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1. Salary Statistics included in California FDA Member Servey Report
2. Industry Salary Statistics
3. Is your W-2 a little shorter than you thought? did your company not pay you overtime?
4. Do you want Federal Wage and Hour Protection or not?
5. Funeral Professionals $alaries

Wouldn't it be nice to know other salaries, all you need send is something similar to the examples below in your return e-mail

Small Town in Ohio EMPLOYEE FD & Emb 10 years licensed 120 cases a year 48K company car and paid two weeks vacation and free health insurance my duties are telephone coverage24/6 all arrangements & pre needs, all embalmings, all funerals most removals.

Small City in Michigan OWNER FD & Emb 20 years licensed 150 cases a year 150K company car and paid two weeks vacation and free health insurance my duties are telephone coverage 8-4/5 Receive all arrangements & pre needs, all embalmings, all funerals and most removals.

Large City in Georgia EMPLOYEE UNLICENSED MANAGER 350 cases a year 65K company car and paid two weeks vacation and free health insurance my duties are Greeting and receiving all families during the week, no telephone coverage, no arrangements no pre needs, no embalmings, most funerals no removals.

Small Town in Your State EMPLOYEE Apprentice 5 years 150 cases a year $10. per hour no time clock we arm wrestle a lot on how many hours I get paid for, no company car and no vacation and no health insurance my duties are telephone coverage every day in the building. All embalmings, all funerals and all removals.

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In a message dated 2/26/02 7:25:15 AM, Canadian Employee writes:

City of Toronto, Ontario Canada 2nd yr license, 1200 cases per year, 32k, 2 weeks paid vacation, health insurance paid for, clothing allowance 200.00 per year, percentage of flowers sold, percentage of vaults sold, see on average 4-5 families per week, occasional removal (we have 3 students)

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In a message dated 2/26/02 9:21:32 AM, Employee New York writes:

Mid Size City in New York Employee Manager 215 Cases per year, 69K last year, Company Car, Company Credit Card, all legitimate expenses (clothing, meals, products personal cellphone) 2 weeks vacation, health insurance, continuing education, annual convention travel food and lodging, my duties are traffic management of cases and personnel and procurment of product, Greeting and receiving all families during the week, daytime telephone coverage, no arrangements, no pre needs, no embalming, most funerals no removals, I love my job and my employees, the more we make families happy the more families we serve, the better salary and benefits we can offer, nobody quits here, it's fun to come to work where everyone wants to engage in better service to our families.

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In a message dated 2/26/02 11:46:24 AM, Arizona Employee writes:

Large city in Arizona, management, 36k, manager's apartment, co. car. Health ins & dental. All arrangements, most services, some embalming, 300 cases annually. No retirement plan.on call 24-7.

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In a message dated 2/26/02 5:16:27 PM, Kentucky Employee writes:

Mid sized town, upper south, embalming/shipping service manager (owner unlicensed), 7 yrs. experience, 750 calls, 34K, insurance paid, 2 weeks vac., small retirement pkg., company paid cell phone and gas card, work every other day and every other weekend (scheduled-actually there 6 days/wk, nobody else to do paperwork!)

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In a message dated 2/26/02 5:55:05 PM, Florida Employee writes:

Mid-Size town in Florida, EMPLOYEE, FD & Emb. 35 years licensed, 30 years at family owned firm. aprox. 275 cases between two locations with aprox. a 65% cremation rate. 36K, three weeks paid vacation, free health insurance, company car when on duty. No removals. Duties are, most arrangements, most embalming.

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In a message dated 2/26/02 6:06:22 PM, Tennessee Employee writes:

Medium size city in Tennessee, employee, licenced FD for 23 years, (large corp), 1100 cases per year, $41,000., health, dental and vision coverage, 401K, company stock, four weeks paid vacation, eight paid holidays, 30 sick days, short and long term disability, 8-5/5, work every other weekend, on call two nights every other week, no death calls, no removals, no embalming, no arrangements, only directs funerals 1-4 per day.

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In a message dated 2/26/02 6:09:51 PM, Florida Employee writes:

Florida Funeral Director chapel manager with over 25 years management experience new with this firm/company, $38K, company car, health(80%), Dental(80%), eyeglasses(80%),401K, 1 1/2 weeks vacation plus 8 personal days, clothing allowance(2 suits per year) overtime after 40 hours, on call every other weekend and approximately 1 night per week.

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In a message dated 2/26/02 6:13:31 PM, Wisconsin Employee writes:

City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; 23-year licensed funeral director/office manager; 49K; three weeks vacation, full health and dental insurance; 10k life insurance policy, 401K plan with company matching up to 3% of salary; profit sharing; no car or clothing allowance. Duties: arrangements, visitations and funerals, overseeing two secretaries in the office and accounts receivables.

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In a message dated 2/26/02 8:30:25 PM, Connecticut Owner writes:

John I am surprize to see no owners salaries, here is the "GOOD NEWS" about hands on ownership.

Small City in Connecticut OWNER Funeral Director & Embalmer, 30 years licensed, 260 cases a year, $300K salary & bonus, company car and two weeks vacation (or my wife will go with out me) besides the health insurance is provided by my school teacher wife's city school department, my duties are telephone coverage 24/7 on the third ring, ( the office manager usually gets it on the second ring during the day and I get the phones every night) 90% arrangements & pre needs, a very few embalmings, 90% funerals and few removals (I miss the removals the most "the good old days") I could get more help, but I love what I am doing, I was an employee until 1987 when I was able to get this funeral home I worked the extra hours to save money and make my payments and I have enjoyed building it up, the mortgage was paid off early in 2000, I am proud of what I did and I encourage all who can to become an owner, the rewards are all yours, I hope more owners respond.

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In a message dated 2/26/02 9:15:29 PM, Oklahoma Employee writes:

Large town in Oklahoma 33k, company car and gas, 2 weeks paid vacation, full health benefits, bonus' for flowers and package funeral sales, and yearly bonus.

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In a message dated 2/27/02 1:00:25 PM, New Jersey Employee writes:

I am 1 of a staff of 8 Full time directors 4 locations 475 calls. Steady week day off and every other weekend. work 2 evenings per week. embalm, direct, arrange. 45,000.00 O.T. Included. 15% into a retirement plan. I wave Health benefits and get an extra 3,000.00 at the end of the year. bonus runs from 5% up to 15%.

My Total package is worth $60,000.00 per year.

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In a message dated 2/27/02 5:17:58 PM, Employee writes:

Owners son in no state please. We do 270 a year, my dad pays me 38K, I get a car and a bonus of 1k at christmas. I do removals, embalmings, funerals and arrangements I know it's not much money for the hours I put in but he promices "some day this will be all yours" my mom died six years ago, now he is engaged to a woman my age 38, I have nothing on paper I will be seeing a lawyer soon to find out my rights, the fiance' has already told me in private she wants her kid to take over and he is a fork lift operator in a warehouse, I got a bad feeling, my dad does not believe the story and she denies saying such a thing, I should have had everything in writting a long time ago. It's my problem and I know it, I write you because I think a lot of people read your newsletter, don't be dumb like me. Bring your dad this letter and ask him to do the right thing!

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In a message dated 2/27/02 7:19:34 PM, Texas Employee writes:

Texas Mid. sized town, South-Central Texas, Funeral Director/Embalmer, 5 yrs. experience, 150 calls, 44K insurance paid, 2 weeks vac., small retirement pkg., company paid cell phone and gas card, work every day and every other weekend.

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In a message dated 2/27/02 10:34:30 PM, Illinois Employee writes:

I am a 1 year licensed individual in a local black independent non-union firm in Chicago. The benefits are a 401-K plan Life, Dental and Medical insurance after 90 days of service. Last year I received a salary of approx. 45,000.00 and I dont Embalm however we averege about 1000 calls. I love to make removels arrange and direct. I know that I'am in a great potiotion right now. The bad thing is that there are about 12 other licensed individuallys employeed.

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In a message dated 2/28/02 7:07:26 PM, Maryland Employee writes:

Receptionist $11. per hour no other benefits, except great bonus every holiday. I work mothers hours, I stay home when my kids are off school sick or holiday and the boss pays me for all the days I am out. Dutys are answering the telephone and door bell and paperwork at my own pace, I have my own office, I have not worked in the funeral field before I enjoy it very much and the Funeral Home did 190 funerals last year. The people I work with make all the difference, every day flys by and I look forward to going to my job, its fun. They have offered me more hours and I will take them when my kids get older.

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In a message dated 2/28/02 8:58:34 PM, Texas Employee writes:

$9. Intern, working for Independent funeral home, he pays me straight time to work inside the funeral home during visiting hours and running errands, but for the professional work removals, funerals he pays the same rate licensed people get, the embalmer has big elbows and I am finding it hard to get experience in the prep room, but the boss likes me I am confident I will get more experience in the embalming room, before I go to school. The boss said he will pay for school as long as I promise to work with him for my first five years of my licensing, I will probably take his offer, school is expensive. I get to take a company car any time I need one, they gave me a cell phone and last month it had 500 calls on it, the bookkeeper called me in to her office and then she told the boss, he said It was nice to keep in touch with my friends and I should do what I could do to keep the call volume down. I like the work and the people I work with, it's my real first job, I learn at my own pace, they don't push me, my biggest surprise is how respectful we have to be while in the presence of remains. Even if things don't work out here for me, I would not hesitate to bring my family here.

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In a message dated 3/1/02 8:14:45 PM, Florida Employee writes:

21 years as a Licensed funeral director (female). I make $47,000.00 per year with benefits most paid by the company. I am a manager of a firm doing about 530 calls per year...I see families, run three funeral homes...no embalming, but cosmetics and I also do some cremations on my crematory operator"s day off. I also get 2 weeks paid vacation and voluntary 401K. PS_ Corporate

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In a message dated 3/2/02 11:00:44 PM, New York Owner writes " big dog salary in the big apple,NEW YORK , NEW YORK":

About $250.."G"s a year...I have 26 weeks vacation a year, most of the f.d.'s =$75.."G"s...plus a car plus goodies..health, commissions....20% 5 day week for them..plus ONE MONTH VACATION each FOR MY 5 LICENSED F. D'S. 24/7 for me when I work....turned down 10 million offer to sell.......it's a hobby not a job....just give SERVICE TO THE FAMILIES. AND U. TOO could enjoy the good life..............fishing in Alaska, Fla. in the winter, the adirondacks in the summer...............**please no e- mail name ... don't want to upset the poor corp. boys. Or the "jerks" that sold their funeral homes out from under their employees or families..............

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In a message dated 3/3/02 4:43:37 PM, Small Town President writes:

Small town independantly owned family busines approximately 135 calls/year. President of firm, annual salary 78k three weeks vacation, company care, credit card, clothing allowance, big bonus at christmas and end of fiscal year (approx 80k).

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In a message dated 3/3/02 6:06:18 PM, Kansas Employee writes:

Duel licenses for 15 years at a funeral home in a small town in Kansas, doing 130 calls per year.

$48,000 in salary, $11,000 per year in profit sharing and retirement - (paid solely by owner no employee contributions). Major Medical Insurance. $25,000 in life insurance. $2,000 Christmas bonus. No overtime. Entire compensation package in the area of $61,000.

Duties performed: removals, embalming, arrangements, funerals, accounts receivables, product purchasing, computer programming, office work, answer phones at night. On call during week nights. Work every other weekend. Off on Monday if you worked the weekend. One three day weekend every month. Two weeks paid vacation. Every other holiday off.

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In a message dated 3/3/02 7:02:05 PM, Mississipi Employee writes:

HELLO; I AM A LONG TIME FUNERAL VETERAN, HAVING RECEIVED MY LICENSE IN 1966 IN MISSISSIPI. I WORK FOR ONE OF THE LARGE CORPORATIONS AND I THINK I AM SUFFERING FROM BURNOUT. ALL I HEAR IS THE BOTTOM LINE. SERVICE IS OUT THE WINDOW. ANY OTHER OLD GUYS OUT THERE?

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In a message dated 3/3/02 9:56:11 PM, PENNSYLVANIA INTERN writes:

I am going to enter an internship in PA soon....So far my offers have been 24000/yr with no med, or dental. The perks have been large apts above funeral homes, free of charge of course. The drawbacks are the on call schuedule, mpst have been everyother night/weekend.

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In a message dated 3/3/02 10:33:36 PM, California Owner writes:

Thanks to this article, on Friday went to a lawyer, taking the first step in succession planning my son is very dedicated and I have been putting it off to get our agreement in place, to that funeral director who seems to have been cheated out of his family funeral home, I want him to know, his letter did some good, thank you.

As for my wages we do 125 funerals last year most of which are full service, I have a company car and all the expenses the accountant will allow, even golf club membership is written off. Wages are $170,000. As one has already said Ownership is the most rewarding financially.

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In a message dated 3/5/02 7:57:38 PM, California Employee writes: California Female 2 year Licenced FD & Embalmer in Suburb of Large City. Average 160 calls a year, 24K. I do removals, embalmings, direct and arrange. I also clean facility, answer phones, process statistical data reports. On call every other week. Medical and Dantal; 401K, lower rent on company home ($530 for a two bed/two bath) Hope this helps.

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In a message dated 3/5/02 8:44:51 PM, Mississippi Employee writes: Funeral Director and Embalmer in Large Town. He does around 180 calls a year, I make $22,000. last year, I do almost all the removals, embalmings, and calling hours, I live in an apartment over the gararge, I love my job and I work every day, I am alwasy around the boss needs me there since he has a vacation home one hundred miles away, there are no other jobs that offer housing and I can use the van any time I need to and the boss gave me this old computer and I can use american online too.

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In a message dated 3/8/02 7:52:22 PM, New York Employee writes: I am a 1 Year Licensed F.D making $35,000 yr plus ot. I get free housing, use of car, cell, pager. I work 5 days a week every other weekend off. We do 150 calls a year with 2 Licenses. I do 95% of the removals and embalming and about 25% of the arrangments. Did i mention i'm Corporate

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In a message dated 3/10/02 12:21:58 PM, California Employee writes:

Licensed funeral director/embalmer for 8 years in Los Angeles. I work for a family owed business doing around 350 calls a year. About 40% cremation. Have titles of Supervising embalmer, and I train apprentices, and Asst. Manager. Duties include:

Embalming/quality control, arrangements, funerals, cleaning, car washing (yeah I do that) some computer managment, keeping forms printed and stocked " and anything else". Between 3 of us we rotate weekends and nights. No removals at night. I am able to have a somewhat flexible schedule. Health/dental paid, no retirement. Usually, but not always, holiday bonus. W-2 for last year was $42000. and I have a house I lived in at no cost to me but utilities. That is changing this month as I am moving into a duplex we purchased.

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In a message dated 3/10/02 12:26:00 PM, New York Owner writes:

Upstate NY-large Metro area-45 yrs. old 2nd generation owner. 80-90 high end quality calls- 2% cremation AFTER viewing & services. $ 65,000/yr. - full health,dental,retirement - new sedan every 3 years-new van every 2. 3 wks. pd. vacation/year. Independent & family owned.

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In a message dated 3/10/02 6:09:22 PM, an Oklahoma Employee writes:

John, I failed to respond on the salaries, been dual licensed since 1975 salary----42,000 house included, NEXT to funeral home with phones in house health insurance paid company removal van to drive all the time since I am on call all the time 1 suit per year 2 weeks vacation per year or when we can sneak away. My wife is a licensed FD and is paid 20,000 per year with the above benefits. Her and I run the place since the owner is trying to retire.

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In a message dated 3/14/02 12:35:52 PM, a California Owner writes:

John I am an officer in a closely held corporation (a private corporation, completely locally owned) Collectively we do 1600 cases a year, my gross salary is $104,000. also a quarterly of 25,000 and a lump some end of fiscal year profit based on yearly profits as high as $500,000. I see hundreds of families each year, I do not make arrangements I oversee three facilities and rotate overseeing the other facilities. We just received a new black STS, I have company credit card for expenses, clothes, travel, lodging and meals. After reading much of the other postings, I felt obligated to share my compensation package, as someone else wrote and I agree "ownership should be your goal" most of all I miss removals.

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In a message dated 3/16/02 7:54:18 PM, Tennessee Employee writes:

Larger Tennessee city, employed by independent doing just under 1,000 calls per year with two locations; dual-licensed 40+ years, do mostly embalming, some removals, some funerals, few arrangements. Paid 40 K last year, 50-75 hours per week, only half-time for any hours over 40 in a week; company-paid medical insurance, no dental, no life. Employer matches 50% on my 401 K contributions. One suit every 18 months. No car, no cell phone, no pager. No holidays. 2-wks. paid vacation.

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In a message dated 3/27/02 5:27:28 PM, Wisconsin Employee writes:

30 year old female, 3rd generation and part owner (small part) of a family owned funeral home with 5 staff members (3 licensed FD's) in Wisconsin, averaging 170 calls/year over the last 5 years, licensed 8 years. Duties include 1 week "on call" (answering phones after office hours, all removals, embalmings, all pre-need and at-need arrangements, sitting all visitations, conducting all funerals), 1 week on back-up (help with all funerals and help out in the embalming room) and 1 week off-call (am still expected in the office from 8-5, M-F), take care of all accounts receivable and payable, service and merchandise pricing, $45,500 with possibility of $5,000 bonus, depending on year end cash flow, company paid profit-sharing, 21 days vacation/personal days, paid sick-leave, health insurance only, suits, and service club dues.

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In a message dated 4/27/02 5:16:49 PM, A Pennsylvania employee writes:

Small town near Pittsburgh, supervising a family owned firm for the past 11 years, 50 services a year. Licensed for 16 years. I am the only licensed director,making 95% of removals and embalmings, all arrangement, visitations and services and all day to day business. Also have six part time funeral service staff. Owners live in town, but are not active in the business. they stop in or call about once a month. Current salary $35K, life and family health insurance, second floor apartment, clothing allowance, use of business cars when needed, cellular phone, very generous year end bonus $12+. Would like to own funeral home, but owners are not ready to sell.

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In a message dated 5/1/02 1:30:43 PM, New Jersey Employee writes:

23 yr.old female, licensed this year. I work in one of 3 locations- we do between 160 and 180 a year. I make $41,600, one week paid vacation, have profit sharing, must stay 5 years to receive, off one weekday and every other weekend. I don't do remvoals which is great. I do most of the embalmings, all layouts, some arrangements, pre-arrangements, computer work, obits., ect. Great work environment and families that come here are very nice. I plan on working here for a long time.

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In a message dated 5/5/02 3:35:10 PM, Massachusetts Employee writes:

Mass Funeral Director, licenced for 6 years. Non manager, although I make the manager and owner's lives considerably easier, by over seeing areas such as: fleet & building maintainence, computer systems, website and the like. 30% of the arranging, 80+% of the embalming removals and other prep. Coverage includes every other night and every other w-end. 45K per yr. plus healthy year-end and bonus. Yearly review with average yearly raise of 10% Full med & dent. Yearly clothing bonus, unlimited auto use, reasonable expenses, Prof Org/service club dues, paid phone/pager, I haven't paid for lunch in 7 yrs. Checks for trade calls get made out to me personally and I have the freedom to free-lance. The list goes on and on. I can't imagine ever leaving. It just keeps getting better. Note to owners: encourage your staff to treat your biz like it's their's and reap the rewards of happy families and happier staffs. It's a win-win all the way around.

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In a message dated 5/6/02 9:36:24 PM, Illinois Employee writes:

Chicago, Illinois. Union (Teamsters), family owned funeral homes (2), averaging 600 calls per year. Funeral Director/Embalmer, licensed for 10 years. 55k salary, 2 weeks vacation, 8 floating holidays, health, dental, optical and usually a 1 to 2K bonus at Christmas. Work every other weekend, with a 4 day weekend once a month. (Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday) Arrangements, directing and embalming. NEVER on call, NEVER any phones after hours. I work 7 to 8 nights a month.

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In a message dated 5/20/02 9:29:59 PM, Massachusetts Employee writes:

Massachusetts funeral director/embalmer. 7 years apprenticed, 3 years licenced, FDK (funeral directors kid) 4th generation, on call 24/7, most removals, most embalmings, 1/2 arrangements, 1/2 wakes, all funerals, office work, yard work, wash cars, answering phones, also have phone at my apt. at funeral home, reduced rent, 50% of car, full medical, no gas card, no overtime, hourly pay, $39K ?????, 2wks vacation, no cell phone compensation.

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In a message dated 5/23/02 7:43:13 PM, Michigan Employee writes:

I work at a 250 call family owned in Michigan (near Detroit) Licensed 2 yrs. 38K last year. Plus, 2 suits per yr., paid medical, life insurance, dry cleaning, cell phone, 3K Xmas bonus, profit sharing/retirement. I do all embalming, most removals, work services, clean facilities, no arrangements or pre-need. Work with 2 other funeral directors.

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In a message dated 5/29/02 4:38:13 PM, Alabama Employee writes:

Small town in the middle of major metrapolitine areas. Alabama 24yrs old Licensed Funeral Director/ Apprentice Embalmer two Years Licensed Five years experience $26,500 projection for this year.Benefits include Medical only, Christmas bonus and Monument checks twice a year.One week paid vacation. I do most of the arrangement conferences;55-60%. (200 Calls Per year)about 20% of the embalming.We are independently owner and operated. One thing though isn't it funny that my firm makes one million plus, but im only making table scraps compared to other areas in the united states.Even though i've been intrusted with such responsability, Also isn't there a shortage of licensed professionals, No Wonder. I think garbage men make as much as i do.People know that and that is why Positions in the business aren't being filled.Professionals of what wheres the money.

While All your articles are postive i think its a misrepresentation to present the industry in a light it doesn't truly deserve. I think it should be fully and completely stated as it really is. So i have written my complaints here also. Publishment of some of the details is fine also, For informational purposes and what not. Thanks

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In a message dated 5/30/02 4:44:32 PM, South Carolina Employee writes:

Hi, I am a 7 year licensed embalmer Funeral director in a larger South Carolina city. Firm does around 1200 calls a year. Package includes 42, 000 salary, 2 weeks vacation, 5 paid holidays, small X-mas bonus. Paid dental, health 10k Life. Matching 401k and Profit sharing. Every other weekend off(one being a 3 day weekend. ) 2 days off a week , work 2 nights visitation a week. Take death calls from answering service 3 times a month. less than 3 removals a month and average 20 embalmings a month. Work 2 funerals amonth and see 2 families a month

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In a message dated 6/9/02 9:31:42 PM, Missippi Employee writes:

Hello, I am a Resident Trainee. I work for Independent Firm in North Mississippi. I work 8-5 Monday through Friday. Make removals and embalm at night Monday through Friday every other week and embalm everyday from 8 a.m. to 5.p.m.Do Paperwork only on weekends. We do average of 230 calls per year.Most are full Traditional, and about 2% Cremation most are after embalming. 30k a year,Insurance 2/3 paid for, No Dental, some Holidays, No 401k.

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In a message dated 10/26/02 3:23:48 PM, Maryland Employee writes:

Wash. DC- Suburban MD. Licensed Mortician. Recently received my license , however I have 10 years experience in embalming and funeral services. I'm at a family owned firm that does about 600-700 calls a year between 2 locations. I do everything from prep work to services, work 44+ hours every week, 2 weekends a month, very few removals and some arrangments.My salary is 27k w\medical and 401k , the owner is reviewing my raise so I'll let you know what it will be later. I have to say one thing, the owners get over like fat rats only because we let them . I like my job but I have to survive and if the raise I get isn't over 36k, I'm stepping!

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In a message dated 11/5/02 6:19:52 PM, Alabama Employee writes:

I am a licensed funeral director and embalmer at a small family owned (170 calls) funeral home in Alabama. I usually work between 35-50 hours per week depending on business. I make removals, embalm and make arrangements with 35 % of the families we serve. No visitation duty and I never work no more than 4 days a week without a day or two off, (I am on a set schedule with two other employees) I have ever third weekend off, two weeks paid vacation per year, paid Blue-Cross Blue-Shield health, dental and presription insurance, a christmas bonus of $1000. I sell monuments and make approx. $5000.00 per year. I make $42,852 per year with funeral home for a total of $47,852.00.

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In a message dated 12/11/02 7:19:59 PM, Employee Location writes:

Hi, I am 37 approx 15 yrs exp, I manage a Funeral Home of 250 per yr, sal of 52,400.00 pl yearly bonus.no night calls.

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In a message dated 6/4/03 7:23:54 PM, : Southern NJ Employee writes

15 years licesensed, currently with multi-location firm who works at keeping good employees. Duties include arrange / direct / embalm / dress, C & C & viewings.  Schedule 10 days on / 4 days off (avg. 40 hrs/ week). On call every other weekend and one night during week (after hour removals & embalmings paid as overtime at current trade rate) 3 weeks paid vacation. $35 K base + casket, vault, aftercare & performance bonuses, paid health insurance, dry cleaning allowance.  All totaled last year.. $60 K

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In a message dated 8/1/03 5:33:16 PM, Texas Employee writes:

Dallas area Texas firm, doing 400-450 per year Corporate

3 years dual licensed

16.00/hr plus ot

Make arrangements, work services, cosmetize, dress, casket.

I can embalm but don't have to.

5% commission on contract flowers and 10% urns

10% off contract (someone calls needing flowers)

Company memorial plan bonuses $75-150 per plan.

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In a message dated 9/7/03 2:51:21 PM, Ohio Employee writes:

28 yr. Vet. Licensed FD, Emb, Insurance. $65,000 per yr. 290 calls a year, a med-size town in Ohio. On call every third night and every other weekend. Make removals at all hours and embalm ASAP. Work visitations, clean, cut grass wash windows. Keep up all OSHA, FTC regulations, and data entry to computer. No OT, no bonuses, no health insurance, no clothing allowance, no retirement. ( I contribute to the company 401K) $20.00 for dry-cleaning a mo. cell phone and pager. (Nextel.) No car or gas allowance.

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In a message dated 12/1/03 2:49:21 AM, Missouri Employee writes:

Small rural Missouri firm, 90 calls year, all embalming and removals, salary 35,000/yr, 2 weeks paid vacation, paid health ins. for family, commission of monument sales. Total about 45,000 yr. Been here 7 years, owner ready to retire, no one in family interested, so I have first chance at buying the firm

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In a message dated 12/8/03 2:00:00 PM, New Jersey Employee writes:

I am a female intern.  I am not on a set day schedule,, during the day i am used as needed.. I am oncall every other night and every other weekend,, i do embalmings, dress casket, cosmetize, and sit in on arrangements.  I get paid $8.50 an hour from 8am - 5pm and I make double after 5pm.. the downfall is that my employer will only let me work 39 hours a week maximum because he does not want to pay me overtime.

I am not seeing anyone writing about any kind of compensation they get for removals or embalmings after hours. I have heard of some funeral homes doing this.  I do not feel that salary could be considered 70 + hours a week with NO additional compensation.  We deserved to get paid too,, not just the owners.

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In a message dated 10/28/04 1:36:32 PM, Metropolitan area in Virginia. employee writes:

I am a full-time funeral service student working at a funeral home part-time (not apprenticeship yet) making $7.50 per hour.  I answer the phones, do light paperwork, drive the hearse, make coffee, etc.  The apprenticeship in VA is 18 months full-time and the apprenticeship pay at this funeral home is minimum wage which seems low.  For low pay I'd prefer to apprentice for little or no pay at a humble funeral home that serves the lower-income community rather than be exploited by a business that has plenty of money. 

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In a message dated 6/23/05 1:37:33 PM, Small Town Virginia writes:

3-year licensee, 8-year employee. 140 calls a year average, cover all aspects of the profession, paid health inc, no retirement plan, no car. I must also pay for my own gas to all Cont education classes, or Misc. running around. $34,000.00 yearly, $600.00 Christmas bonus. Paid vacation. Love the profession, can't stand the compensation.

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In a message dated Thursday, February 9, 2006 9:40:01 AM East Central Florida

East Central Florida - Family owned,, 900 calls/year, 85% Cremation 3 directors - owner, one other director and myself, licensed Ny and FL, FL 10 yrs w/same CO, formerly NY 15 yrs,- 45 K/ year, every other weekend off, Thursday b4 weekend on off, Medical paid by company, 401K (2% of salary matched), company car used as personal car as well, cell phone, flexible hrs, answer phones 2 -3 nights / week, NO Removals at all (Removal Company does all removals), some embalming, 90 % of duties making arrangements, 10% everything else. One of the better if not best private firms to work for in area, this area is loaded w/ Corporate homes w/ high turnover rates (go figure!)

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FUNERAL SERVICE PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION does not share membership info with anyone, no one will be given your information with out your permission or a court order.

To Join the Funeral Service Professional Association you must derive some of your income from the funeral industry, students and retirees from the funeral profession are welcome as well, please e-mail the following information.

1. Your real name
2. Your funeral service position (Job, Student at which Funeral Service School, writer for which funeral service publication)
3. Where do you work
4. Your work place owned by a Public Corporation or Independently.
5. Address of your workplace (home address for retirees and students)
6. City State & Country (no abbreviations spell out your state province or district)
7. Your telephone number

If you skip answering one of the seven questions, you are wasting your time, the standards are the same for everyone, FSPA is open to everyone in funeral service, we are all equals here no exceptions, FSPA will not tell anyone who you are unless you request your identity be disclosed, FSPA is only open to any type of Funeral Service Professional, or Funeral Service Affiliate such as: Funeral Association employees, Mortuary School Students, Funeral Service product providers and Funeral Service Media.

Accountants will tell you FSPA is a write off ! Please check with your accountant. If s/he approves Go get yourself a nice laptop and possibly write off your hardware as well as AOL or other Internet service charge as an expense, the more your participate in FSPA the more proof you have.

If you have a suggested question this please just send it along, none of FSPA 's mail will be possible with out your sending information into us,

To make life easier on me

First and foremost, Send your info or story in to FSPA.

2nd Please put on the top line your name and location, like "John from Massachusetts writes :"

3rd please address the subject line put:

• FSPA in The " SUBJECT LINE "
• TO SEND TO FSPA please please address the subject line properly,
• FSPA For the Update '
• FSPA Reply to question or comment
• FSPA Scuttle Butt

This is just a hobby, if you send and don't address the subject line with FSPA, it usually delete it because it looks like junk mail, FSPA get over 50 pieces of mail a day, most gets deleted, THE SUBJECT LINE is the key so please, use the subject line properly. Put FSPA in the Subject line along with the flavor of your message.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE the posting(s) you send are some times resent to others be careful, if you are proud of what you said and want the world to know how you feel Put your name, location and e-mail address at the end.

However If you don't want the world to know your ideas and you want to remain anonymous, just put name withheld at the end. FSPA does not reveal who its members are nor does FSPA lend it's list of members to others. There is no need to identify yourself. If you are not proud of your response (like the air line lost a body on us) it is not recommended you identify yourself, since we can all learn from problems. We need your input! Your answers go all over the place, E-mail is so easy to forward. We are happy to learn from your problems and issues, there is no need to identify yourself if you don't want to, South Western United States if just fine.

If the article you want is from a commercial publisher YOU MUST get permission from the person or company who created the story.

Because e-mail can be altered electronically, the integrity of this communication cannot be guaranteed. Any of the items you read here, you are free to reuse, understand, the postings are just that, the items are for the most part cut and pasted from E-mail, others FAXed and of course from funeral publications and other media. What you see here is never checked, if you do decide to republish or quote any thing FSPA puts out, check it out, please do not name the individual who sent the article without their permission. If you see fit to use any information from FSPA please give us credit. Ages ago a state association news letter posted a quote using the senders name, she was not a happy camper nor was her company, please use caution in the future. We appreciate your understanding and we need your support.

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

FROM: John L. McDonough founder of F S P A

THE FUNERAL SERVICE PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION

Funeral Industries: Standards, Principles and Practices.

c/o McDonough Funeral Home

"the runway to heaven" ©

14 Highland Street in Lovely

Lowell Massachusetts 01852-3399

The United States of America

Ocean Sunset

EARTH = United Federation Of Cyberpals

VOICE 978-458-6816 FAX 978-459-0115

" Determination should be a chapter in everyone's book "

 

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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