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WELCOME, glad you could visit us, OUR TOPIC: "CHANGES FOR 2009" 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: a beautiful day here in New England
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hrbeckham: Good evening all,, Merry Christmas and a happy new year
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Host_John: Hello Howard
Host_John: Ben and Dave
hrbeckham: so what changes do we expect to see in funeral service in2009?
daveb: howdy all
Host_John: lesser expense funerals
hrbeckham: One article I read suggested a sharp increase in low cost cremations
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daveb: welcome to the Bfi of funeral industry
hrbeckham: not a year to buy stock in a casket company?
daveb: no but allied container might not be a bad idea
Ben_Brodeur: Hi all & Happy New Year
Host_John: Hello Ben
hrbeckham: In rural areas here in Florida cremation rates are still less than 25%
Host_John: same to you and yours
Ben_Brodeur: How are u John
Host_John: Simpler like a one day service and funeral combination
hrbeckham: but along the coast and along the I-4 from Daytona to Tampa some are at 80%+
hrbeckham: seeing more of the one day visitation & service
Host_John: cremation or burial is not the issue people will be looking for lesser expensive funerals
Ben_Brodeur: We're also experiencing this phenomena and an increase in cremation which I
Ben_Brodeur: we're sure will continue in the new year
hrbeckham: before Christmas we had the visitation, service and burial all in the afternoon....4pm at the cemetery it was already getting dark
shawn: hello john
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hrbeckham: anyone web casting funerals yet?
Ben_Brodeur: Not yet
Host_John: we should prepare to do these types of services
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Ben_Brodeur: You're absolutely rt John
Host_John: communcation to family and other interested people is key
Host_John: spread the word via e-mail
Host_John: publication deadlines are key to know
hrbeckham: more families are setting up their own visitations, family gatherings, and funerals with the church before they even come in for the arran gament
hrbeckham: some ministers are telling the family to save their money and the church will have everything there
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Host_John: familys frame up in their minds what they want, knowing this we should prepare to make the funeral as memorable as we can
hrbeckham: howdy Sam
Sam_Moore: Hello A;;
Sam_Moore: All
Host_John: Hi sam
Sam_Moore: Hi John you survived the snow
hrbeckham: more churches are offering to do dvd's memorial programs, receptions they have learned how to do much of what we do
Sam_Moore: I see many changes in 2009..i think we will see more from the insurance comps. they will not guarantee goods and services in their policies
Sam_Moore: that basically kills our pre needs
Host_John: how do you mean Insurance comps Sam?
hrbeckham: I can hardly wait until the motels and country clubs start to go after our business just like they go after weddings
EricaL: Hello all....yes I know someone in Nj web casting viewings/funerals
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Ben_Brodeur: Hi Kevin
Sam_Moore: anyone that writes policies..(example Only forethought)...
Host_John: hotels are too big
Host_John: and expensive
hrbeckham: for years we have been told to look at what the wedding planners do and figure out how to do that for a funeral... well the wedding planners have been thinking why don't they do what they do for weddings but for funerals
Host_John: good point Howard but you need a license to run funerals
Sam_Moore: we have several weddings in our church located at the cemetery
Host_John: cemeterys will not take orders from non licnesed people
Kevin_Grondin: Hi Ben, How's things in Peaboy? It's good to see your always busy. How's Mo"
hrbeckham: the have empty space...some income is better than none look at Priceline book a $200 room for $75 a night it is done everyday
Ben_Brodeur: Good Kevin & your family!
hrbeckham: web casting will make inroads in 09
hrbeckham: people will not have $ for travel to funerals
hrbeckham: my prediction
Ben_Brodeur: Hr shoud we attach a fee to webcasting?
hrbeckham: there will be cost involved so there should be a fee
Host_John: we have done one webcast of a funeral
hrbeckham: how much will be determined by the expense and what the market would bear to charge
Host_John: not much call for it
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hrbeckham: did you charge extra to do it?
hrbeckham: we are looking at recording them on dvd right now, web cast would be the next step
hrbeckham: Churches are doing it..less expensive than buying Tv time
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Host_John: churches are in trouble too
hrbeckham: all charities seem to be
Host_John: the economy is not good
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Ben_Brodeur: Have many of u experienced a big swing in merchandising?
hrbeckham: I was shocked to hear the Florida's unemployment rate is over 7% and is expected to go over 10%
Host_John: we see more wood now
hrbeckham: less expensive?
Ben_Brodeur: any idea why ?
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Host_John: a casket is a casket
hrbeckham: agreed
Host_John: what is the difference other than Eye appeal
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Ben_Brodeur: do u offer rental casket for cremation
Host_John: we have two rentals a cherry and an oak
Host_John: the older Oak is more popular
hrbeckham: has anyone ever asked what gage a casket was?
Ben_Brodeur: Cherry is more popular / us
Host_John: we do get questions on gage
hrbeckham: Cherry finish more popular here
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Host_John: it is the thickness of the metal
Ben_Brodeur: i explain gauge @ casket selection & woods and walk out of selection rm.
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Ben_Brodeur: Whatever they select is up to family. No pressure!
hrbeckham: I was courious I know a funeral home that shows almost all 20g caskets andd they are priced based on eye appeal...some even have velvet interiors
hrbeckham: he claims that is where he makes his profit
hrbeckham: the Ffda, Fca both have heavy corp influennce, The Fma is mainly a black funeral home organization
Host_John: I hate when that happens
Ben_Brodeur: 4, Isn't that wonderful to say the very least hr
Host_John: Howard Associatins will only do what the participators want
Host_John: Associaions are slowing bleeding out of exhistence
hrbeckham: our assoc is united to stop the move, we have offered to meet and discuss the proposal, the other side said they want to move ahead without talks
Host_John: I get more mail on spelling corrections than thought content
hrbeckham: Ifdf is has a very active core of members
Host_John: your associatin should be asking it's members to communicate with state legislators
hrbeckham: we are
hrbeckham: letters, cards, emails, phone calls, and meetings
Host_John: that is the best way to get things done, communicate with the law makers
Host_John: that is how we kept sales tax off funerals in Massachusetts
hrbeckham: yes sir
hrbeckham: we had it for a brief time in Florida
Host_John: I dont' think the Local Assn has the clout to ward off any attempt to kill the salestax next time
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hrbeckham: they even tried to tax Doctor's visits
Host_John: Associaitons should offer CEU's for partisipation
hrbeckham: that would be great!
Host_John: State boards should offer CEU's for attending board meetings
hrbeckham: brb
Host_John: Assocaions see CEU's as a money maker
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Ben_Brodeur: But the elected officials constituents certainly can have the clout John to keep sales tax out. Heck in 1984 I paid 9% in Wquebec for my dad's funeral
Host_John: to fatten up the exec's salary and benefits to assn employees
Host_John: Ben the local Assn is not a good communicator
Host_John: we get 2 or three news letter a year
Host_John: just in time for dues
Ben_Brodeur: Well they are better learn in a hurry then
Host_John: exec's favorites are the officers
Host_John: no care in the loss of membership
Ben_Brodeur: Not sure about that John
Host_John: maybe you get more mail than me Ben
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Host_John: thanks Earnie
Ben_Brodeur: John the power of the internet is quite powerful and if everyone send emails to the their list you'd be amazed as to how quickly is pyramids....
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Host_John: performance is not there Ben
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Host_John: they really do not want participation
Host_John: they just want dues
Host_John: my opinion
Ben_Brodeur: we did it a few months ago with our club above new dog rules that politicians had tried to pass a new House Bill. It was eventually tabled.
Host_John: when I asked for them to help eliminate the ME fee for cremation I was told, the board likes the ME and thinks they should keep getting the money
Host_John: why do we pay for Cremation ME?
Host_John: it is an old law
Ben_Brodeur: I personnally have no problem / Me fee for cremation John
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Host_John: what do you get for your clients money
hrbeckham: I talk with my state assoc almost weekly, we have monthly newsletters and quaterly meetings a well attended state convention and other meetings
Ben_Brodeur: none worse than a burial permit fee!
Host_John: we don't have that in Massachusetts Howard
Host_John: the burial permit is not a legal fee and the assn will not write city's and towns on that issue either
Host_John: a communicaiton declined by the assn board
hrbeckham: that is one reason that the independent assoc was founde 16 years ago to rep the independent funeral homes and I think they do a good job of it
hrbeckham: we are motivated
Ben_Brodeur: I have to admit that a couple city around here have stopped this fee. I have always said that they should charge more co Cc's. Families need these!
Host_John: Ben the assn has less than 200 members
Host_John: if they wrote a few letters on everyones behalf they could see more interested in joining
Ben_Brodeur: Call them & suggest it John
hrbeckham: we may have not just a me fee but soon a fee on all contracts in funeral service in Florida...something like a "state Administrative fee" to help th department off set budget cuts
Host_John: I have been to their very quietly held meetings
Ben_Brodeur: Were u impressed!!!
Host_John: I brought up my issues and they declined them
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Host_John: save the membership some money
Host_John: Hey it's Dan the Man!
Host_John: how you doing Dan
danisard: happy new year john
hrbeckham: I have gone to a few state funeral board meetings from time to time sometimes interisting
hrbeckham: opps past my bed time. I have an hour drive to work so I have to get up early
Host_John: Happy New Year to you too Dan
Host_John: what changes do you see for 2009?
danisard: is your world spinning in a direction you want?
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Host_John: Dan I hope on the world and spin with them
hrbeckham: Happy safe and a successful new year to you all! My God be with you and bless you in your sevice to our fellow man! Good night all
danisard: big changes with consumer confidence issues, preneed issues
Host_John: Night Howard
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daveb: hey dan
Host_John: Yes pre need money is missing and no one is checking
Host_John: where is the $$$
danisard: pricing is going to be a big change resulting in lower profits this year
Host_John: Dan I see simpler and almost instant funerals just around the curve
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Host_John: those who can preform the instant funeral will prosper
danisard: well, until we make a funeral an event that people wannnnnnnnnnnnnt to attend, it is going to be lesser services
daveb: Dan are you doing any seminars in Mass this year?
danisard: nothing in Mass until the sunday before Nfda
danisard: in boston
Host_John: communicating to the concerned is key Dan
danisard: las vegas in 6 weeks
daveb: cool keep up the good work
danisard: thanks
daveb: darn was jus in Vegas
danisard: goodnight all
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daveb: take care
Ben_Brodeur: John Have early morning.. Happy New Year to all
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Host_John: Night Ben
Host_John: good to see you
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Host_John: Well folks it was great to see you all, Happy New Year
Host_John: Have a great week, see you next time