22FEB09 Flowers ©
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WELCOME!!! glad you could visit us, OUR TOPIC: "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
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Host_John: Howdy M
licensedfd: Hi J
Dan_Phillips has joined.
licensedfd: You busy up north? or shoveling too much snow
Host_John: are you watching oscars red carpet
Host_John: we have had the worst winter
Host_John: too much ice
licensedfd: going to put it on now
Host_John: snow if fine we are getting more tonight
Host_John: the chick in orange had cancer last year, she looks great a mentor to many tonight
Host_John: hello Dan
Dan_Phillips: greetings , how are you?
Host_John: I am wonderful thanks and you?
Host_John: how is the weather your way?
licensedfd: Nothing here just wind
licensedfd: Skiied yesterday..it was a great day...
Dan_Phillips: i can't complain too much. I had an aortic valve replaced in April, along with quadruple bypass. I'm doing great!
Host_John: I had a nice nap today
Host_John: wowzers
Host_John: you are doing well
Host_John: business is fine
Host_John: flowers is our topic
Host_John: they are a nice thing for the family but what do you do with the leftovers
Dan_Phillips: Yes, I am. Do a mile a day on treadmill and feel great.
licensedfd: Nursing homes here will take em
licensedfd: You went thru a lot Dan...how young are you>?
Dan_Phillips: Most homes are glad to get them.
AmandaJane31 has joined.
Dan_Phillips: 62
Host_John: we drop some at church and nursing homes too, the nursing homes here only take one or two
licensedfd: Young guy...too young to have all that happen...was it hereditary?
Host_John: recently we had a florist offer to take the old ones off our hands to spruce up and give to people in nursing homes and hospitals
licensedfd: What if family hears you gave em back to florist
Dan_Phillips: the valve was a birth defect. And I had a passion for a pipe and Sir Walter Raleigh tobacco
licensedfd: Guess you changed your life style
Dan_Phillips: Absolutely! I do want to go back to work though.
licensedfd: Where are you licensed Dan?
Dan_Phillips: Ga, Nc, Tn and Illinois.
licensedfd: Wow you do get around
licensedfd: my son lives in Tn
AmandaJane31 has left.
Dan_Phillips: I worked for Sci.
Host_John: Dan what is/was your job in the funeral home
Dan_Phillips: Funeral Director/embalmer. Mgr, Gen Mgr, Controller etc.
licensedfd: J...i have a question for your next session
Host_John: ask away M
licensedfd: I am considering eliminating my showroom for a virtual showroom
Host_John: nice
licensedfd: Any thoughts?
Host_John: sure
Host_John: get the vertual and see how it goes
Host_John: how close is the casket store?
licensedfd: Anyone doing it up your way
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Host_John: my sons want to
licensedfd: none here now
fluidpusher has joined.
licensedfd: Dan your thoughts?
Host_John: the casket store says to folks who come in we have caskets here and they don't
Dan_Phillips: If you can afford to keep your show room, do so. people like to touch and feel what they buy.
Host_John: I think they do Dan
Dan_Phillips: Use the virtual as an added option for your clients.
Host_John: do any of you have cemeterys that will not accept flowers?
licensedfd: I was considering a combo thing
Host_John: or charge an extra fee to take flowers
fluidpusher: No, John, all cemeteries here take flowers
licensedfd: Cemeterys here only take 1 casket spray
Host_John: all take them here too, we went to New York cemetery and they went right to the dump not the grave, the family was surprised and so were we
fluidpusher: We deliver flowers to churches, cemeteries, nursing homes, hospital, the family residence, etc.
Host_John: tonight I am looking for ideas on what is being done to disburse flowers after the funeral
Host_John: with cremation we have so many leftovers
mactj2: we see it at the mausoleums aroud here john...family leave flower car goes right over to the dumpster
Dan_Phillips: Having worked both sides of the fence I know that flowers are an extra burden and expense to cemetery, but they should inform public of their policy upfront.
licensedfd: what a shame
Host_John: do you tell the family that they go right to dumpster
mactj2: yes we usually do
Host_John: we incorporate flower handeling in our price, I would expect the cemetery should offer the same.
fluidpusher: we take unwanted flowers to our local convent and also to nursing homes, we attach a card with the family's address to send a thank you to. I don't know how many send cards.
harper has joined.
Host_John: it is an excellent policy to tell family up front where the flowers will be going if we know
Host_John: do you charge for delivery or just include it
fluidpusher: we ask where they want them to go. it's a small town, not many places to go to
mactj2: we tell them not to get too much if they are going to the mausoleum
fluidpusher: It is part of being a full service funeral home
Host_John: we have a charge for flower transportation
fluidpusher: no additional charge
mactj2: we charge for van or flower car
Host_John: we use multiple vehicles to carry flowers all inclusive in one fee
mactj2: have any photos in action yet John?
Host_John: of the flower cars
Dan_Phillips: i always had our flower van take the flowers wher the fammily wished at no extra charge. Sometimes we get lost in necessity of adding extra charges which can be absorbed quietly.
mactj2: yeah
Host_John: http://www.mcdonoughfuneralhome.com/Aboutus.htm
fluidpusher: linky no worky, John
Host_John: guess the chat room erases the majic
Host_John: copy and paste will bring you there
mactj2: i got it...nice idea
Host_John: we use the flower cars to help procession to be identified
mactj2: how are they affixed on the roof?
Host_John: we ususally leave one of the cars at the busier intersections until the procession clears the intersection
Host_John: bungie coards
Dan_Phillips: Think about it, you already have the vehicle, and are paying someone to drive it. How much more does it cost to drop flowers off on the way back to tthe parlor.
Ohio_FD has joined.
Host_John: we got a Hybrid it did not have a roof rack
Host_John: we had it installed after market
Host_John: it is the third one in line
hrbeckham has joined.
mactj2: ahh...lick Duval's
Host_John: not to charge, try that at the grocery store or anyplace for that matter
hrbeckham: Good evening all
mactj2: lick
mactj2: like...sorry
Ohio_FD has left.
Dan_Phillips: obviosly, the miniscule cost is factored into your service charge.
Host_John: again Dan flower transportation is an added fee if choosen
mactj2: what does the magnet on the rear of the first car say?
Host_John: not saying you are right and I am left but there is a cost and charge
Dan_Phillips: i guess it depnds on what is usual and custmary.
Host_John: otherwize you may have a family haveing your drop them off at a more distant point than you thought
Host_John: when you offer things for free their value is free
fluidpusher: I feel most people wouldn't pay an additional charge, and may be offended by an additional charge, but if I include the service in my sevice fee and offer to do it at no additional charge, I have enhanced my service and exceeded their expectations.
Host_John: it is good you are offering the service of delivering their flowers
licensedfd: got to go...show time
licensedfd has left.
Dan_Phillips: I never had anyone take advantage of the service. have we forgotten that we do offer a service aand the more that we can do for a family will only ensure future business.
fluidpusher: we deliver other things as well: death certificates, additional thank you cards, whatever. Our service charge is relative high, and we offer value
fluidpusher: Flowers can be a real pain, though.
mactj2: i agree fluid
Host_John: we do plenty of running around and the family appreciates the service and they are fully aware they are paying for what ever service you render
mactj2: im usually the one who lugs them up
Dan_Phillips: no dount, a necessary evil. What if the local florists would work it out so that who sold the casket spry would take care of flowr transportation?
hrbeckham: we put flower charges with our utility van charges
fluidpusher: I've always thought it interesting that the florist makes the profit, and it is we who make the flowers look good through arranging, watering, handling, etc. It is what we do, though, I guess
Host_John: most go into the trash?
fluidpusher: I know a f.h. owner in a small town. He owns no van. The local florist takes care of flower delivery for him.
harper: there is nothing for free, the charge is in basis services, personal, auto's, gas, etc.
Host_John: when the family says they will pick them up tommorrow we have a garage full that gets cleared on dumpster day
Dan_Phillips: There are ways to make a profit dealing with flowers.
KentDorsey has joined.
Host_John: Hello Kent
mactj2: anyone get proflowers.com sent to the Fh? we have to unpack, unwrap flowers, put them in the vase and add water
fluidpusher: Yes, mactj, they are a real pain.
KentDorsey: aye john, finishing visitation here
hrbeckham: we have some florest, that if they get a lot of orders offer to help take flowers from the place of the service to the cemetery
Host_John: OPEN FORUM FUNERAL CHATTER UNTIL THE TOP OF THE HOUR
harper: yes we get 1-800-flowers
hrbeckham: hello Kent...how is the radio gig?
fluidpusher: We are seeing fewer flowers, and more concrete statues, stepping stones, afghan/blankets, lots of other keepsakes that are not flowers. All to be delivered by us to the family home.
Dan_Phillips: work out an arrangement so that you offer them to the family at time of arrangements, for a fee, the florist makes money adn you do too.
hrbeckham: still alot of flowers here
Host_John: Mac I think we did get fedex to drop off one like that but that is once a year
Host_John: a lot of packing materail
Host_John: material
mactj2: we've been seeing them more often
KentDorsey: great hr, I was supposed to be on 6-8 tonight, but had big visitation...
hrbeckham: we suggest that we leave plants at the funeral home for families to come back and pick up later that day
hrbeckham: have a sub?
Host_John: here we pay for trash hauling, we re-cycle what we can but the dumpster does get churck full
fluidpusher: I would rather deliver planters to one location and let the families fight over them off my premise. Leaving them at the funeral home for later pickup opens the possibility of fighting over them
KentDorsey: yes, the other old dj
sirwilhelm1 has joined.
KentDorsey: I have a casket spray tonight that is so tall, it is sure to get whacked going in the hearse tomorrow
harper has left.
fluidpusher: First one back gets the pick of the litter
Host_John: we have the family pall bearers move the flowers
Host_John: we show them a short video explaining how to carry the flowers
hrbeckham: I remove high casket sprays and carry them in a seperate van
Dan_Phillips: kent you should make the florist aware of the problem, explain that it makes their flower look bad and affects their reputation.
hrbeckham: good point Dan
Host_John: how do you keep the casket piece to stay on for the ride in the hearse?
fluidpusher: we use flower van on every funeral. spray goes in there, or on front seat of coach. Never on top of casket
mactj2: all flowers go in the van or flower car
hrbeckham: some just seem to be slippery and tend to fall off...
funeralguy has joined.
hrbeckham: we have a rubber mat we have to use sometimes
funeralguy: hello all
Dan_Phillips: obviosly, any discussion should be diplomatic and keep in mind that yyou both are trying to solve a problem for your clients.
hrbeckham: helly guy
Host_John: we put a rubber shower mat under the casket piece it does help to keep the piece in place
hrbeckham: hello guy
KentDorsey: we use one of the rubber matts to go under spray
KentDorsey: no problem with slipping, sliding, or wind
KentDorsey: I don't have room in a the van for this big thing, this florist has been warned before
Host_John: they do a nice job and no casket markings
funeralguy: are you speaking of a closed casket ?
funeralguy: I was late here
Host_John: when do you take the floer cards off?
KentDorsey: before we go to the church, Unless visitation at church same day
Dan_Phillips: oversize casket spays
Host_John: we remove the cards just prior to the casket being taken out
mactj2: we do it after visiting hours
mactj2: the night before
funeralguy: does anyone here photograph flowers still
Dan_Phillips: after hours is best time or early morning
sirwilhelm1: I photographed flowers for the first time after visitation tonight. only after the family requested
Dan_Phillips: Some crazy funeral home in Western Nc take pictures of the bodu for the family.
mactj2: my boss thought it was a good idea...photos...thank god he never followed through with it
Host_John: with digital photography is is much less costly
hrbeckham: almost every florest sends double cards, we take one when they are delivered and put in a envelope for the family
mactj2: we save all cards and fill out a flower page in the guest book
funeralguy: we do not however, i think we migt start again....digital and give them a dsic or small album
hrbeckham: we decided against doing the flower photos
KentDorsey: I'm going to call the florist and tell them to come transport this spray the size of a Buick, otherwise, she gets clipped...
Host_John: we take cards off as soon as family has gone out to the limo for the procession, and present them to the family in the limo
Host_John: Kent it is a good idea to inform the florist
hrbeckham: boss said enough things can go wrong with flowers without getting the wrong card with a photo
funeralguy: I am certain none of us has ever broken the spray in half....lol
Tom has joined.
Host_John: we had a florist dropping baskets off we could have used a fork lift to move around I call the florist, she said we were the only ones who ever complained, but the heavy baskets never came again
Dan_Phillips: tell the family what you are having to do, let them take it up with florist, kent
sirwilhelm1: I've had a spray fall off a casket before a visitation. never was careless after that
hrbeckham: have the large flower hearts break apart before
fluidpusher: we take photos of the flowers with a digital camera, then print them out eight to a page on photo paper. Very appreciated. Another value added service...
hrbeckham: had to replace
mactj2: suffered many broken hearts here Hr...lol
Host_John: Holy muckmire, I hate it when we have one fall over, we do what we can to spruce it back up again if it is real bad we call the florist and explain what happened they always come and fix it
fluidpusher: We remove the cards ffrom the cut flowers the night before. We leave them on the planters.
funeralguy: I hate flowers....sorry. I agree with the photo's though, families do love it
hrbeckham: so fluid, do you try to match cards with photos?
KentDorsey: this florist has been warned, let them come over to transport the thing a couple of times tomorrow, and they'll quit building the Eiffel Tower
funeralguy: take the pictures of the flowers with the cards still on them
funeralguy: close up of card, then back to get flowers
fluidpusher: We do not match cards with photos, just take photos
fluidpusher: 25 years ago, I worked for a firm that took Polaroid instant photos of every flower. Very expensive....
fluidpusher: Digital cameras have enabled us to do it again, economically
Host_John: have any of you taken picures of the entire reposing room including the open casket?
Host_John: we do that on request and some familyies love it
hrbeckham: getting late for me time for bed, I wish you all well, have a good week
mactj2: we get that request alot
fluidpusher: Yes, John, only at family request
funeralguy: many times, with family request and signed auth.
hrbeckham: good night
Host_John: Night Howard
hrbeckham has left.
mactj2: many times they do it themselves
Host_John: whey the signes authorization Funeralguy?
Dan_Phillips: to take pictures of any open caskety showing the body is opening a can of worms you will have one H.. of a time putting a lid on. Lawsuit
Host_John: what is the issue Dan?
funeralguy: picture of body in casket ...I never do that unless I have a release for the file
Host_John: just asking why FuneralGuy
Dan_Phillips: Be Sure To Get An Iron Clad Aiver Singed By More Tha One
Host_John: I ask you the same Dan?
funeralguy: I am always very cautious about suits...i will do it for any family if the correct person tells me and signs
mactj2: in case the pics end up on the internet
Host_John: all attendees saw the casket open
funeralguy: you Do Not need more than one sign, you only need the person with the paramount right of disposition
Dan_Phillips: In some parts of the country it is an old tradition, like bringing the body home or people staying at Fh all night
Dan_Phillips: get a witness
Host_John: get a witness for what?
Dan_Phillips: To Cya
Host_John: if the family wants us to take pictures it is noted who told us and it can only be the next of kin
KentDorsey: here we go, 34" hearse heighth, 24" casket heighth, 24" casket spray heighth...
Host_John: lucky you thought of it Kent
funeralguy: John, make sure it is the correct next of kin.....in other words, if married it would obviously be the spouse and Not the children
Dan_Phillips: i always use a seperate from with my signature, the next of kin and a witness
funeralguy: sorry.....another call, have to go
Host_John: night Funeralguy
Dan_Phillips: next of kin should be responsible party
funeralguy has left.
Host_John: all is done on approval of next of kin
Host_John: BACK ON TOPIC NOW "FLOWERS"

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