nfda.org
==========================
Wednesday, February 12, 2003 * 5:14 AM
Mr. Senior Vice President,
Deception to NFDA membership is the issue here, National Funeral Directors Association deceves membership into creating more trouble in Washington, I can remember listening to Federal Trade Commisions's Eileen Harrington telling us, NFDA tells one story to FTC and yet another to the Hill, if she knows that! don't you think the folks on the Hill do too? NFDA clearly advocates for the profit of Owners, often time by giving too much material on a topic to volunteer delegates and decision makers, these decision makers need the meat on an issue and not the fluff. I have talked to many decision makers, frankly NFDA gives them their homework too late and creates time constraints to vote on each issue and usually votes your legislature goals in slate batches.
NFDA should be FAIR in explaininng to their new decision makers, it is their choice how to vote, instead of the usual flavoring of issues, railroading of data and short changing them on time for discussion and understanding on voting days.
BOTTOM LINE: don't use abbreviations give unbiased information on Washington Issues showing positive and negative consequenses.
Exempting our young and senior employees from Fair Wage and Hour Protection has always been foolish and greedy suggestion to our leadership. Wage and Compensation issues should be removed from the table forever.
From John L. McDonough
==========================
The links below will enlighten you about Fair Wage & Hour issues
Do you want fair wage and hour protection or not
http://www.wkg.com/media/wage_hour_law_developments.pdf
http://www.flsaclassaction.com/prime
http://www.wfda.org/members/march5.pdf
http://www.indiana-fda.org/laws/wagehour2.html
My cousin Bruce has given me an opportunity to obtain a wheelchair to make my life easier.. I want to thank him as well as anyone buying some product from our store ! ! !
I need to raise 3500.00... eat mo pecans..
Aywhere you see his banner you can order ! ! ! just click it and be carried to our online store and help me get a wheelchair.. if You do I sure do appreciate it ! ! !
Robin G. Wall
Metropolitan Direct Burial and Cremation Center
In a message dated 2/6/03 2:07:14 PM, Mflynn6705 writes:
NEWS.scotsman.com - UK - Corpse falls from mortuary van
http://www.news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=143412003
Corpse falls from mortuary van
A WOMAN'S body was found lying in a busy street after falling from the back of a mortuary van.
Motorists called the police after spotting the corpse, which was wrapped in a black body bag, lying in the middle of the road in Chatham, Kent.
The body was moved to the side of the street and covered over by police while they attempted to trace the van, which belonged to the local Co-operative Funeral Service.
It is thought the driver was initially unaware the corpse had slipped from the vehicle but he returned to the scene, on Monday morning. A spokesman for Kent Police said that the driver had been reported "for carrying an insecure load".
*************************************************************************
ICFA WIRELESS - February 4, 2003 Edition Vol. 4 No. 3
*************************************************************************
ICFA WIRELESS is a biweekly electronic newsletter bringing members of the
International Cemetery and Funeral Association the latest government and
legal, industry and association news. It is available to all ICFA members
current on their dues. Comments, questions and "hot news tips" are welcome.
Write to: mailto:wireless@icfa.org .
IN THIS EDITION:
INDUSTRY NEWS
NASA Accepting Tributes to Columbia Astronauts
Free Newspaper Ads Honor Columbia Victims
Amended Telemarketing Sales Rule Effective March 31;
Caller ID, 'Do Not Call' Registry Provisions Delayed
House Bill Requires FCC to Coordinate 'Do Not Call' Coverage with FTC
Senate Bill Seeks to Clarify Prepaid Funeral/Burial Arrangements for Social
Security Assistance
ICFA NEWS
In Memoriam: Douglas P. Whynott, CCE
Convention Early Registration Deadline Extended to February 10
Convention Attracting High Attendance, Booth Sales
February Product of the Month: Harold Brown Training Book
---------------------------
INDUSTRY NEWS
---------------------------
NASA ACCEPTING TRIBUTES TO COLUMBIA ASTRONAUTS
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has informed the ICFA that
cemeteries and funeral homes that have been collecting messages of condolence
and tribute to the Columbia astronauts, through registry books and other
forms of memorialization, should send the collected materials to the Johnson
Space Center in Houston, Texas. Tributes can be sent to:
Astronaut Office Code CB
Johnson Space Center
Houston, TX 77058
---------------------------------------------------
FREE NEWSPAPER ADS HONOR COLUMBIA VICTIMS
Cemeteries and funeral homes that wish to publicize memorial book signings
for the Columbia astronauts or simply pay public tribute to them can download
free newspaper print advertisements that can be customized with a company
name, contact information and additional text. All industry members are
welcome to make use of the ads.
Prepared by Adfinity in Clearwater, Florida, the ads are available at
http://www.columbiaheroesmemorial.funeralnet.com/presskit
---------------------------------------------------
AMENDED TELEMARKETING SALES RULE EFFECTIVE MARCH 31;
CALLER ID, 'DO NOT CALL' REGISTRY PROVISIONS DELAYED
On January 29, the Federal Trade Commission announced that its amended
Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) would become effective on March 31. However,
the effective dates of two provisions in the TSR were delayed. The
requirement that telemarketers use Caller ID to identify themselves has been
delayed for a year. More importantly, the requirement to use the new national
"Do Not Call" registry has been delayed pending funding authorization from
Congress, followed by at least seven months until the system is operational.
(See the December 19 edition of ICFA WIRELESS and the February "Washington
Report" column in International Cemetery and Funeral Management magazine for
more information on the amended TSR). The FTC will announce specific
compliance dates concerning these two provisions in the future
The TSR applies only to phone calls made interstate, though another agency,
the Federal Communications Commission, is considering a "Do Not Call" list
that would cover intrastate calls as well (see next story). The ICFA has been
instrumental in obtaining and preserving an exemption in the TSR for
"appointment" type phone calls that are followed by face-to-face meetings.
However, in deciding to maintain the face-to-face exemption, the FTC added
several conditions, including the "Do Not Call" list requirement, using
Caller ID and prohibitions against using threats, intimidation and
profane/obscene language; annoying or harassing individuals by continuous or
repeated calling; blocking caller ID; and calling before 8 a.m. or after 9
p.m. local time. For complete details on TSR compliance, check the FTC Web
site at http://www.ftc.gov
---------------------------------------------------
HOUSE BILL REQUIRES FCC TO COORDINATE 'DO NOT CALL' COVERAGE WITH FTC
Rep. W.J. "Billy" Tauzin (R-LA), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce
Committee, introduced H.R. 395 last week, which would authorize the FTC to
collect fees from telemarketers to defray the expenses of its national "Do
Not Call" registry. Co-sponsored by the ranking minority member on the
Committee, John Dingell (D-MI), the bill also directs the Federal
Communications Commission to issue a final rule to coordinate its own "Do Not
Call" registry with the FTC version.
Tauzin expressed concern that the FTC's jurisdiction does not include banks,
phone companies and insurance firms engaging in telemarketing that the FCC
could regulate. According to a statement released by Tauzin's office, H.R.
395 requires the FCC to act within 180 days of the bill's enactment "to close
any loopholes not covered by the FTC rule." The bill has been approved by the
Commerce Committee and was reported to the full House.
In the meantime, the Direct Marketing Association filed a lawsuit on January
29 in federal court alleging that the "Do Not Call" registry violates First
Amendment rights of commercial free speech. The lawsuit is seeking an
injunction to stop the registry from going into effect.
---------------------------------------------------
SENATE BILL SEEKS TO CLARIFY PREPAID FUNERAL/BURIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR SOCIAL
SECURITY ASSISTANCE
Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) has introduced S. 166 to amend the Social
Security Act by clarifying that the value of certain funeral and burial
arrangements are not to be considered available resources in order to obtain
benefits under the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. The act
already excludes the value of burial spaces or agreements to purchase spaces.
However, there have been some conflicting rulings regarding whether
funeral/burial goods and services are also considered excludable resources.
S. 166 would clarify that such items are to be excluded.
The ICFA has contacted congressional offices, including the Senate Finance
Committee where the bill was referred, to discuss the wording of the bill.
Though the bill's language clearly seeks to exclude "certain funeral and
burial arrangements," the proposed wording to amend the Social Security Act
refers only to "funeral goods and services for a funeral." The ICFA is
recommending that the term "burial" be added to the statutory reference of
goods and services. Members will be kept informed of developments.
---------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------
-------------------
ICFA NEWS
-------------------
IN MEMORIAM: DOUGLAS P. WHYNOTT, CCE
The ICFA extends its sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of
Douglas P. Whynott, CCE, who died January 30 at age 61.
Whynott was ICFA secretary and president of the New England Cemetery
Association at the time of his death. He also had served on the ICFA Board of
Directors from 1998-2001, and was chancellor of the ICFA University in 2001
and 2002.
Whynott was chief executive officer of Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett,
Massachusetts, where he had completed numerous restoration, renovation and
new development projects. He had been active in the industry for more than 25
years.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy; sons Paul and Christopher; daughter Amy
Whynott Morril; brother Donald; and four grandchildren.
---------------------------------------------------
CONVENTION REGISTRATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO FEBRUARY 10
The ICFA 2003 Convention & Exposition, March 10-13 at the Las Vegas Hilton,
offers four days of industry education as well as opportunities to visit 170+
booths of products and services that will allow your company to better serve
families and improve your bottom line.
The deadline to receive the Convention early registration discount has been
extended to February 10. Likewise, the Las Vegas Hilton has offered to extend
the hotel reservation deadline to February 10. ICFA members who register by
that date will save $50 off of the full member registration fee ($375 vs.
$425). Rooms at the Hilton can be reserved before February 10 at the special
ICFA rate of just $135 per night.
For a complete program and registration form, visit
http://www.icfa.org/ac03.htm or call 1-800-645-7700.
---------------------------------------------------
CONVENTION ATTRACTING HIGH ATTENDANCE, BOOTH SALES
The 2003 Convention & Exposition is drawing a high attendance as the ICFA
prepares to bring cemeterians, funeral directors, cremationists, memorial
designers and suppliers together "Under One Roof" at the state-of-the-art
Hilton Center in Las Vegas in March.
With five weeks to go, registration numbers indicate that this will be one of
the ICFA's largest Annual Conventions:
Industry members: 296
Spouses/guests: 104
Supplier booths: 176
Compared with the past two Conventions, these figures are ahead of the number
for the comparable time frame at the 2002 Convention in Orlando and are on a
par with the number for the 2001 Convention in Las Vegas.
The deadline for obtaining the Convention early registration discount and
reserving a hotel room is February 10. For more information, visit
http://www.icfa.org/ac03.htm or call 1-800-645-7700.
---------------------------------------------------
FEBRUARY PRODUCT OF THE MONTH: HAROLD BROWN TRAINING BOOK
For the month of February, the ICFA is offering a discount on the fifth
edition of "How to Sell Cemetery Property Before Need" by preneed pioneer
Harold Brown. The book's textbook-style lessons cover each step of the
selling process and include review questions to involve the reader and
reinforce the messages. It is an ideal training tool for newcomers to the
industry as well as experienced counselors who want to take their sales to
new levels.
Regular price: $30.50. February price: $25. Shipping fees are additional. For
more information or to order, call 1-800-645-7700.
---------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------
AND MORE . . .
ICFA University introduces two new colleges: the College of Embalming and
Restorative Arts and the ICFA/CANA College of Cremation Services. ICFA
University will be held July 18-23 at the University of Memphis in Memphis,
Tennessee. For more information on the new colleges, visit
http://www.icfa.org/icfanews.htm#icfau_colleges .
The ICFA News Page at http://www.icfa.org/newspage.htm takes you to sources
throughout the world for industry news and updates. It brings you the most
comprehensive selection of funeral service and cemetery news available
anywhere, along with frequently updated general news items related to
national and world events. The News Page is the second most visited page on
the ICFA Web site. Stop in each day and you'll see why.
The ICFA Internet Expo at http://www.icfa.org/expo/index.html is the largest
online exposition in the cemetery and funeral service industry. Cemetery and
funeral home owners and operators will find more than 300 providers in over
100 product and service categories at the Expo. Exhibit space is provided as
a free, exclusive benefit to all ICFA supplier and professional members.
Check it out today!
Need a labor relations and employment law attorney? Check out ICFA's benefit
program offering free telephone legal consultations at
http://www.icfa.org/pepperman.htm .
International Cemetery and Funeral Association
1895 Preston White Drive, Suite 220
Reston, VA 20191
1-800-645-7700
(703) 391-8400
fax (703) 391-8416
http://www.icfa.org
Copyright 2003 International Cemetery and Funeral Association
In a message dated 2/11/03 11:12:34 AM, UndergroundHumor@aol.com writes:
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Daniel Hopkins
EMAIL: UndergroundHumor@aol.com
Phone: 203.247.5047
"Murder in the Hearse Degree" Is Now Available At UndergroundHumor.com!
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In a message dated 2/11/03 12:09:45 PM, Matthew in New Jersey sends us:
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,5966947^401,00.html
NEWS.com.au | 77,000 body bags (February 11, 2003)
77,000 body bags
11Feb03
FEARS that Iraq will inflict heavy casualties on British and American troops intensified yesterday when it emerged the Pentagon had ordered almost five times the number of body bags it requested before the last Gulf War.
Within weeks it will have more than 77,000 bags at the ready, compared with 16,000 in 1991. In the last conflict, 148 US soldiers were killed in combat, including 35 by "friendly fire", while Iraqi forces suffered some 30,000 casualties.
The increased order will reinforce concern that Saddam might be preparing to use chemical or biological weapons.
It will also fuel speculation that planners are expecting to suffer high casualties in street fighting as the troops try to take major cities such as Basra and Baghdad.
"We hope no one dies, but you just don't know what will happen," said Frank Johnson, director of public affairs for the Defense Supply Centre in Philadelphia.
US military sources say that if soldiers are killed as a result of an Iraqi attack with chemical or biological weapons, the bodies will most probably be cremated on the battlefield to avoid the spread of contamination.
The Pentagon yesterday denied a claim by a senior Vatican official that the US was secretly shipping 100,000 body bags and 6000 coffins to a military base in Sicily.
But it admitted that it has 34,000 of the bags stored at military bases around the world and available to be sent to the Gulf at short notice.
It has ordered another 8890 for delivery this week and is about to sign a contract for another 30,000 to be delivered next month.
That will bring the total to 72,890 of the black vinyl bags. Each bag has a full-length zip and six handles and costs $70. The Pentagon is also buying 3500 heavier duty olive-green bags at a cost of $150 each.
These bags are coated with rubber and are used to lift bodies by helicopter from rugged terrain. Hundreds of coffins have also been ordered for those soldiers flown back to the US for burial.
In a message dated 1/23/03 9:40:01 AM, Stewart in Illinois writes:
Man again charged with misrepresentation
LINDA N. WELLER, The Telegraph January 09, 2003
ALTON, IL -- He has served jail time for misrepresenting himself as an emergency medical technician, a police officer and a firefighter.
Now, authorities say, James A. Ross, 20, of the 3200 block of Brown Street in Alton, has chosen another field in which to misrepresent himself -- as an employee of a funeral home.
Consequently, Ross faces a misdemeanor charge of operating as a funeral director without a license; his first appearance in Madison County Circuit Court is scheduled for Feb. 7.
Alton police arrested Ross, formerly of Godfrey and Brighton, at 12:46 p.m. Saturday after officials from Elias-Smith Funeral Home and Crematory filed a complaint about an incident that occurred Dec. 31.
Alton Police Chief Chris Sullivan said Ross told customers and the owner of another Alton business that he works for the funeral home and discussed business related to Elias-Smith. The owner of the business became suspicious and later called Elias-Smith. The business owner then was told that Ross was not a licensed funeral director or embalmer or even employed at the funeral home, Sullivan said.
Elias-Smith officials contacted police and pressed for the charge; no one from Elias-Smith was available Wednesday to discuss the incident.
Ross is on parole from Graham Correctional Center from serving part of an 18-month sentence for impersonating a police officer in December 2001 in East Alton.
In July 2001, he was charged with misdemeanor false representation of an emergency medical technician without having a license, an incident that dated to Jan. 28, 2001, at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey.
Fire and police officials said Ross has shown up at emergency scenes in several jurisdictions and has been kicked out of an ambulance when he said he was an EMT.
On Aug. 22, 2002, Ross went to Alton Fire Station No. 2, 3212 College Ave., saying he was a firefighter, and asked for a tour of the building. Alton firefighters, however, recognized Ross from Illinois Department of Corrections mug shots on a poster on the firehouse wall and called police.
He was arrested, charged with false impersonation of an emergency worker and sent back to Graham. Because of his incarceration, he missed a court hearing in September in Madison County and was arrested Nov. 14, six days after he was released from Graham.
At the time of the August incident, fire officials in Alton and Godfrey said they especially were sensitive to imposters who might be collecting information about response procedures and equipment, particularly in light of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Authorities also said they are concerned that somebody who is not an EMT could harm someone who is injured or sick or get in the way of paramedics treating a patient. Sullivan said he also is concerned about Ross' continued misrepresentation of himself as various professionals.
"This is a multi-repeat offense," Sullivan said. "Obviously, he is becoming a hazard. What's he going to pretend to be next?"
Sullivan said victims might assume someone is qualified to treat them if he shows up at an accident scene in uniform, for example.
"They would need treatment and assume he knows what he is doing" and let him treat them, Sullivan said.
Date: Mon,83 Feb 2003 1:34:21 PM Eastern Standard Time Tom in Wisconsin Writes
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030206/clth001_1.html
Press Release Source: Hillenbrand Industries, Inc.
Thursday February 6, 3:00 pm ET
BATESVILLE, Ind., Feb. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hillenbrand Industries Inc. (NYSE: HB - News), announced today that Michael A. Gardner, vice president, corporate audit and chief risk officer resigned his post with the Company on January 31, 2003. Gardner, 54, joined Textron Inc. in Providence, Rhode Island in a similar position.
Date: Mon, 3 Feb 2003 1:21:47 PM Eastern Standard Time Mike in Massachusetts Writes
February 3, 2003
Selling Funeral Supplies Online
By BOB TEDESCHI
ITH so many consumer purchases proving popular online ? whether books, concert tickets or prescription drugs ? the question was eventually bound to arise. Why not coffins?
Funeral industry executives and analysts say that consumers are increasingly interested in being able to shop online for their funeral needs and that some Web merchants are stepping up to serve them.
"When you visit casket dealers online, you can look at something over and over again," said Jay Kravetz, editor of Death Care Business, a trade publication. "You're not pressured ? you have time to look with relatives and friends. It's really easier online."
And it can be cheaper, given that some funeral directors mark up their coffins as much as 300 percent over wholesale, knowing that most consumers are reluctant to haggle or shop around.
On the Web, Funeral Depot, which sells funeral supplies both online and offline from its Hallandale Beach, Fla., store, is able to earn a profit of about 40 percent by charging double the wholesale price of its coffins ? and still significantly beating funeral homes' prices. The average price of Funeral Depot coffins sold online is about $1,500.
"I'll offer the same coffin at a fraction of what a funeral home charges, deliver it overnight for free, and still make substantial profit and walk away the hero," said Dean Magliocca, president and owner of Funeral Depot.
Mr. Magliocca is among the more successful online merchants of funeral supplies, with projected revenue this year of $1.5 million ? the bulk of it from his Web operation. It is a modest number, to be sure, but Mr. Magliocca is not complaining. "We're very pleased with our progress," he said. "It's taken us a little over three and a half years to get us where we're at, but we've finally perfected what we do, and we're starting to generate a lot of revenue with nice margins."
At the time he started the Web operation, Mr. Magliocca had been selling only monuments and grave markers from his storefront. "I started to hear from families that they didn't have enough money to spend on markers because the coffins were $5,000," he recalled. "I found out it wasn't necessarily because of the wholesale costs."
Mr. Magliocca, who started the online business "with about $400 worth of Web publishing software and a lot of elbow grease," offers nearly 300 different coffins, with prices ranging from $745 for an unsealed thin-metal box to $18,500 for a solid-bronze model that he says "looks like it belongs in space, not the ground."
FuneralDepot.com also sells "theme" coffins made by White Light Inc., which are painted in various motifs, including an auto racing theme. For the whimsical there is a coffin done up like a special-delivery package and stamped "Return to Sender."
Mr. Magliocca sells coffins from all leading manufacturers, like Hillenbrand Industries' Batesville Casket Company and Matthews International's York Group. But he has to buy them from third parties because he says that none of the major manufacturers will sell their coffins directly to him, or to any online coffin merchant, for that matter.
The problem, which has plagued manufacturers and online retailers in many industries, is referred to in business parlance as channel conflict. Manufacturers or their distributors either do not trust Net sellers to protect the image of their brands, or they do not want to upset their established resellers ? in this case, funeral homes ? by allowing online retailers to sell their wares at a discount.
To work around this problem, Mr. Magliocca has set up a nationwide network of about 45 independent funeral homes that are authorized to sell coffins from well-known manufacturers and have agreed to ship orders on Funeral Depot's behalf. These funeral homes earn a small percentage of each of these sales ? business they would not have otherwise gotten ? and many have received referrals from FuneralDepot.com customers who call or send e-mail messages to ask the company to suggest funeral homes in various cities.
Funeral Depot's arrangement with the independents has drawn legal fire from at least one manufacturer, Batesville, which says it has a lawsuit pending against Funeral Depot. While Batesville would not comment on the suit, a Funeral Depot lawyer said the case focused on whether the company could legally continue to use the Batesville name when offering Batesville coffins on FuneralDepot.com or link to images from the Batesville catalog that are shown on other Web sites.
Other online coffin sellers are coming up with their own work-arounds to secure brand-name merchandise. Kim Powers, president and founder of Memorial Concepts Online, which sells coffins and other funeral-related items on the Web, declined to say exactly where her company bought its coffins.
Ms. Powers, whose three-year-old company is based in Ponca City, Okla., said Memorial Concepts was now profitable, despite the fact that she could not sell in her home state. In Oklahoma, as in nearly a dozen other states, the law prohibits anyone without a funeral director's license from selling a coffin ? critics say the policy is meant to protect the interests of funeral homes.
Last year, Ms. Powers sued the state, arguing that the law violates, among other things, her right to economic liberty under the United States Constitution's "Privileges or Immunities" clause.
In December, a Federal District Court in Oklahoma ruled against Ms. Powers, observing the longstanding practice of federal courts to defer to the judgment of state legislatures when the lawmakers regulate "nonfundamental rights," like those involving working conditions or the right to earn a living (as opposed to "fundamental rights," like the right to privacy). Ms. Powers and the organization that is representing her, the Institute for Justice, a libertarian advocacy group in Washington, are appealing the case to the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit in Denver.
A similar case brought by the Institute for Justice on behalf of a non-Internet coffin seller in Tennessee could help Ms. Powers's cause. In that case, in which the plaintiff is challenging a law that is nearly identical to Oklahoma's, a Federal District Court struck down the Tennessee regulation, saying it served "no legitimate governmental purpose." Tennessee's attorney general has yet to decide whether to appeal to the United States Supreme Court.
Even though the Oklahoma law prevents Ms. Powers from selling coffins in the state and has cost the company time and money, she said the publicity had been helpful. "Our business has always been very good in other areas, like markers and monuments," she said. "But since we brought this case, our coffin business has more than quadrupled."
While buying coffins online may be a way for consumers to save money, it may not necessarily be the best thing for the newly bereaved, according to Robert M. Fells, general counsel of the National Funeral Directors Association.
Mr. Fells, who said his group was "just fine" with allowing independent coffin sellers to operate online, said grief counseling experts advised people to visit funeral homes in person to help select coffins or urns as a way to ease the grieving process.
Yet, he said, "more and more, instead of going to the funeral home, people are saying, `I don't need that ? I'll e-mail you.' "
Date: Sat, 1 Feb 2003 8:19:17 AM Eastern Standard Time Mike in boston writes:
Douglas Paul Whynott
Of Saugus, Jan. 30, 2003. Beloved husband of Nancy (Griffin) Whynott. Loving father of Amy Whynott Morrill and her husband Mark of Melrose, Christopher Perce Whynott and his wife Rumana Moinuddin of VA, Paul Douglas Whynott and his wife Sandra of NY. Brother of Donald K. Whynott of CA. Devoted grandfather of Alexis Christina Morrill, Griffin Douglas Morrill, Laila Nur Whynott and Sarah Angeline Whynott. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. A Funeral Service will be held in the Woodlawn Cemetery Chapel, 302 Elm St., Everett, on Monday, Feb. 3, at 10:30 a.m. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours will be held in the Woodlawn Cemetery Chapel of Sunday from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made in Mr. Whynott's memory to the Brigham & Womens Hospital, 75 Francis St., Boston, MA 02115 or to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney St, Boston, MA 02115. President and CEO of the Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett, MA. Arrangements by the J.E. Henderson Funeral Home, EVERETT. Visit www.mem.com for memorial J.E. Henderson Funeral Home 517 Broadway Everett, MA 617-389-0015
Published in the Boston Globe on 2/1/2003.
In a message dated 1-23-2003 1:34:20 PM, Thestarclass@aol.com writes:
Sent by Karen E. Nilsen
WHAT'S A FUNERAL ANYWAY? the STAR Class (a Special Time to Always Remember) is now in it's 4th year.
The STAR class is a sensitive, caring approach to teaching kids what a funeral is all about. It allows children an opportunity to participate in the service of a loved one who has died, whether it be a parent, grandparent, sibling, classmate, or friend. This personalized attention prepares the children for the events of the visitation, funeral and burial process.
A fancy children's room is not necessary - an arrangement office or other quiet, spare room can be transformed into an inviting setting for the children with the colorful place mats, markers, stars and star stickers included in the kit. The STAR Class takes about 30 minutes and is held during the private family viewing time, before the general public arrives.
This is not a grief counseling or therapy session, but rather, a classroom model containing pictures of the funeral "equipment", a story, craft activity, and a STAR message written by the child and placed in the casket, by the child.
The STAR class teacher can be a funeral director, a member of your staff or other individual who is familiar with funeral service and enjoys working with children. The instructor manual is scripted and easy to follow. Pictures, samples, forms and other supplies are also included.
Parents, grandparents, clergy and other community leaders have lauded this program as a special gift to the families we serve.
* a Special Time to Always Remember is one of the most marvelous, compassionate approaches I have ever experienced in helping children through their loss. This groundbreaking creation cannot be recommended too highly.
Rabbi Earl A. Grollman, D. H. L. ; D. D.Author: Bereaved Children and Teens
I know that as a Funeral Director, your desire to provide complete and compassionate care to the families you serve, is your prime objective. I believe that meeting the needs of children and grandchildren when a parent, grandparent, sibling or friend dies is a very important part of that care.
Not only will the children and their families benefit from this class, but you and your staff as well, will be blessed to share this Special Time to Always Remember™ with them.
For more information about the STAR program you can contact me through my website at: www.thestarclass.com Or call: (612)861-6816.
Sincerely,
Karen E. Nilsen RN
In a message dated 1-23-2003 12:51:17 PM, UndergroundHumor writes:
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Daniel Hopkins
EMAIL: UndergroundHumor@aol.com
Phone: 203.247.5047
HBO's Six Feet Under: The First Complete Season, Now Available on UndergroundHumor.com!
WESTPORT, CT &endash; UndergroundHumor.com, the subterranean Web site where funeral service professionals and others can "shop till they drop" for books, movies, t-shirts & more of a morbidly amusing nature, is selling VHS & DVD versions of HBO's Six Feet Under, the critically acclaimed TV series about the funeral industry.
From Alan Ball, the Oscar-winning writer of American Beauty, comes a series that takes a darkly comic look at the Fishers, a dysfunctional family who own and operate an independent funeral home in Los Angeles. Patriarch Nathaniel Fisher is no longer living (except in the hearts and visions of his family). So his wife Ruth, sons Nate and David, and daughter Claire are left to cope with the routine and not-so-routine aspects of life in the grief-management business. What emerges over the course of first season is the quirky, sometimes disturbing &endash; but ultimately life-affirming &endash; story of a resilient American family.
Six Feet Under's cast includes Peter Krause as elder son Nate Fisher whose new career as a co-owner of Fisher & Sons is sidetracked by romantic and medical problems; Frances Conroy as Ruth Fisher, the family matriarch, who turns to self-help seminars to find her identity; Michael C. Hall as younger son David Fisher, whose liberating admission that he is gay is offset by his inability to find a romantic replacement for Keith Charles (Mathew St. Patrick), his former partner; Lauren Ambrose as Claire Fisher, the restless teenage daughter with a dangerous attachment to a troubled classmate, Gabe.
Just about to begin its third season, Six Feet Under has already won several major awards, including: 5 Emmy Awards, 2 Golden Globe Awards, 1 Directors Guild of America Award, 2 Screen Actors Guild Awards and 2 AFI Awards.
The VHS (5 tape box set) & DVD (4 disc box set) versions of Six Feet Under: The Complete First Season are available for $74.95 eachÉyou save 25% off full retail price!
UndergroundHumor.com accepts checks, money orders and credit card charges through PayPal, the acclaimed online e-payment system. A money-back guarantee applies to all purchases. For further information, visit www.UndergroundHumor.com.
Funeral Monitor...Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeks.
by: the_cremationist (45/M/USA) 01/23/03 05:27 pm
Msg: 34740 of 34743
Anybody prepared to comment on the latest 4 page story in Funeral Monitor as I received the electronic version and print out on Monday regarding the new cemetery contract wording to nail us Indies and clients ?
O.K. Big Ears here is your time to shine seeing as you know all ( your claim not mine )and your a worm feeder from way-back and you love this company so much...this has to be your Gig dude...How about your " Ringmaster Buddy " Puncey Boy would he like to pass comment ?
Interesting the SCI Corp office are not taking or returning Sue Simons / Funeral Monitors calls !!...yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeks I smell shit ! ( and it aint mine !! )....That Sue Simon and Ronnie Hast are two folk I would hate to be on the wrong side of if I was caught with my hand in the cookie jar....they just tell it as it is...PERIOD !
In a message dated 1/24/03 5:27:29 AM, Mike in Florida sends us:
"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen."
Prayer Wheel: When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our troops in Afghanistan, and around the world.
In a message dated 2/11/03 9:17:20 AM, Mike in Massachusetts writes:
NCBuy: Weird and Offbeat News Stories
February 11, 2003 - Wireless Flash
Cremated Clowns And Dogs Get Equal Treatment
SAN FRANCISCO (Wireless Flash) -- A San Francisco sea captain whose specialty is scattering cremated remains says both clowns and dogs get equal treatment on his boat.In his eight years leading at-sea memorials, Captain Gerry Robertson has seen some unusual ceremonies -- including the time a dog owner scattered his pooch's ashes under Golden Gate Bridge and invited all the pup's pals from the dog park to come along.Another time, a circus clown passed away and Robertson lead a boatload of his friends -- in full, sad clown makeup -- through the San Francisco Bay to say goodbye to their old buddy.He says it was a very moving moment; the only glitch was the people on other boats kept waving and cheering at the clowns, not realizing it was a funeral.Finally, Robertson says a few customers have chosen to go out with a bang: They have their ashes packed in fireworks and shot from his boat.
N.J. Catholic Church Leader Bars Eulogies
Source: Associated Press Publication date: 2003-01-22
Roman Catholic Archbishop John J. Myers has barred friends and relatives from delivering funeral eulogies, saying the tributes "are getting out of hand" and can distract from the purpose of the funeral Mass. In a directive sent to Newark Archdiocese priests last week, Myers said clerics could still talk about the deceased during the funeral Mass homily.
But any tributes from families and friends should be read before or after the Mass, preferably in a side chapel or at graveside, and should be delivered by one person.
"We have been getting more and more requests for eulogies, and this is not something that has been traditionally a part of Catholic funeral rites," Jim Goodness, a spokesman for the archdiocese, told The Record of Bergen County for Wednesday's editions.
The decision angered many families.
"We felt it really wasn't asking a lot for family members to speak," said Mary Jo Dervos, whose family was not allowed to deliver eulogies during her grandmother's funeral Mass on Monday. "My grandmother was so devoted to the church. She was in the rosary society for 50 years. We believed the Mass was the most appropriate place."
Dervos said the priest suggested the eulogies be read at the wake but the family rejected the idea. Instead, they were given at a luncheon after the funeral.
The priest celebrating the funeral mass could still talk about the deceased in his homily, Goodness said.
The issue is extremely sensitive because family members want the opportunity to say something personal at the mass, but "there is an understandable concern about things in various ways getting out of hand," the Rev. John Langan, a professor of ethics at Georgetown University, told Reuters.
"I don't know that there's any simple recipe for doing this," Langan said. "I think a lot depends on the local pastor having the right touch in working this out."
The eulogy controversy is not unique to the United States. Catholics in Ireland have also expressed anger at similar moves to ban eulogies in some churches there.
Press Release For Further Information
Please Contact
For Immediate Release Chris Kuhnen (800) 331-6270
ACADEMY OF ADVANCE FUNERAL PLANNING ANNOUNCES 2003 TRAINING DATES
Franklin, OH. The Academy of Advance Funeral Planning, headquartered in Franklin, Ohio, announced its complete training schedule dates for 2003. The standard Academy training session runs from Sunday through Wednesday. There are two additional days, (Thursday and Friday) of enhanced training that may be attended at no additional charge. The dates are: April 6 - 9; May 4 - 7; June 8 -11; July 20 - 23; September 7 - 10; October 5 - 8 and November 2 - 5. For more information or to register please call Don Dixon, Director, Academy of Advance Funeral Planning at (800) 331-6270.
In a message dated 2/7/03 8:20:59 AM, Fred in Rhode Island writes:
News Channel 10 (Providence Rhode Island)- Consumer Unit - Shopping For Funeral Services
http://www.turnto10.com/consumerunit/1956598/detail.html
Below is the most recent edition of the ICFA Wireless newsletter. Please
let me know if you no longer wish to receive this biweekly e-mail
newsletter. Thank you.
Linda Budzinski
Communications Director
International Cemetery and Funeral Association
Reston, Virginia
ICFA WIRELESS is a biweekly electronic newsletter bringing members of
the International Cemetery and Funeral Association the latest government
and legal, industry and association news. It is available to all ICFA
members current on their dues. Comments, questions and "hot news tips"
are welcome. Write to: mailto:wireless@icfa.org .
IN THIS EDITION:
INDUSTRY NEWS
FTC Telemarketing 'Do Not Call' Registry Delayed
March Deadline to Appeal TN Casket Decision to US Supreme Court
ICFA NEWS
Convention Early Registration, Hotel Reservation Deadlines Approaching
Naked Sales V Draws 286 Attendees, Rave Reviews
January Product of the Month: ICFA Recruitment Tape
---------------------------
INDUSTRY NEWS
---------------------------
FTC TELEMARKETING 'DO NOT CALL' REGISTRY DELAYED
As previously reported, the Federal Trade Commission must obtain
authority from Congress to launch its national "Do Not Call" registry as
part of the amended Telemarketing Sales Rule. Specifically, Congress
must approve the FTC spending $16 million to establish the registry,
which will be reimbursed from fees assessed to telemarketers who must
use the list or face penalties for non-compliance. However, Rep. W.J.
"Billy" Tauzin (R-LA), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce
Committee, told FTC Chairman Tim Muris that he intended to block funding
pending a "vigorous review" of the proposal. FTC staff has indicated
that if funding were not approved by the end of this month, the "Don't
Call" registry would be delayed at least until next year.
During a January 8 public hearing, Tauzin expressed his concerns with
the FTC moving ahead in an area where the Federal Communications
Commission has greater authority. For example, the FTC has no
jurisdiction over credit card companies and long-distance carriers,
whereas the FCC does. In addition, legal challenges against the FTC
"Don't Call" registry are expected by various telemarketing companies
and trade associations. Also, the fact that the telemarketing industry
employs approximately 4 million people makes the "Don't Call" proposal a
potentially controversial political issue.
---------------------------------------------------
MARCH DEADLINE TO APPEAL TN CASKET DECISION TO U.S. SUPREME COURT
The ICFA understands that the State of Tennessee has until March 5 to
file an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court to challenge an adverse
decision regarding the state casket law. In early December, the U.S.
Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit had affirmed a lower federal
court decision that the law, which restricted casket sales exclusively
to licensed funeral directors, was unconstitutional. The process of
appealing this case, Craigmiles v. Giles, to the Supreme Court is known
as filing a petition for a writ of certiorari, which is granted by the
high court in only about 5 percent of cases so appealed.
Tennessee state officials may also decide, in lieu of an appeal, to seek
amendments in the state law to require third-party casket retailers to
provide written price lists, per the FTC Funeral Rule, and deposit
prepaid funds into trust accounts pending delivery. ICFA members will be
informed of developments.
-------------------
ICFA NEWS
-------------------
CONVENTION EARLY REGISTRATION, HOTEL RESERVATION DEADLINES APPROACHING
The deadline for the early registration fee and hotel reservations for
the ICFA 2003 Convention & Exposition, March 10-13 at the Las Vegas
Hilton in Las Vegas, Nevada, is February 3. ICFA members who register by
that date will save $50 off the regular registration fee ($375 vs.
$425). Hotel reservations made after the deadline will be accepted on a
first-come, first-served basis.
The 2003 Convention will include educational sessions on topics such as
serving families, personalizing services, lead management, cremation
gardens, streamlined management reports, federal oversight of the
industry and more. In addition, the Exposition will offer attendees
opportunities to visit 180 booths displaying thousands of the latest
industry products and services.
For more information on the 2003 Convention program and to register,
visit http://www.icfa.org/ac03.htm or call 1-800-645-7700.
---------------------------------------------------
NAKED SALES V DRAWS 286 ATTENDEES; RAVE REVIEWS
Naked Sales V, held last week at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in New Orleans,
Louisiana, offered 286 industry members two full days of sales
management education. Attendees rated the conference and its 20+
speakers highly. Asked to rate the "Overall Conference," 37 percent
marked "Excellent," 57 percent marked "Very Good" and 6 percent marked
"Good."
---------------------------------------------------
JANUARY PRODUCT OF THE MONTH: ICFA RECRUITMENT TAPE
Just in time for your start-of-year hiring efforts, the ICFA is offering
discounts on its "More Than Just A Selling Job" audio cassette, which
contains a four-minute presentation explaining the value of a career in
prearrangement sales. Applicable for both cemetery and funeral preneed
operations, this is the perfect tool for inexpensively informing
prospective counselors about the prearrangement industry. Regular price:
$2.50 per tape. January price: $0.75 per tape.
Shipping and handling fees are additional. For more information or to
order, call 1-800-645-7700.
---------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------
AND MORE . . .
ICFA University introduces two new colleges: the College of Embalming
and Restorative Arts and the ICFA/CANA College of Cremation Services.
ICFAUniversity will be held July 18-23 at the University of Memphis in
Memphis, Tennessee. For more information on the new colleges, visit
http://www.icfa.org/icfanews.htm#icfau_colleges .
The ICFA News Page at http://www.icfa.org/newspage.htm takes you to
sources throughout the world for industry news and updates. It brings
you the most comprehensive selection of funeral service and cemetery
news available anywhere, along with frequently updated general news
items related to national and world events. The News Page is the second
most visited page on the ICFA Web site. Stop in each day and you'll see why.
The ICFA Internet Expo at http://www.icfa.org/expo/index.html is the
largest online exposition in the cemetery and funeral service industry.
Cemetery and funeral home owners and operators will find more than 300
providers in over 100 product and service categories at the Expo.
Exhibit space is provided as a free, exclusive benefit to all ICFA
supplier and professional members. Check it out today!
Need a labor relations and employment law attorney? Check out ICFA's
benefit program offering free telephone legal consultations at
http://www.icfa.org/pepperman.htm .
---------------------------------------------------
International Cemetery and Funeral Association
1895 Preston White Drive, Suite 220
Reston, VA 20191
1-800-645-7700
(703) 391-8400
fax (703) 391-8416
http://www.icfa.org
Copyright 2003 International Cemetery and Funeral Association
In a message dated 1/27/03 6:10:27 PM, Mflynn6705 writes:
Batesville Casket President Ken Camp will appear on the CBS Evening News on Monday, January 27, 2003 as part of a feature report on themed, personalized funerals. The feature is scheduled to air during the Evening News broadcast televised nationally at 6:30 p.m. EST and is planned as the last segment, just before 7 PM. (Schedule is subject to change pending any breaking news stories.)
During the tape interview, Mr. Camp answered questions on the trend for more personalized funerals. The three key messages Mr. Camp delivered during the segment were: Funerals are becoming a "celebration of life," Baby Boomers are leading this trend; and Funeral Directors throughout the country are doing a great job responding to this trend. The production crew also filmed footage of the displays in Batesville's Life Celebrations room.
As part of the segment, CBS Evening News reporter Richard Schlesinger visited with the Wade Funeral Home in St. Louis. In addition to interviewing the staff there and filming their themed displays, the CBS team also talked with families who had arranged a funeral that used these themed displays.
This is the second major national media interview that has featured the Batesville president over the past 12 months. Earlier, USA Weekend magazine, which appears in almost 600 Sunday newspapers, interviewed Mr. Camp for a story that ran the weekend of March 9 - 10. The article is available for viewing at http://www.usaweekend.com/02_issues/020310/020310life_goodbye.html.
Batesville Casket Company, a subsidiary of Hillenbrand Industries (NYSE: HB), is recognized as North America's leading funeral service supplier of burial caskets, cremation products and related support services. Headquartered in Batesville, Ind., for more than one hundred years, Batesville has been committed to assisting funeral directors help families honor the lives of those they loved.
In a message dated 2/7/03 9:57:53 AM, fspano@nfda.org writes:
The NFDA Bulletin
January 17, 2003
01-03
Don't Miss These Great Events!
Register for the Most Critical NFDA Advocacy Summit! Funeral directors
from across the country will join forces March 25-26, 2003, in
Washington, D.C., to voice their concerns to members of Congress during
the NFDA 2003 Advocacy Summit. Themed "Forward Together: One Profession,
One Destiny," the event will focus on major federal and state
legislation governing funeral service that directly affects you.
Participate! Do it "for the LIFE of your business!" SM
Visit NFDA's Website at http://www.nfda.org/page.php?pID=248 for a
schedule of events and to download a registration form and hotel
reservation form.
Get SAVVYÉ Participate in the Professional Women's Conference! Join in
cutting-edge professional development programs, share ideas with peers,
and network with others in funeral service during the Professional
Women's Conference, April 11-14, 2003, in Newport Beach, California.
Each year, this event brings together women working in the many facets
of funeral service including preplanning, bereavement support and grief
counseling, funeral directing, cremation, and other areas of funeral
service.
Visit NFDA's Website at http://www.nfda.org/page.php?pID=290 for
details on this great opportunity and to download a registration form.
Your Oasis Awaits You. Refresh your perspective, seek a new experience
and collect ideas that can infuse new life into your business during the
NFDA 2003 Annual Convention & Expo, October 19-22, 2003, in Las Vegas,
Nevada.
Broaden your horizons by exploring the latest products and services at
the world's largest annual funeral service expo.
Quench your thirst for knowledge by taking advantage of top-notch
educational opportunities.
Nourish old and new friendships during countless networking sessions.
Discover one-of-a-kind excitement and adventure in one of the world's
most talked-about cities, Las Vegas.
Mark your calendar today and check out NFDA's Website at
http://www.nfda.org/page.php?pID=248 for the latest details of the
event.
Member Benefits
Pay Your Dues Today. NFDA membership dues in choice states were due
January 15, 2003. If you have not already paid your dues, please do so
today to ensure uninterrupted service. Also note that only NFDA members
can take advantage of NFDA's music licensing program. NFDA offers the
best rates and is the only funeral service organization to have signed
contracts with all three major performance rights
organizations&emdash;American Society of Composers, Authors, and
Publishers (ASCAP), Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) and The Society of
European Songwriters and Composers (SESAC). Members can receive a music
license for only $185 per location until February 14, 2003, and for $235
per location after that date. For more information, call 800-228-6332.
NFDA Endorses American Express for Credit Card Acceptance. NFDA is
pleased to announce that it is endorsing American Express for credit
card acceptance. American Express offers a competitive rate, which is
the same for both swiped and keyed in transactions. By accepting the
American Express Card, you can provide your families&emdash;especially
out-of-state family members--with increased payment options, which will
lead to enhanced customer satisfaction. American Express Card acceptance
allows you to reach loyal Cardmembers who use the Card wherever possible
and often spend more with it. In fact, 24% of American Express Consumer
Cardmembers carry American Express but do not carry any other major
credit or charge cards1.
Call to begin accepting American Express Cards today. For NPC
customers, please call 1-800-592-1591. Or, to contact American Express
directly, call 1-800-445-AMEX, program code 732, or visit
www.americanexpress.com/accept.
1 AB Research Associates,11/02. American Express Consumer (Green/Gold
Revolve) Cardmembers who used an American Express Consumer Card
to make
a purchase in the past month.
Government Relations
Bills to Permanently Repeal the Federal Death Tax Introduced in House
and Senate. NFDA supported legislation to permanently repeal the federal
estate tax has been introduced in the House and Senate. The House
version, H.R. 57, was introduced again this year by Representative Dunn,
R-Wash., and others. The bill would permanently repeal the estate tax in
2010. The Senate version, S. 169, introduced by Senator Kyl, R-Ariz.,
and others repeals the tax but accelerates that repeal to the year 2005.
The current tax phases-out until 2010 when it is repealed. The problem
is that the estate tax is reinstated at its current level in 2011. Both
S. 169 and H.R. 57 correct that anomaly. NFDA, as a member of the Family
Business Estate Tax Coalition, is actively lobbying the issue in both
the House and Senate. In support of our direct lobbying efforts, NFDA
has drafted an e-mail message for our members to send to their
Representatives and Senators. To access the e-mail message, visit the
Congress-at-a-Click section on NFDA's Website at
http://www.nfda.org/govrelationscompliance.php.
Bill to Codify SSI Exclusion for Irrevocable Funeral/Burial Trust
Introduced in Senate. At the request of NFDA, Senator Blanche Lincoln,
D-Ark., has introduced a bill, S. 166, to codify the current SSI
regulatory exclusion for irrevocable funeral and burial trusts. NFDA
expects Representative Hayworth, R-Ariz., to introduce a House version
within the next two weeks. The legislation is necessary because over the
past few years the Social Security Administration (SSA) has erroneously
repealed their regulatory exclusion by misinterpreting unrelated
legislation. The Medicaid asset test also uses this exclusion. The
exclusion allows individuals qualifying for Medicaid or SSI payments to
preplan and prepay their funeral expenses by placing them in an
irrevocable funeral or burial trust. NFDA has also drafted an e-mail
message on this issue for its members to send to their Senators. To
access the e-mail message, visit the Congress-at-a-Click section on
NFDA's Website at http://www.nfda.org/govrelationscompliance.php.
108th Congress Convenes; NFDA Issues to be Introduced. With the start
of the 108th Congress on January 6, 2003, NFDA began its lobbying
efforts to seek the introduction of key legislative initiatives. Among
the first bills to be introduced are ones that would eliminate the
limitation on Qualified Funeral Trusts, codify the SSI, irrevocable
funeral/burial trust exclusion and exclude licensed funeral directors
and embalmers from the minimum wage and overtime provisions of the FLSA.
NFDA Officials to Meet with SBA on Regulatory Issues. NFDA has been
invited to meet with officials of the Small Business Administration's
(SBA) Office of Advocacy to discuss regulations that NFDA argues
overreach, are too burdensome or are unnecessary. NFDA is currently
compiling a list of those regulations.
NFDA Officials to Meet with Airline Representatives. NFDA is seeking to
meet with airline officials to explore possible solutions to the lack of
air service to smaller communities that can handle the shipment of
remains. NFDA also will discuss this issue with AMTRAC representatives.
Dodd to Reintroduce Bill to Regulate Death Care Industry. Recent
conversations with the staff of Senator Dodd, D-Conn., indicate he
intends to proceed this year with the introduction of legislation to
codify the funeral rule and otherwise regulate the entire death care
industry. NFDA has been in discussions with Dodd's staff, various
consumer groups and allied funeral service organizations to craft a bill
that would be acceptable to all. However, before proceeding with any
further negotiations, NFDA will revisit the entire codification issue
through its Advocacy Committee and the Policy Board. Once the current
policy on codification is reaffirmed, modified or replaced, it will
become the public advocacy position for NFDA on this issue. A specific
discussion o
n the Dodd legislation or any alternative will follow the
decision on codification.
NFDA Advocacy Committee to Meet. The 2003 NFDA Advocacy Committee will
be meeting at NFDA's headquarters in late January to review, discuss and
make recommendations on various public policy issues and approve a
Political Action Committee (PAC) funding plan for the 2003-04
election-cycle. The policy recommendations will be submitted to the NFDA
Policy Board for consideration at its March meeting.
Funeral Service News
The Learning Channel Focuses in Funeral Service. Tune in to cable's
Learning Channel on Friday, February 21, 2003, for a documentary titled
"Dearly Departed." The show will feature NFDA member Tom Antonopoulos of
Joseph Farenga & Son Funeral Home, Astoria, N.Y. The show is scheduled
to air at 10 p.m. (EST).
Marsh Awaiting Trial. The case against Tri-State Crematory operator Ray
Brent Marsh is expected to go to the grand jury in the near future.
Marsh is awaiting trial on nearly 400 felony charges, including theft by
deception and abuse of a body. The grand jury in Walker County, Ga.,
could hear the case in February.
HBO Premieres Third Season of Six Feet Under. The third season of Six
Feet Under premieres Sunday, March 2, 2003, at 9 p.m. (EST) on HBO. In
addition, the complete first season of the show will be available on DVD
and VHS beginning February 4, 2002.
The NFDA Bulletin
Permission to Reprint. NFDA encourages publications to reprint the
material included in this or any issue of The NFDA Bulletin (unless
otherwise indicated) in their publications with source attributed to
NFDA. For more information on any item included in this issue of The
NFDA Bulletin, contact Renee Gryzkewicz, NFDA's communication manager,
by e-mailing rgryzkewicz@nfda.org or calling 262-814-1547.
The NFDA Bulletin 011703.doc
Fay Spano
Public Relations Director
National Funeral Directors Assoc.
13625 Bishop's Drive
Brookfield, WI 53005
262-814-1549
fspano@nfda.org