In a message dated 5/14/01 2:40:59 PM, Jerry in Illinois writes:
CHICAGO, May 11 (Reuters) - Wilbert Inc., parent company of Wilbert Funeral Services Inc., the world's largest burial vault company, said on Friday it had raised its cash offer for The York Group Inc. <YRKG.O> to $7.75 per share.
"We believe this is a compelling offer that will be extremely attractive to York stockholders," Wilbert Chairman and Chief Executive Curtis Zamec said.
Wilbert had initially offered to buy York Group for $6.50 a share, an offer which Houston-based York rejected outright, saying it was inadequate.
Wilbert said in a statement it was also willing to explore alternatives for those York shareholders who wished to continue their ownership in the combined entity, including a cash election mechanism or other combination of cash or stock.
Wilbert's revised offer represents a 68 percent premium over the $4.625 closing price of York's common stock on March 15, a day before it announced its bid for the funeral services group.
Wilbert currently owns about 14.1 percent of York's outstanding common stock and is the company's largest stockholder.
York officials were not immediately available to comment on Wilbert's revised offer. York is the second largest finished casket maker and multi-faceted supplier for the death care industry in North America.
In a letter, accompanying the statement and addressed to the York board of directors, Wilbert said it sought a response from York by no later than May 18 on its revised offer.
York shares gained 14.81 percent, or $1.00, to $7.75 on the Nasdaq market in afternoon trading. York's stock had earlier climbed to a new 52-week high of $8.10 in the session.
In a message dated 5/11/01 1:18:19 PM, drlynprendergast@megapathdsl.net writes:
Subject: New Mortuary Science Database
Dear Mr. Misantone:
Finding articles in mortuary journals has been a problem for our students as I'm sure it has been for yours since there is no general or special index for them to use. To help solve this, the Kansas City Kansas Community College Library has developed an online index for our students. So far, The Morgue has been successful. We would like to offer access to The Morgue index to you and your students at no charge. It is accessible via the internet at http://www.kckcc.cc.ks.us/library/morgue The Morgue is a database in constant change as citations are being added daily. We currently have 6 titles indexed back to 1999. These include American Funeral Director, Death Care Business Advisor, The Director, The Embalmer, Funeral Monitor and Mortuary Management. Our goal is to have citations back to 1995 and to eventually add abstracts. We are attempting to add a new journal title each month.
Attached is a press release announcing The Morgue. Please help us to spread the word about this database and we hope that you and your students will find it useful.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at any time.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Postlewait
Interim Library Director
Kansas City Kansas Community College
7250 State Avenue
Kansas City, KS 66112
913/288-7230
cheryl@toto.net
In a message dated 5/14/01 2:40:59 PM, Jerry in Illinois writes:
HOUSTON, May 14 (Reuters) - Funeral service company Carriage Services <CSV.N> on Monday reported it first-quarter profit doubled despite a slower market hurting revenues as its streamlining program kicked in and bolstered operating margins.
Carriage Services reported net income rose to $3.8 million or 22 cents per share compared with a net income of $1.7 million or 11 cents a share a year earlier.
Before its after-market announcement, Carriage shares posted a new year-high, closing up nearly 4 percent or 18 cents at $4.69 at the end of New York Stock Exchange trading.
"Clearly our Fresh Start program is the main catalyst on the improved results," Tom Livengood, the company's chief financial officer told Reuters in an interview.
"This is consistent with the program we rolled out. It is probably the first time that a lot of it becomes quantifiable," he said.
Under its Fresh Start streamlining program, Carriage has started divesting its less profitable operations. Executives said the company had divested 11 funeral homes and 5 cemeteries - about $6.3 million worth of property - during its first quarter.
Carriage said quarterly revenues fell nearly 3 percent to $43.9 million from $45.2 million a year earlier, reflecting the slower market conditions affecting the funeral industry.
Carriage also reduced its debt by $10.9 million or nearly 6 percent to $176.1 million.
Looking ahead, the company said it sees second-quarter earnings in the range of 7 cents to 9 cents per share, and revenues of $37 million to $39 million. Livengood said Carriage continued to focus on cash flow and debt reduction.
In a message dated 5/14/01 2:22:29 PM, Jerry in Illinois writes:
NEW YORK, May 10 (Reuters) - Funeral stocks reaped the rewards on Thursday a day after Service Corp International <SRV.N>, the world's No.1 funeral services operator, reported positive first-quarter results and its shares climbed to new year highs.
Shares of the Houston-based funeral company gained more than 25 percent, or $1.20, to close at $5.86 at the end of trading on the New York Stock Exchange, breaking its previous year-high of $5.43.
In a morning conference call with analysts, Service Corp. executives said reduced debt, better margins and a new sales mix had offset a softer funeral market.
"They have had great success in lowering debt outstanding and reducing interest expense. The critical issue was the margins came in better than anyone was expecting," said Johnson Rice death care analyst William Burns.
The funeral sector followed the news with Carriage Services Inc. <CSV.N> and Metairie, La.-based Stewart Enterprises Inc. <STEI.O> stocks trading at new year highs after the Service Corp. results.
Houston-based Carriage stock's rose more than 16 percent, or 61 cents, to post a fresh year-high of $4.32, and the shares of No.2 U.S. funeral operator Stewart gained 9.67 percent, or 59 cents, to close at a new year-high of $6.69 on the Nasdaq.
"They have always traded together. Service Corp. are the largest and most liquid out there and most when things look good, it helps out others in the group," Burns said.
Noting a slowdown in funeral services, Service Corp. executives said in the conference call that the company had benefited from a shift to cemetery sales that could be recorded immediately rather than only when a customer dies.
Recent accounting rule changes mean funeral companies can no longer immediately report revenue from pre-paid services purchased by customers in advance.
Service Corp. has also moved ahead with plans to reduce its $3 billion debt to $2 billion to $2.5 billion by 2002.
Service Corp. Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey Curtiss said a recent joint venture deal with its Australian unit had brought in $107 million cash, which would be used to further pay down debt.
While international operations were hurt by exchange rates and lower volumes, Curtiss said its U.K. and French business were stabilizing.
Executives said the seasonal increase which usually takes place in the first-quarter seems to be arriving in the second quarter this year. Already, Service Corp has seen a 5 percent increase in funerals performed during April compared with last year.
In a message dated 5/11/01 2:22:29 PM, Beacham in North Carolina writes:
NCFDA E-Line
CONVENTION: We hope you are making plans to join your colleagues at the NCFDA Annual Convention in Wilmington, June 5 &endash; 7, 2001. The Convention Committee and Board of Directors have voted to offer ONE FREE registration to each THREE PAID for each participating firm attending. Also, make your hotel reservations by MAY 18 with the Hilton Wilmington Riverside (910-763-5900 or Fax: 910-343-6145) and let them know you are with the NCFDA Annual Convention. Below are the list of exhibitors participating as of today in the upcoming convention:
A. Rifkin Co.
Ambassador Associates
Aurora Casket Co., Inc.
Batesville Casket Company
Bill Black Cadillac-Olds, Inc.
Carolina Mortuary Transportation Services
Cemetery Funeral Supply
Champion Company
Cincinnati Insurance Company
Citizens Security Life Insurance Co.
Clark Grave Vault Co.
Columbian Financial Group
Crain Sales
Deaton-Kennedy Company
Dodge Chemical Company
Doric Vault Manufacturers of NC
Edgecombe C C & Capital City CC
Fayetteville Technical C C
First Citizens Bank of NC
Forethought Group
Fortis Family
Gupton-Jones College
Hank Palmer & Associates
Homesteaders Life Company
Hydrol Chemical Company Inc.
Industrial Equipment & Engineering
Interment Trust Services
Investors Heritage Life Ins. Co.
Lunsford-Wilson Co., Inc.
Mastercraft Casket Co. Inc.
Maynor Casket & Funeral Supply
Merrill Lynch
NC Board of Mortuary Science
NC Cremation Association
NC Vital Records
Norvell Tent & Puckett Supply
Outlook Group, Inc.
Pierce Chemicals Royal Bond
Roper Insurance Agency
Shields Southeast Sales, Inc.
Southland National Insurance Corp.
SpartaCraft, Inc.
Thomas, Pierce & Company
Triangle Atlantic Casket Co.
US Airways
Wilbert Manufacturers of NC
Winston-Salem Casket Co.
PROPOSED CHANGES IN CREMATION STATUTES: The proposed changes in the Cremation Statute were presented to the North Carolina Board of Mortuary Science on Wednesday, May 9, 2001. The State Board will hold an Open Meeting (tentative scheduled during their August board meeting date of August 15) in order to receive comments regarding the legislation. The following comments are offered for your information by the NCFDA and the NC Cremation Association.
PROPOSED Changes to Crematory Laws (and comments):
1. Requirement for Certificate of Cremation &endash; Most crematories have followed a standard practice of giving a certificate of cremation along with the cremated remains; however, the proposal is that it become a legal requirement.
2. Labeling of cremation container &endash; The cremation container (and presumably a casket also) must be labeled on the outside with the name of deceased, date of death, sex, and age of deceased.
3. Crematory licensee, manager, representative, and technician - These are new categories. One person may serve in multiple capacities. The crematory licensee would be the individual or company that owns the crematory. The manager would be the individual responsible for the management and operation of the crematory, the representative would be the person who represents that particular crematory with the board and is eligible to serve as a member of the board, and the technician would be the person who has received training on the equipment used by the crematory. (Note: The technician does NOT have to be present for each cremation, but is the individual familiar with maintenance of the retort and other equipment and must have attended a training course approved and defined by the board).
4. Name change of NCBMS &endash; Change the name to North Carolina Board of Funeral and Cremation Service.
5. Expanding the number of members of the board &endash; Adding two new members, both crematory people, to the board, elected by the crematory representatives. The Crematory Authority will be eliminated.
6. Additions to "pecking order" &endash; Expanding the "pecking order" to include other situations.
7. Authorization for Cremation form &endash; Expanding this form to be more thorough (and reduce funeral home and crematory liability exposure). The board will design a form for use by funeral directors and crematories; however, an individual may design his own form, as long as it complies with the requirements.
8. Preneed &endash; There will be a section on the Authorization for Cremation to allow a person the -option of giving a family member (or other designee) the authority to revoke the cremation authorization.
9. Completeness of Death Certificate &endash; Certain minimum information must be completed on the death certificate prior to cremation. (Decedents name, date of death, date of birth, sex, place of death, facility name, county of death, city of death, & time of death)
10. Receipt for delivery of body &endash; There will be a form for delivery of the body to the crematory, with both the funeral director and the crematory receiving copies.
11. Receipt for receiving cremated remains - There will be a form for receiving of the cremated remains, with both parties receiving copies.
12. -Definitions - Several changes and additions to the definitions. There appears to be nothing of major concern; however, we suggest you read the complete list of definitions.
(Items no. 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 directly affect funeral directors. The other items have a greater affect on crematory operators). These are the major changes to the proposal. We strongly suggest licensees read the entire cremation law section to ascertain the effects on each firm's operation. The complete proposal may be found at www.canc.org
Comments, questions and "hot news tips" are welcome. Write to: mailto:wireless@icfa.org.
The ICFA has responded to an article in the May issue of Consumers Report (CR) magazine, "Final Arrangements," which warns the public against prepaying their funerals. Instead, CR states, "Prepaid plans are unnecessary. You can accomplish the same thing with a bank CD...." The
ICFA rebutted this claim by stating that it "ignores the reality of how consumers should cope when that CD is needed to pay the expenses of the final illness not covered by insurance or where the insurance co-pay has ballooned."
The ICFA also criticized CR's use of isolated anecdotes to imply a common experience such as where an adult daughter disapproved of her mother's "skimpy" prepaid arrangements. The ICFA pointed out "the very real possibility that those arrangements reflected her mother's wishes." The magazine article is the second instance in the last six months where Consumers Union seems to be pursuing a private agenda of attacking funeral service at the expense of giving consumers bad advice. The full text of the ICFA rebuttal letter can be downloaded from the "Government and Legal Affairs" section of the ICFA Web site at
http://www.icfa.org/government.htm.
----------------------MORE-----------------------------
Federal Trade Commission staff have told the ICFA that the arrival of incoming chairman Timothy Muris will initiate "a change of direction" at the FTC and this could affect the Funeral Rule review proceedings. For more than a year now, the publication of a staff report has been pending to move the Rule review to the next stage of an "Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking." However, FTC staff can give no estimated date for the release of this report.
Current FTC Chairman Robert Pitofsky has announced his intention to resign in early June, whether or not his successor has been confirmed by that time. A new chairman may emphasize different priorities in consumer protection and trade regulation issues. In particular, the Internet has created new forms of consumer fraud and identity theft that has law enforcement authorities such as the FTC struggling to catch up. Therefore, the priority of the Funeral Rule review is uncertain at this time.
In a message dated 5/14/01 7:09:24 PM, tblasnek@f4sight.com writes:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9, 2001
Foresight Communications, Inc. will present a series of business management seminars throughout California during July 2001. The series of one-day seminars will feature Curtis Rostad presenting morning sessions on Controlling Accounts Receivable and Turning Shoppers into Buyers. Dan Isard will continue in the afternoons with The Dealmakers Guide to Funeral Home Transactions. Owners, managers, and employees will benefit from the practical and innovative solutions offered for these timely topics. Beginning in San Diego on Monday, July 16, 2001, the seminars will also be offered in LA (17th), Bakersfield (18th), Fresno (19th), and Stockton (20th). The seminars have been approved for CEU credit by The Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. Call Debbie Eisenberg at 1-800-426-0165 for more information, or visit The Foresight Companies™ website at www.f4sight.com.
Daniel M. Isard Curtis D. Rostad
Contact Debbie Eisenberg
Foresight Communications, Inc.
5353 N. 16th St., Ste. 370
Phoenix, AZ 85016
(800) 426-0165
www.f4sight.com
NFDA ENews Alert
May 8, 2001
Volume 2, Issue 9
IN THIS ISSUE...
PBS PROGRAM FOCUSES ON FUNERAL DIRECTOR
The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) television series "Religion and Ethics Newsweekly," hosted by Robert Abernethy, will air a segment in this week's programming that profiles funeral director and writer Thomas Lynch, from Lynch & Sons in Milford, Michigan. "Religion and Ethics Newsweekly" has a large viewership among the clergy, educators, and related professionals, and has a reputation for high-quality production. For more information on the program, visit PBS's Website at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/
Each market has a different PBS station and a different schedule, so please check with the PBS station in your area for the date and time of broadcasting. Program listings for each state and station also may be found by visiting http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/tv_default.html
_____________________________________________________
OTHER INFORMATION...
TO ACCESS THE NFDA ONLINE MEMBER PAGE: To access this site requires NFDA members (Category 1 & 2, student, retired and state association executives) to enter their seven-digit membership number, including all zero's (ex. 0012345) in the User Name space and their last name, all small case letters, (ex. jones) in the Password space of the Member Page access pop-up box. These instructions can be viewed at: http://www.nfda.org/memberpage.html
If you have any questions regarding your membership number, send an email to ENews@nfda.org.
TO SUBSCRIBE: If you have received this message by email, you need not do anything to continue to receive it. However, if you would like to receive the NFDA ENews Alerts at an alternate email address, simply click on the following link (or visit the following Internet address) and complete the online "subscribe" form to have NFDA ENews Alerts delivered directly to your alternate email inbox -- http://www.nfda.org/memberpage/enews/index.html
TO UNSUBSCRIBE: You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the following link (or visit the following Internet address) and completing the online "unsubscribe" form -- http://www.nfda.org/memberpage/enews/unsubscribe.html
YOUR COMMENTS: If you would like to comment on any topic in this edition, DO NOT REPLY to this message directly, but send an email to ENews@nfda.org and your message will be directed to the proper staff person.
NFDA ENews Alerts are copyrighted electronic publications of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) and the information provided therein is one of many valuable services to its paid members.
NFDA ENews Alert
February 27, 2001
Volume 2, Issue 5
In a message dated 5/8/01 8:48:31 PM, Mike in Massachusetts writes:
Associated Press Tuesday, May 8, 2001A 21-year-old man who broke into a Readfield crypt and took a skull from a 200-year-old grave has been sentenced to five years in prison, with all but six months suspended.Collin W. Sweatt, 21, of Hallowell and Readfield, had pleaded guilty in Augusta District Court to burglary and abuse of a corpse. A charge of theft was dismissed. At the court apprearance recently, he was ordered to serve four years of probation.The incidents occurred Sept. 29, 1998, in Readfield.Another Readfield resident, Nathan J. Morin, 21, was sentenced in January to nine months in jail for abuse of a corpse. Morin also was ordered to stay out of graveyards as a condition of his three-year probation.Investigators theorized the skull had been passed from person to person.
In a message dated 5/6/01 5:59:58 PM, Walter in the UK writes:
CHIBA, Japan, May 2 (Kyodo) - (EDS: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CALL JOKO AT 043-254-6669, AND JOKO'S WEB SITE ADDRESS IS http://www.jyoko-jp.com/)
A Chiba-based funeral home will set up an online system later this month allowing people to worship their ancestors via the Internet, sparing them the trouble of visiting the graves in person.
Joko in the capital of Chiba Prefecture will transmit images and sounds of Buddhist monks reading sutras aloud with some descendants worshipping at a small, box-shaped gravestone containing the remains transferred to a worshipping place.
The service, the first of its kind, is expected to help relatives get together on the same day to worship at their ancestral graves.
Images and sounds will be distributed real-time to personal computers and Internet telephones through high-speed asymmetric digital subscriber lines, Joko officials said.
The service will cost 1 million yen, including the gravestone box and sutra-reading service, if paid by the end of this month, with an annual maintenance fee of 5,000 yen.
A Buddhist monk of the funeral home said no matter where the descendants worship, it will be the same if they do so from the heart. ''We hope the service serves to bring family members closer together in the Internet age,'' he said.
In a message dated 5/6/01 5:58:49 PM, Luanne in Florida writes:
Funeral Home Operator Believes WTVJ-NBC 6 Orchestrated ''Live TV'' Police Raid to Boost TV Ratings
MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 3, 2001--
Station Denies Story Was Motivated by "Bad Blood" Between Funeral
Home Owner and Father of the Reporter Handling the Story
A Miami funeral home operator feels like he has become an unwitting actor in a new "reality-based" TV program designed to boost the ratings of Miami television station WTVJ-NBC 6.
Rafaiy Alkhalifa, owner of three low-cost Miami funeral homes, watched in distress as his central administrative office and one of his funeral homes were emptied of all records during police raids broadcast live during the scheduled 6:00 p.m. news on WTJV-NBC 6.
Meanwhile, NBC 6 management has denied that the airing of stories about Alkhalifa's funeral homes was motivated by a desire on the part of a news reporter to punish a business antagonist of the reporter's father.
Miami-Dade Police officers executed search warrants to seize business records about funeral homes owned by Alkhalifa on April 26 and 27, 2001. Both raids occurred "live" during the 6 p.m. news programs of WTVJ-Channel 6, the NBC owned and operated station serving Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
The crucial "sweeps" rating period for television stations commenced on April 26 and runs through the end of May.
According to Emmy-winning TV producer Lynn Ziegler, one of the nation's foremost media critics, the term "sweeps" has almost religious overtones for TV networks: "They are devoutly praying that during this period they've offered you programming that 'swept' you off your feet (and onto the sofa for the entire show). The networks that had the largest audiences get to gloat about delivering the largest number of warm, breathing, presumably thinking (and definitely spending) bodies to the people who really count: Advertisers! Above all, this means that for the next few months, the most-watched network can ask the highest rates. That bottom line is serious money. Sweeps are notorious for the bizarre."
Rob Owen, Television Editor at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, said that during sweeps, TV news directors "do everything in their power to cajole, beg, bribe, manipulate and scare you into watching their newscasts."
The request for the search warrant makes reference to accusations by unidentified "ex-employees" and unnamed "clients" that Alkhalifa allegedly engaged in improper activities in the administrative management of his three Miami discount funeral homes and that employees of Alkhalifa mishandled bodies left in the custody of his funeral homes.
Alkhalifa has not been charged with any offense in connection with the raids.
According to Tallahassee funeral home regulatory expert Doug Stowell, an attorney with over 20 years of experience in funeral home regulatory affairs in Florida, the infractions alleged in the search warrant would normally be investigated by one of the administrative agencies with oversight responsibilities over the industry -- the Florida Department of Professional Regulation and/or the Miami-Dade Health Department -- and, if proven to be true, typically result in an administrative fine.
Stowell stated that police involvement in such matters is "highly unusual."
Similar charges against Alkhalifa were recently dropped by the Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office. Prosecutors in that case expressed frustration at the outcome and purportedly believe they were "tricked" into losing the case. They indicated a desire to "try again."
Miami-Dade Police Department officials would not confirm that police administrators allowed WTVJ television producers to dictate or specify the dates, timing and other logistical elements of the assault on the offices. However, the carrying out of the seizures on two successive days at the exact same time period in close cooperation with TV news personnel thus allowing for dramatic live coverage of the "raids" during the station's regularly scheduled news broadcast on the first two days of the critical rating sweeps period can not be explained in terms of "standard police procedures."
Further compromising the TV station is the fact that the story was assembled and reported by a station employee - Alicia Ortega -- whose father has been embroiled in a long-standing personally rancorous business dispute with funeral home owner Alkhalifa.
When asked about this relationship the day before the raid, station manager Don Browne at first stated they were unaware of the relationship. Later the same day, Browne confirmed the existence of the relationship but insisted that the relationship between the reporter's father and the funeral home operator did not "in any way" constitute an ethical conflict for the reporter, the news department or the television station.
Browne said that if there had been any conflict of interest, the station would not have reported the story at all.
Meanwhile, however, the station has acknowledged that the unnamed person(s) who purportedly made the initial contact with reporter Ortega about the story, contacted her with the direct assistance of her father.
According to Browne, reporter Ortega denies being motivated by personal animus against Alkhalifa.
At Mr. Alkhalifa's insistence, a planned on-camera interview with Alkhalifa was conducted by a WTVJ news producer and not Ortega.
Alicia Ortega's father, Deacon Max Ortega, once worked for Alkhalifa performing funeral services for a fee of $60 per funeral. Some of these services were sub-contracted to other deacons. Ortega was paid for approximately 1,000 services in the last year of the relationship. According to Alkhalifa, he severed the business relationship when Ortega refused to comply with Alkhalifa's insistence that deacons assigned by Ortega be drug and alcohol-free when interacting with the families of decedents. This dispute began in 1999 and the hostility between the two men has escalated over the past two years.
NBC corporate officials in New York have not yet responded to requests for a review of the incident.
CONTACT:
GDB + Partners, Miami
Seth Gordon, 305/442-4788, 305/322-3121 Cell
In a message dated 5/6/01 5:56:38 PM, Kenny in Ohio writes:
HOUSTON, May 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Carriage Services, Inc. (NYSE: CSV) today announced plans to release first quarter results on Monday, May 14, 2001 after the close of the market.
Carriage Services has scheduled a conference call for Tuesday, May 15, 2001 at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time (8:30 a.m. Central Time). Participating in the call will be Mel Payne, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Tom Livengood, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
To participate in the call, dial (913) 981-4900 at least ten minutes before the conference call begins and ask for the Carriage Services conference call. A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after the live broadcast ends and will be accessible until May 22, 2001. To access the replay, dial (719) 457-0820 and enter the pass code 777597.
Investors, analysts and the general public will also have the opportunity to listen to the conference call free over the Internet by visiting www.easterlyir.com. To listen to the live call on the web, please visit the Website at least fifteen minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live Webcast, an archive will be available shortly after the call. For more information, please contact Lisa Elliott at Easterly Investor Relations at (713) 529-6600 or email lisae@easterly.com.
Carriage Services is the fourth largest publicly traded deathcare company. As of March 31, 2001, Carriage operated 161 funeral homes and 33 cemeteries in 31 states.
Contacts: Tom Livengood, CFO
CSV - CARRIAGE SERVICES 'A'
Exchange: NYSE
Delay: at least 20 minutes
Last Price: 3.60 at 16:01 EDT
Change: Up 0.14 (+4.05%)
High: 3.60 at 9:58 EDT
Low: 3.50 at 9:56 EDT
Open: 3.50
Previous Close: 3.46 on 5/3
Volume: 74,500
30-Day Avg. Volume: 47,000
Shares Outstanding: 16,147,000
Market Cap.: 58,129,200
52-Week High: 4.06
52-Week Low: 1.06
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Yield: Nil
P/E Ratio: Not Material
EPS: -5.80
Currency Units: US Dollar
Confirm all data with your broker or financial advisor before trading.
Data by: S&P ComStock
Carriage Services, Inc. 713-332-8400
Ken Dennard / kdennard@easterly.com
Lisa Elliott / lisae@easterly.com
Easterly Investor Relations 713-529-6600
In a message dated 5/7/01 10:40:45 PM, Lyn in Massachusetts writes:
Have you seen this site? Seems pretty good. Hope all is well. Got Lisa Carlson's new book--some things in it are very funny. Lyn
http://www.agriefobserved.com/
Los Angeles, May 1, 2001 - The new web site AGriefObserved.com is believed by its sponsors to be the only Internet site specifically intended to be a consumer advocate. "Our intent is to help consumers become aware of the options available to them, to enable them to compare costs, and to educate them about their rights when a loved one passes away," commented Darian Chin, co-founder of A Grief Observed.
"There are a few Web pages devoted to the needs of funeral directors and other professionals," he said. "Our goal is to empower consumers and help them realize they have a wide range of choices and options when they are called upon to make funeral arrangements."
He said A Grief Observed has over 30 categories of information, ranging from casket options and air transportation to the release of colorful butterflies at a funeral.
"There seems to be so much mystery about funeral costs and procedures," he said. "We would like to change that."
Because the new site is intended primarily for individual consumers, it can be accessed without cost. The site finances its operations by charging funeral directors, manufacturers, and service providers a small membership fee. The site will also sell online advertising and collect commissions and referral fees from its e-commerce partners. Partnership arrangements have already been made with 20 companies, including American Express, FTD.com, Hallmark.com, and Amazon.com, Mr. Chin said.
In view of the many popular misconceptions of the funeral industry that exist, A Grief Observed plans to release early next year the results of a nationwide survey of how consumers feel about funeral services and costs.
"We will use the survey to improve our site, of course," Mr. Chin said, "but more importantly, it will be a wake-up call to the industry because for the first time there will be available extensive, factual, up-to-date, in-depth data on what the public wants and expects from funeral providers."
Mr. Chin said he and his fellow co-founder, Yuki Fushimi, have plans to develop an assortment of online tools for both consumers and funeral professionals. These will include a memorial planner, a funeral and cremation cost calculator, a grief resource center, and a real-time chat room where funeral professionals and grievers can communicate with each other.
According to a 1997 report by the National Funeral Directors Association, expenditures by the bereaved each year total as much as $24 billion. With just over 2.3 million deaths, this breaks down into as much as $10,000 for each person who passes away.
"As the Internet makes consumers increasingly aware of funeral industry practices, and of the financial forces driving the industry, we expect to see major changes from the top to bottom," Mr. Chin commented. "We also anticipate greatly improved consumer satisfaction with the services provided by the industry."
In a message dated 5/6/01 5:43:00 PM, Larry in New York writes:
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 3, 2001--The York Group Inc. (Nasdaq:YRKG), a leading manufacturer of funeral and cemetery merchandise, today announced that it has entered into a Definitive Agreement to sell its metal vault manufacturing operations to Doric Products Inc. Doric is a leading manufacturer of burial vaults and cremation and memorialization products, distributing its products through a network of over 300 manufacturers and distributors across the United States and Canada.
"The sale of our metal vault business to Doric is one more example of our achieving the objective of streamlining our business processes and focusing on our core competencies," stated Thomas J. Crawford, chairman, president and CEO of York. "We are pleased with the progress that has been made with the York metal vault business during the past year. Unfortunately, to significantly grow the vault business beyond where it is today requires capital and human resources that we believe will be put to better use if devoted to our core casket manufacturing business. We believe that the metal vault business will improve more dramatically in the hands of an organization with an existing infrastructure and dealer/distributor network," continued Crawford.
"Doric Products is proud to announce its acquisition of the York metal vault operations. Doric is excited about the prospect of joining its experience in marketing burial vaults with this new product offering," stated Warren Chandler, president of Doric Products Inc. According to Chandler, "As part of the nation's fastest growing burial vault supplier, our dealers are dedicated to providing quality outer burial enclosures that will honor a loved one's memory while giving their family comfort and peace of mind."
Certain of the information relating to the company contained or incorporated by reference herein is "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements included or incorporated by reference or made by management of the company, other than statements of historical fact regarding the company, are forward-looking statements. These statements, and all phases of the company's operations, are subject to risks and uncertainties, any one of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include or relate to, among other things, the availability and execution by the company of debt and/or equity financing or refinancing on terms that are acceptable to the company as well as changes in demand for the company's products and services that could be caused by a number of factors, including changes in death rate, cremation rates, competitive pressures and economic conditions, and the effect of competition on the company's ability to maintain margins.
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World War II Memorial Site, Design to Be Reconsidered
By Linda Wheeler
The National Capital Planning Commission voted unanimously yesterday to reconsider the site and design of the proposed World War II Memorial on the Mall, unexpectedly reopening a bitter debate that had seemed closed just a few months ago.
The commission voted to hold a two-day public hearing on the subject and to get advice from a panel of architects and urban planners. In addition, commissioners asked the National Park Service to build a mock-up of the memorial on the proposed 7.4-acre site between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument so they can better assess the structure's scale and impact.
Until yesterday's meeting, the commission had indicated that it would focus on the narrow question of whether its former chairman, Harvey Gantt, should have been allowed to participate in votes last year approving the memorial's design. Gantt voted even though he had not been reappointed to the panel, a problem that did not surface until a court hearing in March on a lawsuit brought by the project's opponents. Gantt has since resigned.
Supporters and opponents said yesterday they were surprised that the commission agreed to reconsider not only those votes, but also earlier votes in favor of the controversial Mall location.
"There seems to be a whole new commission," said opponent Neil Feldman, co-chairman of the National Coalition to Save Our Mall, referring to turnover on the commission and its change in attitude. "We have a chance now," he said.
Mike Conley, spokesman for the American Battle Monuments Commission, the sponsor of the memorial, said he had not anticipated that the commission would reopen the discussion so broadly and ask for a mock-up.
"It's clear they definitely don't want anyone to criticize them for not being open enough," he said. "They have added several things to the process that we didn't anticipate. But when the sun sets after those meetings, we are confident they will see the merit in the memorial and give us! the green light."
The heated battle over the $140 million memorial has played out before various commissions since 1995.
Opponents of the design have said that it will block the famous Mall vistas and that it is too large for the site. The memorial would include a sunken pool and 43-foot granite arches on its north and south ends.
But most veterans organizations have strongly supported the project, saying the location is appropriate in view of the achievements and sacrifices of the World War II generation.
Former senator Robert J. Dole (R) and actor Tom Hanks were among the celebrities who attended a groundbreaking for the memorial last Veterans Day.
The two-day public hearing revisiting all aspects of the project will be held June 13 and 14 at commission headquarters at 401 Ninth St. NW, with the first day devoted to public testimony and the second to a commission discussion and vote.
The commission voted to alter the standard rules for public testimony by limiti!
ng the memorial's sponsor to an initial presentation of 30 minutes -- in the past it had been given unlimited time -- and allowing 30 minutes for opponents' initial presentation instead of the usual five minutes.
The idea of building a mock-up of the memorial to shed light on the debate was first raised last week, when four members of Congress, led by Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), wrote to the commission requesting that it pass along to the Park Service a request for a "complete" mock-up.
Commission member John Parsons, who is also an assistant regional director of the Park Service, said he had been told by consultants that what the members of Congress had requested would cost $3 million and take five months. Instead, the commission voted to ask for a mock-up more in keeping with what the Park Service has done in other cases.
After the meeting, Parsons said the Park Service might do something as basic as putting stakes in the ground to show the dimensions of the memorial.
Of the commission's 11 current members, four voted in favor of the World War II Memorial design in September, three voted against it, and four have not cast a vote on the project. One seat is vacant.
In a message dated 5/4/01 3:55:27 PM, Sam in Pennsylvania writes:
Preplanning funerals takes financial, emotional stress off families at time of grief
By Jim Martin
Staff writer
She was past 90 and a series of strokes had taken their toll. Ann Flick's grandmother was dying and there wasn't much anyone could do about it. But Flick and her mother decided they would prepare for the inevitable while there was still money to do it. Together, they arranged and paid for her grandmother's funeral. That was more than a decade ago and about two years before her grandmother died. To this day, Flick said she's never doubted they made the right decision. "The funds were getting down and we knew it," she said. Unlike most who plan their funerals in advance, Flick's grandmother was in no position to make any decisions. Flick and her mother were on their own. Once plans were made, the money was placed in an irrevocable burial trust &emdash; safe from the reach of a nursing home that would eventually begin to drain her grandmother's bank account.
"It did not go to the nursing home," Flick said. "It was her money and we wanted it used for her care and expenses."
The ability to earmark money &emdash; money that can't be used for medical or nursing home care &emdash; is one reason a growing percentage of all funerals are both preplanned and prepaid, said Mark Razanauskas, owner of the G.R. Bailey Funeral Home on Iroquois Avenue in Lawrence Park. Most times, these services go off without a hitch. But a handful of well-publicized cases of fraud &emdash; including a Kentucky funeral home director who stands accused of stealing several hundred thousand dollars from clients &emdash; have some people feeling jittery about this investment.
In one Pennsylvania case, six men were convicted last fall of charges they bilked 27 mortuaries out of nearly $6 million in prepaid funeral money, according to The Associated Press.
"Funeral directors and a banker collected commissions for funneling consumers' money from bank trust funds to a New York investment firm that bought, among other things, a Bronx strip club," the AP reported. Those are the sort of stories people tend to read and remember, said Jack Martin, a funeral director for the Dusckas Funeral Home in Erie.
Both locally and across Pennsylvania, funeral directors are hoping that public education and a recent ruling by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court can put to rest any lingering doubts about their ethics.
The court ruled that only licensed Pennsylvania funeral directors &emdash; not cemeteries, casket companies or anyone else &emdash; may sell prepaid funeral arrangements. Darrel Vandeveld, a lawyer in charge at the Erie office of the state Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection, said prepaid services are not usually a source of concern.
"We very, very rarely receive complaints about local funeral directors," he said.
Not all problems have come from cemeteries and casket companies, but Martin said customers should educate themselves if they have concerns. "I think everyone should just ask a lot of questions," he said. "I think it's a lack of knowledge. A lot of people don't understand the funeral business."
Consumers should make sure they understand whether the negotiated price includes flowers, transportation and the digging of the grave. Local funeral directors say it's also worth asking whether any fees provided by outside vendors are subject to change.
How the bill's paid
In Pennsylvania, there are essentially two methods for prepaying funeral expenses, Razanauskas said. While some funeral directors sell insurance products that pay for expenses, he said a larger percentage place the money in a bank-controlled trust.
"Once the families pay that money, I can guarantee (the service) regardless of what the costs are in five or 10 years," he said. If there is money left over, Razanauskas said he returns it to the family.
If the funeral director dies or goes out of business, the money belongs to the family, not the funeral home, he said.
Razanauskas said that money, which remains in the family's name, can be used to negotiate services at another funeral home.
Under Pennsylvania regulations, Martin said his funeral home automatically files a report with the state Board of Funeral Directors when he sells prearranged services. The concept is now so widely accepted that many nursing homes ask that prepaid arrangements be made before a patient moves in.
"We never put it into our account," Martin said. "It really can't get any safer. I would feel 100 percent confident &emdash; at least in Pennsylvania."
After 14 years in the business, Razanauskas said he continues to see an increase in the number of prepaid funerals.
"A lot of parents have children who are out of town. They are taking it on themselves," he said.
The numbers vary from year to year and from one funeral home to the next, but Razanauskas said so far this year about half the funerals he's handling were arranged in advance. Of those, about 75 percent were also paid ahead of time.
The trend, Martin said, is clearly here to stay.
"In fact, funeral homes that don't do prearrangements ... probably won't be around long. This ensures a funeral home later business," he said.
How much it will cost
Prepaid funeral plans are one of the few assets that can't be attached to pay for medical or nursing home expenses. Pennsylvania law allows for a $7,300 exemption for money placed in an irrevocable burial trust. In Erie County, that's enough to pay for typical funeral arrangements, according to local funeral directors. That figure does not typically include a cemetery plot or any kind of cemetery memorial or monument. Locally, cemetery plots sell for as little as $100 but at some rural cemeteries they cost as much as $1,000. Mary Garr, co-owner of Erie City Memorials, said memorials for infants sell for as little as $200 and tombstones for adults sell for up to $10,000 or more. A typical two-person memorial might sell for between $2,000 and $5,000, she said.
Like funerals, memorials are often selected and paid for before the time of death, she said. Flick said she and her mother selected mid-priced arrangements when they preplanned her grandmother's funeral services. It's likely, she said, they would have spent more if they waited until after her grandmother's death. Razanauskas said it's often people planning their own ceremonies &emdash; and not grieving family members &emdash; who tend to spend more on final arrangements.
"People tend to spend a little bit more on themselves," he said. "They know how much money they are dealing with. The old stereotype of the funeral director taking advantage of the grieving widow is pretty much a fallacy."
Flick said money wasn't her only consideration.
Losing her grandmother was difficult, but Flick said it would have been much worse if she had been forced to make decisions on the spot. "When she did pass away, all we had to do was pick up the phone and call Nancy Dusckas. We didn't have to start from square one," she said.
Flick, who helped make last-minute arrangements when her stepmother died unexpectedly seven years ago, said she wouldn't want to relive the experience of shopping for caskets with her grief-stricken father.
"It was just so much easier to be prepared," she said. "It's still difficult, but you can manage."
JIM MARTIN can be reached at (814) 724-6397. Send e-mail to jim.martin@timesnews.com.
In a message dated 5/4/01 12:01:59 PM, MFDAOFMGR writes:
Its great to report that we had outstanding feedback from the participants at last week's 2001 Technical Seminar. As part of our commitment to the Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association Professional Continuing Education Series, it's our goal to bring you the finest speakers within and outside our industry. Thanks for everyone's comments about Vernie Fountain of the Fountain National Academy of Embalming.
Get Your OSHA Training Completed Next Week!
If you're available, plan to attend one of the two sessions planned for next week.....
May 9 Holyoke Afternoon Session
May 9 Sturbridge Evening Session
Our trainer is Curtis Rostad, a Certified Funeral Service Professional. Learn from the best OSHA funeral service trainer in the U.S. Please be sure to call us if you can attend so we can insure space availability. Can't make it next week? Plan to attend one of our six September sessions with Rostad in Holyoke, Worcester, Burlington and Randolph.
MFDA Night (May 23) at the Boston Pops! It's a Massachusetts Springtime tradition!!!!! These have sold very quickly and already 75% of our group allotment is gone! The Boston Pops has told us that event is sold out to the General Public as the event will be taped by PBS, two segments will be the general Pops format and the third will feature the renown Chick Correia. If you want tickets -- and they would make a perfect Mother's Day gift or staff member "thank you" -- call the MFDA office today. Sorry, once our group block is gone, we're sold out too!
Save June 9 at the Springfield Marriott for our Annual Banquet. This year's event will also include our recognition of licensees and funeral establishments that are celebrating anniversaries. Watch your mail for more information. (For those of you interested in bringing the family, we'll have group tickets available for Six Flags New England for Saturday or Sunday.)
"Your Annual Funeral Home Check-Up" featuring NFDA Legal Counsel Scott Gilligan -August 13 - 15 / The Sheraton Hyannis
Want to make sure you're doing things perfectly? Need to review some important operating procedures? Isn't your reputation too valuable to trust it to those who think they know the answers? Here's your opportunity to meet with the nation's foremost expert on funeral service law. You'll get five hours of CEU's for less that the price of one hour of legal services locally!!!! Watch your mail for registration and hotel information!
Fall CEU Seminar - October 24 & 25 / Crowne Plaza Hotel, Natick
Plan to attend an outstanding gathering of speakers at general sessions, workshops, seminars all designed to help you complete your CEU requirements. Get all 5 at one time or as low as 1 CEU. Attend one or both days. Save the date and watch your mail for more information.
More programs to come! Watch your mail, fax or e-mail. Call MFDA @ 781-335-2031.
We think that the ultimate compliment of the quality of our CEU / Educational Programming are the members who not only meet the minimum of 5 CEU's but regularly come back for more!!! If you're going to spend 5 hours of your professional life obtaining CEU's, don't you want to leave with the feeling that it was worth the time away from your business and family? Select the MFDA Professional Continuing Education Series as your CEU provider!
Finally, don't forget that members get our quality guarantee! If for any reason you are dissatisfied with the quality of our professional educational offerings, please let us know in writing and your tuition will be fully refunded!
+++++++ MORE +++++++
In a message dated 5/11/01 1:04:42 PM, Mfdaneft writes:
Legislative Alert:
MFDA members should act immediately to contact their State Senators and Representatives to ask that they communicate their support of Senate Bill No. 61 -- An Act Relative to Certain Workers in the Funeral Home Industry to the members of the Commerce and Labor Committee. Funeral Directors with Senators and Representatives who are members of the Commerce and Labor Committee need to ask these Committees members to vote OUGHT TO PASS on this bill.
In summary, the legislation if enacted, will force the Department of Employment and Training (DET) to stop their practice of reclassifying some funeral industry workers (trade embalmers, etc. who act as independent contractors) as "employees" for DET audit purposes. Once reclassified, funeral establishments are responsible for back taxes, plus fines and interest which many times reach thousands of dollars and can be retroactive for several years.
Refer to the fax communication sent to you from the MFDA office for more detail on this important legislation.
In a message dated 5/11/01 3:19:01 PM, ABSAtlanta@aol.com writes:
Prepare to Die: A Guidebook to Funeral Service
Jack R. Barker
Many people today are totally unprepared when a death occurs. This sort of situation can be potentially very confusing to the those who are not only grieving but who also take on the responsibility of making funeral arrangements for their deceased loved one. Be informed.
In his book, Mr. Barker informs the reader of some things to expect as well as things that can be done in advance. Topics discussed in general include not only earth burial, cremation and other traditional services but other services such as burial at sea, donation to a medical school, mummification, etc. Also included is information regarding cemeteries, payment options, making arrangements before death, veterans' benefits as well as many other topics.
Area Companies is proud to publish and market this work as we believe it will truly help everyone who may some day need the services of a funeral home. While everyone is expected to die, not everyone will have to deal with the funeral home and its staff. With this book, we hope to make that difficult task at least easier by providing consumers with valuable information.
The price is just $19.95 plus $3.95 for shipping and handling. (If shipped to a Georgia address, add $1.40 for sales tax @ 7%). See note below regarding volume discounts. Please send check or money order along with your name, business name, and address to:
Area Publishing Company
PO Box 16097
Atlanta, GA 30321
Area Companies donates a portion of the proceeds from the sale of these books to hospices, terminal illness research institutes and other charitable organizations. We hope to help others while we help you. Thank you for your order.
Volume discounts are available as listed below with shipping and handling charges listed to the side (total S&H per order, not per book). More details regarding our volume discount policy will be included with your order. Add 7% sales tax to the book price if shipped to an address in Georgia.
1 copy, $19.95 each + $3.95 S&H
3 copies, $18.24 each + $4.95 S&H
5 copies, $14.49 each + $5.95 S&H
10 copies, $9.95 each + $8.95 S&H
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ATTENTION BUSINESSES:
Mr. Barker has agreed to permit custom printing of the back cover of the book to enable you to promote your business. Simply send us your own advertising materials along with a one-time set-up fee of $45 and we will have your back cover printed for you. We will return a plain photocopy of the full cover for your review. Include a statement requesting your advertising with your order. The original will be kept on file for future orders.
Should you wish for the cover to indicate merely "Complements of [Business Name]" and no specific graphics are needed, the one-time set-up fee is only $25. There is a limit of 3 lines and 40 characters per line (including spaces). We will still return a plain photocopy of the full cover for your review.
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In a message dated 5/3/01 1:30:48 AM, Wayne in Indiana writes:
The Embalmers 9 to 5
Whatever the reason or challenge, an Embalmer understands. Working with any type of tragedy, the Embalmer always has steady hands. Embalmers can be male or female, death really doesn't care. All that really matters, is that Embalmers are always there! As a leap of fate may have it, I dream of this career! For whatever the reason I ask this, Do Embalmers ever cheer? They often time seem so unhappy, and I do not understand why. The job seems so rewarding to me. Are Embalmers just afraid they will die? My career dreams still have not faltered. This is honestly my lifelong goal. The grumps and groans won't effect me, I guess Embalming just takes its toll! For whatever the reason for sadness, is really unknown to me. My actual attitude is gladness! Will Embalming also bring grief to me? Beliefs will not allow me to change. Are you wondering how I can tell? I will give you a trick type of answer... This Embalmer knows of Heaven & Hell! 9 to 5 really does not matter! This timeframe isn't right anyway. For the worktime for an Embalmer, IS 24 HOURS A DAY!!! By: Wayne Gibson
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In a message dated 5/8/01 3:49:22 PM, Gary writes:
John;
How do most funeral directors display & fold an American flag while it is on an open half couch or perfection cut casket? I have seen several ways. I would like some input from your readers.
Have been reading your news for about three years.
Thanks,
Gary
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In a message dated 5/14/01 10:49:22 AM, anonymous in Tennessee writes: I am dismayed at the decline in embalming quality I've observed over the past several years. So many embalmers (I use the term loosely) pay no attention to those little details that make such a difference in the finished appearance of a body. For this deplorable situation I blame the owners and managers who put up with it. Does no one care? It seems to me that funeral service leaders would see the apparent correlation between poor embalming and the increase in non-viewing, closed-casket funerals and direct cremations. Perhaps it's true that few really care. Sad.
POG
Tennessee
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In a message dated 5/14/01 10:42:02 AM, anonymous in Tennessee writes:
John, I am a Tennessee funeral director. We have received three caskets from the local casket store. All were genuine Batesvilles! No quality problem there.
POG
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In a message dated 5/14/01 8:13:40 PM, Steve in Arizona writes:
Dear John,
In reading the back and forth temper tantrums between two persons arguing about casket store caskets, (who should be ashamed of their behavior), I have a suggestion.
Get a Polaroid camera. I use mine for many situations, it's my best insurance policy. If the casket is damaged, take two pictures of the damage. Give one to the driver so that he can take it back to the company and verify it was in this condition upon delivery and the other for yourself. Have the driver intial both photos. If he dosen't don't accept the casket and call the company. If he dtsroys his photo you still have his initals on yours. Everyone take a deep breath or take a pill. Work on your price mark up and you won't have to be a sconcerned with casket stores.
Take care, John and keep up the good work.
Steve P
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Got any Hot News for us. Issues that involve funeral service, in your community, it in, Everything you see here was send in by someone just like you. If there is a newspaper article in your area, send the link and we can all learn from it, even if it is your opinion we all learn from one another. Any HOT NEWS OR SCUTTLEBUTT WILL BE POSTED IN THE READER'S WRITE BACK SECTION.
Send your story or issue to FSPA just click here --->Lowellma@aol.com
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In a message dated 5/13/01 8:54:09 PM, FDforhire writes:
Middle-aged Licensed, Director is looking to relocate after the selling of present place of employment. Licensed since 1988, with excellent managerial, people and and prep-room skills. Last two offices received the Pursuit of Excellence Eagle Award. A member of the American Academey of Professional Funeral Practice.
A complete resume and references supplied when requested. Reply to FDforhire@aol.com
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In a message dated 5/13/01 8:27:21 PM, micnmaxx02@aol.com writes:
Career Objective:
To obtain a residency with a funeral home that will allow me to develop my profession by combining my educational background with additional practice experience.
Education:
Dewitt Clinton High School
H. S. diploma
Fiorello H. Laguardia Community College
Associates Degree in Natural and Applied Science
American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service
Certificate of completion for mortuary science program
Employment Experience:
2/01-4/01
Isaiah Owens Funeral Service
Assisted in all aspects of the embalming process.
Filing death certificates at the Department of Health.
Made removals at various hospitals with company van.
Provided phone support.
Assisted in funeral services, memorial services, and wakes.
2/00-11/00
Marcus Jackson Funeral Home Inc.
Assisted in all aspects of the embalming process.
Filing death certificates at the Department of Health.
Directly responsible for clerical files and data entry.
Provided telephone support.
9/97-11/98
G. G. Lowe Movers
Provided telephone estimates.
Responsible for billing and payroll.
Acted as a liaison between clients and management.
12/96-6/97
The Gap
Responsible for external display.
Head cashier/sales associate.
Internal control and stocking of merchandise.
Customer service.
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You are welcome, to write us with your comments, suggestions, complaints and especially stories about funeral service. Please remember only FSPA members will have information posted in the weekly update, it's easy click here ---> Mailto:Lowellma@aol.com Your participation is appreciated and essential.
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.
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.
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To make life easier on me
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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
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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