In a message dated 5/31/01 3:22:08 PM, Marjorie in Chicago writes:
Hello! I read a good review today in the Chicago Tribune on the upcoming HBO program titled "Six Feet Under". It's a series about a funeral director family that debuts Sunday at 9pm. The person who worked on "American Beauty" helped to create this series according to the paper.
I thought it would be nice to let your readers know about this, it looks as though it will be an entertaining show!
Have a good day!
Marjorie
In a message dated 6/1/01 4:23:55 PM, NFDA sends us this
NEW HBO FUNERAL SERVICE SERIES PREMIERS
HBO is premiering a new fictional television series drama on Sunday, June 3, 2001, at 10 p.m. EST that focuses on a family that operates an independent funeral home in California, "Six Feet Under." The show was created by Alan Ball, who won the 1999 Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for the movie American Beauty. For more information about the show and to view clips, visit HBO's Website at http://www.hbo.com/sixfeetunder/
NFDA is continuing its efforts to contact HBO to discuss the contents of the program. If you have any comments about the program, please call HBO's Consumer Affairs Department at 212-512-1000 or send HBO an e-mail at http://www.hbo.com/cmp/talk_to_hbo.shtml
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In a message dated 6/1/01 6:26 PM, America on Line owns HBO and they offer this: Television and Video
HBO's ground-breaking "Six Feet Under" debuts Sunday June 2, 2001
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - "The Sopranos" may be over for the season but HBO has a new dysfunctional family it hopes will become a surrogate for the Mafia clan. However, instead of being skilled in underworld activities this new group specializes in an underground business.
The cable television network's latest offbeat series, "Six Feet Under," about a family of undertakers, will premiere on Sunday after new back-to-back episodes of HBO's popular "Sex and the City." The show is the brainchild of Alan Ball, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter of "American Beauty."
As in "American Beauty," the family in "Six Feet Under," comprising a mother, her two 20-something sons and teenage daughter, is at war with itself.
In the pilot episode, viewers learn that one brother, the uptight David, is secretly gay. His sister, Claire, is strung out on drugs when she learns of their father's death, while their brother, Nate, has sex with a woman he meets at the airport en route to the funeral. Meanwhile, their mother, Ruth, admits to her children on the funeral day that she had an affair with her hairdresser.
"There's a lot of me in all three of those kids," said Ball, who is gay. "There's a lot of me in Nate with the Peter Pan thing. There's a lot of me in David -- I needed to be the good boy for such a long time, desperate for everyone's approval. ... Then there's a lot of me in Claire. My two (real life) brothers are so much older than me. I was the youngest child who was very unexpected. I felt like an afterthought."
Michael C. Hall, who plays David, said the show benefited from HBO's hands-off approach, in contrast to a more active development role by most broadcast networks eager to make their product advertiser-friendly.
"I was told by so many people what a unique environment we were working in," Hall said. "HBO allowed Alan's vision for the show to remain a singular one."
ROOTED IN DEATH
Ball says the earliest influence for his morbid new series dates back to the death of his own sister in a car accident when he was 13. "I was in the car, too," recalled Ball, now 44. "It was a moment where your life is divided into a before and after. That was my first real taste of death. It was right there in my face."
The show that grew out of Ball's myriad experiences with death over the years features a family struggling with the everyday problems and issues of running a funeral home.
The pilot begins with the death of the father when his hearse is broadsided by a bus, setting up a pattern of deaths depicted at the outset of each show.
Ball -- whose last TV project was the ABC series "Oh, Grow Up," said he created his latest show in part to expose the so-called death care industry and culture of dealing with death in America.
"This person you've loved was in your life and is gone, and then you go into this building where everything is quiet and muffled and the whole subtext is 'Sweep it under the carpet,"' Ball said. "My mom who was devastated by my sister's death was weeping copiously at the funeral. ... They swooped her off, and the subtext was 'That's unattractive, that's embarrassing."'
"Six Feet Under" -- which will go through a run of 13 one-hour episodes -- uses a mixture of humor and the bizarre, along with candid discussion, to get to the heart of death, dying and the funeral industry.
The pilot is interspersed with a series of fake ads for death-care products. HBO, as a subscription channel, has no real product advertisements.
AHEAD OF ITS TIME?
The big question for now, however, is whether viewers will flock to the off-beat show, much the way they've embraced HBO's other quirky shows like "The Sopranos," "Sex and the City" and "Oz" in recent years.
"Ideally, I hope it's right on time rather than ahead of its time," said Ball. "The concern is that it's about morticians and it's morbid, but the very thing that might repel people is also the thing that might attract them. Ultimately, people will hopefully discover it's more than an expose on the death care industry. It's about people."
TV Guide critic Matt Roush said the show will likely create some buzz because of its unusual nature, and it will have more time to find an audience because HBO is less ratings-sensitive than broadcast networks.
HBO is a unit of AOL Time Warner.
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
U.S. Senate 'Musical Chairs' May Affect Industry Issues Hearings on New FTC Chair Draw Little Controversy
ICFA NEWS
Database Update Near Completion
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INDUSTRY NEWS
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U.S. SENATE 'MUSICAL CHAIRS' MAY AFFECT INDUSTRY ISSUES
Widely reported by the media, the resignation of U.S. Sen. James Jeffords (VT) from the Republican Party has tipped the scales of leadership to give the Democratic Party a 50-49 majority. This development is expected to shift the chairmanships of all committees from Republican senators to Democratic ones. The Senate is currently in recess for the Memorial Day holiday and will not reconvene until June 5.
However, the change-over of leadership in mid-session from one party to another is rare and may have a dramatic impact on many committees' agendas through the end of 2002 when the next Senate elections are held.
In particular, the chairmanship of the Senate Finance Committee, which considers tax legislation affecting cemeteries and funeral homes, and the Special Committee on Aging, which held hearings last year on funeral industry sales practices, could affect industry members. Republican Sen. Charles Grassley (IA), who chaired last year's Aging Committee hearings, left that post and became the chair of the Finance Committee this year.
Assuming the chairmanship of the Aging Committee will be changing from Republican Larry Craig (ID), the ranking Democratic and potential new chair of that committee is John Breaux (LA). Ironically, Sen. Breaux actively participated in last year's industry hearings and, in many respects, was helpful to the industry's viewpoint.
The ranking Democrat on the Finance Committee is Max Baucus (MT), who could succeed Sen. Grassley as chair. However, observers believe that due to the razor-thin majority of one party over another, few new issues will be spearheaded by the Democrat chairs. For the present, neither the Aging Committee nor the Finance Committee were planning new hearings on cemetery or funeral home-related issues.
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HEARINGS ON NEW FTC CHAIR DRAW LITTLE CONTROVERSY
On May 16, the Senate Commerce Committee held a public hearing to review the nomination of Timothy J. Muris to become the new chairman of the Federal Trade Commission. Muris, who is currently a faculty member of the George Mason University School of Law in Arlington, Virginia, held positions in the FTC during the Reagan Administration and is known for his pro-business views. During the hearing, Muris stated that FTC has wisely shifted away "from cumbersome rulemaking designed to transform entire industries toward aggressive law enforcement of the basic rules that we already have -- rules against fraud, deception and breach of contract."
During questioning, Muris suggested that existing trade rules should be reviewed under a cost/benefits analysis to gauge their effectiveness. The hearing was brief and received relatively little media attention. Muris's confirmation by the Senate as FTC chair is widely expected to be approved. FTC staff have told the ICFA that the Funeral Rule review proceedings as well as other projects have been put on hold to determine any change of direction that the Muris appointment may bring.
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ICFA NEWS
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DATABASE UPDATE NEAR COMPLETION
The ICFA is nearing completion of its annual database update, including information on all member types. Members who have not yet returned their membership update forms are urged to do so as quickly as possible to ensure our records and their membership directory listing are correct. If you have any questions or require a new update form, please call the ICFA at 1-800-645-7700, ext. 217.
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AND MORE É
The 2001 ICFA University, July 20-25 at the University of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee, offers an intensive course of study in a college classroom setting. Class sizes are limited to 35 students per college, ensuring an intimate learning environment and fostering a strong sense of camaraderie among students. For a listing of colleges and to download a copy of the program, visit http://www.icfa.org/educ2.html.
The ICFA Small Cemetery and Funeral Management Conference and Trade Fair, September 10-12 at the Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey, offers operators of small and mid-sized locations opportunities to network, learn and share ideas. To download a copy of the program, visit http://www.icfa.org/educ2.html.
Members interested in attending the ICFA Fall Management Conference, October 24-27 at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines in San Diego, California, are encouraged to register early. Tee times for the Member Golf Tournament at Torrey Pines are limited. To obtain a conference registration and hotel reservation form, call the ICFA at 1-800-645-7700, ext. 219.
The ICFA has begun selling videotapes of presentations from Naked Sales I, the highly successful 1999 Sales Management and Marketing Conference. Videos of Naked Sales II and III will be available this summer. Prices vary depending on length. To receive a complete listing of tapes and an order form, call ICFA Member Services Administrator Alex Toth at 1-800-645-7700, ext. 216.
Since April 2000, the ICFA has waged an ongoing media campaign to educate consumers about the value of remembrance, memorialization and preplanning for cemetery and funeral expenses. For more information and to view copies of the news releases, visit http://www.icfa.org/media.htm.
The ICFA's 2000-2001 Buyer's Guide and Membership Directory is available for purchase at a member price of just $15, while supplies last. To order copies, print out a form at http://www.icfa.org/membershipdirectory.htm or call 1-800-645-7700, ext. 216.
Need a labor relations and employment law attorney? Check out ICFA's benefit program offering free telephone legal consultations at http://www.icfa.org/pepperman.htm.
ICFA members can establish their own Web sites for just $14.95 per month, with no up-front fees. FuneralAssistant.com is providing: complete Web site design, up to six pages; monthly site hosting; assignment of a Keyword that directs Internet customers to the site; and Web site updates. For more information, visit http://www.icfa.org/WebBenefit.htm.
Jeff & Michelle Levesque of the Brady & Levesque Funeral Home in St. Albans, Vermont dropped in to see me on a professional visit, we had done a removal and embalming for his family's funeral home and during a tour of the funeral home Jeff mentioned that he is working with other funeral directors on "The Purple Light Issue", seems Vermont Police don't like funeral processions to have purple lights or any kind of special lights for that matter, he has managed to get the proposed law change into the Legislature and now needs support from more funeral professionals, I asked was the Vermont FDA helping, Jeff said no they have not helped at all, although they have been asked to, Jeff explained that the traffice bureau in VT put a letter out to many FD's and Police Deparments, tell them if special lights are used, a citation should be issued with a hundred dollar fine. I aske why the State FDA was not supportive he said he did not know, so I called Vermont's FDA exectuive director Dwight Camp, he is an FD in Woodstock VT, Dwight chuckled about the issue and said he could comment on the issue it is to be taken up with the board next week, and I should be in touch with the Vermont Pres Bob Brown, I called the Ready Funeral Home in Burington Vermont asking for Bob Brown he is gone for the day and he will call me back tommorrow! I did speak to Bob Brown and he refused comment on the issue until after his board meets on Wednesday
In a message dated 5/23/01 9:19:44 PM, nov25@surfglobal.net writes:
Thursday May 31, 2001 the day after the board meeting, again, I called and talked to Bob Brown Vermont Funeral Directors Association President and he said the board met and agreed that the Association does support Jeff Levesque's efforts the and will help him to get this safety issue passed President Brown made it clear that the association wants the lights allowed but not be mandatory.
In a message dated 5/24/01 9:23:30 PM, LASCNH writes:
Hi Again John
I just wanted to let you know that last Saturday we had one of our best offerings ever which was very well attended. About 80 funeral directors met at the Taunton Holiday Inn to see Anthony Hollingshead of the Forest Hills Crematory, Pat Brophy (whose husbands' death began the process for implementing the Health Care aproxy) and Bob Kane's OSHA program.
Everyone earned their (5) Five CEU's and their certificate of attendance for training in Bloodborne Pathogens all for only $79.99.
The Kenmore Square Institute continues to offer great programs for such a low price, and our surveys continue to come in with very high numbers.
Bob Kane and I would like to take this opprotunity to thank those folks who attended, and as well, we'd like to let folks know that we have several more offerings planned this year at venues throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
We'll be in Holyoke again, Lowell, Fall River, Worcester, Boston, Stonehill College and in Taunton again. There will be at least 8 - 10 more offerings with many more exciting new presenters - again allowing folks to earn all (5) ceu's and their OSHA requirement in one sitting, within one half a day, and ofr only $79.99!
Call with questions any time.
Christian N. Hood, MBIE, CFSP
Robert J. KAne, MBIE, CFSP
www.kenmoresquareinstitite.com
(508) 238-4269
In a message dated 5/24/01 8:22:16 AM, Walter in Tennessee sends us:
ABCNEWS ABCNEWS Keyword
By Geraldine Sealey
May 22 - Medical examiners turn around crucial autopsies in no time when they're in high-profile cases or on television shows.
The reality is quite different, though, for most people who have to wait for autopsy results after the unexpected or unexplained death of a loved one.
Horrifically enough, in some morgues, bodies are stacked high pending exams. Some medical examiners have quit their posts, frustrated by jammed morgues, inadequate funding, and chronic staffing shortages that mean it often takes months - and in some cases years - to obtain an exact cause of death.
The delays slow criminal investigations, bog down insurance claims and compound survivors' pain by forcing them to await the details of loved ones' deaths.
More Than 2 Years for Autopsy Results
The problem is national in scope. In Washington, D.C., there's a backlog of 1,300 cases stretching back to 1999. In Providence, R.I., last year, the medical examiner's office was so swamped from the October 1999 crash of EgyptAir Flight 990, delays ran up to a year. In Alabama recently, the wait has been as long as 30 months.
"Almost any place you look that has a death investigation system, they're probably not funded or staffed to the level they should be over a period of time at a quality level without getting into backlogs," said Randy Hanzlick, president of the National Association of Medical Examiners.
Of the hundreds of death investigation offices across the country - there is no exact figure - only 40 are accredited by his organization because most offices can't meet basic standards, Hanzlick said.
Medical examiners' offices face such shortages in part because of the general perception that they just deal with dead people, he said. Politicians usually earmark government money for those who are still living - and can still vote.
It's true that medical examiners deal largely with the deceased. They investigate deaths, especially those that are sudden, unexplained and caused by violence. They also decide whether a death is due to natural causes, foul play, or was preventable.
Autopsies Benefit the Living
But the work of medical examiners also has a major impact on the living, Hanzlick said. Their findings are used as evidence in criminal investigations and in courts of law.
Survivors rely on autopsies to bring closure to their loved ones' deaths. It is common for families to need autopsy results to get insurance benefits, to pay for a funeral or to make a house payment.
Because medical examiners straddle the line between law enforcement and public health, their work also helps determine whether there's been an outbreak of infectious disease such as meningitis or whether a bad batch of illegal drugs has made its way into the community.
Perhaps if society at large understood these roles, says Jonathan L. Arden, chief medical examiner in Washington, D.C., funding shortages wouldn't be so chronic.
"It's our job to assist suffering, not create it," he said. "It's a perspective people don't automatically take. You think of me examining dead people and never think of me assisting people in times of need. We really do that."
Federal Help On the Way?
In Maricopa County, Ariz., Chief Medical Examiner Phil Keen has orchestrated major reforms of his office since he started full-time there in 1992. At one point, he was the only doctor in the office.
Even now, his staff - which fields 4,000 cases a year - rotates corpses among only three examining tables and works shifts six days a week to keep the bodies moving. But the staff has grown to 58, including nine pathologists, and will soon move into a new, much larger public-financed facility.
By 2003, Keen hopes, most autopsy reports will be turned around in 45 days. Keen says educating the public about the role of the medical examiner is the key to securing enough funding to get the job done.
"You just have to help people understand what you're doing," he said.
For those underfunded medical examiner's offices without hope of local financial support, there could be federal dollars on the way.
Before he left office, former President Clinton signed into law a bill that would provide $512 million over six years to crime labs and medical examiner offices throughout the country. The measure remains unfunded, but money could become available for fiscal year 2002.
In a message dated 5/24/01 V in Maryland informs us:
The York Group, Inc. Announces Sale of Commemorative Products Segment to Matthews International Corporation
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 23, 2001--The York Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:YRKG) today announced the sale of the businesses which comprise its Commemorative Products segment to Matthews International Corporation for net cash proceeds of $45 million. The proceeds from this transaction will retire substantially all of the Company's outstanding debt and further increase its cash reserves. After the closing, the Company will have cash reserves of approximately $21 million and total debt of less than $1.5 million, consisting primarily of capital lease obligations. "Except for a few minor capital leases that we chose to maintain, by the end of the day tomorrow we will have retired all of our outstanding debt and completely fulfilled our obligations to our existing lenders," stated Thomas J. Crawford, President and Chief Executive Officer of The York Group.
The Company expects to record a pre-tax loss of approximately $10 million on the sale of these businesses, representing less than full realization of the $48 million goodwill value currently carried on the books of these subsidiaries. The Company also expects to write off approximately $2 million of deferred financing costs in conjunction with the debt retirement.
The York Group, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, offers death care professionals the broadest range of wood, metal, cloth-covered, orthodox and cremation caskets of all industry suppliers. The York Group also provides the York Merchandising System(TM) and Funeral Resource Center(TM), which are state-of-the-art merchandising display systems for the death care industry.
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, 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, as well as the effect of competition on the Company's ability to maintain margins on existing operations.
CONTACT:
The York Group, Inc., Houston
Dan Malone, 713/984-5500
+++++++ MORE ++++++
Houston Casket-Making Company Sold
.c The Associated Press
HOUSTON (AP) - Matthews International Corp., which makes bronze grave markers and cremation urns, has agreed to buy casket maker The York Group if the Houston company meets certain financial targets.
Matthews said it will buy all outstanding York common shares for $10 per share, or about $89.4 million. It also agreed to pay up to an additional $1 per share based on the cash on York's balance sheet on Oct. 31, 2001.
York, the nation's second-largest casket maker, rejected a purchase offer from Wilbert Funeral Services, which already owned 14 percent of York shares, earlier this year.
In 2000, York posted an $11.7 million loss on sales of $192.5 million.
Pittsburgh-based Matthews said Wednesday that its purchase of York is subject to York raising its net earnings from casket sales in the first nine months of the year above year-ago levels. The deal would require approval of shareholders and regulators.
As part of the transaction, Matthews will buy York's factories in Bryan, Texas, and Kingwood, W.Va.
Matthews is North America's top seller of cremation equipment, according to the business information service Hoover's Online. It made Elvis Presley's grave marker.
In trading Thursday on the Nasdaq Stock Market, York shares rose 24 percent, or $1.91 a share, to close at $9.83, and Matthews shares closed unchanged at $35.37 a share.
NFDA Executive Director Search Committee Making Headway
As you may or may not know NFDA Search Committee Dwayne Spence, Chair; Bob Biggins, Sumner Brashears, Bill Aaron, Meg Mountcastle ( Virginia) and Kurt Soffe ( Utah), and Fred Bittle ( Human Resource Consultant), along with the full executive board for the initial meeting met Saturday May 19, 2001 in Brookfield, Wisconsin, for the initial meeting. Wednesday May 23, 2001 I talked to Committee Chair and NFDA Treasurer Dwayne Spence at his office in Ohio, Dwayne said they had a productive meeting, applications will be handled through NFDA's Legal Counsel any and all applicants should be in touch with Attorney Scott Gilligan, all applicants must send "snail mail" US POSTAL ONLY a request for an application package in writing to:
Atty. Scott Gilligan Legal Counsel for NFDA Statman Harris Seigel & Eyrich 2900 Chemed Center 255 East 5th st Cincinnati OHIO 45202
Scott Gilligan will respond to a written request for application for Executive Director Position Starting June 1, 2001. The completed application must be returned to Mr. Gilligan prior to August 30, 2001.
Near the end of our conversation I told Dwayne that there has been talk of NFDA moving to Washington DC, on Wednesday May 24, 2001 Dwayne Spence made himself "crystal clear in that we will NOT move the NFDA offices to accommodate a new Executive director and no discussion has been or will be about a move of the headquarters".
There will be a press release coming out shortly on the subject and he would make sure it was e-mailed to me for our readers.
In a message dated 5/25/01 12:04:22 AM, NFDA President John Carmon writes:
John, The search committee met with the full executive board for the initial meeting. Any discussion of a move is pure rumor. The CEO position will be in the Brookfield office of NFDA. We will of course maintain our Government Relations office in Washington, DC under the directorship of John Fitch.
John Carmon
+++++++ MORE +++++++
Dwayne Spence promised the official press release and fax it the day it came out, Thanks Dwayne
FAX FROM DWAYNE R. SPENCE FUNERAL HOME HOME May. 30 2001 01:49PM
From: John Carmon, President
The President and Executive board are pleased to offer potential candidates the opportunity to request an inforrnation packet relative to applying for the position of Chief Executive Officer of the National Funeral Directors Association. This packet will be mailed to interested candidates, by written request' to T. Scott Gilligan' Esq., 2900 Chemed Center, 225 East 5th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
Applicants will receive information helpful to explain the vision and strategic palm the Executive Board has approved for NFDA. We have also outlined the critical issues the CEO and his/her team needs to address; the same criteria we will use to select the right match to lead us into the future.
NFDA is the oldest and largest funeral service organization in the world serving over 13,000 members. We offer advocacy, education, products, services, and programs from our headquarters in Brookfield Wisconsin with a staff 43 talented individuals. Our Government Relations staff serves from our offices on C Street, just northeast of the Capital in Washington DC. Financially strong, will net assets and investments of over $8million and operating within a balanced budget of just under $9 million, we are proud of our past and excited about our future.
"The entire board and staff are enthusiastic about our opportunities for growth and service to our members and the profession. Funeral Service is truly the greatest of all ` Care-Giving" professions and NFDA is the voice oft his profession to the world. I encourage all candidates' careful consideration of our needs and their ability to help lead us to meet the goals and objectives we all share. Applicants may wish to visit our Website at NFDA.org to learn more about our current programs and services."
Said President Carmon.
We will accept completed applications until August 31, 2001 at the office of our legal counsel, T. Scott Gilligan, Esq.; interviews will be scheduled after October 1, 2001; and our hope is to have this important position filled by the end of this year. We have included some answers to anticipated questions and should anyone need furtherr information please contact Dwayne Spence at 614- 837-7126, Scott Gilligan, at 513-621-2666 or John Carmon at 860-688-2200.
At the invitation of President George W. Bush, NFDA President John Carmon will be one of a very select group to have breakfast with President Bush on Memorial Day and attend the signing ceremony for the World War II Memorial legislation recently passed by Congress.
Invitees include the national commanders of the veteran's service organizations and the leaders of key organizations that helped fund the World War II Memorial.
The intimate sit-down breakfast will be held in the State Dining Room of the White House at 7:30 a.m. with the bill-signing ceremony immediately following at 9 a.m.
President Carmon is very honored and humbled by the invitation.
==================================
In a message dated 5/28/01 9:06:31 AM, LOWELL MA writes to NFDA Pres. John Carmon:
Hi John, Congratulations you lucky guy, what an honor, if you care to comment on your experiance at the breakfast I would post it for our readers.
Thanks for your leadership
John McDonough
==================================
In a message dated 5/28/01 1:42:51 PM, JCCarmon writes:
A wonderful honor. At breakfast I met the Secretary of Defense and several of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for the various branches of the service. There were about a hundred people there mostly Cabinet, Secretarys of everything, Senators, Congressman, Generals, Admirals, and leaders of the various veterans organizations. I met the man who designed the memorial and the chairman of the Battle Monuments Commission. They were all appreciative of the work NFDA and funeral directors did and are doing all over the country. I witnessed the signing of the bill and sat right behind Senator Dole and his wife. I spoke to the President and thanked him for making the memorial a reality and gave him some of the soil from the groundbreaking with a personal note and one from my mother. We shook hands and and thanked me for all our work. I was then invited to attend the ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery. Thanks to Jack Metzler, the manager and a wonderful friend of funeral service, I was invited to sit in the reserved box with Senator Dole and his wife and General Kellogg and his wife. We were next to the joint chiefs and the Bush family. It was a wonderful experience and an honor and priviledge to represent NFDA. It showed me how important it is for us to continue the wonderful work of gathering the names of all who served and helped on the home front and to make very sure that no one is forgotten. JCC
In a message dated 5/17/01 9:46:29 AM, lacorn@icfa.org writes:
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ICFA WIRELESS &endash; May 15, 2001 Edition Vol. 2 No. 10
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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
ICFA 'Guardians' Goes to Capitol Hill
New Study Published on U.S. Funeral Service
VA Increases Burial Vault Cash Allowance
Zoning Decision: Medical Building Turned Into Funeral Home is 'More'
Conforming Use
ICFA NEWS
ICFA Announces 2001 University Program
ICFA Golf Tournament Receives Sponsors
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INDUSTRY NEWS
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ICFA 'GUARDIANS' GOES TO CAPITOL HILL
The Spring 2001 issue of ICFA's newsletter, Guardians, is being sent to all 535 members of Congress, selected House and Senate committee staffs and key federal agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission. Published twice annually, Guardians provides the "other" news ignored by the media about the important good work performed by our industry and related developments.
The Spring issue reviews the recent Cemetery Consumer Service Council (CCSC) activity survey of inquiries and complaints, noting a dispute resolution rate of more than 90 percent. Other articles review the federal court decisions in Tennessee and Mississippi last year that overturned state laws restricting who may sell caskets to the public.
Also reviewed is the ICFA rebuttal to the Consumers Union study critical of prepaid funeral plans, and the "Friend of the Court" brief recently filed by the ICFA in federal litigation in New York State. Guardians can be read on the ICFA Web site at http://www.icfa.org/guardian.htm.
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NEW STUDY PUBLISHED ON U.S. FUNERAL SERVICE
A new study, titled "The U.S. Market for Funeral and Cremation Services and Supplies (Past Performance, Current Trends and Future Strategies)," has been published by Information for Industry Inc. in Commack, New York. This 147-page proprietary study is a follow-up to an earlier report published in 1995. Using statistics from a variety of sources including government agencies, the study provides information on the post-acquisition stance of the industry as cremation rates and preneed sales continue to increase.
The study is divided into six sections, including "Structural Trends in the U.S. Funeral and Cremation Services Industry," "The U.S. Market for Burial Caskets, Casket Shells, Burial Vaults, and Boxes," "Pricing Trends in the U.S. Funeral and Cremation Service and Supply Industries" and "Demographic Factors Affecting Demand for Funeral and Cremation Services and Supplies." The study was published in April 2001 and sells for $995. For more information, contact Information for Industry Inc. at (631) 462-5454.
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VA INCREASES BURIAL VAULT CASH ALLOWANCE
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced an increase for 2001 in the cash allowance it provides toward the private purchase of an outer burial container for interments in national cemeteries in lieu of the government-furnished containers. The net allowance payable for qualifying interments made in 2001 is $142.23.
This amount is based on the average cost of the government-provided containers during the year 2000, which was determined to be $151.73. Administrative expenses incurred in paying the allowance in lieu of the government-provided containers are subtracted from the cost to determine the net amount payable. The expenses incurred for 2001 were determined to be $9.50, leaving a net of $142.23 payable toward a private container. For 1999, the VA's cost of a container was $147.96 and the administrative expenses were $10.17 per container, for a net cash allowance of $137.79. The new allowance represents an increase of $4.44.
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ZONING DECISION: MEDICAL BUILDING TURNED INTO FUNERAL HOME IS 'MORE' CONFORMING USE
The appellate division of the New York State Supreme Court recentl affirmed a village zoning board decision that permitted a medical office building to be converted into a funeral home. The medical building had been zoned under a nonconforming use permit, and the owners of the proposed funeral home hoped to extend the nonconforming use to the operation of a funeral home. Giving the owners even more than they had requested, the Village of East Hampton Zoning Board held that a funeral home operation was a "more conforming use" than had been the medical building.
The board's determination was based on findings that "the funeral home would not alter the residential character of the neighborhood, would not have a negative impact on property values, would not increase overall traffic congestion, would decrease the production of sewage and refuse, and would not increase population density." The court ruled that the zoning board's findings were based on substantial evidence in the record and had a rational basis. Ray v. Zoning Board of Appeals, 723 N.Y.S. 2d 84 (2001).
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ICFA NEWS
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ICFA ANNOUNCES 2001 UNIVERSITY PROGRAM
The ICFA has mailed out the program for the 2001 ICFA University, to be held July 20-25 at the University of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee Members should receive the program within the next week.
ICFA University offers an intensive course of study in a college classroom setting. Classes are taught by leading industry experts as well as business and economics faculty at the University of Memphis. Class sizes are limited to 35 students per college, ensuring an intimate learning environment and fostering a strong sense of camaraderie among students.
For a listing of colleges and to download a copy of the program, visit
http://www.icfa.org/educ2.html.
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ICFA GOLF TOURNAMENT RECEIVES SPONSORS
The ICFA has obtained two sponsorships to help defray the cost of the Member Golf Tournament at the ICFA Fall Management Conference, October 24-27, 2001, at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines in San Diego, California.
Superior Bronze & Granite Company of Stroud, Oklahoma, will sponsor the tournament, and Family Care Funeral Services of Morganville, New Jersey, will sponsor beverage carts.
Members interested in attending the conference are encouraged to register early. Tee times for the tournament at Torrey Pines are limited. To obtain a conference registration and hotel reservation form, call the ICFA at 1-800-645-7700, ext. 219.
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AND MORE É
The ICFA is selling videotapes of presentations from Naked Sales I, the highly successful 1999 Sales Management and Marketing Conference. Videos of Naked Sales II and III will be available this summer. Prices vary depending on length. To receive a complete listing of tapes and an order form, call ICFA Member Services Administrator Alex Toth at 1-800-645-7700, ext. 216.
Since April 2000, the ICFA has waged an ongoing media campaign to educate consumers about the value of remembrance, memorialization and preplanning for cemetery and funeral expenses. For more information and to view copies of the news releases, visit http://www.icfa.org/media.htm.
The ICFA's 2000-2001 Buyer's Guide and Membership Directory is available for purchase at a member price of just $15, while supplies last. To order copies, print out a form at http://www.icfa.org/membershipdirectory.htm or call 1-800-645-7700, ext. 216.
Need a labor relations and employment law attorney? Check out ICFA's benefit program offering free telephone legal consultations at http://www.icfa.org/pepperman.htm.
ICFA members can establish their own Web sites for just $14.95 per month, with no up-front fees. FuneralAssistant.com is providing: complete Web site design, up to six pages; monthly site hosting; assignment of a Keyword that directs Internet customers to the site; and Web site updates. For more information, visit http://www.icfa.org/WebBenefit.htm.
International Cemetery and Funeral Association
1895 Preston White Drive, Suite 220
Reston, VA 20191
1-800-645-7700
(703) 391-8400
fax (703) 391-8416
www.icfa.org
In a message dated 5/16/01 3:55:15 PM, Chris@theoutlookgroup.com writes:
PRESS RELEASE For Further Information
Please Contact
For Immediate Release Chris Kuhnen (800) 331-6270
OUTLOOK COMPANY WIDE MEETING A SUCCESS!
Franklin, OH. The Outlook Group, Inc. held their spring company-wide meeting Wednesday May 2nd through Friday May 4th at the corporate office in Franklin, Ohio.
The meeting began Wednesday morning with a manager's workshop. Valuable sales counselor recruitment & sales management methods were looked at as well as first quarter territory sales performance results. After lunch the managers joined the rest of the company and special guests Richard R. Burgtorf, Vice President Agency, Fortis Family and Roger Sheagren, President, F.A.C. Marketing for an afternoon of valuable and motivational sales meetings. The meetings including a simulated version of "The Tonight Show" with Outlook motivational guru John Feher interviewing top sales producers Alan Miller, Sara Tanner, George Yuhas and Gary Derksen. John asked them to share the secrets of their continued sales and personal career success with the company. Rob Jones and Chris Kuhnen followed with a carefully researched and presented presentation outlining the hottest ways to effectively reach, market and sell today's 50+ consumers. Ed Bowling got everyone charged up comparing the intrinsic value of "spring training" for a major league baseball player to Advance Funeral Planning Professionals. Evening activities were capped off with a wonderful Murder Mystery Dinner. Careful probing, listening and inductive reasoning powers had to be put to good use to solve the three hour-long murder mystery.
Thursday's meeting included roundtable discussions conducted by Christian Chambers (Effective Communicational Skills) Susan Wallock-Pierce (Slow and Steady Wins The Course) Chip Whittaker (Creating Meaningful Memorialization) Gary Derksen (Sharing of Experience) and Chris Kuhnen (Effective Networking Tips). Susan Wallock-Pierce and Benji Cumbie presented an update on what the members of Task Force 2001 have been working on since the team's inception early this year. The major event of the day was the evening Outlook Awards Dinner Banquet. Awards for Prearrangement Professional of the Month were presented to along with "Excellence Pins" to all past winners. January 1,1995 The Outlook Group, Inc. instituted the Prearrangement Professional of the Month award. The designation is awarded to the individual who is recommended to others by the families they serve; presents and assists families with information and options about planning ahead for the future and reaches out and assists younger families and families the funeral home may not have otherwise served. All monthly winners have their name engraved on a large wooden plaque, which hangs in the Academy of Advance Funeral Planning training center in Franklin, Ohio. Winners announced thus far this year include: January - Katherine Kilpatrick; February - Virginia Billingsley; March - Susan Wallock-Pierce; April - Susan Wallock-Pierce.
Friday's meeting included a stirring "pep talk" by John Feher and a home office update by Kim Helton, Paula Carroll, Jennifer Bonsal and Karen Gregosky. Inspiring closing remarks by Outlook CEO/Founder Charles W. Anderson capped off three great days of meetings. The fall company-wide meeting will be Held October 10th - 12th in Lexington, Kentucky. For more information about The Outlook Group, Inc. and any of their regional or company-wide meetings contact Christian Chambers, VP, Sales at (800)331-6270 or visit their web site at http://www.theoutlookgroup.com.
In a message dated 5/16/01 2:56:14 PM, ThosLynch writes:
Click here: Cremation http://www.theconnection.org/archive/2001/05/0516b.shtml
Dear Colleagues:
This NPR Show, The Connection, aired this morning in most markets and was on the subject of cremation in America and the publication of Stephen Prothero's new book, Purified by Fire: A History of Cremation in America. I was glad to be asked to take part in the conversation which was informative, engaging and respectful. If you have Real Audio on your computer you can click on the Listen to the Show link and listen in. The show lasts 51 minutes. The first portion deals with Professor Prothero's new book, the second portion includes conversation between Dr. Prothero and myself and then there are call-in Questions & Answers.
Click here: Cremation http://www.theconnection.org/archive/2001/05/0516b.shtml
Best regards,
Thomas Lynch
Milford, MI
In a message dated 5/16/01 2:48:57 PM, Mike in Massachusetts writes:
Langone, Francis A.
Owner of the Francis A. Langone Funeral Home, Wakefield MA
WAKEFIELD
Of Wakefield, May 12, Francis A. Beloved husband of the late Margaret (Terravecchia) Langone. Devoted father of Louise Crupi and her husband Donald of Stoneham, Carol Hogan and her husband James of Naples, FL, and Fran Connolly and her husband Michael of Lynnfield. Loving grandfather of Laura Crupi, Carolyn Palermo, Stephen Crupi, Mark, Michelle, and Matthew Connolly. Cherished great-grandfather of Gina Rose Palermo. Son of the late Joseph A. and Luisa (Imbrogno) Langone. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Funeral from the Francis A. Langone Funeral Home, 15 Chestnut St., WAKEFIELD, Thursday, May 17, at 9:30 a.m. Followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Joseph's Church, Wakefield, at 10:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Visiting hours Tuesday 5-9 p.m. and Wednesday 5-9 p.m. Interment Forest Glade Cemetery, Wakefield. Owner of the Francis A. Langone Funeral Home, Wakefield. Past President of the Crystal Community Club. Late member of the Lodge of Elks and the Sons of Italy, both of Wakefield. Late Commissioner of the Wakefield Housing Authority. Contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 3 Bridge St., Newton, MA, in his memory
In a message dated 5/18/01 7:58:22 PM, info@ejgrey.com writes:
Hi John,
Hope You are well, and keep up the good work.
I thought I'd let You know We have now decided to add a new service to Our Funeral Home, We are now prepared to except cremated ashes from any where in the World and inter them in a private cemetery in Templemore Ireland at a cost of £250.00 and £100 per Year after that, I wonder if You could ask the Members for comments. We think it's a good idea, We have been excepting ashes for over 3 Years and scattering the ashes in Ireland, however We now feel this Interment service would preove popular, I would be delighted with any coments. Thanks again John.
Grey Funeral Home www.ejgrey.com
Templemore,
Co. Tipperary,
Ireland.
Ed, I like the idea of being able to see the inside the hearse www.ejgrey.com <----- Check out European Style Hearse
In a message dated 5/15/01 11:31:23 PM, Eric in Pennsylvania writes: Writer for AMERICAN FUNERAL DIRECTOR magazine requests research assistance for upcoming article on the knowledge of any funeral homes that were featured in major motion pictures or television series. Please contact me directly at Deathfive0@aol.com
Thanks!
In a message dated 5/15/01 6:11:51 PM, Doug in Pennsylvania writes: The Cemetery Shop has added a Genealogy Section to their web site, in response to a growing number of Genealogical Requests from their customers. http://www.cemeteryshop.com/
This new Genealogy section is not an archive of materials. It includes almost two dozen topics of How-to detail and a links page that contains links to some of the popular Genealogy archive and search sites on the Internet.
As with all of their site content, The Cemetery Shop has developed this Genealogy section to serve as an informative Consumer Education Resource.
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In a message dated 5/28/01 3:42:10 PM, Jay in New Jersey writes:
Mr. McDonough, I enjoy reading readers write back and I offer this information. Did you know NFDA is copying ICFA's idea of a debate between funeral service professionals, NFDA like ICFA will have a debate between one of your cyberpals Tom Lynch and Exec Director of Pennsylvania FDA John Eirkson VS Trust 100's Alan Creedy and FD Chester Stweart, the debate will be on pre need sales, weather or not licensed FD's should be the only ones to sell pre needs! They will have it NFDA Pres. Back Yard a place Called Foxwood$ Re$ort in Connecticut.
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In a message dated 5/25/01 6:02:30 PM, Beacham in North Carolina writes: It's true! Matthews has bought York - lock, stock, and barrel. Matthews is a publicly traded company and the largest manufacturer of bronze memorials. Now for sure they are the largest. With their strong connections to cemterians, it remains to be seen where the newest market for York caskets lies. Not that this should be an issue, but its fodder for interesting discussions.
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In a message dated 5/27/01 7:47:26 PM, Chris in Massachusetts writes: If you receive an email titled:
It Takes Guts to Say Jesus
DO NOT OPEN IT
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In a message dated 5/15/01 5:07:53 PM, John in New York writes:
All of funeral service should pause for a moment of prayer and silence we have all lost a great individual, friend and mentor may 15-2001
e.j.ames flood better known as red flood...............
PELHAM FUNERAL HOME
**************************************************
we salute a "Great Person"
Mc Elroy Flynn,Cassidy-Flynn,Omega funeral Service, Mt. Kisco F.H.,and King
David memorial chapels flowers by carol and omega monuments
john g. flynn omega group pres.
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In a message dated 5/3/01 11:12:09 AM, Kevin in Massachusetts writes:
Mr. McDonough,
I was listening to the radio this morning, 106.3 WHOB, they are based in Nashua, and a listener called from Town and they were talking about changes in Town over the years. The DJ once lived in the same Town, and after the caller hung up, he said "A Former Steak House is now a funeral home, who would wanna go there? They probably use A-1 instead of embalming fluid."
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Bob Petty in Virginia writes
Have I missed something here? Am I just not getting it or something? If SB1610 is goint to EXCLUDE SCI till Dec. 31, 2004, then exactly WHAT CONSUMER IS IT PROTECTING? Keep it up, and we can just kiss pre-need goodbye, if it isn't done for already! The consumer is repidly loosing confidence and trust in us! Somebody, somewhere had better get htis situation under control, and this measure is not the answer! I am in Virginia, a long way from Florida in miles, but not very far when it comes to feeling the affects of the last $84,000,000.00, when will it stop.
IF YOU ARE GOING TO LOCK THE FOX IN THE HEN HOUSE OVERNIGHT OVERNIGHT, DON'T EXPECT ANYTHING TO BE LEFT EXCEPT FEATHERS IN THE MORNING.
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In a message dated 5/20/01 11:20:36 PM, Chris in Massachusetts writes:
Hi John- Does anyone know about the new television series coming to the US via HBO that will be set within the funeral home industry, and what are folks within the NFDA doing to see to it that it does not shed poor light on our business ? Just wondering!
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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 messanelsenfh@hotmail.comge dated 5/26/01 7:25:43 PM, writes: Looking for licensed funeral director to manage 90 call branch of 1000+ annual call family owned firm. Must be willing to relocate and eligible for licensure in Virginia.
--
Blair Nelsen
Nelsen Funeral Home
4650 S Laburnum Ave
Richmond, VA 23231
804-222-8601
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In a message dated 5/25/01 6:49:01 PM, McDougald writes:
John, How about including this in your next update . . .
Professional Wanted:
Mid size funeral home in North Carolina is seeking a progressive, open-minded, educated, and compassionate funeral director/embalmer. Excellent salary, health benefits, and 401K for the right person.
We offer a 40 hour work week, two days per week off, paid vacation and sick leave.
What we expect is a person capable of displaying excellent public relations skills, excellent interpersonal relationship skills, and excellent embalming skills.
Interested? E-mail a resume to McDougald@aol.com
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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.
If you have a suggested question this please just send it along, none of FSPA 's mail will be possible with out your sending information into us,
To make life easier on me
First and foremost, Send your info or story in to FSPA.
2nd Please put on the top line your name and location, like "John from Massachusetts writes :"
3rd please address the subject line put:
This is just a hobby, if you send and don't address the subject line with FSPA, it usually delete it because it looks like junk mail, FSPA get over 50 pieces of mail a day, most gets deleted, THE SUBJECT LINE is the key so please, use the subject line properly. Put FSPA in the Subject line along with the flavor of your message.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE the posting(s) you send are some times resent to others be careful, if you are proud of what you said and want the world to know how you feel Put your name, location and e-mail address at the end.
However If you don't want the world to know your ideas and you want to remain anonymous, just put name withheld at the end. FSPA does not reveal who its members are nor does FSPA lend it's list of members to others. There is no need to identify yourself. If you are not proud of your response (like the air line lost a body on us) it is not recommended you identify yourself, since we can all learn from problems. We need your input! Your answers go all over the place, E-mail is so easy to forward. We are happy to learn from your problems and issues, there is no need to identify yourself if you don't want to, South Western United States if just fine.
If the article you want is from a commercial publisher YOU MUST get permission from the person or company who created the story.
Because e-mail can be altered electronically, the integrity of this communication cannot be guaranteed. Any of the items you read here, you are free to reuse, understand, the postings are just that, the items are for the most part cut and pasted from E-mail, others FAXed and of course from funeral publications and other media. What you see here is never checked, if you do decide to republish or quote any thing FSPA puts out, check it out, please do not name the individual who sent the article without their permission. If you see fit to use any information from FSPA please give us credit. Ages ago a state association news letter posted a quote using the senders name, she was not a happy camper nor was her company, please use caution in the future. We appreciate your understanding and we need your support.
Consider these steps for your life.
1. Work like you don't need the money.
2. Love like you've never been hurt.
3. Dance like you do when nobody's watching.
C YA
John
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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