Funeral Service News 10701

Telephone Book advertising, big ad, small ad or no ad?

SUNDAY JULY 27, 2008

WELCOME, glad you could visit us, OUR TOPIC: "Telephone Book advertising, big ad, small ad or no ad?". THIS CHAT WILL PROBABLY BE COPIED TO www.funeralserviceprofessional.com FOR ANYONE TO ENJOY LATER. Please do NOT use company names. Discrimination is not allowed. If you would like chat reminders please send to LOWELLMA@AOL.COM

Hello WJ
wjaehnig1: thanks John
Sam_Moore: we have about 9 pre-need persons
wjaehnig1: Are you with a corporate Sam?
Sam_Moore: some are part time
Sam_Moore: we are private
wjaehnig1: Good
wjaehnig1: Our Patent can make all of them full time
Host_John: Sam you have a cemetery too
Sam_Moore: go to our website and check us out www.fairhavenmemorial.com
Sam_Moore: yes
wjaehnig1: Do you own it Sam?
Sam_Moore: Oh Yes In My Dreams...no i just live there
M_T_Martin has joined.
wjaehnig1: I know we have talked in here for years, but I wasn't certain
wjaehnig1: Hello Mr. Martin
Sam_Moore: hi Mt
M_T_Martin: How are you?
wjaehnig1: Good and you?
Sam_Moore: I just love our profession and have been at fmp for a good number of years
wjaehnig1: thats good Sam
M_T_Martin: If it gets any better there will be a tax imposed
Sam_Moore: right!!!
wjaehnig1: lol, thatsgood
Host_John: Hello MT
Host_John: summer months
Host_John: people out enjoying an excellent summer night
Sam_Moore: I am at the stage of life that I can work and love it. Never expect to be chairman of the board and dont want 12 phone lines hooked to my him. it is great
READYDETROIT has joined.
undrtkr1 has joined.
M_T_Martin: Interesting topic for tonight. I hear Yellow pages is falling down and times are tough.
Sam_Moore: hip
wjaehnig1: Thats great Sam
Host_John: I agree MT
Host_John: I use my computer to look up telephone numbers
Sam_Moore: I think more people are using the internet
Host_John: but what do our senior citizens do?
wjaehnig1: We got together with our competitors 15 yrs ago, and agreed to place the same size ad each in the yellow pages
undrtkr1: I agree Sam...seems that way in my area
Sam_Moore: they use the local newspaper or they just talk to the charge nurse at the hospital.
Host_John: those new I-phones and many others you can surf for phone numbers
undrtkr1: we only use the small listing in the yellow pages
Sam_Moore: you need to pe passing candy to those people.
Host_John: no more directory assistance
M_T_Martin: A past president of an organ. I belong to swore by Yellow pages. He felt Yp put him in business and kept him growing.
Host_John: undrtrk did you ever have a larger listing?
wjaehnig1: You can spend a ton and get no return
undrtkr1: yes, John, use to use large ad but company felt it was wasting money
Host_John: they will tell you how successful you will be with graphs
Host_John: we took our big ad 1/4 page and put an alternate telephone number in it
wjaehnig1: they were very unhappy that all of us got together. we had the rep in with all 3 of us there and told them this is the ad we will be buying
Host_John: the only ones who call that number got it from our big ad
wjaehnig1: how many calls did you get John?
white has joined.
Host_John: most florists use that number
wjaehnig1: any families?
Host_John: rarely does John/Jane Q public call
wjaehnig1: thats what i thought
Host_John: We don't think few if any familys use the big ad to reach us
Host_John: we did excercises with staff on how do they find their favorite pizza
Host_John: they use the line listings
wjaehnig1: now we would put our personal names in bold print with Funeral Director where i use to live and I got a few personal calls
M_T_Martin: Because they knew ther name??
Host_John: can any of you speak to success with larger ad in telephone book
wjaehnig1: I can't
wjaehnig1: we spent 1,800 a month
wjaehnig1: no improvement
undrtkr1: our area is the fastest growing area in the state of Nc and we do better by word of mouth or so it seems...
wjaehnig1: I could see more value in a fast growing area
Host_John: most know who and what you are
Host_John: and will find your telephone number
wjaehnig1: i agree John
Host_John: when I go on the internet for a telephone number I don't say Pizza in Lowell MA
undrtkr1: we maintain a great professional/working relationship with all the local hospitals, hospices etc. and receive a large majority of our calls by referrals
Host_John: I say Expresso Pizza 01852
wjaehnig1: I use to work at a place and we had the worst Jingle on the radio. Everytime I heard I would cringe it was so bad. The funny thing is we got calls from it
Host_John: radio is great adertizing
wjaehnig1: Much to my disbelief John, you are right
Sam_Moore: late nite tv is good and less expensive
undrtkr1: we even receive calls on referrals from the many hospices that are outside our normal service area
Host_John: radio ads get people when they don't expect it
wjaehnig1: Early morning T.v. is really good Sam
M_T_Martin has left.
Sam_Moore: lots of elderly are awake late
READYDETROIT: hi anyone from detroit
Host_John: the telephone book is a reference book
Sam_Moore: hi ready
Host_John: do any of you disagredd
Host_John: disagree
undrtkr1: we do use the local tv station for radio spots around holidays etc.
wjaehnig1: I have a guy I went to Mort School with has an infomercial at 5:00 am local and he is killing his competitors
POG70 has joined.
wjaehnig1: i would agree John
Sam_Moore: Hi Pog
POG70: Hi, all
wjaehnig1: they go there to get Your number
undrtkr1: Hi Pog!
wjaehnig1: Hi Pog
Host_John: I think a bold ad in the alphabetical listing is great
undrtkr1: we also get a lot of walk-ins that say they found us on the internet
wjaehnig1: I use to run a "funeral Last Car" vehicle in processions. I got more calls off of that than anything
Host_John: it is surprprising how many do study you on the internet
undrtkr1: we also have a web site and receive a lot of email traffic
wjaehnig1: The internet is the future
Host_John: you don't do the car thing anymore wj?
wjaehnig1: I don't do day to day anymore
Host_John: Understood
wjaehnig1: i give the ideas to our managing partners, but it is up to them
undrtkr1: did you advertise on the car wj?
POG70: I find myself using the the online register books
wjaehnig1: It use to have a magnet that read " Funeral Last Car, Peace Rose Funeral Home thanks you for your cooperation"
undrtkr1: we also offer the online register books as well Pog...let the system go down and the phone rings off the hook!
wjaehnig1: all sides of the van
POG70: handy items, undrtkr
undrtkr1: that they are Pog...we even get calls before the obit is published online wanting to know when it will be posted...you try and give the fnrl info over the phone and most people say that they will wait for it to be posted online
Host_John: Howard sends greetings he has compter issues tonight and sends his regrets
POG70: open topic time now?
wjaehnig1: yes Pog
Host_John: Yes sir
Sam_Moore: Pog are u near the church that had a shotgun shooting today?
Host_John: OPEN FORUM FUNERAL CHATTER UNTIL THE TOP OF THE HOUR
undrtkr1: anyone else having problems with processions?
Host_John: the online Obits are great feature
Host_John: they help us know how big the funeral will be
wjaehnig1: we had a lot less after we did the "funeral Last Car" magnets
POG70: Yes, the dead man is a friend of my daughter-in-law; his son is a friend of my granddaughter
Host_John: checking user stats helps
wjaehnig1: people appreciated knowing when had past
Sam_Moore: sorry to hear that
undrtkr1: we monitor that as well John
wjaehnig1: thats aweful Pog
wjaehnig1: So sorry
cnmmnc has joined.
POG70: It was a bad scene, Sam
Sam_Moore: i can well imagine 9 injured
undrtkr1: seems that you are not safe anywhere anymore...
cnmmnc: Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen
Sam_Moore: hi cm
wjaehnig1: hi cn
POG70: Take your gun with you to church
undrtkr1: evening cnmmnc
cnmmnc: how's business?
wjaehnig1: crazy world Pog
Host_John: a good time for Age, Gender and Location check
Sam_Moore: they are just dying to get in at our place Cnm
wjaehnig1: 38 m dayton, ohio
undrtkr1: I have a concealed carry permit and do just that Pog...keep it with me 247
Host_John: 60, M, Happy Hampton Beach New Hampsire
POG70: \I saw this week the most astounding and unusual obit photo ever
brud has joined.
cnmmnc: 32 Male, Nj
Sam_Moore: old woman california
undrtkr1: 48, male, Nc here
wjaehnig1: John, I thought you were in Lowell?
POG70: young senior Tenn
undrtkr1: sorry, I forgot I turned 49 yesterday...my how time flies
cnmmnc: I had 7 calls the begining of the week, get done with those and this weekend get 5 more...it's been too busy
wjaehnig1: lol undrtkr
brud: time flies whether you are having fun or not
Sam_Moore: i think we had 117 by friday
cnmmnc: the pre-arrs. are starting to go...
POG70: Co-joined twin boys...never seen a dead body in an obit photo before
the economy is terrible
wjaehnig1: thanks John
Sam_Moore: we have about 9 pre-need persons
wjaehnig1: Are you with a corporate Sam?
Sam_Moore: some are part time
Sam_Moore: we are private
wjaehnig1: Good
wjaehnig1: Our Patent can make all of them full time
Host_John: Sam you have a cemetery too
Sam_Moore: go to our website and check us out www.fairhavenmemorial.com
Sam_Moore: yes
wjaehnig1: Do you own it Sam?
Sam_Moore: Oh Yes In My Dreams...no i just live there
M_T_Martin has joined.
wjaehnig1: I know we have talked in here for years, but I wasn't certain
wjaehnig1: Hello Mr. Martin
Sam_Moore: hi Mt
M_T_Martin: How are you?
wjaehnig1: Good and you?
Sam_Moore: I just love our profession and have been at fmp for a good number of years
wjaehnig1: thats good Sam
M_T_Martin: If it gets any better there will be a tax imposed
Sam_Moore: right!!!
wjaehnig1: lol, thatsgood
Host_John: Hello MT
Host_John: summer months
Host_John: people out enjoying an excellent summer night
Sam_Moore: I am at the stage of life that I can work and love it. Never expect to be chairman of the board and dont want 12 phone lines hooked to my him. it is great
READYDETROIT has joined.
undrtkr1 has joined.
M_T_Martin: Interesting topic for tonight. I hear Yellow pages is falling down and times are tough.
Sam_Moore: hip
wjaehnig1: Thats great Sam
Host_John: I agree MT
Host_John: I use my computer to look up telephone numbers
Sam_Moore: I think more people are using the internet
Host_John: but what do our senior citizens do?
wjaehnig1: We got together with our competitors 15 yrs ago, and agreed to place the same size ad each in the yellow pages
undrtkr1: I agree Sam...seems that way in my area
Sam_Moore: they use the local newspaper or they just talk to the charge nurse at the hospital.
Host_John: those new I-phones and many others you can surf for phone numbers
undrtkr1: we only use the small listing in the yellow pages
Sam_Moore: you need to pe passing candy to those people.
Host_John: no more directory assistance
M_T_Martin: A past president of an organ. I belong to swore by Yellow pages. He felt Yp put him in business and kept him growing.
Host_John: undrtrk did you ever have a larger listing?
wjaehnig1: You can spend a ton and get no return
undrtkr1: yes, John, use to use large ad but company felt it was wasting money
Host_John: they will tell you how successful you will be with graphs
Host_John: we took our big ad 1/4 page and put an alternate telephone number in it
wjaehnig1: they were very unhappy that all of us got together. we had the rep in with all 3 of us there and told them this is the ad we will be buying
Host_John: the only ones who call that number got it from our big ad
wjaehnig1: how many calls did you get John?
white has joined.
Host_John: most florists use that number
wjaehnig1: any families?
Host_John: rarely does John/Jane Q public call
wjaehnig1: thats what i thought
Host_John: We don't think few if any familys use the big ad to reach us
Host_John: we did excercises with staff on how do they find their favorite pizza
Host_John: they use the line listings
wjaehnig1: now we would put our personal names in bold print with Funeral Director where i use to live and I got a few personal calls
M_T_Martin: Because they knew ther name??
Host_John: can any of you speak to success with larger ad in telephone book
wjaehnig1: I can't
wjaehnig1: we spent 1,800 a month
wjaehnig1: no improvement
undrtkr1: our area is the fastest growing area in the state of Nc and we do better by word of mouth or so it seems...
wjaehnig1: I could see more value in a fast growing area
Host_John: most know who and what you are
Host_John: and will find your telephone number
wjaehnig1: i agree John
Host_John: when I go on the internet for a telephone number I don't say Pizza in Lowell MA
undrtkr1: we maintain a great professional/working relationship with all the local hospitals, hospices etc. and receive a large majority of our calls by referrals
Host_John: I say Expresso Pizza 01852
wjaehnig1: I use to work at a place and we had the worst Jingle on the radio. Everytime I heard I would cringe it was so bad. The funny thing is we got calls from it
Host_John: radio is great adertizing
wjaehnig1: Much to my disbelief John, you are right
Sam_Moore: late nite tv is good and less expensive
undrtkr1: we even receive calls on referrals from the many hospices that are outside our normal service area
Host_John: radio ads get people when they don't expect it
wjaehnig1: Early morning T.v. is really good Sam
M_T_Martin has left.
Sam_Moore: lots of elderly are awake late
READYDETROIT: hi anyone from detroit
Host_John: the telephone book is a reference book
Sam_Moore: hi ready
Host_John: do any of you disagredd
Host_John: disagree
undrtkr1: we do use the local tv station for radio spots around holidays etc.
wjaehnig1: I have a guy I went to Mort School with has an infomercial at 5:00 am local and he is killing his competitors
POG70 has joined.
wjaehnig1: i would agree John
Sam_Moore: Hi Pog
POG70: Hi, all
wjaehnig1: they go there to get Your number
undrtkr1: Hi Pog!
wjaehnig1: Hi Pog
Host_John: I think a bold ad in the alphabetical listing is great
undrtkr1: we also get a lot of walk-ins that say they found us on the internet
wjaehnig1: I use to run a "funeral Last Car" vehicle in processions. I got more calls off of that than anything
Host_John: it is surprprising how many do study you on the internet
undrtkr1: we also have a web site and receive a lot of email traffic
wjaehnig1: The internet is the future
Host_John: you don't do the car thing anymore wj?
wjaehnig1: I don't do day to day anymore
Host_John: Understood
wjaehnig1: i give the ideas to our managing partners, but it is up to them
undrtkr1: did you advertise on the car wj?
POG70: I find myself using the the online register books
wjaehnig1: It use to have a magnet that read " Funeral Last Car, Peace Rose Funeral Home thanks you for your cooperation"
undrtkr1: we also offer the online register books as well Pog...let the system go down and the phone rings off the hook!
wjaehnig1: all sides of the van
POG70: handy items, undrtkr
undrtkr1: that they are Pog...we even get calls before the obit is published online wanting to know when it will be posted...you try and give the fnrl info over the phone and most people say that they will wait for it to be posted online
Host_John: Howard sends greetings he has compter issues tonight and sends his regrets
POG70: open topic time now?
wjaehnig1: yes Pog
Host_John: Yes sir
Sam_Moore: Pog are u near the church that had a shotgun shooting today?
Host_John: OPEN FORUM FUNERAL CHATTER UNTIL THE TOP OF THE HOUR
undrtkr1: anyone else having problems with processions?
Host_John: the online Obits are great feature
Host_John: they help us know how big the funeral will be
wjaehnig1: we had a lot less after we did the "funeral Last Car" magnets
POG70: Yes, the dead man is a friend of my daughter-in-law; his son is a friend of my granddaughter
Host_John: checking user stats helps
wjaehnig1: people appreciated knowing when had past
Sam_Moore: sorry to hear that
undrtkr1: we monitor that as well John
wjaehnig1: thats aweful Pog
wjaehnig1: So sorry
cnmmnc has joined.
POG70: It was a bad scene, Sam
Sam_Moore: i can well imagine 9 injured
undrtkr1: seems that you are not safe anywhere anymore...
cnmmnc: Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen
Sam_Moore: hi cm
wjaehnig1: hi cn
POG70: Take your gun with you to church
undrtkr1: evening cnmmnc
cnmmnc: how's business?
wjaehnig1: crazy world Pog
Host_John: a good time for Age, Gender and Location check
Sam_Moore: they are just dying to get in at our place Cnm
wjaehnig1: 38 m dayton, ohio
undrtkr1: I have a concealed carry permit and do just that Pog...keep it with me 247
Host_John: 60, M, Happy Hampton Beach New Hampsire
POG70: \I saw this week the most astounding and unusual obit photo ever
brud has joined.
cnmmnc: 32 Male, Nj
Sam_Moore: old woman california
undrtkr1: 48, male, Nc here
wjaehnig1: John, I thought you were in Lowell?
POG70: young senior Tenn
undrtkr1: sorry, I forgot I turned 49 yesterday...my how time flies
cnmmnc: I had 7 calls the begining of the week, get done with those and this weekend get 5 more...it's been too busy
wjaehnig1: lol undrtkr
brud: time flies whether you are having fun or not
Sam_Moore: i think we had 117 by friday
cnmmnc: the pre-arrs. are starting to go...
POG70: Co-joined twin boys...never seen a dead body in an obit photo before
the economy is terrible
wjaehnig1: thanks John
Sam_Moore: we have about 9 pre-need persons
wjaehnig1: Are you with a corporate Sam?
Sam_Moore: some are part time
Sam_Moore: we are private
wjaehnig1: Good
wjaehnig1: Our Patent can make all of them full time
Host_John: Sam you have a cemetery too
Sam_Moore: go to our website and check us out www.fairhavenmemorial.com
Sam_Moore: yes
wjaehnig1: Do you own it Sam?
Sam_Moore: Oh Yes In My Dreams...no i just live there
M_T_Martin has joined.
wjaehnig1: I know we have talked in here for years, but I wasn't certain
wjaehnig1: Hello Mr. Martin
Sam_Moore: hi Mt
M_T_Martin: How are you?
wjaehnig1: Good and you?
Sam_Moore: I just love our profession and have been at fmp for a good number of years
wjaehnig1: thats good Sam
M_T_Martin: If it gets any better there will be a tax imposed
Sam_Moore: right!!!
wjaehnig1: lol, thatsgood
Host_John: Hello MT
Host_John: summer months
Host_John: people out enjoying an excellent summer night
Sam_Moore: I am at the stage of life that I can work and love it. Never expect to be chairman of the board and dont want 12 phone lines hooked to my him. it is great
READYDETROIT has joined.
undrtkr1 has joined.
M_T_Martin: Interesting topic for tonight. I hear Yellow pages is falling down and times are tough.
Sam_Moore: hip
wjaehnig1: Thats great Sam
Host_John: I agree MT
Host_John: I use my computer to look up telephone numbers
Sam_Moore: I think more people are using the internet
Host_John: but what do our senior citizens do?
wjaehnig1: We got together with our competitors 15 yrs ago, and agreed to place the same size ad each in the yellow pages
undrtkr1: I agree Sam...seems that way in my area
Sam_Moore: they use the local newspaper or they just talk to the charge nurse at the hospital.
Host_John: those new I-phones and many others you can surf for phone numbers
undrtkr1: we only use the small listing in the yellow pages
Sam_Moore: you need to pe passing candy to those people.
Host_John: no more directory assistance
M_T_Martin: A past president of an organ. I belong to swore by Yellow pages. He felt Yp put him in business and kept him growing.
Host_John: undrtrk did you ever have a larger listing?
wjaehnig1: You can spend a ton and get no return
undrtkr1: yes, John, use to use large ad but company felt it was wasting money
Host_John: they will tell you how successful you will be with graphs
Host_John: we took our big ad 1/4 page and put an alternate telephone number in it
wjaehnig1: they were very unhappy that all of us got together. we had the rep in with all 3 of us there and told them this is the ad we will be buying
Host_John: the only ones who call that number got it from our big ad
wjaehnig1: how many calls did you get John?
white has joined.
Host_John: most florists use that number
wjaehnig1: any families?
Host_John: rarely does John/Jane Q public call
wjaehnig1: thats what i thought
Host_John: We don't think few if any familys use the big ad to reach us
Host_John: we did excercises with staff on how do they find their favorite pizza
Host_John: they use the line listings
wjaehnig1: now we would put our personal names in bold print with Funeral Director where i use to live and I got a few personal calls
M_T_Martin: Because they knew ther name??
Host_John: can any of you speak to success with larger ad in telephone book
wjaehnig1: I can't
wjaehnig1: we spent 1,800 a month
wjaehnig1: no improvement
undrtkr1: our area is the fastest growing area in the state of Nc and we do better by word of mouth or so it seems...
wjaehnig1: I could see more value in a fast growing area
Host_John: most know who and what you are
Host_John: and will find your telephone number
wjaehnig1: i agree John
Host_John: when I go on the internet for a telephone number I don't say Pizza in Lowell MA
undrtkr1: we maintain a great professional/working relationship with all the local hospitals, hospices etc. and receive a large majority of our calls by referrals
Host_John: I say Expresso Pizza 01852
wjaehnig1: I use to work at a place and we had the worst Jingle on the radio. Everytime I heard I would cringe it was so bad. The funny thing is we got calls from it
Host_John: radio is great adertizing
wjaehnig1: Much to my disbelief John, you are right
Sam_Moore: late nite tv is good and less expensive
undrtkr1: we even receive calls on referrals from the many hospices that are outside our normal service area
Host_John: radio ads get people when they don't expect it
wjaehnig1: Early morning T.v. is really good Sam
M_T_Martin has left.
Sam_Moore: lots of elderly are awake late
READYDETROIT: hi anyone from detroit
Host_John: the telephone book is a reference book
Sam_Moore: hi ready
Host_John: do any of you disagredd
Host_John: disagree
undrtkr1: we do use the local tv station for radio spots around holidays etc.
wjaehnig1: I have a guy I went to Mort School with has an infomercial at 5:00 am local and he is killing his competitors
POG70 has joined.
wjaehnig1: i would agree John
Sam_Moore: Hi Pog
POG70: Hi, all
wjaehnig1: they go there to get Your number
undrtkr1: Hi Pog!
wjaehnig1: Hi Pog
Host_John: I think a bold ad in the alphabetical listing is great
undrtkr1: we also get a lot of walk-ins that say they found us on the internet
wjaehnig1: I use to run a "funeral Last Car" vehicle in processions. I got more calls off of that than anything
Host_John: it is surprprising how many do study you on the internet
undrtkr1: we also have a web site and receive a lot of email traffic
wjaehnig1: The internet is the future
Host_John: you don't do the car thing anymore wj?
wjaehnig1: I don't do day to day anymore
Host_John: Understood
wjaehnig1: i give the ideas to our managing partners, but it is up to them
undrtkr1: did you advertise on the car wj?
POG70: I find myself using the the online register books
wjaehnig1: It use to have a magnet that read " Funeral Last Car, Peace Rose Funeral Home thanks you for your cooperation"
undrtkr1: we also offer the online register books as well Pog...let the system go down and the phone rings off the hook!
wjaehnig1: all sides of the van
POG70: handy items, undrtkr
undrtkr1: that they are Pog...we even get calls before the obit is published online wanting to know when it will be posted...you try and give the fnrl info over the phone and most people say that they will wait for it to be posted online
Host_John: Howard sends greetings he has compter issues tonight and sends his regrets
POG70: open topic time now?
wjaehnig1: yes Pog
Host_John: Yes sir
Sam_Moore: Pog are u near the church that had a shotgun shooting today?
Host_John: OPEN FORUM FUNERAL CHATTER UNTIL THE TOP OF THE HOUR
undrtkr1: anyone else having problems with processions?
Host_John: the online Obits are great feature
Host_John: they help us know how big the funeral will be
wjaehnig1: we had a lot less after we did the "funeral Last Car" magnets
POG70: Yes, the dead man is a friend of my daughter-in-law; his son is a friend of my granddaughter
Host_John: checking user stats helps
wjaehnig1: people appreciated knowing when had past
Sam_Moore: sorry to hear that
undrtkr1: we monitor that as well John
wjaehnig1: thats aweful Pog
wjaehnig1: So sorry
cnmmnc has joined.
POG70: It was a bad scene, Sam
Sam_Moore: i can well imagine 9 injured
undrtkr1: seems that you are not safe anywhere anymore...
cnmmnc: Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen
Sam_Moore: hi cm
wjaehnig1: hi cn
POG70: Take your gun with you to church
undrtkr1: evening cnmmnc
cnmmnc: how's business?
wjaehnig1: crazy world Pog
Host_John: a good time for Age, Gender and Location check
Sam_Moore: they are just dying to get in at our place Cnm
wjaehnig1: 38 m dayton, ohio
undrtkr1: I have a concealed carry permit and do just that Pog...keep it with me 247
Host_John: 60, M, Happy Hampton Beach New Hampsire
POG70: \I saw this week the most astounding and unusual obit photo ever
brud has joined.
cnmmnc: 32 Male, Nj
Sam_Moore: old woman california
undrtkr1: 48, male, Nc here
wjaehnig1: John, I thought you were in Lowell?
POG70: young senior Tenn
undrtkr1: sorry, I forgot I turned 49 yesterday...my how time flies
cnmmnc: I had 7 calls the begining of the week, get done with those and this weekend get 5 more...it's been too busy
wjaehnig1: lol undrtkr
brud: time flies whether you are having fun or not
Sam_Moore: i think we had 117 by friday
cnmmnc: the pre-arrs. are starting to go...
POG70: Co-joined twin boys...never seen a dead body in an obit photo before
Sam_Moore: times-they-are-achanging Pog
POG70: Sure are...they had a link to the family's web site...on there were ultrasound images of the same
Sam_Moore: too much
wjaehnig1: i had a competitor do that with unborn twins once
Sam_Moore: maybe not. i had my mamograms framed and hung in the closet
POG70: I was surprised the newspaper ran it
Sam_Moore: bottom side up
POG70: Lol, Sam...but you didn't run it in the paper

Sam_Moore: hardly
wjaehnig1: Our competitor had a nice lady that was 38 a school teacher pregnant with twins. she was on here way to bring her husband lunch that was a school teacher and had a heart attack and crashed. the twins were taken early and didn't make it, so they put the babies in her arms and had a pic for the paper
Sam_Moore: i have placed babies in mothers arms for burial
wjaehnig1: very sad
undrtkr1: same here Sam...
POG70: That's a nice touch
Host_John: a real ruff patch for that family
undrtkr1: even went so far as to get a court order from the resident Superior Court Judge to cremate a mother and infant at the same time
wjaehnig1: horrible for the guy, he was a month away from being a married father of two, to a widower with no kids in a few hours
Host_John: why was court order necessary?
Sam_Moore: we oftem cremate twin fetals together and in the same urn
cnmmnc: I remember my aunt saying her latesister had a portrait of her deceased child apparently it was pretty common in 1928
Host_John: thank God we dont get fetal twins often
undrtkr1: only allowed to cremate one human remains at the time here
Sam_Moore: we have a form and it is legal
wjaehnig1: i agree John
Host_John: did you get permission?
Sam_Moore: we dont do adults just twin fetals
undrtkr1: yes, the Judge gave permission over riding the State Board, ruled in favor of the family
Sam_Moore: We Have To Have Written Permission families usually ask for it
Host_John: I can see the babies in with their mom
Host_John: we would always get clear permission
cnmmnc: well you had better make sure you know which cremains are whose, because it all looks the same when you open the retort...
POG70: I had an unusual request from a man whose wife had just died. Many years earlier, they had lost an infant. He asked if we could disinter the baby and place her in the casket in the wife's arms, and bury them together.
wjaehnig1: how did that go Pog?
Host_John: I would tell family that all remains will be co mingled
Sam_Moore: we have that happen often we disinter..cremate and put them together
cnmmnc: and that it is irreversable
Host_John: my daughter will be moved to be placed on top of her mom when the time comes
undrtkr1: the family knew that the cremated remains would be comingled, thats the way they wanted it
Host_John: makes scense undrtkr
undrtkr1: it did to me as well John...but the State Board didnt see it that way
POG70: We planned to do it, only by placing whatever we found in a new infant casket and privately placing that in the casket with the lady. However, the husband changed his mind and decided to not do it.
Host_John: what issues did state board see undrtkr
undrtkr1: we had a similar situation with twins, premature, one died at birth, the other one lived about a week...the family wanted to know if we would disinter the first infant and place the other one in the same casket
undrtkr1: only allowed to cremate one human remains at the time here John and comingling is a big No No...hence the court order
Host_John: written disclosure is the key
Host_John: heck we have people want thier cellphone cremated with them, they understand that what ever is left will be co mingled
undrtkr1: our cremation forms are issued by the State Board and we are mandated to use only there form...we can add our own verbage but must at least meet their requirements and be approved by the Board before changing anything
POG70: One at a time here, too. However, cremains from two bodies can be comingled, but the bodies must first be cremated separately.
wjaehnig1: lol, the last thing i would want with me is my cell phone
Host_John: I do understand the spirit of the law undrtkr but I am astounded they made you get a court order, perhaps it was quicker to do it that way
Host_John: who pay legal fees?
undrtkr1: I heard that wj...i totally agree!!!
wjaehnig1: can't wait for no phones
wjaehnig1: lol
Host_John: if it is legal and ethical we will do it wj!
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wjaehnig1: I agree John,
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undrtkr1: no legal fees involved, the Judge was a personal friend of mine
wjaehnig1: do you want your cell with you
Host_John: Na I am all set on my cell phone thank you
POG70: I don't want mine with me!
wjaehnig1: i still vacation at a resort that has no cell coverage so I can get away from everyone
undrtkr1: the board denied the request, saying it could not be done...that was like spitting in my face, the family was also personal friends of mine
Host_John: I get my e-mail each day whilst on vacation
wjaehnig1: not me
Host_John: phone does not work on many cruises
wjaehnig1: life is too short to worry about business everyday
POG70: State boards like to spit in fds' faces at times
undrtkr1: me either wj...it can wait until i return
Host_John: funerals are my life wj
Host_John: I enjoy workiing each day
undrtkr1: ours sure does...lol...but in that case I got the last laugh so to speak...
Host_John: too much piles up whilst I am away
wjaehnig1: anyone that doesn't understand that we deserve time with our families is nuts

Host_John: we have 4 directory companyies
Sam_Moore: we3 have to adv. in each of them
wjaehnig1: thats the big problem John, there use to be one yellow pages
wjaehnig1: now there are too many to pay big for
POG70: undertkr, especially since there were two other embalmers working for the company he could have called
undrtkr1: too many phone books in this area to advertise in all of them, esp. with big ads...
Host_John: Iderc (was verizon) Yellow book, talking phone book and I forget the 4th one
undrtkr1: we even have a county phone book just for this county...
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POG70: No more big phone book ads for us
Host_John: I agree POG
wjaehnig1: internet yellow pages will be the future with hand held computers i.e. I phones
Host_John: when there was one telphone book we had a good sized ad
POG70: Bold type or small box in listing column
undrtkr1: says a lot for you Pog...guess he knew who would do the best job...
Host_John: now I don't think it is as important it once was
wjaehnig1: i agree John
cnmmnc: speaking of ads, that internet yellow pages calls all the time looking for us to advertise, theyre getting to be a pain in the @$$
wjaehnig1: give it some consideration
undrtkr1: I heard that cnmmnc...same here...cant take no for an answer!!!
POG70: If I had it to do over, I'd say no, undrtkr
Host_John: check yourself on the interent
wjaehnig1: in the future there will be the son-in-low that goes to his I-phone to make the call
undrtkr1: as well you should Pog...i totally agree with you...
cnmmnc: I mean I can take nearly anything but theyre just ridiculous
Host_John: when you go out of town look for yourself
Host_John: see if U come up
wjaehnig1: good point John
Host_John: call directory assistance
wjaehnig1: see how your ad compares, if it comes up
Host_John: see if they have your number
wjaehnig1: very good advice John
Host_John: thanks WJ
POG70: Those internet yellow page listings are really crappy....multiple listins, garbled info...not for me\
cnmmnc: we got a bill for $1,200 one year
wjaehnig1: who comes up first on the interent ad Pog?
Host_John: POG what do you do in the telephone book
undrtkr1: in my area it use to be the fnrl hme that was the biggest and received most of the business that had the biggest ad in the phone book, but not anymore...
POG70: small 3/4 in box in listing column
cnmmnc: so since that time we have a company policy "no not interested" and hang up
Sam_Moore: 800 373-3411 is a free directory site for information any where in the Us. you must listen to commercials but it is free
wjaehnig1: Are you the first to come up Pog or your competitor?
POG70: competitors
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wjaehnig1: I have a "Q" phone from verizon and when i pull up an ad, i normally pick the first one for speed, it takes forever to get to other ads
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undrtkr1: i received a call last week for another fnrl hme in this state, about an hours drive away, referral from hospice and local minister because they did not know the phone number of the funeral home they wanted to use so they called us to make the removal and all arrangements with the other funeral home
Host_John: it is becomming clear that most don't think telephone book ads are as effective as they were
wjaehnig1: undr. that is crazy
hinge-cap: Nfda directory is a lot smaller than it used to be
Host_John: Jeez hinge I did not get my director yet
undrtkr1: my sentiment exactly...wj...but we handled the situation as if it were our call...
Host_John: directory that was
wjaehnig1: the only thing you can do
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Host_John: I often call an undertaker for advice when I am out of my area
Host_John: I trust a colleague rather than the phone book
wjaehnig1: i do to John
undrtkr1: thought about just giving them the other fnrl hmes number, but the family lives in this area and who know what that may lead to in the future...
Host_John: Had I guy in Orlando give me his car
wjaehnig1: I also call a funeral home about 100-150 miles from where i have a call to ask who the best funeral home is in an area i don't know
undrtkr1: same here John!!!
Host_John: we knew each other from here
wjaehnig1: thats great John
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Sam_Moore: great networking John
Host_John: Hello DrMorta
undrtkr1: if we are doing a ship out, we usually ask the family which fnrl hme they prefer if any in that locale and usually use that one
Host_John: it has been fun
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hinge-cap: usually the local undertaker is a better resource than any "real yellow pages"
Host_John: again for those who missed it earlier
Host_John: WE HAD A 1/4 PAGE TELEPHONE BOOK AD
Host_John: WE PUT A SPECIAL NUMBER IN THERE
wjaehnig1: when i was a regional manager, i use to go to Chili's or a local restaurant and i would ask the bartender what funeral homes in town were good
wjaehnig1: i would learn a lot about my managers
Host_John: ALL OTHER TELEPHONE BOOK LISTINGS HAD OUR ORIGINAL NUMBER
Host_John: ONLY THE FLORISTS CALL THE BIG AD!
Host_John: what is your experiance
Host_John: we have downsized to a much small ad with that speical phone number in there this time to
undrtkr1: work for a corp firm here...they are not all that big on any sort of advertising here...they prefer their directors be proactive in the community,
Host_John: we did this years ago and the speical number was so popular we had to ad call waiting, but that was 10 years ago
Host_John: getting active in local media can be effective
Host_John: bu the telephone book is our topic tonight
cnmmnc: I've had the feeling in the past 5 years that the Fh ads are getting too 'busy'
Host_John: how do you mean Busy CN?
cnmmnc: I wish more ads would show a little diagram of the location
Host_John: good idea CN
wjaehnig1: cn a lot of them don't give real info, "large parking, air conditioned" most people already know that, they want to know do you take Credit Cards or offfer financing
Host_John: what do you think should be in an ad
Host_John: Air conditioned parking lot?
wjaehnig1: lol
wjaehnig1: no John
cnmmnc: I meam a great deal of information against a leaf strewn passage is a little condensed for moi...
undrtkr1: i agree wj
wjaehnig1: I checked out yellow page ads when i was a regional and they all said the same thing
wjaehnig1: items that families expect today
wjaehnig1: in 1950 air conditioning may have been important
undrtkr1: kinda/sorta the cookie cutter variety here in this area...all say the same thing
wjaehnig1: advertise it if your competitor doesn't have it.
Host_John: WJ I think the telephone book is a reference book
Host_John: not advertising
Host_John: you do burial cremation and what else?
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undrtkr1: i agree wj...anyone can conduct a funeral...but its what sets a firm a part from all the others that the public is looking for
wjaehnig1: i agree John
cnmmnc: yeah, i agree... 'since 1893' 'off street parking' and 'we care' is kind of so-so what?' to us
wjaehnig1: very true
Host_John: we care?
Host_John: who does not care?
cnmmnc: I still marvel at how ignorant folks are about my profession
undrtkr1: so true, cnmmnc, but thanks to the internet that is changing..not so sure its for the best...will just have to wait and see...lol
cnmmnc: oh john, how about "personalized service' ??? who the heck doesn't personalize a funeral?!?
Host_John: we have 6 minutes left on topic
hinge-cap: I have often thought why a funeral home/mortuary has to emphasize cremation in their add.
Host_John: most just dump money in and not change a thing
Host_John: we want it large enough so people can see it
undrtkr1: i think funerals have always been about personalization, but there are way more ways to do just that this day and time...
Host_John: other than that the telephone book in my opinion is a refernce book to contact you and not the advertizing opportunity it once was
hinge-cap: everyone better get some "commercial courage" and have a more realistic charge for all cremation services
undrtkr1: i totally agree John...
Sam_Moore: I totally agree John. people want to find us in a hurry
cnmmnc: the point is... Is anybody going to walk in, or flip the pages and say "hey! This ad doesn't proclaim they offer personalized service!? Well we'll just have to take Uncle Harry elsewhere!"
Sam_Moore: they usually want you there in a hurry and they want to know you will take care o all the details
Host_John: what do you think when you see the statement " we are the best "
Sam_Moore: i think they need re-educating
Sam_Moore: or best compared to what?
undrtkr1: we are all legends in our own minds...so to speak...john...lol
cnmmnc: well I always post-script nearly everything with "In your opinion"
undrtkr1: i like that cnmmnc...i agree
Host_John: I study ads as I travel
cnmmnc: which is so
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Host_John: lately I have seen
Host_John: Step up to us an see the differnce
cnmmnc: I think the simple ads are the most effective, a phone number big enough, like I said location or directions. who owns this place, this is advertising at its best, no b.s.
undrtkr1: kind of like, "you have tried the rest", now try the best!
Host_John: OPEN FORUM FUNERAL CHATTER UNTIL NEXT TIME HAVE A GREAT WEEK!