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A. Subscriber wants you to see this article from Madera Tribune, at http://www.maderatribune.com/news/newsview.asp?c=67513
State to revoke Madera Funeral Home license
Madera Funeral Home and its director, Michael Wallace, will lose its licenses to do business, according to Kevin Flanagan, spokesperson with the California Department of Consumer Affairs...
Read More... http://www.maderatribune.com/news/newsview.asp?c=67513
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: wireless@icfa.org.
IN THIS EDITION:
INDUSTRY NEWS
ICFA Posts Telemarketing 'Do Not Call' FAQs on Web Page
New Release Date Set for GAO Report on State Funeral Services Laws
IRS Requests Public Comments on Form 1041-QFT
ICFA NEWS
Fall Conference Offers CEO Sessions, World-Class Golf
Send Your Customers to ICFA Web Site for 'Straight Answers'
July Product of the Month: 'A Cemetery Should Be Forever'
---------------------------
INDUSTRY NEWS
---------------------------
ICFA POSTS TELEMARKETING 'DO NOT CALL' FAQs ON WEB PAGE
The new national Do Not Call list restrictions will affect all telemarketers,
even those making "appointment only" calls, whether instate or interstate. To
assist members in learning some of the key facts needed for compliance, the
ICFA has established a special "Do Not Call FAQs" on its Web page at
http://www.icfa.org.
In a user friendly, question-and-answer format, the ICFA discusses several
important facts in the new law that may affect members, based on
conversations with government attorneys at the Federal Trade Commission and
the Federal Communications Commission. These agencies are in the process of
developing compliance guidelines and many issues are still being reviewed.
The deadline for compliance with new Do Not Call restrictions is October 1,
2003. More details can be found at the FCC Web page at
http://www.fcc.gov and at the FTC Web page at http://www.ftc.gov.
---------------------------------------------------
NEW RELEASE DATE SET FOR GAO REPORT ON STATE FUNERAL SERVICE LAWS
The ICFA has been advised by staff at the U.S. General Accounting Office
(GAO) that the Congressional release date for its investigative report on
state funeral consumer protection laws has been delayed from the original
target date of late July to August 25. In addition, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)
and Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL) have requested a 30-day hold on the public release
of the report, which means that copies will not be available until
approximately September 25.
As reported earlier, the GAO had completed its investigation by late spring
and the original release date seemed on schedule. However, at an oral
briefing of the report by the GAO to the staffs of Dodd and Foley two weeks
ago, additional questions were asked, requiring the GAO investigators to
perform extra research. The ICFA has requested a meeting with the Dodd/Foley
staffs to include all stakeholders, such as the FTC and AARP, to discuss the
findings and recommendations of the GAO. ICFA members will be updated on
developments.
---------------------------------------------------
IRS REQUESTS PUBLIC COMMENTS ON FORM 1041-QFT
The Internal Revenue Service is requesting public comments on its Form
1041-QFT, the tax return used when trustees of preneed funeral trusts make an
election under section 685 of the IRS Code. In making the election, the
funeral trust pays the federal income tax on trust income instead of the
preneed purchaser. The IRS comment request is a pro-forma procedure and the
agency stated that it is not planning any changes to Form 1041-QFT at this
time. The ICFA Government and Legal Affairs Committee and its Tax
Subcommittee are reviewing the form for possible comments. The deadline to
submit comments is September 2, 2003.
---------------------------------------------------
-------------------
ICFA NEWS
-------------------
FALL CONFERENCE OFFERS CEO SESSIONS, WORLD-CLASS GOLF
The ICFA Fall Management Conference will show cemetery and funeral service
executives how to "Chart Your Course to Leadership Excellence," October
29-November 1 at the luxurious Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami, Florida.
This year's conference program combines presenters from within the industry
and from the business management arena to provide CEO-level training. Topics
include identifying personal leadership strengths, hiring and motivating an
effective management team, handling the threat of employee unions, revamping
sales compensation structures, understanding consumer preferences and
developing strategic succession plans.
In addition to the educational sessions, the conference offers numerous
networking receptions as well as the ICFA Fall Management Golf Tournament, to
be held on the famous Blue Monster course.
The complete conference program will be posted online on Wednesday, July 23,
at http://www.icfa.org/fall03.htm . For more information, call 1-800-645-7700.
---------------------------------------------------
SEND YOUR CUSTOMERS TO ICFA WEB SITE FOR 'STRAIGHT ANSWERS'
The ICFA invites all members to provide links to the ICFA Web site on their
home pages. The ICFA Consumer Resources section provides "straight answers to
real questions about funeral and cemetery arrangements, cremation, grief and
other issues related to the end of life." As an authoritative, third-party
resource, the ICFA Web site can complement individual company sites and
reassure consumers of the value of prearrangement and memorialization.
Those members who would like to use the ICFA logo for a link can access it by
"right clicking" and then saving the graphic off of the ICFA home page at
http://www.icfa.org. Questions? Call 1-800-645-7700 or e-mail lacorn@icfa.org
---------------------------------------------------
JULY PRODUCT OF THE MONTH: 'A CEMETERY SHOULD BE FOREVER'
"A Cemetery Should Be Forever: A Challenge to Managers and Directors" covers
the history, philosophy, management, development and challenges of American
cemeteries. For anyone who wants to become educated about cemetery operations
and the industry as a whole, this book is an invaluable and unique resource.
Third-generation cemeterian and author John Llewellyn, CCE, provides in this
unique work a combination of historical perspective, practical business
information and visionary ideas for cemetery owners and managers as well as
governing boards. Chapter topics include prearrangement, endowment care
funds, master plans, governing boards, management, trade associations,
regulation and more.
Non-member price: $19.95. ICFA member price: $16.95. Online ICFA Store member
price: $15.95. To order, call 1-800-645-7700 or visit
https://www.icfa.org/Merchant2/merchant.mvc
---------------------------------------------------
AND MORE . . .
The ICFA Small Cemetery & Funeral Management Conference, September 18-20 at
the Four Points Sheraton in Santa Monica, California, will offer education on
topics of concern to small and mid-sized cemeteries and funeral homes,
including workshops, facility tours, equipment demonstrations, a supplier
Trade Fair, networking receptions and roundtable discussions. For more
information, visit http://www.icfa.org/small03.htm or call 1-800-645-7700.
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 reports the news before anyone else
and 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 .
---------------------------------------------------
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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 7/23/2003 12:54:29 PM, fspano@nfda.org writes:
Contact: Fay Spano For Immediate Release
800/228-6332 July 23, 2003
NFDA #22-03
NFDA Firm Membership Numbers Increase by Six Percent
Increase in Membership Gives Funeral Directors a
Stronger Voice in Washington, D.C.
Brookfield, Wis. &endash; The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA)
is pleased to announce its new membership numbers based on the 2003 firm
membership structure. NFDA now serves 20,337 funeral directors, up
42-percent from 14,317 individuals under the old membership structure.
Main firm locations now number 9,467, a six-percent increase from 8,900
last year. When branch locations are included, NFDA now represents more
than half of the funeral homes in the United States, with 12,271
locations.
"Having such strong membership numbers is key to getting funeral
service issues heard in Washington, D.C.," explained NFDA Chief
Executive Officer Christine Pepper. "The more funeral directors we
represent, the more influence we have. Therefore, NFDA is now even
better positioned to continue successfully lobbying for important issues
such as associated health plans and permanent repeal of the federal
estate tax."
The individual members include 184 individual licensees, 72
apprentices, 185 retired funeral directors, 107 mortuary science
students, 8,222 primary licensed contacts at member firms, and 11,567
additional licensed members at member firms.
NFDA is the oldest and largest nationwide funeral service
association in the United States, serving more than 20,300 funeral
directors who represent more than 12,200 funeral homes nationwide. From
its headquarters in Brookfield, Wis., and its Advocacy Office in
Washington, D.C., NFDA provides advocacy, education, information,
products, programs and services to help members enhance the quality of
service to families. For more information, visit www.nfda.org.
###
Fay Spano
Public Relations Director
National Funeral Directors Assoc.
13625 Bishop's Drive
Brookfield, WI 53005
262-814-1549
fspano@nfda.org
In a message dated 7/24/2003 5:31:57 PM, rmjohnson@funeralservicefoundation.org writes:
Why Give?
Together, we can make a difference!
Kimberly Saul
For
the past two years, the Funeral Service Foundation has given a generous donation
to a national children's charity on behalf of our great profession.
In 2001, a grant for $12,000 was given to Toys for Tots, and in 2002, funeral
service gave $5,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of South Central Texas. Many
of you have given gifts of $100 and more to the Children's Fund both
years, and I thank you for your generosity.
Many
of us see the benefit of charitable giving within our own communities. As
business owners, we support our local
organizations because it is the right
thing to do. Like other business owners, we understand that giving locally
is a little bit like advertising; through our support of local organizations,
we hope our firm will benefit.
Have
you ever stopped to consider why giving on a more global scope is also important
and why, in particular, giving in
the name of funeral service is
a good thing to do? I have. To me, it is very important for funeral service
as a whole to give back to society in a truly charitable way. Looking at
the big picture, I understand that our profession, like our own businesses,
will
reap not only the benefit of a good feeling, but an improved image, as
well. As we all know, funeral service often makes the headlines and the stories
are usually not the ones we want to read. Through charitable gifts on a
national
level, we demonstrate the caring, giving nature of those who truly make
up this profession.
Funeral
directors, by nature, are caregivers. The FSF Children's
Fund is a fantastic opportunity for those of us who practice our "caregiving
skills" daily, on a local basis, to broaden our horizons and begin
to touch the lives of others on a more global level. Our communities know
who
we are and for what we stand, and they appreciate all that we do in supporting
local organizations.
Globally
and primarily through the media, however, we are generally portrayed as a
profession that "takes" rather than one
that "gives." The
time has come for each of us to step out of our own backyards! The Children's
Fund is our opportunity to show the public who we really are. By coming
together to support a cause that we all deeply care about, we will chip
away at the
image in the media. As a united force, we could work wonders for those
children in desperate need of someone who cares. Together, we can make
a difference!
Collectively,
we can affect the lives of many children through the Children's
Fund. Together, we can again present a generous donation to a national children's
charity. For those of you who have already been a part of something as meaningful
as this, I am sure there is no greater feeling than to know you had a hand
in making a difference. The Funeral Service Foundation is a perfect place for
you to play a part in "making the difference."
Those
of you who attended NFDA's convention in San Antonio last year
remember the outstanding presentation made on behalf of our profession! If
you were not present for the foundation's presentation to Kirbie at the
Closing General Session, I can tell you there was such a feeling of love and
empathy in that room and a feeling of pride because we made a difference in
that little girl's life. What an awesome feeling!
Herein
lies your choice: you can continue to support your community and contribute
only to those "obligations," or
you can also choose to become a part of something in which you believe that
holds a special place in your heart.
Self-gratification can be a wonderful inspiration and energizer. The time has
come for all of us &endash; funeral directors, vendors, cemeterians and all
others who make up this profession &endash; to take control of the image of
the funeral industry and mold the "public opinion" into what
it should be, not what it currently is. Let us be seen as the givers that
we truly
are.
Kimberly Saul, CFSP, Saul Funeral Homes, Trenton, New Jersey, serves as a
trustee of the Funeral Service Foundation.
The
Funeral Service Foundation is funded by gifts from the funeral service community.
Gifts are critical to fulfilling the foundation's mission
and are tax-exempt to the extent allowed by law. For information about
the foundation, please call 877-402-5900 or visit the FSF Website at www.funeralservicefoundation.org
Priest proves no comfort in shadow of death
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s904146.htm
A New Mexico family is suing the local Catholic church over a funeral in which the priest allegedly said their relative was only a middling Catholic who was going straight to hell.Lawyers for the family of Ben Martinez say they have filed a lawsuit against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe and one of its priests.Court papers filed last month say Rev Scott Mansfield said at Martinez's funeral last year that the deceased was "living in sin", "lukewarm in his faith" and that "the Lord vomited people like Ben out of his mouth to hell"
In a message dated 7/18/2003 8:56:36 AM, Mike Flynn in Boston writes:
Body parts' return shocks dad
After father objected to possible for-profit use, son's tissues sent to mortuary in boxes
SAN MARCOS, TEXAS -- After San Marcos High School football star Joshua Roberts was killed in a car accident July 3 near Brady, his heart, corneas and some of his bones were removed to be used for transplants.But when his father, who was out of the country when his son's body parts were harvested, returned to Texas, he demanded that his son's tissues be donated without profit. Rick Roberts' sister had had a liver transplant that he said cost $300,000, and he felt strongly that no one should make money from transplanting body parts.Roberts' request was not as simple as he thought. Officials with the American Red Cross and the Western Texas Lions Eye Bank Alliance said they could not guarantee that any profit would not be made from Josh Roberts' tissues. Both entities sent them back to Thomason Funeral Home in San Marcos last week, where the 17-year-old's body was awaiting burial.In a FedEx package came his son's corneas, packed in a preserving solution. In a cooler filled with dry ice Roberts found his son's femurs, kneecaps, hip bones and shoulder blades. His son's heart was in a jar."He'd been deboned like a piece of sausage," Roberts said. "Then to send everything back to you and hold up the funeral while you wait, it's unbeliev- able.
Cemetery faces 70 exhumations: Families plan to have as many as 70 graves dug up to see whether loved ones have been misplaced, moved or desecrated at Menorah Gardens
Dear Fellow Funeral Director:
I've been an embalmer for 43 years. So why am I attending the ICFA University College of Embalming & Restorative Arts?
Here are my Top 5 Reasons:
5. This one's simple: Todd Van Beck. Those of you who have worked with
Todd or heard him speak know what I'm talking about. This man is quite
simply one of the most dedicated and inspirational funeral service
professionals of our time. Any program spearheaded by Todd has got to be
a winner.
4. Things have changed since 1960. Let's face it: There's not much
training or even literature out there for embalmers to help us keep up
with the fact that techniques, equipment and medical advances are
changing the way we embalm. This is the first program offering such
in-depth training directly related to our day-to-day work.
3. It's a good investment. If I'm going to provide the best possible
service and create the best possible experience for the families I
serve, I know I can't pass up this opportunity. It is much needed within
our profession, offering the most advanced embalming and RA training,
with the best teachers available anywhere. And besides, where else are
you going to earn 24.5 continuing education credits in one shot?
2. ICFA University is fun. I've attended before, and I know what a great
time it is. The camaraderie of learning, eating and living with a group
of fellow funeral directors for four and a half days is ... well, it's a
lot like going back to mortuary college.
1. I'm the world's best embalmer. OK, so every embalmer thinks he or she
is the best in the world. But I really am the best, and I don't want
anyone else out there getting ahead of me. Plus, this course offers a
number of opportunities for students to share their best practices. So
maybe I can prove once and for all that I am the best!
David Tobias
President
Tobias Funeral Home
and Vice President
ICFA Membership Steering Committee
Check the original article: http://www.theindychannel.com/call6/2338943/detail.html
Family Pays For Headstone That Never Arrived
Funeral Director Eventually Reimburses Money
INDIANAPOLIS INDIANA -- The death of her husband was worsened for an Indianapolis woman after the cemetery headstone she paid for never arrived at the grave site.
Vera Robinson's husband, the Rev. Ananias Robinson, died last April, Call 6's Rafael Sanchez reported.
The family ordered a headstone through funeral director Marvin L. Boatright in May 2002, paying $1,139 in cash, Sanchez reported. ...................... Robinson said Boatright never responded to certified letters or small claims court judgments which nearly tripled the claim to $3,000.
The Indianapolis television station helped Robinson obtain a township constable to personally drop off the court order demanding her refund.
Boatright sent Robinson a letter of apology "accepted full responsibility" for the incident. He acknowledged causing the family "undo pain and heartache by not providing the type of service that all families deserve from a funeral director," Sanchez reported.
Robinson eventually received her money back.
TV CALL6 Reporter Rafael Sanchez said that if a person wins a judgment in small claims court, the accused can appeal all the way to a jury trial.
n a message dated 7/18/2003 10:35:27 PM, Anonymous writes:
NBC TV Channel 4 News Los Angeles, California
Woman's Plots Resold To Other People
LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA -- An Anaheim, California cemetery was ordered to pay $5 million to a Lake Forest woman for burying strangers in the family plot.
The sale of Patsy Cullings' plots to another family forced her to bury her husband in Riverside instead of at Melrose Abbey Memorial Park, alongside his parents. The Cullings family had purchased six plots.
Cullings sued, and Orange County Superior Court Commissioner Eleanor M. Palk said Tuesday the cemetery must pay for the dual sales.
................The Family discovered other people were buried in their graves.
The plots were resold in early 90's by then-owner Angels Lawn Cemetery, one attorney said. In 1995, the cemetery was purchased, he wants it to pay the judgment.
http://www.nbc4.tv/news/2340326/detail.html
In a message dated 7/15/2003 10:57:00 AM, ciperven@cable.net.co writes:
July 15 - 2003
Wood and Metal Caskets, Low Prices
Hello.
We are a factory interested to offer ours wood and metal caskets.
low prices high quality.
If you are interested please write me back as soon possible.
Please send me your phone number to call you back. and your address to send
ouer brochure.
Regards
att.
Diego Garzon
Bogota - Colombia
57-1- 635 91 81
ciperven@cable.net.co
CIPERVEN FACTORY
BOGOTÀ - COLOMBIA
In a message dated 7/17/2003 6:58:47 PM, Walter and Barbara in Tennessee writes:
FOX NEWS
Thursday, July 17, 2003
By David E. Harrington
The grisly discovery of hundreds of decaying corpses on the grounds of Georgia's Tri-State Crematory (search ) in the winter of 2002 has sparked proposals in many states to tighten the regulation of funeral markets.
The goal is laudable: to ensure that people never again receive urns filled with powdered cement instead of the ashes of their loved ones. However, most of the proposed state laws and regulations would harm grieving consumers by reducing competition, leading to higher prices and lower quality funeral services. Ironically, they may also have the perverse effect of increasing the likelihood and severity of scandals like Tri-State.
Not surprisingly, Georgia was the first state to tighten its regulations after the scandal. Prior to the Tri-State discovery, the Peach State did not have license requirements for crematories because cremation is relatively rare in Georgia. In contrast, the state's requirements to become a funeral director are among the most stringent in the nation. For example, Georgia requires funeral directors to be embalmers (search) even though many funeral directors (search) do not embalm bodies. That requirement serves little purpose other than to provide jobs for embalmers and to raise prices for consumers.
Read the whole article http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,92132,00.html
In a message dated 7/16/2003 6:17:37 PM, An Anonymous Subscriber writes:
--------------------
Funeral chain files to aid sale
--------------------
By Joseph Mann
Business writer
July 16, 2003
Prime Succession Inc., an Erlanger, Kentucky.-based company voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Fort Lauderdale.
But the Florida Department of Financial Services, which oversees the funeral and cemetery sector, said in a statement Tuesday that "day-to-day business activities will not be affected by the proceedings."
Tom Gallagher, the state's chief financial officer, also said in the statement that no cemeteries will close and no changes are expected in operations. "All contracts will continue to be honored, and vendors will receive payments. Consumers should continue to make payments on any active contracts" with Prime Succession and its Florida subsidiaries, the document said.
Prime Succession, a privately held company, owns and operates about 94 funeral homes and 18 cemeteries in 16 states. In South Florida, including Fred Hunter's funeral homes and cemeteries in Davie, Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, Florida, Aaron Cremation & Burial Services in Miramar, Florida and Kalis Funeral Home in Wilton Manors, Florida.
In a statement released Tuesday, Prime Succession said that the bankruptcy filing was part of an agreement covering the sale of "substantially all of its corporate assets" to a Florida-based investment group "with significant experience in the funeral industry." The filing will facilitate the sale by allowing the company to significantly reduce outstanding debt, the statement added.
Heading the group of buyers is Cliff Hinkle, the former chief executive of MHI Group Inc., which owns and operates funeral homes, and a former board member of Prime Succession, according to the statement. Hinkle declined comment on the asset sale.
Read the entire article
In a message dated 7/11/2003 10:24:39 AM, Thestarclass writes:Dear John,
I wanted to share this with your readers. I hope you can find room for it in your newsletter.
Karen Nilsen
thestarclass.com
MFDA Wins the 2003 Associations Advance America Award of Excellence
The Minnesota Funeral Directors Association (MFDA) has won the Award of
Excellence in the 2003 Associations Advance America Awards program, a
national competition sponsored by the American Society of Associations
Executives (ASAE), Washington, D.C.
MFDA received the award for its Camp AmandaxMinnesota program. This program
is now in the running to receive a Summit Award to be presented in gala
ceremonies at the Summit Awards Dinner on September 30 at the National
Building Museum in Washington, D.C.
Now in its 13th year, the prestigious Associations Advance America Awards
program recognizes associations that propel America forward - with
innovative projects in education, skills training, standardsxsetting,
business and social innovation, knowledge creation, citizenship, and
community service. Although association activities have a powerful impact
on everyday life, they often go unnoticed by the general public.
"MFDA's program truly embodies the spirit of the Associations Advance
America campaign. It is an honor and an inspiration to showcase this
activity as an example of the many contributions associations are making to
advance American society," remarked 2003 Associations Advance America
Committee Chairman Daniel Fullenkamp, senior vice president, First
Union/Wachovia Bank.
Congratulations Camp Amanda-Minnesota!
In a message dated 7/14/2003 2:47:43 PM, DennisCMcGeeJr on New Jersey writes:
Hi everyone,
As I have done in the years past, I again wrote to Governor McGreevey asking his assistance in again proclaiming a "Funeral Service Professionals Week" here in NJ. I knew that our convention week would be the opportune time even though the NFDA's Consumer week follows ours. Thought maybe we could get them all to jive, you know.
Anyhow, I received the proclamation this morning. It actually came last week while I was on vacation but here it goes. The proclamation says that September 14 through the 20th (our convention week) will be Funeral Service professionals Week in New Jersey. I actually wrote the letter, I think, in April hoping to receive the proclamation in enough time to share it with our colleagues around the state during the convention. Brian (McNamara), you should have gotten both a copy of my letter as well as a copy of the proclamation, did you? Well if you didn't;t it reads as follows, and if need be I can always fax it to wherever you would like...
WHEREAS, Funeral service is a profession which works with the bereaved, providing sensitive, effective intervention; and
WHEREAS, New Jersey's funeral service professionals assist members of the public through the most difficult times they face, as they mourn the loss of a loved one; and
WHEREAS, always on call, funeral service professionals may be called upon to provide support to the bereaved, arrange and direct funeral ceremonies, prepare the deceased according to the wishes of the survivors while conforming to mortuary law and a code of ethics, and help individuals adapt to changes in their lives following a death through counseling and assistance with practical matters; and
WHEREAS, this observance provides citizens with an opportunity to recognize these professionals for their commitment to assisting our society, for their dedication to professionalism and for their critical service to mankind;
NOW, THEREFORE I, JAMES E. McGREEVEY, Governor of the state of New Jersey, do hereby proclaim
September 14 to September 20, 2003 as...
FUNERAL SERVICE PROFESSIONALS WEEK in New Jersey
GIVEN, under my hand and the Great Seal
of the state of New Jersey, this
first day of July in the year of
our Lord two thousand three and of
the Independence of the United States,
the two hundred and twenty-seventh.
James E. McGreevey, Governor
Regina L. Thomas, Secretary of State
Walt Disney World, Florida, July 14,
2003 - Cherished Media Corporation today
announced the availability of it's new
Cherished Screen Savers at the Florida
Funeral Directors Association Annual
Convention. Cherished Screen Savers
will initially be offered in conjunction
with Cherished Media's Video Tribute
service. This new medium uses the same
photo and music elements from the video
tribute, but installs as a standard
Windows screen saver, and includes the
Funeral Home's name and contact
information.
"This new value-added service provides
our Funeral Home clients with yet
another way to serve families and
generate continuous brand awareness for
the Home," states Jason Rogers,
President of Cherished Media
Corporation.
Cherished Screen Savers are offered to
the client-family, along with the
Cherished Video Tribute, and can be
shared with the extended family and
friends royalty-free, creating a unique
marketing reach and retention that only
this medium can provide.
ABOUT CHERISHED MEDIA CORPORATION
Cherished Media Corporation offers the
leading video tribute service dedicated
solely to the funeral service industry.
For more information visit our website
at www.cherishedmedia.com, email us at
info@cherishedmedia.com, or call us at
(866) 764-5518 and press 1.
In a message dated 7/14/2003 9:58:38 PM, Judy in Massachusetts writes:
MEMO FROM GOD
To: YOU
Date: TODAY
From: GOD - The Boss!
Subject: YOURSELF
Reference: LIFE
This is God. Today I will be handling All of your problems for you. I do Not need your help. So, have a nice day.
I love you.
GOD
P.S.
And, remember....If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you can not handle, do Not attempt to resolve it yourself !! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.
P.S.S.
Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.
If you find yourself stuck in traffic; Don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.
Should you have a bad day at work; Think of the man who has been out of work for years.
Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; Think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.
Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; Think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.
Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance; Think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.
Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror; Think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.
Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.
Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; Remember, things could be worse. You could be one of them!
Now, you have a nice day,
God
In a message dated 7/15/2003 10:41:42 AM, Anonymous writes:
House approves overhaul of overtime
WASHINGTON DC - The House narrowly voted Thursday to let the Bush administration revamp 50-year-old rules governing workplace overtime, a move that would help low-income workers but penalize many middle- and upper-income employees.
The 213-210 vote killed a Democratic-led effort to prevent the Labor Department from redefining who qualifies for overtime.
Employers and House GOP leaders back the changes, saying they would bring 1.3 million poorer Americans into the overtime system while making it clearer which better-off workers are exempt. Union officials and most Democrats, however, say the rules would exempt millions of Americans from earning time-and-a-half.
Under the proposed rules, workers earning $8,060 to $22,100 a year would be eligible for overtime pay if they weren't already collecting it. Most of those earning $65,000 or more, by contrast, would no longer be eligible.
The new regulations would also give employers greater flexibility in reassigning middle-income workers to managerial and supervisory roles, thereby depriving them of overtime rights. As many as 8 million employees might lose overtime pay under the change, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
Democrats sought to block the administration's overtime rules, offering an amendment that would incorporate the 1.3 million low-income workers into the system while suspending the rest of the policy.
Voting for the Bush administration plan were Nebraska's three House members and Reps. Steve King and Tom Latham, both R-Iowa. Rep. Leonard Boswell, D-Iowa, voted against it.
Now that the administration's opponents lost in the House, they appear unlikely to prevail in the Senate.
In a message dated 7/11/2003 7:38:22 PM, Anonymous writes:
WASHINGTON DC - The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday narrowly rejected an effort by Democrats and labor groups to block the Bush administration from changing federal rules on overtime pay.
The House voted 213-210 against attaching a provision that would effectively bar the proposed rule change to a bill funding labor, health and education programs next year. The White House had threatened to veto the bill if the Democrats' provision survived.
The U.S. Labor Department says the move would extend overtime pay to 1.3 million low-wage workers who do not currently qualify for it.
But labor groups say up to 8 million higher-paid workers, including police officers, journalists and engineers, could also lose their right to overtime pay as a result.
The White House on Wednesday threatened to veto the entire $138 billion labor, health and education measure if the ban on changing the overtime rules was included in the final bill.
The Senate has not yet taken up its companion version of the bill and has yet to address the overtime issue.
In a message dated 4/6/2003 4:32:38 PM, Nicholas in the United Kingdom writes:
Dear Sir/Madam
We operate UK Funerals On-line www.uk-funerals.co.uk and was wondering if you might consider linking to our site. We would happy to supply a link back to your own web site.
Kind Regards
Nicholas Ille
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Fox News = How do you picture your final party? http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,91615,00.html
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Death Certificates: Sloppy Business: http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,59703,00.html
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Tennessee Opens Investigation of Defunct Clinton Funeral Home, Looks like a summer story with a television station with nothing else to do. http://www.WATE.com/Global/story.asp?s=1372337
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In a message dated 7/27/03 8:11:47 AM, anonymous writes:
Space Shuttle Disaster Investigation Reference Page
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Got any Hot News for us. Issues that involve funeral service, in your community, it in, Everything you see here was send in by someone just like you. If there is a newspaper article in your area, send the link and we can all learn from it, even if it is your opinion we all learn from one another. Any HOT NEWS OR SCUTTLEBUTT WILL BE POSTED IN THE READER'S WRITE BACK SECTION.
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WANTED: Licensed NJ funeral director for a progressive Southern New
Jersey family owned firm. Salary plus great incentive and bonus
packages, health ins., good schedule, fun & progressive work
enviroment. Email with contact information. All inquiries held in
strict confidence. Lets talk! hunter1034@comcast.net
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Consider these steps for your life.
1. Work like you don't need the money.
2. Love like you've never been hurt.
3. Dance like you do when nobody's watching.
C YA
John
BOTTOM LINE: WE ALL WORK FOR THE BETTERMENT OF FUNERAL SERVICE PROFESSION AND THE DEATH CARE INDUSTRY THE CONSUMERS WE SERVE AND THE PROFESSIONALS WE WORK WITH. IF YOU SEE ANYTHING WRONG, IF SOMETHING HERE REALLY OFFENDS YOU, LET'S WORK TOGETHER. PLEASE NOTIFY FSPA IMMEDIATELY, YOU CAN E-MAIL TO lowellma@aol.com Or call FSPA in the United States Voice 978-458-6816 Fax 978-459-0115 or the old fashioned way through the mail at FSPA c/o 14 Highland Street Lowell, Massachusetts 01852-3399 USA
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