In a message dated 1/31/02 8:31:47 PM, Steven in California writes:
John, Batesville laid off 70 in the sales division, you wouldn't believe it, right out of the blue to us good soldiers in the field, we are funeral service professionals too.
Check it out!!!! Please
Thanks for the tip Steve, salesreps are funeral service professionals too! I will check out your message, "coincidentally" my phone rings and who is on the other line, My Batesville rep, and guess what? He was laid off, adding fuel to Steve's message.
MORE I wrote Joe Weigel he is they guy in the know at Batesville, Joe had just sent my a bragging note on how Manchester is the plant of the year! I wrote Joe back to get his attention the headline reads, and I quoted his last message to us http://www.funeralserviceprofessional.com/Funeral_Service_News_01002.html see item #4 no more Batesville Ads)
Re: How soon is manchester closing? Re: Batesville Plant Award
In a message dated 2/1/02 11:50:06 AM, LOWELL MA writes:
Hi Joe,
Boloney, just a few days ago you wrote as you know, Batesville Casket maintains the best trained and most effective sales organization in funeral service, bar none. What we hear (and, as you would expect, we do quite a bit of research on this) from customers and non-customers alike is that Batesville reps provide the best products, the most consultative and helpful sales process, the best access to new ideas and information and the best service network of any company in our industry.
Why did you lay off 70 in the sales department?
FROM: John L. McDonough
MORE
In a message dated 2/1/02 5:12:56 PM, Joe.Weigel@batesville.com writes:
John -
Always nice to hear from you. As for your recent message on our sales organization, I stand behind every word. We do maintain the best trained and most effective sales organization in funeral service, bar none. And, we're always looking to improve the sales organization. That's why we started last fall to realign our sales territories to make our sales team even better andthereby improve our service to customers .
Over the past several months, we consolidated sales territories as our representatives retired, left the company or were transferred to another assignment. This past week, we completed the process and consolidated the final territories. Now every funeral home will have a sales professional who has established themselves with Batesville as a high caliber performer.
And, the number your quoted for layoffs in the sales department, is grossly exaggerated.
MORE
I stand by my count of 70 laid off Joe, it was confirmed by another Sales Source, thanks for writing back so quickly.
In a message dated 2/1/02 11:15:25 PM, JoAnn in Connecticut writes:
Just in case you are counting - Gene DeVito in the southern Connecticut region was laid off confirmed by letter from Batesville received this day - 2-1-02. Everyone should e-mail you with their rep's name. Easy enough to keep tract.
JoAnn Brennan East Haven Memorial
MORE
In a message dated 2/2/02 8:55:28 AM, Joe in Pennsylvania writes:
Yes they did. He had 21 years with the company.
MORE
In a message dated 2/2/02 10:49:25 AM, M in Kansas writes:
We here in the midwest, just found out on Weds (1/30) that Batesville is also cutting it's product line. (Not just a few duds either!) Are these signals that Batesville is not doing well? That casket stores (which can not buy from Batesville) are hurting the giant, and thereby hurting us even more? To ALL the Batesville professionals out there - hang in there guys, we NEED you! Just a few thoughts from nobody in particular.
MORE
In a message dated 2/3/02 06:39:42 PM, George in Illinois writes:
Our Rep is gone, your not getting a good flavor from the reps because part of their Departure Package to hold the company in High Respect, so if a rep has a foul mouth they will hit him in the wallet, such a great company I am disgusted, don't these reps realize they earned the severance package. Seems management put clear plastic bags over their heads and they shipped them out. The replacement rep has no funeral home background and he will not get what my former rep earned in my casket room!
MORE
In a message dated 2/4/02 5:21:50 PM, I would appreciate leaving my name as anonymous writes:
As a former Batesville Rep, I can tell you that the layoffs were not un-expected. Batesville still has the best value, products, and training. Bottom line is the target! When the decision was made to put the entire sales force on salary, a large cost savings plan was implemented. Health care changes were made, and it had a positive impact on bottom line. 401K changes were made, contributions that the company did not have to pay to our plan, went to bottom line. Changes in casket bedding, went to bottom line. More plastics in hardware, went to bottom line. Having expedited delivery charges paid by the customers, went to bottom line. Must I go on...
The Batesville sales force of the past was one of consultant, confidant, and friend. Many were told that they were too close to customers by their regionals, who by the way had no funeral service background. The new Batesville rep generally was not considered if he did not have at least a 4 year degree and a non-funeral background. As many reps had funeral service backgrounds, they were able to understand the funeral directors day to day operations. Product selection was offered to improve bottom line to the funeral director, not bottom line for the company. The most important thing was to help the funeral director and be there when there was a need and see him every 3 to 4 weeks.
As territories began to increase in physical territory, there was not enough time to get to each firm on a timely basis. Traveling over a 1000 miles per week, you spend much of your time watching dead bugs on the windshield. This is not consultive and is totally none productive for the rep and for the funeral director. The amount of paperwork began to increase and micro-managing was the norm. Many salaried reps would just take administrative days during the week, so that he would not have to give up his whole weekend at the desk. Still, weekends were spent giving Batesville the information that they already had. This was disheartening for the serious rep. The objective was to support the FD and to work on a shared mutual interest of satisfying his families. This was done by the very best in product and the very best in resources.
The Flud days are gone! I still support Batesville because I have an extremely effective rep that is there when I need him. By phone or by personal visit, each visit is productive.
With the layoffs reported, it is sad for funeral service. The years of experience is lost and the funeral director will ultimately loose. Batesville will also loose the war, but win the battle.
MORE
In a message dated 2/5/02 11:33:54 PM, Ed in Illinois writes:
John,
How did the discussion go on the layoff of the batesville reps.
We lost ours. He was a good one. Great family man who did an outstanding job. He had two little kids and got sacked a week or so before Christmas. Had been a rep for 7 years. was extremely good and dedicated. The guy that replaced him was less experience and been with them less.
No justice.
Ed
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By CHARLEY GILLESPIE
.c The Associated Press
DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) - Old friends, strangers and employees dressed in Wendy's uniforms were among the thousands of mourners that waited in line for more than an hour Wednesday to pay their respects to Dave Thomas.
Thomas, who began pitching his burgers and fries in television commercials in 1989 and went on to become a household face, died Tuesday of liver cancer at his home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was 69.
His closed casket, draped in red roses, was placed Wednesday night in the lobby of Wendy's International headquarters.
Chris Corona, 27, of Dublin, said he never met Thomas but felt like he knew him because of his commercials.
``He just looked like a nice guy,'' Corona said. ``You could tell the guy had personality to get up and do these goofy commercials. You have to give him credit.''
Future Wendy's commercials will carry on the homespun tradition that Thomas used to help turn the hamburger chain into one of the world's top fast-food enterprises.
``We have to carry on the tradition and the culture that Dave started,'' said Denny Lynch, vice president of communications for Wendy's International, based in suburban Dublin. ``It is still Dave's place and Wendy's still cares.''
Lynch said Thomas, who appeared in more than 800 of the humorous ads usually wearing a white short-sleeved shirt and red tie, will be edited out of the commercials made four months ago. Older commercials will not be rerun, he said.
``People told us what they like about Dave is that he is very believable, trusting and caring,'' Lynch said. ``And they didn't use those words lightly.''
Thomas' participation in recent commercials had been more of a cameo role, Wendy's officials told industry analysts Wednesday.
``Dave always said he was the messenger, not the message,'' said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jack Schuessler.
Customers connected with Thomas through his folksy, sometimes self-effacing humor. Five years ago, the company staged a lookalike contest that attracted 1,600 entrants vying for the grand prize: a chance to appear in a commercial with Thomas.
People were endeared to the smiling, bespectacled Thomas, in part because of his rags-to-riches background. Thomas was 12 when he got his first restaurant job, as a counterman in Knoxville, Tenn.
In 1962, Thomas came to Columbus to take over four failing Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants. He sold them back to the founder Col. Harland Sanders in 1968 for $1.5 million, making Thomas a millionaire at 35.
He opened his first Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers in Columbus a year later. He named the restaurant after his 8-year-old daughter Melinda Lou, nicknamed Wendy by her siblings.
The chain now has 6,000 restaurants worldwide.
On the Net:
http://www.wendys.com
HBO keeps Ball in its court with 2-year deal
By Josef Adalian
HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - HBO is digging in for another two years with Oscar-winning scribe Alan Ball ("American Beauty"), creator of its hit undertaker series "Six Feet Under."
The cable channel has signed Ball to an exclusive, seven-figure television deal to continue as executive producer of the Golden Globe-nominated "Six" for the next two seasons. The pact allows Ball to create, write and executive produce other TV projects for HBO.
"I feel like I'm the luckiest guy in town to be able to do this show the way I want to do this show," Ball told Daily Variety. "I love working at HBO, and I hope to keep doing so for a long time. I feel like it's the best place to work in television."
"Six Feet Under" debuted to generally strong reviews last year. By the time it ended its initial 13-episode run in August, however, a number of critics who initially had mixed views on the series seemed to embrace it.
The series also continued to add viewers over its run. The two-hour Aug. 19 season finale pulled in about 7 million viewers -- the show's best ratings ever.
"Six Feet Under" is up for best drama series at this month's Golden Globes, and two of the show's actors are up for statuettes. The show, which revolves a dysfunctional Los Angeles family who owns a mortuary, returns for its second season in March.
Ball said it's too early to discuss possible new development. "Doing 'Six Feet Under' is like three full-time jobs," he said. "I don't want to focus on anything else right now."
Ball is working on a potential feature project for Tom Hanks' Playtone Prods. "I also have a spec feature I'd like to direct when I have the time," he said.
Reuters/Variety
Universal Records to Release the Highly Anticipated Soundtrack to HBO's Critically Acclaimed Series 'Six Feet Under'
In a message dated 1/20/02 2:52:36 PM, Jay in California writes:
Six Feet Under - Music From The Original Series in Stores on March 5
NEW YORK, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Records is set to release, Six Feet Under - Music From The Original Series, the highly anticipated soundtrack to the hit Home Box Office series "Six Feet Under," which was created by the Academy Award winning writer of "American Beauty," Alan Ball, on March 5.
The critically-acclaimed series, which was recently nominated for two American Film Institute Awards for Best Drama Series and Best Actor (Michael C. Hall), and three Golden Globes for Best TV series, Best Actor (Peter Kraus) and Best Supporting Actress (Rachel Griffiths), takes a darkly comic look at a dysfunctional family that runs an independent funeral home.
The album, Six Feet Under - Music From The Original Series, features an eclectic mix of artists and music, from classic pop doyenne Peggy Lee, to alternative rockers PJ Harvey and The Dandy Warhols, to the electronic musings of the Stereo MCs.
The first single, "Six Feet Under Main Theme," was written by Thomas Newman, the Academy Award winning composer of "American Beauty." The album also features two new remixes of the single by Photex and Rae & Christian.
The second season of "Six Feet Under" will premiere on March 3. Currently, HBO is running an encore presentation of the first season of "Six Feet Under" leading up to the premiere of the second season.
Track listing is as follows:
1 Thomas Newman "Six Feet Under Title Theme"
2 Lamb "Heaven"
3 Stereo MC's "Deep Down & Dirty"
4 Peggy Lee "I Love Being Here With You"
5 PJ Harvey "One Time Too Many"
6 The Beta Band "Squares"
7 Zero 7 "Distractions"
8 Shuggie Otis "Inspiration/Information"
9 The Dining Rooms "Pure & Easy"
10 Craig Armstrong "Let's Go Out Tonight" (feat. Paul Buchanan)
11 Classics IV "Spooky"
12 The Dandy Warhols "Bohemian Like You"
13 Orlando Cachaito Lopez "Mis Dos Pequenas"
14 Devlins "Waiting" (Tom Lord-Alge Remix)
15 Thomas Newman "Six Feet Under Title Theme"
(Rae & Christian Remix)
16 Thomas Newman "Six Feet Under Title Theme" (Photek Remix)
In a message dated 1/23/02 3:50:06 PM, Jack in Massachusetts writes:
Police dig up Polish corpse scam
http://europe.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/europe/01/23/poland.bodies/index.html
January 23, 2002 Posted: 1910 GMT
WARSAW, Poland -- Emergency medical workers in Poland have been trading in human corpses, police say.
In some cases, it is feared patients may have been poisoned so the suspects could claim money from undertakers.
Police confirmed a press report that said funeral parlours in Lodz had paid up to $450 for notification of death.
The report, in the best-selling Gazeta Wyborcza newspaper, alleged that medical staff might have facilitated death to collect the reward.
Gazeta's front-page article on Wednesday, which sparked a media outcry, said ambulances sometimes delayed arriving at a patient's home and alleged that some victims had been injected with poison to cause death.
Police are considering exhuming bodies of people who died in ambulances to check for traces of poison.
Poland's social security system allots about $976 for funeral expenses after death, allowing undertakers to clear a profit even after paying the alleged bribes.
Lodz police spokesman Jaroslaw Berger told Reuters: "Months of work by police has confirmed signs of unlawful and inhumane acts by emergency first aid workers and funeral parlours."
Ryszard Lewandowski, a former chief of the city's ambulance service, confirmed he was aware of sales of information about recently deceased patients, but said claims of murder were false.
Lewandowski told PAP news agency: "We were talking with lawyers about whether selling information about death was a criminal activity.
"Perhaps it may only be of interest to tax authorities who seek untaxed income."
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: mailto:wireless@icfa.org .
IN THIS EDITION:
INDUSTRY NEWS
FTC Announces Proposed Telemarketing Sales Rule -
Refers Preneed Exemption Issue to Funeral Rule Review
FTC Acknowledges Funeral Rule Review Impacts Small Businesses
VA Sets 2002 Cash Allowance for Privately Purchased Graveliners
Cash Method Accounting Available for More Small Businesses - But Be Careful
ICFA NEWS
ICFA, Gary O'Sullivan Present Five One-Day Preneed Sales Seminars
ICFA Extends Early Bird Convention Discount Deadline to January 28
January Product of the Month: Eric Marmorek's Preneed Classics
---------------------------
INDUSTRY NEWS
---------------------------
FTC ANNOUNCES PROPOSED TELEMARKETING SALES RULE
Refers Preneed Exemption Issue to Funeral Rule Review
Today the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published its long-awaited proposals
to amend the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR). The Rule requires, among other
things, that telemarketers make certain disclosures to consumers when
attempting to sell products and services by phone. However, the TSR contains
an exemption for calls where no sale is made until after a face-to face
meeting between buyer and seller. Most preneed calls seek only to make
appointments for a meeting and therefore qualify for this exemption. The ICFA
was instrumental in obtaining the exemption when the TSR was enacted in 1995
and was the only funeral services trade association to file comments in the
current review proceedings.
Today's FTC announcement proposes to retain the exemption but "believes that
the sale of preneed funeral goods and services would be more appropriately
addressed in the Funeral Rule, which is currently under review by the
Commission." The TSR amendments also propose the creation of a national
"Do-Not-Call" list that all telemarketers must comply with. The ICFA will be
submitting comments on the proposals, which are due by March 29, 2002.
Details of the TSR proposals may be found at http://www.ftc.gov under
"Consumer Protection."
---------------------------------------------------
FTC ACKNOWLEDGES FUNERAL RULE REVIEW IMPACTS SMALL BUSINESSES
Last month, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published its semi-annual
regulatory agenda as required by law. The publication of the agenda serves to
notify the public of specific projects and estimated deadlines. (See the
December 11, 2001, edition of the WIRELESS for information on the timetable
for the Funeral Rule.) In addition, the FTC is required to designate
rulemakings that will have an impact on small businesses under the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (RFA). Until recently, the Funeral Rule was listed as having
little or no impact on small business entities, based on the RFA disclosure
requirements.
However, due to an Executive Order issued by President Bush last July,
federal agencies such as the FTC now list optional information not required
by the RFA. As a result, in last month's announcement the FTC stated that
several rulemaking proceedings including the Funeral Rule "are likely to have
some impact on small entities." The Agency did not elaborate on this
statement, but the ICFA is contacting Commission staff to pursue discussions.
---------------------------------------------------
VA SETS 2002 CASH ALLOWANCE FOR PRIVATELY PURCHASED GRAVELINERS
On January 17, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced its
newly revised 2002 cash allowance amount for outer burial containers that are
privately purchased by families for placement in national cemeteries.
According to the VA, the allowance is based on "taking the VA's total cost
during a fiscal year for single-depth graveliners ... and dividing by the
total number of such graveliners procured by VA.... The calculation excludes
both graveliners procured and pre-placed in gravesites ... and all
double-depth graveliners."
Based on this method, the VA determined the average cost to be $153.70 for
fiscal year 2001. After deducting administrative expenses incurred by the VA
for processing and paying the cash allowance, calculated at $9.50 per liner,
the net allowance for qualifying interments during calendar year 2002 is
$144.29. This cash allowance is about $2 more than the 2001allowance of
$142.23. Information on VA burial benefits may be found at http://www.va.gov .
---------------------------------------------------
CASH METHOD ACCOUNTING AVAILABLE FOR MORE SMALL BUSINESSES - BUT BE CAREFUL
In late December, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced a proposed
revenue procedure (Notice 2001-76) that will allow small businesses with less
than $10 million in annual gross receipts and that sell some inventoriable
goods to use, for the first time, the cash receipts and disbursements method
of accounting. Though the procedure is described as "proposed," the IRS
states that qualifying businesses may rely on it for taxable years ending on
or after December 31, 2001.
According to IRS, this new procedure should "reduce administrative and tax
compliance burdens on certain small businesses" that until now were required
to use the accrual method of accounting. However, a review of the procedure
suggests that it may be intended primarily for "service" retailers that
derive the majority of their gross receipts from the sale of services rather
than merchandise. Some busineses are specifically listed as ineligible to use
the new procedure, including florists and "cemetery memorial dealers." Since
the procedure is geared primarily to services, cemeteries and funeral homes
considering the use of the new procedure should carefully evaluate the source
of their gross receipts with knowledgeable tax professionals prior to
adopting this method. Members who would like a copy of IRS Notice 2001-76
should email the ICFA at mailto:wireless@icfa.org .
---------------------------------------------------
-------------------
ICFA NEWS
-------------------
ICFA, GARY O'SULLIVAN PRESENT FIVE ONE-DAY PRENEED SALES SEMINARS
The ICFA and preneed sales and marketing expert Gary O'Sullivan, CCE, are
teaming up in 2002 to offer five one-day seminars for sales counselors in
cities throughout the United States. "Selling Skills to Increase Your Selling
Power" will be held at the following locations:
March 19 - Nashville Marriott Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee;
May 7 - Oakland Marriott City Center, Oakland, California;
May 8 - Hilton San Diego/Del Mar, Del Mar, California;
May 14 - Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel & Suites, Indianapolis, Indiana; and
May 16 - Tysons Westpark Hotel, McLean, Virginia.
Designed for today's frontline preneed sales staff, the seminars cover the
full range of practical sales issues, such as "Dealing with Prospecting
Reluctance," "How to See More People in Less Time," "Making the First Sale:
The Appointment," "Principles of an Effective Presentation," "Power Skills
for Referrals," "Understanding and Dealing with Objections" and "The Service
of Family Service."
Two pilot seminars held in October 2001 drew a total of 167 attendees, who
overwhelmingly rated the content and the presentation as "excellent."
The cost of the seminars for ICFA members is just $110 for one employee or
$99 each for two or more employees. Complete program and registration
information is available by calling 1-800-645-7700 or at
http://www.icfa.org/osullivan02.htm.
Linda Budzinski
Communications Director
International Cemetery and Funeral Association
Reston, Virginia
For Immediate Release
For More Information, Please Contact:
Linda Budzinski
1-800-645-7700
lacorn@icfa.org
ICFA ONE-DAY CONVENTION REGISTRATION OFFERS CONVENIENCE AND VALUE
RESTON, VA (January 22, 2002) -- The International Cemetery and Funeral
Association is offering a one-day registration option for its Annual
Convention & Exposition, providing an economical way for cemeteries and
funeral homes to send staff to this valuable educational event. The
Convention, April 24-27 at the Renaissance Orlando Resort in Orlando,
Florida, combines a full slate of practical, "no-fluff" educational
sessions with numerous opportunities to meet and learn from industry
suppliers.
"This option gives people who might not be able to spend four days away
from the office a chance to take advantage of our educational program
and our extensive supplier Expo," said ICFA President Greg Easley, CCE.
"It's ideal for companies that would like to send multiple staff. And
we're hoping it might draw some first-time attendees who perhaps aren't
familiar with the Association and just want to check us out."
The one-day registrations are available for Thursday, Friday and
Saturday at a cost of just $130. Funeral directors can earn up to five
hours of continuing education credit on Thursday, six on Friday and two
on Saturday.
Thursday Registration
The one-day Thursday registration includes admission to the following:
o The ICFA Exposition&emdash;Our lunch with suppliers and our evening reception
will be held in the Exhibit Hall, where attendees can visit more than
180 industry supplier booths while enjoying our free food and beverage
service.
o General Session on "Marketing Through Personalization"&emdash;Batesville
Casket Company Director of Training and Development Daniel E. Buchanan
will discuss his company's research into consumer attitudes and offer
practical advice for creating personal, meaningful funeral and memorial
services.
o Intensive three-hour breakout sessions&emdash;Choose between "Critical
Management Issues" and "Maintenance and Magic." The former is geared
toward cemetery and funeral home owners and operators and will cover
such topics as funeral home financing, staff recruitment, cremation
consumers and handling difficult family situations. The latter will
offer cemetery grounds maintenance managers and staff proven, practical
information on cemetery operations, including advice on beautifying your
grounds and making smart equipment purchases.
Friday Registration
The one-day Friday registration includes admission to the following:
o The ICFA Exposition&emdash;A three-hour Brunch with Suppliers offers ample
opportunity to visit each of this year's Exposition's 180+ booths. And
again, the ICFA provides free food and beverage service during all Expo
hours.
o The Great Debate II&emdash;A sequel to our highly popular 2001 debate, this
year ICFA Secretary Paul Elvig takes on well-known funeral director and
author Thomas Lynch on "The Pros and Cons of Preneed."
o General Sessions&emdash;Four hours of educational programming on "Who's in
Charge of Your Reputation?" "Consumer Trends in Marketing" and
"Alternative Distribution Channels for Our Industry."
Saturday Registration
The one-day Saturday registration includes admission to the following:
o "The Regulatory Dragon"&emdash;A timely update on the latest legal,
legislative and tax issues affecting your businesses.
o General Sessions&emdash;Two hours of educational programming on "The Power of
an Internal Partnership Mentality" and "How to Gain and Retain Market
Share."
o Closing Dinner Dance&emdash;Enjoy our fun and relaxed Orlando Beach Party.
Complete program and registration information is available from the ICFA
Meetings Department at 1-800-645-7700 or at the "Educational
Opportunities" Section of the ICFA Web site, www.icfa.org.
Founded in 1887, the ICFA is the only international trade association
representing all segments of the cemetery, funeral and memorialization
industry. Its membership is comprised of more than 6,000 cemeteries,
funeral homes, memorial designers, crematories and related businesses
worldwide.
For Immediate Release
For More Information, Please Contact:
Linda Budzinski
1-800-645-7700
lacorn@icfa.org
ICFA AND GARY O'SULLIVAN OFFER ONE-DAY TRAINING SEMINARS FOR PRENEED SALES COUNSELORS
RESTON, VA (January 22, 2002) &emdash; The International Cemetery and Funeral
Association and preneed sales and marketing expert Gary O'Sullivan, CCE,
are teaming up in 2002 to offer five one-day seminars for sales
counselors in cities throughout the United States. "Selling Skills to
Increase Your Selling Power" will be held at the following locations:
o March 19 &endash; Nashville Marriott Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee;
o May 7 &endash; Oakland Marriott City Center, Oakland, California;
o May 8 &endash; Hilton San Diego/Del Mar, Del Mar, California;
o May 14 &endash; Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel & Suites, Indianapolis, Indiana;
and
o May 16 &endash; Tysons Westpark Hotel, McLean, Virginia.
Designed for today's frontline preneed sales staff, the seminars cover
the full range of practical sales issues, such as "Dealing with
Prospecting Reluctance," "How to See More People in Less Time," "Making
the First Sale: The Appointment," "Principles of an Effective
Presentation," "Power Skills for Referrals," "Understanding and Dealing
with Objections" and "The Service of Family Service."
Two pilot seminars held in October 2001 drew a total of 167 attendees,
who overwhelmingly rated the content and the presentation as
"excellent."
The cost for the seminars is just $110 for ICFA members and $120 for
non-members. Discounts are available for companies that send two or more
employees. Funeral directors can earn up to six continuing education
credits at the seminar.
Complete program and registration information is available from the ICFA
Meetings Department at 1-800-645-7700 or at the "Educational
Opportunities" section of the ICFA Web site, www.icfa.org.
Founded in 1887, the ICFA is the only international trade association
representing all segments of the cemetery, funeral and memorialization
industry. Its membership is comprised of more than 6,000 cemeteries,
funeral homes, memorial designers, crematories and related businesses
worldwide.
In a message dated 1/21/02 5:51:34 PM, danisard@f4sight.com writes:
http://www.f4sight.com/Foresight Communications, Inc.
Presents
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"Where Will You End Up
When Someone Moves Your Cheese?"
Your Presenters Are:
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Curtis Rostad Daniel Isard
The most important seminar of the year is being offered at:
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(Par N' Slice)
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The Radisson Resort and Spa The Las Vegas Hilton
February 3-8, 2002 February 25-27, 2002
Seminar Registration $850 for the 1st person, and $625 for each additional
registrant from the same firm. Seminar Registration $550 for the 1st
person, and $450 for each additional registrant from the same firm.
Room Rate $189 per night* Room Rate $109 per night*
5 morning seminars, with the afternoons for golf, shopping or just
enjoying the spa. 2 full days and one half day covering the same
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Continental Breakfast each morning Continental Breakfast and daily lunch
provided
Our Topics Include:
* Why Have People Chosen Your Funeral Home, and Why They Will In The Future
* Controlling Your Overhead and Setting Prices
* The Truth About Marketing Preneed
* How to Market Your Business Effectively and Compete with Discounters
* Business Succession Planning and Making Acquisitions
Call us at (800) 426-0165
Or E-mail to danisard@f4sight.com for more information and availabilities.
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If you do not want to receive additional e-mail notifications from any of
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In a message dated 1/23/02 12:22:44 PM, Linda Budzinski writes:
Communications Director
International Cemetery and Funeral Association
Reston, Virginia
For Immediate Release
For More Information, Please Contact: Bob Fells
1-800-645-7700
rfells@icfa.org
FTC Adopts ICFA Recommendations on Proposed Telemarketing Sales Rule Amendments
Reston, VA (January 22, 2002) -- Today the Federal Trade Commission
(FTC) announced its long-awaited proposals to amend the Telemarketing
Sales Rule (TSR), thereby adopting recommendations made by the
International Cemetery and Funeral Association (ICFA). The TSR
prohibits specific deceptive and abusive telemarketing practices and
requires the disclosures of material information. The Rule also contains
an exemption for "appointment calls" in which no sale is made by
telephone, but the prospective buyer and seller meet for a face-to-face
discussion. The ICFA was instrumental in obtaining this exemption for
preneed telephone calls when the TSR was originally enacted in 1995 and
urged its retention when the Rule underwent a periodic FTC review in
2000. The FTC proposes to retain the face-to-face exemption in the TSR,
including its application to preneed calls, with minor modifications.
Submitting comments to the FTC last year, the ICFA stated its support of
the TSR "as an effective regulation that protects the public from
abusive and fraudulent telemarketers without imposing unreasonable
burdens on legitimate businesses." The ICFA urged the Commission to
retain the face-to-face exemption for preneed calls "as a common sense
method of applying the Telemarketing Sales Rule only to those entities
that actually attempt to sell goods and services over the telephone"
rather than merely seeking an appointment to make a presentation. The
FTC proposal to retain the exemption noted that the "Commission
continues to believe that the incidence of fraud may be lessened when a
transaction is not completed, and payment is not made, until a
face-to-face meeting occurs between the buyer and seller."
The only other public comment regarding the exemption for preneed calls
was submitted by FAMSA - Funeral Consumer Alliance, Inc., which urged
the FTC to exclude cemeteries and funeral homes from the exemption
because of "the timing of such calls, which often come within days,
weeks or months of a death, a time when the grieving and bereaved are
most vulnerable." The FTC, while noting its concern, stated, "However,
the Commission believes that the sale of preneed funeral goods and
services would be more appropriately addressed in the Funeral Rule,
which is currently under review by the Commission."
The most important revision to the TSR, among the many proposed by the
FTC, concerns the creation of a national "Do-Not-Call" list that all
telemarketers would be required to use, including those exempted under
the face-to-face provision. The FTC is accepting public comments on its
proposed amendments through March 29, 2002.
Founded in 1887, the ICFA is the only international trade association
representing all segments of the cemetery, funeral and memorialization
industry. Its membership is comprised of more than 6,000 cemeteries,
funeral homes, memorial designers, crematories and related businesses.
worldwide.
In a message dated 1/23/02 11:31:10 AM, Mflynn6705 writes:
This list is complete to the best of my knowledge, if anyone has corrections to be made let me know and i will change it and re-send and updated list to everyone, also if anyone has any to add please send me an email and i will keep and updated file on all of the addresses,and periodicaly send out and update.
Thanks
MIKE
DONATIONS TO:
Joslin Diabetes Center One Joslin Place Boston, MA 02215
Pine Street Inn Development Office 444 Harrison Ave. Boston, MA 02118
(617) 521.7629 www.pinestreetinn.org
Boston Catholic Television, 55 Chapel St. P.O. Box 9109, Newtonville, MA 02460
Stanley R. Tippett Hospice House, 920 South St., Needham, MA 02492
Caritas Good Samaritan Hospice, 3 Edgewater Dr., Norwood, MA 02062
American Heart Assoc., 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701
Walpole Area VNA, PO Box 252, Walpole, MA 02081.
South Shore Visiting Nurses Association, 100 Bay State Dr., Braintree, MA 02185.
March of Dimes 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue White Plains, NY 10605
Boston Shriners Hospital 51 Blossom St. Boston, MA 02114
Telephone 617-722-3000 Fax 617-523-1684
Alzheimer's Assoc., 36 Cameron Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140-1102
American Lung Assoc., 25 Spring St., Walpole MA 02081
American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701
Good Samaritan Hospice, 310 Allston St., Brighton, MA 02146
American Diabetes Assoc., PO Box 31160, Hartford, CT. 06150
American Diabetes Association, 1 Bromfield St., Boston, MA 02108
Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston MA 02115
N.E. Home for Little Wanderers, 271 Huntington Ave, Boston MA 02115.
Epilepsy Foundation, 4351 Garden City Drive, Landover MD 20785
Special Olympics, 450 Maple St., Danvers, MA 01923
Make a Wish Foundation, 295 Devonshire St., 4th flr, Boston , MA 02110
Dept. of Nursing, St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, 736 Cambridge St., Brighton, MA 02135
Brain Tumor Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, 100 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114
Oncology Dept. at Lahey Clinic, 41 Mall Rd. Burlington, MA 01803.
Shriners Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114
Home for Little Wanderers, 161 South Huntington Ave., Boston 02130
Rosies Place 889 Harrison Ave Boston 02118
Catholic Charities 75 Kneeland St Boston 02111
Chrones & Colitis Foundation NE Chapter 280 Hillside Ave Needham 02494
Arthritis Foundation 29 Crafts St. Newton 02458
ALS Assoc. 7 Lincoln St. Wakefield 01880
American Kidney Fund 6110 Execuative Blvd. Rockville Md. 20852
American Liver Foundation 246 Walnut St. Newton 02160
Boston Catholic TV Center 55 Chapel St. Box 56 Newton 02160
Carroll Center for the Blind 770 Centre St. Newton 02158
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 220 N. Main St. Natick 01760
Salvation Army 6 Baxter St. Quincy, MA 02169-6900
South Shore Visiting Nurse Association 100 Bay State Drive Braintree, MA 02184
Dana-Farber Cancer Research Institute, 44 Binney St., Boston, MA 02215
Hospice-Healthcare Dimensions, 764 Main St, Waltham, MA 02451-0603
Cancer Research, c/o American Cancer Society, 1115 West Chestnut St., Brockton MA 02130
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105-1905.
Cancer Center of Boston, 125 Parker Hill Ave., Boston, 02120
Beacon Hospice, 45 North Main Street, Fall River, MA 02722
Dana/Farber's Jimmy Fund Tribute Program, 1 Harvard St., Brookline MA 02146-9795
MA Lions Eye Research Fund Inc., P.O. Box 6050, New Bedford, MA 02742-6050
The Hebrew Rehabilitation Ctr., 1200 Centre St., Roslindale MA 02131
Ronald MacDonald House, 229 Kent St. Brookline MA 02446
Mass Brain Injury Assoc. 484 Main St. #325 Worcester, MA 01608
Deutsches Altenheim Nursing Home 2222 Centre St. West Roxbury, MA 02132
MA SIDS Center , Boston Medical Center , 1 BMC Place, Boston 02118
New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans 17 Court St. Boston, MA 02108
The Hospice Care Inc. 41 Montvale Ave., Stoneham 02180
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, MASS Chapter 495 Old Connecticut Path, Suite 220, Framingham 01701-4567
American Civil Liberties Union of Mass 99 Chauncey St. Suite 310, Boston 02111
National Breast Cancer Foundation, One Hanover Park 16633 N. Dallas Pkwy, Suite 600 Addison TX 75001
Boston Police Memorial Fund c/o Dist 13, Capt. Robert Flaherty, 3347 Washington St. Boston , MA 02130 (JP)
The Leary Firefighters Foundation 1697 Broadway, Suite 906 New York, NY 10019
Boston EMS Relief Association PO Box 365695 Hyde Park 02136
Alzheimers Support Group of the South Shore, P.O. Box 109 Hingham 02043
Catholic Charities 55 Lynn Shore Dr. Lynn MA 01902
Dialysis Dept, Beth Israel Deaconess Med. Ctr. 330 Brookline Ave. Boston 02215
Faulkner Hospital Oncology Dept. 1153 Centre St. Boston, (JP) 02130
Dedham Visiting Nurses Assoc. 1100 High St. Dedham MA 02026
Mass General Hospital Development Office, 100 Charles River Plaza, Suite 600 Boston 02114
Hospice & Pallitave Care of Cape Cod, 923 Rt. 6A Yarmouthport, MA 02675
St. Vincent DePaul Society 18 Canton St. Stoughton MA 02072
New York State World Trade Center Relief Fund P.O. Box 5028 Albany, New York 12205
Twin Towers Fund General Post Office PO Box 26999 New York, NY 10087-6999
Port Authority Police's World Trade Disaster Survivors' Fund 611 Palisade Avenue
Engelwood Cliffs, NJ 07632
American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund
American Red Cross 285 Columbus Avenue Boston, MA 02116
NY Firefighter's 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund c/o:International Association of Firefighters
PO Box 65858 Washington DC, 20035-5858
New York State World Trade Center Relief Fund, P.O. Box 5028, Albany, New York 12205.
The New York City Police Foundation, Inc. Heroes Fund 345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154 Tel: (212) 751-8170 Fax: (212) 750-7616
New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund
P.O. Box 3713, Grand Central Station, New York, New York 10163.
(631) 544-4616.
NYSFOP-Foundation WTC Police Disaster Fund 911 Police Plaza Hicksville, NY 11801
Uniformed Firefighter's Association
204 East 23rd Street New York, New York 10010 C/O UFA Widows' and Children's Fund
In a message dated 1/22/02 3:01:14 PM, Mike in Massachusetts writes:
Joseph A. Langone III, 84 North End DemocratBy Tom Long, Globe Staff, 1/24/2002 Joseph A. Langone III, 84, a colorful North End Democrat who spent time in prison before serving on the Governor's Council for 12 years, died Jan. 17 in his home in Malden. Mr. Langone served in the state House of Representatives for eight years until he was convicted of assaulting a federal agent who was parked in front of his family's funeral parlor in the North End. His stint on the Governor's Council - the eight-member body that advises the governor on judicial nominations, pardons, and commutations - ended in 1990. Voters turned him out, primarily because of his opposition to the nomination of Diane Kottmyer, a former clerk for the judge who had sentenced Mr. Langone to six months in prison. Governor's Council member Michael J. Callahan described Mr. Langone as a ''lovable rogue,'' and the ''Italian James Michael Curley.'' He said he thought Mr. Langone ''did an awful lot of good for an awful lot of people.'' Constituent services were Mr. Langone's forte. ''You won't see another like him,'' state Auditor Joseph DeNucci said this week. ''He took his job seriously and he felt his job was to help others who needed him.'' DeNucci said he often had lunch in the North End with Mr. Langone and learned a lot about politics from him. ''He was a colorful character,'' said DeNucci, ''and a good guy.'' Mr. Langone was born and raised in Charlestown. His family has operated the Langone Funeral Home in the North End since 1885. He ran the business with his late brother Frederick, a longtime Boston city councilor, who was quite a colorful character himself. Joseph Langone was long reputed to have had ties to organized crime going beyond the funerals he arranged for members of the Angiulo crime family. He always wrote off the rumors as prejudice against Italians. In 1947, he was tried on charges of conspiracy to violate the state election laws when a dead man's name appeared on the nomination papers of a Governor's Council candidate. During the trial, a handwriting expert testified that Mr. Langone signed his own name, that of the dead man, and the names of several other purported voters to the list, but he and his associates were acquitted. At his 1971 trial for assaulting a federal narcotics agent, Mr. Langone claimed that a physical disability made him unable to raise his left arm above his shoulder or to clench his right fist, so he could not have assaulted the officer, who had apparently parked in a reserved space. The court was unconvinced and Mr. Langone served six months in the federal penitentiary in Danbury, Conn. After his release in 1972, he went on a brief campaign to reform the country's prison system and called for ''compassion for prisoners as human beings.'' Mr. Langone also made headlines in 1977, when a Globe Spotlight investigative report took him to task for collecting $12,000 a year as executive secretary of the state Board of Embalming and Funeral Directors, though he often conducted funerals in the North End while working on the clock for the state. In 1990, when opposing the nomination of Kottmyer, chief of the US attorney's Organized Crime Task Force, to the Superior Court, Mr. Langone offered to ''bury the girl'' for free. Though often controversial, Mr. Langone was aways willing to step up and explain his position, unlike those with less ''intesticle fortitude,'' as he once said. During one of the many campaigns to abolish the Governor's Council, he said, ''They say we gotta get rid of the Governor's Council. Well, it's ironic - I like that word ironic. I learnt it yesterday - the governor wants to abolish the council. Well, the people in my ward must like the council, because they keep reelecting the councilor in my district, and they don't keep reelecting governors.'' Mr. Langone leaves his wife, Phyllis (Repucci); a son, Joseph L.; five daughters, Madeleine, Judean, Clementina, Maria Ferguson, and Diana Chase; two sisters, Madeline Sarno and Rita Franzese; a brother, William; and nine grandchildren. A funeral Mass was said Tuesday in Sacred Heart Church in Boston. Burial was in Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford. This story ran on page B11 of the Boston Globe on 1/24/2002.
Joseph A. Langone III
Of Medford Jan. 17, Joseph A. Langone III. Beloved husband of Phyllis (Reppucci). Father of Joseph L. "Lonnie" Langone, Madeleine, Judean and Clementina Matthia Langone, Maria Ferguson and Diana Chase. Son of the late Sen. Joseph A. Jr. and the Hon. Clementina (Poto) Langone. Brother of Madeline Sarno, Rita Franzese, William Langone and the late Louise DeStefano and former Boston City Councilor Frederick C. Langone. Also survived by 9 grandchildren. Funeral Mass in Sacred Heart Church (North Sq.) Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock. Relatives and friends may attend visiting hours at the Sacred Heart Church Monday afternoon 2-6. Interment Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. Former Massachusetts Governor's Councilor and State Representative. Donations in his memory to the charity of your choice would be appreciated. Arrangements by Magrath Funeral Home, EAST BOSTON
In a message dated 1/16/02 12:00:35 AM, ncfsl@bellsouth.net writes:
Hello to everyone.
It is with a heavy heart that I contact you all this evening. Our worst fears have been confirmed this week as we received news that a dear friend has received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Many of you who work in funeral service know Ann Dellinger, Account Executive with Homesteaders Life (the company that funds much of our pre-arranged funeral business) and those of you who do not, she is more than just a business associate.
Ann & I hit it off the first time we met and have been email buddies, usually keeping in contact with each other on a weekly basis. We have shared prayer requests with one another many times. Ann has been the strength of her family. After her mother's death, she moved her father into her home and he has required constant care. Her brother in Texas has been removed from the heart transplant waiting list and had asked her if he could move home to spend his remaining time with her & their dad. Ann also has a special son that some of you may have met. This special lady has been a tower of strength for her family, yet has never neglected when I have asked for her prayers for others.
In November when we had our yearly continuing education classes with Homesteaders, she thought she had the flu and just has never been able to feel any better. About three weeks ago her email stopped. I had contacted her about an in-house seminar we were planning at the end of January and she never returned my calls. When I returned home from work last night, I just could not get her off my mind. I sent her an email and I told her I knew something was wrong; I didn't need to know what, but I was praying for her and her family...Not unlike the little girl who's grandfather passed by her room one evening to see her kneeling by her bed, saying her ABC's. When she had finished her "prayer" her grandfather asked why she was "praying" her ABC's. " Grandpa, I didn't know what all I needed to pray for, so I just said my ABC's and God will put everything in the right order."
So I included that little 'cyber-story" with the email to her last night. When I got to the office this morning, Jim told me her husband had called Monday while I was out on an out of town service to let us know of her diagnosis. Moments later Ann called me to tell me she'd just read the email. We shared our tears. She is very afraid, but she is determined to fight this cancer that has attacked her pancreas with everything available...and she knew that my 'cyber-prayer chain' would be made available, as well.
There are many of you who I've never troubled with requests for prayers before. If you are offended, then I really do not know you well enough to have you on my email list. But for everyone else, PLEASE, remember Ann and her family in your prayers and include her on your church's prayer lists and any other prayer lists you are aware of. I'm like the little granddaughter in the story; I don't know all the things to ask the Lord for, for Ann and her family...but I do know that God understands the alphabet, especially when our hearts are heavy.
Thank you for taking the time to read all of this. Any of you who would like updates on her condition, I'll be glad to keep you posted, as I hear from her. But Please Pray.
Dear Lord, we do have heavy hearts this evening as we think about Ann and her family. Be with them and everyone who receives this message in their email. Wrap your loving arms around each one, and let them feel the nearness of you. Continue to be with all of those, Lord, who have no one else to pray for them. Be with each one that each person reading this knows, who needs your divine healing. Be with all of our friends who will be traveling to destinations near and far. Forgive us for the bad things done and the good things left undone. Let Your will be present in all we say and all we do. In Christ's name we ask Lord, that you take these cares. Amen.
PS: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
Susan Cox,
Taylorsville, NC
In a message dated 1/18/02 1:37:20 PM, LSNCFDA writes:
NORTH CAROLINA FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
5860 Faringdon Place, Suite 2, Raleigh, NC 27609
919-876-7886 o 800-616-2332 o Fax: 919-876-5382
NCFDA E-LINE o JANUARY 18, 2002
NCFDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING ON JANUARY 17
Below are some of the items discussed at the NCFDA Board of Directors Meeting held January 17 in Hickory, NC. Further details will be published in our upcoming Funeral Service News Leader newsletter:
1. PAC Gala: North Carolina Funeral Service Political Action Committee "Valentine Gala and Raffle" previously scheduled for February 15, 2002 has been postponed until Monday, June 10, 2002, at 8:00 PM at the NCFDA Annual Convention at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC. The board felt that more members would be able to attend this event if it were held in conjunction with the annual convention. Tickets are available at $100.00 each and must be purchased by personal checks&emdash;North Carolina law prohibits the use of corporate checks for political action committee contributions. The ticket admits TWO for dinner and ONE entry in the reverse drawing for $5,000. You do not have to be present to win. If you have not purchased a raffle ticket, please contact your district director, an officer or the NCFDA staff.
2. 2003 Convention: The board voted to radically change our plans for the year 2003. A business and exhibit mid-winter conference will be held February 17 &endash; 19, 2003 at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in the Research Triangle Park, NC. Additionally, a legislative reception will be held in Raleigh on the evening of February 18, tentatively scheduled at the North Carolina Museum of History. Further, a social summer conference will be held at a resort area during the summer months!
3. Redistricting: The board voted to make some minor changes in the current district divisions of the NCFDA membership. The redistricting will decrease travel time to district meetings and, hopefully, increase attendance. Details will be included in the next Funeral Service News Leader newsletter:
STATE BOARD MEETING ON JANUARY 9
Below are some of the items discussed at the North Carolina Board of Mortuary Science Meeting held January 9 in Raleigh, NC. Further details will be published in our upcoming Funeral Service News Leader newsletter:
1 Minor modifications to be made to the current preneed contracts and the statement of funeral service goods and services selected. A draft will be available for review at an upcoming State Board meeting.
2 A meeting of the North Carolina Crematory Authority is scheduled for January 28, 2002.
3 Mark Henderson has begun work on the preneed manual and hopes to have a draft available at the March State Board meeting.
MEMBERSHIP DUES REMINDER
NCFDA appreciates the renewal of membership dues by our NCFDA members. We would also like to remind those that have not yet renewed that membership dues are due and payable on January 1; however, the member will not be removed from the mailing list until February 15, 2001. If you have any questions regarding your membership, please call the NCFDA office.
DISTRICT 9 MEETING REMINDER
Please see details below in the calendar of events on the upcoming District 9 Meeting to be held on January 22, 2002 in Concord. An election will also be held for a District Director.
NCFDA CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Jan 22 NCFDA District 9 Meeting at D.J.'s Restaurant, 66 Penny Lane NE (Exit 60 Off I-85) in Concord with dinner at 6:00 PM and the program at 7:00 PM. Contact NCFDA at 800-616-2332. (2.0 c.e.c.).
Jan 23 Funeral Service Exam Review sponsored by NCFDA and FTCC from 8:00 AM &endash; 5:00 PM at Fayetteville Technical Community College, Continuing Education Center (Behind the Health Technologies Center), Room 118. The cost to attend any one section or to stay for the entire day is $30.00 pre-registration or $35.00 at the door. Contact NCFDA for pre-registrations and for information about the course contact David Hall: 910-678-8510 or e-mail: halld@ftccmail.faytech.cc.nc.us
Jan 28 North Carolina Crematory Authority meeting.
Jan 29 Exam at the NC Board of Mortuary Science in Raleigh, NC
Jan 31 NCFDA District 4 Meeting at the Front Porch Restaurant in Elizabethtown with dinner at 6:00 PM and the program at 7:00 PM. Contact Duane Howlett at 910-762-7788. (2.0 c.e.c.)
Feb 13 North Carolina Board of Mortuary Science Meeting at 9:00 AM at their office in Raleigh, NC.
Mar 4 NCFDA Board of Directors Meeting at 3:00 PM at the Holiday Inn in Southern Pines, NC.
Mar 5-6 NC Crematory Association meeting at Mid Pines Resort in Southern Pines, NC.
Mar 18 Advocacy Summit (Legislative Conference) by NFDA in Washington, DC
June 10 &endash; 12, 2002&emdash; NCFDA Annual Convention at the Grove Park Inn Resort, Asheville, NC
Feb 17 &endash; 19, 2003&emdash;NCFDA Mid-Winter Conference at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Research Triangle Park
Feb 18, 2003&emdash;NC Funeral Service Political Action Committee Legislative Reception at the North Carolina Museum of History
Additions, Corrections and/or Deletions to E-Line
Send additions, corrections and/or deletions for the NCFDA E-Line to Membership Services Director Pat Hayes at: phncfda@aol.com
In a message dated 1/14/02 11:01:15 AM, fspano@nfda.org writes:
Contact: Fay Spano For Immediate Release 800-228-6332
January 14, 2002
NFDA #01/02
President Bush Signs NFDA-Sponsored Veterans' Legislation
Brookfield, Wis. - On December 27, 2001, President George W. Bush signed into legislation the Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-103), which contains a provision sponsored by NFDA, authorizing the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide headstones or markers to previously marked graves of honorably discharged veterans.
"This is a tremendous victory for funeral service," said NFDA Chief Executive Officer Christine Pepper. "NFDA has been working with the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Retired Officers Association, and several key congressional leaders for more than three years on this important legislation."
The provision specifically authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to furnish appropriate government grave markers. In addition, the bill authorizes an increase in the funeral and burial expenses of veterans to $2,000 from the current $1,500 allowance, and an increase in the plot allowance from $150 to $300. This increase is another result of NFDA lobbying efforts. Both provisions are effective only for deaths occurring after President Bush signs the bill; however, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs also will accept requests for a marker to be placed at the gravesite of veterans who died subsequent to November 1990.
-more-
"This achievement demonstrates NFDA's work in Washington, D.C., to protect and advance the interests of its members and the families they serve," said Pepper. "It also is an example of how NFDA members' active participation in grassroots advocacy and their contributions to the NFDA Political Action Committee can truly make a difference. We could not have been successful on this issue without the active support of NFDA members and state associations. This was clearly a joint effort and all should share in the success!"
Among the members of Congress who worked with NFDA to pass this legislation are Representative Nancy Johnson, R-Conn., and Senator Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., who referenced NFDA in his floor speech in the Senate regarding this provision, Chairmen of the House and Senate Veterans Committees, Representative Chris Smith, R-N.J., and Senator John Rockefeller, D-W.Va.
"[This legislation] has the support of every major veterans group and a wide array of organizations including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Air Force Sergeants Association, and the National Funeral Directors Association," said Dodd.
The authority to furnish a marker under this provision expires on December 31, 2006. No later than February 1, 2006, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit a report to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives including the rate of use for this benefit; an assessment of markers furnished, delivered to cemeteries, and placed on gravesites; and a recommendation for the extension or repeal of the provision.
NFDA is headquartered in Brookfield, WI, and has an office in Washington, D.C. It is the oldest and largest funeral service association, serving about 13,500 members.
###
Fay Spano
Public Relations Manager
National Funeral Directors Assoc.
13625 Bishop's Drive
Brookfield, WI 53005
262-814-1549
fspano@nfda.org
In a message dated 1/14/02 9:31:30 AM, Dennis McGee Jr. writes:
As funeral service practitioners and experience arrangers, we are required to maintain a license, which allows us to coordinate funeral arrangements, prepare & restore deceased human remains and facilitate several forms of final disposition. Is it only when a physician certifies a death that funeral service licensure is required? Exactly where does the necessity for licensure end and begin? When a family must make at need funeral arrangement decisions they turn to licensed funeral service practitioners and experience arrangers for the most comprehensive, informative and compassionate answers and guidance. However, when that same family prepares themselves for the end of their loved ones life and begin to plan an advanced funeral arrangement the consultant may not be a licensed practitioner. In what capacity can a non-licensed experience arranger offer the most accurate information? How can this experience arranger adequately explain embalming or the logistics of a funeral?
While attending mortuary school we are taught, above all else, how to be professionals with diversity. As the adage goes we are the, "Jack of all trades!" As cliche and trite as this old adage reads, it is true and to our benefit. Experiences and education in all of the diverse personalities of funeral service allow us to draw on our past and assist our client families in creating the most memorable of funerals. Our education, while pursuing licensure can be assimilated by the work of constructing a house. First you begin with a foundation, then up go the walls and finished with a roof. If you were to take one of those elements away É well, you don;t have much of a house anymore. So, compared to arranging funeral experiences the education necessary to fulfill and maintain licensure is the brick and mortar of the house in which we practice. If we subtract the education and experience gained while pursuing licensure from the equation, then exactly what are you left with?
Regardless of the fact of whether a family is calling on funeral service practitioners to make advanced funeral arrangements or an at need funeral experience, licensure is necessary! The value of being licensed practitioners is in the experience and education gained while pursuing and maintaining licensure.
Dennis C. McGee, Jr.
Sweeney Funeral Home
Riverside, NJ 08075
In a message dated 1/10/02 3:08:44 PM, Mike in Massachusetts writes:
Docs to Seek More DNA
City needs help in IDs of 12,000
Trade Center remains
By EMILY GEST
Daily News Staff Writer
he city medical examiner's office will soon ask grieving families to provide more DNA samples to help identify World Trade Center victims, the Daily News has learned.
The additional samples are being sought from relatives of the dead in hopes of finding a match with more than 12,000 human remains, a spokesman for the medical examiner's office confirmed yesterday.
"The more people you can get DNA samples from, statistically, you can come up with more accurate matches," said spokeswoman Ellen Borakove.
Within days of the towers' collapse, families of the 3,000 people lost provided the medical examiner's office with their loved ones' toothbrushes, razors and dirty clothing to help with DNA identification.
But in many cases, those samples did not provide enough DNA to make a match with teeth, hair, tissue and bones that recovery workers at Ground Zero have collected since Sept. 11.
Borakove said the medical examiner's office is still trying to determine how many more samples are needed and how they will be collected.
Some relatives will be asked to let lab technicians scrape cells from inside their cheeks to build a genetic family tree.
In cases where one family member has provided a DNA sample, other relatives will be tapped.
Although Borakove would not discuss the anticipated scope of the testing, forensic experts told The News it is likely that hundreds of relatives who wish to recover the remains of their loved ones will be asked to provide DNA.
A Difficult Task
The process of identifying the victims is excruciatingly difficult and slow.
With only 276 intact bodies recovered, an army of scientists has worked to match the 12,573 human remains collected &emdash; some as small as a wisp of hair or a piece of bone &emdash; with the long list of dead.
They have made 629 matches.
Forensic experts explained that a victim's personal effects may not contain enough cells, which contain DNA, to make an identification.
For example, a toothbrush may not hold enough fresh cells for testing because it hadn't been used recently. A hairbrush may contain a single hair but not a root.
"It's difficult enough in a routine criminal matter," said Larry Kobilinsky, a forensic scientist at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. "But with this, the massive number of samples ... it boggles the mind."
Complicating the identification process is the quality of the remains, which have been destroyed or damaged by heat, dust or contaminated by contact with other body parts.
Several relatives said the new tests offer hope that they may recover something of their loved ones to bury.
"I have a plot, but I don't have anything in it," said Lenore Raimondi, 42, of Staten Island, whose husband, Peter, was trapped in an elevator in the north tower.
"Because he was so special, I have to do everything I can to find him," said Raimondi, who asked Peter's mother and brother to provide cheek swabs.
But psychologists warned the process will open many distraught families to more trauma.
"In one way, even a fragment would be nice to have, but it's opening up a new wound," said Monica Iken, 31, of Riverdale, the Bronx, who lost her husband. "If they find something of Michael, at least I can say he was found."
Alderwoods Group launched
"Company aims to set new industry standard for service and care"
TORONTO, Jan. 3 /PRNewswire/ - The beginning of January has brought more than the start of a new year. It has brought a new beginning for North America's second largest funeral services company.
Alderwoods Group, Inc. has been launched with approximately 920 funeral homes and 275 cemeteries in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. The company employs approximately 10,000 dedicated professionals all committed to providing outstanding service to customers, service that delivers an experience of total care and convenience at a difficult time in their lives.
Paul Houston, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alderwoods Group, said: "We're off to a great new beginning and are very well positioned to compete going forward. Our objective is to break the traditional industry barriers between funeral and cemetery services, so that each of our professionals can meet a full range of our customers' needs on a seamless basis. After all, the people who come to us are either dealing with, or planning for, a time of significant grief. We aim to make it as easy as possible for them to make all of the necessary arrangements."
Alderwoods Group is a U.S. company, incorporated in the State of Delaware, with corporate offices in Cincinnati, Toronto and Vancouver. The company has been created pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization of The Loewen Group, which became effective yesterday, January 2nd. Alderwoods Group has been launched with a significantly stronger balance sheet, including liquidity of approximately $100 million, comprised of cash and a revolving credit facility, shareholders' equity of close to $700 million, and total debt of approximately $835 million. The company has 40 million common shares outstanding, which will trade under the symbol "AWGI" on the NASDAQ, with trading expected to begin today.
John Lacey, Chairman of Alderwoods Group, said: "Many pieces have come together for us to reach this point. We're now looking to the future as a company with committed employees, an experienced management team and a talented Board of Directors, all determined to generate value for our stakeholders. We have everything we need to succeed, now it is time to execute."
For more information about Alderwoods Group, including a service to find the location nearest you, please see the company's website at www.alderwoods.com.
Safe Harbor: Certain statements contained in this press release, including, but not limited to, information regarding the future economic performance and financial condition of the company, the completion of the company's reorganization, the plans and objectives of the company's management and the company's assumptions regarding such performance and plans, are forward looking in nature. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking information contained in this release include, but are not limited to, the company's ability to implement its business plan; the company's leverage and ability to service debt and operate within the covenants contained in its debt instruments; Alderwoods Group's ability to attract, train and retain an adequate salesforce; the company's future competitive position; fluctuations in the economy; changes in federal, state and local laws; the volume and timing of pre-need sales of funeral and cemetery services and products; and environmental matters and various others aspects of the funeral services industry.
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