The British Viewpoint and Seminars
Batesville has Marsellus Masterpiece
On the 16th October I left England to fly 6000 miles to America to spend time with American funeral director's.
I had been invited by Mr John McDonough of Lowell Massachuses as we have become friends and exchanged stories for many months over the internet.
I was very nervous as I have never been this far away from home before, however, very excited at the thought of meeting new people with very different ways of conducting funerals to the British.
I am very very proud to be part of Co-operative funeralcare and love my work so very much.
To be able to help and ease the pain of so many people who come to us as funeral directors at what must be the most difficult time in their lives.
I have also set up a charity in England for parents who very sadly have to go through the pain and heartache of losing a child.
My colleagues, who range from senior managers down to funeral arrangers have given me so much support with the charity that I could never find the words to thank them or to explain how I feel about them, so all I will say is that I have been blessed to be able to work with so many wonderful people.
We take great pride in our work and strive to improve our interaction with the local community on a daily basis.
I work with many very dedicated people who have a wonderful caring nature and have a special quality with which they can empathise with bereaved people in a special way.
Many of my colleagues go above and beyond the call of duty to make certain that all our families recieve the level of care that they so rightly deserve.
I have worked for the co-operative funeralcare in England for close to 8 years.
To come to America was for me a whole new experience, just to see just how these people work.
I had seen a television programe in England that did not make the American's shine very brightly.
However, I have spent what can only be described as an amazing week with American funeral directors and it is a trip I will remember always.
The American Funeral Directors
Firstly I must thank you for making me feel so very welcome at the Funeral convention in Vegas.
I met so many of you I could never thank you all individualy.
However I can say a very warm thankyou to John McDonough who took great care of me during my stay in Vegas and also arranged for me to speak about children's funerals also who took me on so many ventures.
One being a tour of Bunkers funeral home in Vegas...this I found to be very educating for me and so very informative.
I must also thank all the staff at Bunkers funeral home for taking the time to give us a tour and to explain the work that they do for the bereaved people of Vegas.
I must thank Patty Fountain who is a wonderful caring lady from Georgia, Atlanta. Patty works for a small family funeral home in her home town.
A young lady with a very big heart and who I can only describe as so very caring.
Georgia should look on her and be very proud of her.
I also spent time with Vic and Nadeen from California, who also took the time to talk about their funeral home and how they run things from the funeral home.
They made me feel so very welcome and were quite open when talking about funerals within the area that they live.
The Convention
Wow ..what can I say about the convention other than you people in America know exactly how to put on a brilliant show.
I have never experienced anything quite like this.
I enjoyed every second of the convention...I met so many people from all areas within funeral services.
There were so many different people for me to talk to from all areas who sold so many different items from make up to mummification, caskets, clothing, cars if you need it in funerals then the Americans have it.
My opinion of American Funeral Directors
I was so very impressed with all of you
I will remember all of you for a very long time.
You are so very caring, so very proffesional with everything that you do.
Your hospitality can only be described as amazing.
So what have you done to change my opinion of you guys?
I will always pass on my experience of America and American's to all who I come into contact with in my Country that have interest.
I am looking forward to my trip to California during July 2004 for the convention and spending time with a Californian funeral director prior to the convention.
I would like to end by inviting all Americans to visit my website and ask that all who visit to leave a message on the website within the guest book.
To all of you who made me feel so very welcome...thankyou...I love you all dearly.
Web site.......................... www.sunbeamsandrainbows.co.uk
E-Mail............................ xxsunandrainxx@aol.com
With love and affection
Thankyou
Sue Maclean.
I tried to get into "Chemical Warefare: Are you prepared? to take a picture of my Friends Jay Burnside and Curtis Rostad, but there was no room when I tried, congratulations to NFDA on offering such a successful seminars.
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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