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WELCOME, glad you could visit us, OUR TOPIC: "FUNERAL FLOWERS" THIS CHAT WILL PROBABLY BE COPIED TO www.funeralserviceprofessional.com FOR ANYONE TO ENJOY LATER. Just a few rules for everyone: 1. USE ONLY PLAIN BLACK TEXT 2 DO NOT USE COMPANY NAMES 3 DISCRIMINATION IS NOT ALLOWED. If you would like chat reminders please send to: LOWELLMA@AOL.COM
Sorry the first half hour was lost!!!!! :-(
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hrbeckham: Chiese caskets
RonHast: A distributor of what?
hrbeckham: Chinese caskets
hrbeckham: also had British co selling non toxic embalming fluid
RonHast: Lots of that going on...but delivery, volume purchases and other matters break it down real fast.
hrbeckham: also some green burial casket co.
RonHast: Most funeral directors only want to buy at need. And some distributors are accommodating.
Host_John: I have seen a few pictures of exhibit floor, attendence is not what it was, looked like New Jersey exhibit
hinge-cap: that british co had a deal with an american supply co that fell through
hrbeckham: there will be a distributer servicing this area oneday...we have a major port in Jacksonville and several Chinese shipping companies are setting up major port facilities
RonHast: Interesting fact: Many caskets claimed to be "american Made" actually are not. Many come from Canada and Mexico. How does that differ from China?
Host_John: the cost of fuel has them puzzled
hrbeckham: bigger than state convention.....one of my vendors commented that he thought that attendence was light
Host_John: check for tell tale signs of text inside the caskets you get
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Host_John: that may because they had so many go to china!
Host_John: just kidding
hrbeckham: that slave labor thing...along with the military actually running many of the large companies...just sort of sticks in the back of my mind
RonHast: It probably doesn't really matter. So much of our daily products (costco etc.) are foreign. We are now in a world economy, not just American.
Host_John: china is very modern
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Host_John: hello harper
hrbeckham: have 2 friends one captured in Korea other in Vietnam seemed to have bad experience with Chinese
harper: Hello
RonHast: Even fresh fruit comes in daily from foreign countries, fresh enough and produced by nature. Again, world issues.
Host_John: my connections that have visited china is it is modern and very strict government
hrbeckham: so much $$ today goes from Usa to Red China what does it matter
RonHast: It probably matters, but not much we can do about it.
hrbeckham: not much
Host_John: competitiveness will have us all looking for priced right products
hrbeckham: true
RonHast: Amen
Host_John: consumers dont ask where was it made
Host_John: they will buy local made stuff
hrbeckham: and they really do not care
RonHast: Certainly true, John.
Host_John: there is a casket comany in Massachusetts that sells well
mactj2: Necc? John?
Host_John: this casket was made in Florence Massachusetts
Host_John: Florence CC
mactj2: ohh yes
Host_John: nice woods
RonHast: How do you know it actually was John. Maybe they are distributors and no one knows where it came from.
RonHast: And if nice woods, there is a clue it might be foreign.
hinge-cap has left.
Host_John: the jobbers are killing the chinese product with too high of a margin on them
hrbeckham: we buy some from dist. from time to time
RonHast: Some are, some (smart ones) aren't.
hrbeckham: not sure where they are made
hrbeckham: all have had made in Usa stickers at the foot
Host_John: if I can get some real pricing we could take a container full
Host_John: I don't think consumers think much about what the casket is made of
RonHast: Most funeral directors buy wisely, but expect next day delivery. That is an important factor of their purchase.
hrbeckham: we do not want to stock expensive inventory, distribution and delivery is very important
Host_John: to have 55 in stock is a good temtation
RonHast: Much of this is hype. Example: Low end caskets are usually solid bar handles. Upwards are swing-bar with higher costs. The real expensive ones are solid handles. Go figure!!
harper: we have a slat wall showroom and stock no caskets
hrbeckham: we are moving to stocking fewer caskets
Host_John: we need 150 caskets a year
hrbeckham: use cornersand end cuts
Host_John: that is 3 containers
RonHast: Slat wall displays as well as catalog presentations are proven, beyond any doubt, to develop higher point sales, yet many hold on to the showroom idea.
Host_John: the convience of having them onhand is tempting, not saying we will do it but we are studying it
hrbeckham: we are considering doing away with the convential show room
RonHast: That's why the big companies have had to promise next day delivery or lose the account.
Host_John: the rental is very popular
hrbeckham: looking at use of space plans right now
hrbeckham: have a metal rental?
harper: due to my age being licensed for 40 years, the stat wall showroom scared me at first, but the consumer loves it and it has improved our sales
Host_John: no two wood rentals and oak and a cherry
hrbeckham: we tock 3 different wood rentals
hrbeckham: stock
RonHast: Metal rentals with internal inserts are available. Most rentals are wood, compatible with the appearance of cremation.
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Host_John: hello Tony
hrbeckham: a few funeral homes in Jacksonviile have metal rentals
hrbeckham: they work well for them
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Host_John: we got this new cherry rental and families prefer the older oak rental
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harper: I don't understand why you want to give the family an expensive casket that wants to rent one
propilot1982: what happed too dead flowers at a fh ?
Host_John: when we bought that oak it was the same size as any casket, now many woods appear so much smaller
RonHast: Who would have believed year back that rental caskets would become popular?
hrbeckham: darker finish most popular here
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Host_John: OPEN FORUM FUNERAL CHATTER UNTIL THE TOP OF THE HOUR
Host_John: How do you handle flowers Pro?
sirwilhelm1: what kind of insert is in a rental metal casket?
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propilot1982: i am j/w
S_Moore: Ron there is one of your old Coaches a stationwagon type on craigslist
S_Moore: still running
hrbeckham: wish Nfda had expo floor open longer hours...a friend of mine who when to the seminars said he never made it to the expo floor for more than a few minutes
RonHast: A complete cardboard insert including the upholstery is inserted in a (wood or metal) casket. Upon cremation, usually, the body and insert are removed and transported to the crematory, and the outer wood casket is re-rented.
hrbeckham: alot of money for what he got
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Host_John: Howard a convention trip deserves planning
RonHast: It's likely another national Fd association will become the predominent exhibit host -- meeting contemporary needs of suppliers and attendees.
Host_John: you have to study it
harper: one supplier here is charging 250.00 for the insert!
hrbeckham: longer expo hours would have been nice more time to scope out vendors and get info
cnmmnc: Good evening folks :-)
hrbeckham: we switched rental caskets because of insert prices went too high
RonHast: Time out.......back maybe...r.
Host_John: purchasing at the expo should happen but usually does not
hrbeckham:
Host_John: OK Ron thanks
Host_John: if you are going to convention
Host_John: make time to study what you want to do
Host_John: much like going to the mall
Host_John: you don't go to every store
cnmmnc: I wish one of the builders would make rental units with end handles
Host_John: those little wooden dowels are a big help cnmm
hrbeckham: Tried to make a plan before I went but got sidetracked half way through
RonHast: Back again...false alarm.
Host_John: welcome back ROn.
cnmmnc: yeah but even with the hooks inside and the screws outside panel i'd like to have them for 'handling purposes'
RonHast: In California, it is Illegal to rent a casket and place another body in it later.
Host_John: pick what seminars you want to make then study the exhibit floor and target what booths you want to visit
hrbeckham: even with the removable interiors?
Host_John: it is a large mall of vendors
RonHast: Any casket that has had a body in it and removed, must be destroyed (cannot reupholster or reuse). And for good reason.
RonHast: That is why the insert unit is the essential casket.
hrbeckham: interior comes out with each use...do not see Calif problem with it but then again I do not live in Calif
RonHast: Many funeral directors have been found to rent a casket, then sell it or use it for another body if undetected.
hrbeckham: Corps in Fla are trying to make all direct disposers have a Lfd as person incharge of each crematory
cnmmnc: call me crazy but i dont like the van either...
Host_John: we put flowers on the roofs of the lead cars in the procession
S_Moore: I agree
RonHast: Say again John -- are you sharing your good humor with us?
S_Moore: Our families pay for a van and if it is only one piece they get that van
Host_John: no that is the truth
Host_John: we put them on the roof of our cars
mactj2: how?
RonHast: Yikes. What about the wire paks that put them together? Scratching the cars???? How do you hold them from wind and falling off? I can't believe this.......
Host_John: many go inside but all of our cars except the hearse & limo get flowers on their roof
Host_John: bungie cords hold them on
Host_John: few if any scratches on the roof
S_Moore: very New Englandisn Ron
cnmmnc: my first boss used to have...see who's old enough...the black el camino, that was a fun car
RonHast: Wow......!!! I'd Have A Horrid Time In A Procession Having You Put Wire Backed Flowers On My Roof!!
Host_John: had a judge suggest we put flowers on the roof
sirwilhelm1: interesting idea putting flowers on the roof
hrbeckham: America is at a crossroad. I believe in the America that the founders believed in that fought the revelotion to gain freedom from unjust taxes, save democracy in Wwii. Socialism and greed in Europe caused Wwii. I invite you all to pray for America during this election, to save us from a road to soci
Host_John: if there is an accident he would love to ask " so you hit the flower car?"
hrbeckham: thank you all
RonHast: Again, John, tell me about how you hold flowers on a participants roof!!!!
cnmmnc: pray
mactj2: we need pics John
Host_John: Sorry Ron
mactj2: got any?
Host_John: on the roof of funeral home vehicles
RonHast: Sorry about what John?
hrbeckham: Good night & God bless & protect you
Host_John: night Howard
S_Moore: nite Hr
CCowan: Nite, hr
hrbeckham:
Host_John: mis understanding Ron
RonHast: Please send us some photos of this practice. Never heard of it in 51 years. I thought I'd heard of everything.
cnmmnc: au revoir
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S_Moore: Ron one of your old coaches is listed for sale on craislist
Host_John: Oh Key do Key
Host_John: we will take pictures and get them to you
Host_John: have none of you seen S&S's combo hearse flower car?
RonHast: We must do an article on this. I just can't believe it. I'm afraid I'll lose sleep thinking about it. Yikes!!!
Host_John: neet looking car
mactj2: very nice
Host_John: no way Ron you have white zimphendelle out there
RonHast: John: You implied you put flowers on the roof of cars in the procession -- attendees cars. Did I get that wrong?
cnmmnc: yeah the s&s with the 'flower compartment' over the casket
Host_John: to make it clear
Host_John: we put flowers only on funeral home cars
RonHast: To make what clear?
Host_John: not attendees cars
RonHast: Are the roofs of your cars all scratched up?
Host_John: rarely but it does happen the family will transport flowers in their own cars
Host_John: not at all Ron, no scratches
Host_John: more scratches from the funeral flags than flowers
RonHast: I guess I just didn't understand your description of how you put flowers on the roofs of cars -- any cars.
Host_John: the cars have roof racks
Host_John: we use bungie cords to hold them on there
mactj2: john post pics on the website...would love to see this in action
Host_John: all the funeral homes up here do this
Host_John: we can do that
RonHast: The flower cars of yesteryear (flowers on top, and an internal space for the casket, is understood. Only 8 of those units are built each year. Mostly for black funeral homes. So I didn't think that was the type of car you mentioned.
mactj2: just Lowell?
Host_John: this is all stainless steel roof the one S&S makes, we do not have one but it is a nice looking hearse
Host_John: no I have see others do it in new england
RonHast: John: Do you put gift flowers in your hearse with the casket from church or funeral home to the cemetery?
Host_John: VT, NH & ME
Host_John: rarely do flowers go in hearse
Host_John: they go in one of the SUV's
Host_John: the SUV's have wig wag lights or stobes to help identify the funeral procession
RonHast: That's a smart standard. Certainly, many of us will take one or two pieces from place to place in the hearse. My complaint is stuffing all gift flowers in the hearse around the casket to save another vehicle from doing it right, and many seem to do that. Yuk!!!!!
Host_John: we park a SUV in the busy intersection to aid in the passing of the funeral procession
Host_John: usually we all take one car per person
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RonHast: What do you mean "one car per person?
Host_John: it helps keep procession together
S_Moore: Hi Pog
POG70: Hi, Sam et al
Host_John: if we have 5 funeral professionals on a funeral, we usually take 5 cars
RonHast: Whew!!! I think I need to come to The Lovely Lowell to see how funerals are run. At least you have real funerals there, so I shouldn't comment or complain.
Host_John: we had metal trays fabrocated to take baskets of flowers and keep all the water from getting in the car
S_Moore: Ron they are still wonderfully traditional
Host_John: we slide the tray in all the way
POG70: Some around here are doing good to have one funeral professional on a funeral
Host_John: then we put flowers inside the car, especially in winter so they won't freeze
RonHast: Hold tight, John. People move and their ideas move with them. Maybe in Lowell everyone is content with their traditions and more powers to y'all for that, for sure.
CCowan: Hey there, Pog
POG70: Hello, Cc
Host_John: we charge for flower transportation
Host_John: it works well for us
Host_John: thanks Ron
Host_John: Ill be sure to get pictures to you
RonHast: It's probably time for me to step away from the routine of funerals of the past, and now. Sure has been an interesting ride for over 50 years....but for sure, times have changed.
mactj2: rightfully so John..we lug them up to the room..lug them back down and set them up at the cemetery
POG70: Do some not charge for transporting flowers?
Host_John: we mostly go to cemetery chapel in winter so the flowers on the roofs add to the show
RonHast: Transporting flowers was, for many years. taken for granted as a service on all cases -- not an itemized charge.
sirwilhelm1: we dont charge for flower transportation its in service fees
Host_John: it is itemized at our funeral home
RonHast: When itemization became mandated, everyone went to every extent to put a price on everything they did.
sirwilhelm1: yeah ftc has effected much of wha we do
Host_John: some don't want flowers transported
RonHast: The first item to be eliminated, surprisingly, was the limousine. Many firms now do not even own one, and only use them rarely when requested and outsourced.
Host_John: so that brings me to the question
POG70: There was still a charge...a portion of the "services" of "casket and services"
Host_John: what do you do with your left over flowers?
RonHast: A shame. Because a limousine gave the funeral director control of the family not showing up early, and giving them the comfort of the best of service.
Host_John: the limo still pays for itself here Ron
POG70: One firm I'm with once had four limos; now they have just one, and it is seldom used
mactj2: we have a priest that will take them...others get dumped at the cemetery dumpster
RonHast: And a limo adds to what a family sees, touches, enjoyes and remembers. It is special.
Host_John: I can see the no limo funeral on the horizon but we do funeral processions to chruch and cemetery
RonHast: Itemization has broken down the nice touches of funerals of the past, that were always included.
cnmmnc: I have the livery driver come over to the funeral home and stay there and i drive the limo over to pick up the family...
Host_John: almost every funeral has a procession
sirwilhelm1: I agree with Ron. A limo makes the family feel special
POG70: Most funeral homes in these parts do not own a limo
Host_John: good time to ask
Host_John: Age, Gender and Location Check please
sirwilhelm1: our limo is refurbished
Host_John: 60, M, Lovely Lowel Massachusetts USA
RonHast: What do you mean refurbished, sirwilhem?
mactj2: 27/m/arlington, Mass---go red sox
POG70: 72, male, Tennessee
cnmmnc: 32, M, Nj
CCowan: A fh here in Mi donates to the local gardening club.
sirwilhelm1: we bought it from a company in town and reupholstered it
CCowan: 54, F, Mi
RonHast: Oh. I should think all limousines should be in prestine condition, as all funeral cars should be.
sirwilhelm1: 34, M, Mi
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sirwilhelm1: its in decent condition, parked indoors when not used
Host_John: Ron has an excellent 1963 limo
Host_John: I think 1963
RonHast: Surprisingly, used funeral limousines in superb condition are available at very low costs. It is a nice touch in many ways for funeral homes to have this as part of their services.
RonHast: Yes John, it is a 1962 Limo, just turned 44,000 miles, and as new on a showroom. Has won lots of car show prizes. Just for fun and pleasure when guests visit.
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OPEN FORUM FUNERAL CHATTER UNTIL NEXT TIME