Congratulations to our friends at death-dying.com! Forbes rated them one of the best on the web!
http://www.forbes.com/bow/b2c/category.jhtml?id=181
Death, Dying and Grief Support www.death-dying.com
In Funeral Service Insiders Most Recent Casket Servey Speical Report Customers Rated Milso Number 1 !
the Insider Repots Satisfaction Ratings on a scale of 1 - 10 (10-best)
Company ---------------------Products ----------------------- Service
Aurora ---------------------------- 8.4 ------------------------------- 8.8
Batesville ------------------------- 8.7 ------------------------------- 8.5
Milso ------------------------------ 8.8 ------------------------------ 9.8
York -------------------------------- 7.5 ------------------------------ 8.4
Congratulations to our friends at Milso, we were invited to attend one of their Casket Shows, we had a wonderful time, and bought a couple of new units. If MILSO has a show in your area, skip lunch! because they always have the best food! One of the Company Owners "Harry Pantone" was greeting people and offering a heart felt "Thank you for your business" Scott and Andrew Pantone were there too, I should have brought my camera. A few years back at NFDA's Cincinnati Convention, a side trip: I visited Milso's largest manufacturing facility in Richmond, Indiana, I got a great behind the scenes tour of the facility, I was fascinated how brushed caskets are made, as well as to see the process to give those Milso's such fantastic finish is.
In a message dated 6/5/01 3:23:42 PM, drlynprendergast@megapathdsl.net writes:
CONTINUING EDUCATION at FINE @ 77 University Ave., Westwood, MA 02090 on June 21, July 19 and September 11 presented by Evelyn Bain, RN: OSHA Blood Bourne Pathogen Seminar @ 4-5:30pm and Infectious Diseases (3 CEUs) @ 6pm. Cost: OSHA alone: $60; Infectious Diseases alone: $40; but BOTH only $90.
Call 781-461-9080, fax 781-461-8787 or email lynlou@tiac.net to reserve a seat.
In a message dated 6/5/01 2:07:17 PM, lacorn@icfa.org writes:
For More Information, Please Contact:
Linda Budzinski
1-800-645-7700
lacorn@icfa.org
SMALL AND MID-SIZED CEMETERY AND FUNERAL HOME OPERATORS TO CONVENE IN
SEPTEMBER IN ATLANTIC CITY
RESTON, VA (June 5, 2001) &endash; The International Cemetery and Funeral
Association (ICFA) 2001 Small Cemetery and Funeral Management Conference
and Trade Fair, September 10-12 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, will offer
small and mid-sized location owners and managers a chance to network and
share their unique concerns and experiences.
Developed by Program Chairman Joseph L. Dodgson, CCE, the conference
educational sessions will focus on practical, how-to instruction on
topics including:
o How to buy the best equipment at the best prices
o Navigating your business forms
o When to outsource É and when to do it yourself
o Avoiding employment lawsuits and unions
o Phrases you should never say to your customers
o Creating a long-term customer base
o Generating positive media coverage
o How to add color to your landscape using wildflowers and natural
grasses
o Proper turf grass selection and care
The conference also will feature facility tours of Ocean County Memorial
Park and Adelphia Cemetery, as well as a table-top trade fair of
industry suppliers. For a copy of the conference program and
registration forms, call the ICFA at 1-800-645-7700 or visit the
Educational Opportunities page at the ICFA Web site, www.icfa.org.
Founded in 1887, the ICFA is the only international trade association
representing all segments of the cemetery, funeral and memorialization
industry. Its membership is comprised of more than 5,800 cemeteries,
funeral homes, monument dealerships, crematories and related businesses
worldwide.
In a message dated 6/5/01 2:04:23 PM, lacorn@icfa.org writes:
For More Information, Please Contact:
Linda Budzinski
1-800-645-7700, ext. 220
lacorn@icfa.org
RESTON, VA (June 5, 2001) The International Cemetery and Funeral
Association (ICFA) has inducted Thomas O. Hornstein, a consultant from
Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, into its Half Century Club in recognition of
50 years of membership. Before becoming an independent consultant,
Hornstein served as general manager at Allegheny Cemetery in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania. He is a former vice president and board member of the
association.
Founded in 1887, the ICFA is the only international trade association
representing all segments of the cemetery, funeral and memorialization
industry. Its membership is comprised of more than 6,000 cemeteries,
funeral homes, monument dealerships, crematories and related businesses
worldwide.
NFDA's Office in Washington with most of the policy board's blessings & direction, again will attempt to exempt all licensed Funeral Service Professionals Embalmers and Funeral Directors from fair wage and hour protection, did you know there are ten pages of wage and hour violations about funeral professionals, listing over a hundred and fifty instances where many employees were illegally cheated out of their fair wages. If NFDA has it's way these employees will have no right to complain to anyone. Will funeral service return to a clock less day, answer the phones at your home, make that 3 am removal, better wear your funeral suit because by the time your finished with the embalming it will past 8 and that is when the boss wants you in the building every day. Countless Funeral Service Professionals leave our industry every day because most OWNERS DON'T PAY ENOUGH, what is a funeral director embalmer worth, NFDA won't suggest what wages are although they boast of being the source of all funeral industry knowledge.
WHAT DO I WANT: Fair Wages & the Protection provided me since 1930's.
As it is now I'll guess 90% Funeral Service Professionals, have no clock to punch, their workplace does not provide a time clock.
Think of all those guys and gals you went to embalming school with? Most have to leave the industry for better wages. OWNERS don't pay enough! How many hours of overtime did you see this year? Or for that matter in all of your career! Salary is for 40 hours in a week. If you work over 8 hours in a single day YOU MUST BE PAID OVERTIME. It's the law and has been since 1930's.
Overtime Pay Requirements Of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
Fact Sheet No. 023
This fact sheet provides general information concerning the application of the overtime pay provisions of the FLSA.
Characteristics
An employer who requires or permits an employee to work overtime is generally required to pay the employee premium pay for such overtime work.
Requirements
Unless specifically exempted, employees covered by the Act must receive overtime pay for hours worked in excess of 40 in a workweek at a rate not less than time and one-half their regular rates of pay. There is no limit in the Act on the number of hours employees aged 16 and older may work in any workweek. The Act does not require overtime pay for work on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, or regular days of rest, as such.
The Act applies on a workweek basis. An employee's workweek is a fixed and regularly recurring period of 168 hours -- seven consecutive 24-hour periods. It need not coincide with the calendar week, but may begin on any day and at any hour of the day. Different workweeks may be established for different employees or groups of employees.
Averaging of hours over two or more weeks is not permitted. Normally, overtime pay earned in a particular workweek must be paid on the regular pay day for the pay period in which the wages were earned.
The regular rate of pay cannot be less than the minimum wage. The regular rate includes all remuneration for employment except certain payments excluded by the Act itself. Payments which are not part of the regular rate include pay for expenses incurred on the employer's behalf, premium payments for overtime work or the true premiums paid for work on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, discretionary bonuses, gifts and payments in the nature of gifts on special occasions, and payments for occasional periods when no work is performed due to vacation, holidays, or illness.
Earnings may be determined on a piece-rate, salary, commission, or some other basis, but in all such cases the overtime pay due must be computed on the basis of the average hourly rate derived from such earnings. This is calculated by dividing the total pay for employment (except for the noted statutory exclusions) in any workweek by the total number of hours actually worked.
Where an employee in a single workweek works at two or more different types of work for which different straight-time rates have been established, the regular rate for that week is the weighted average of such rates. That is, the earnings from all such rates are added together and this total is then divided by the total number of hours worked at all jobs.
Where non-cash payments are made to employees in the form of goods or facilities, the reasonable cost to the employer or fair value of such goods or facilities must be included in the regular rate.
Typical Problems
Fixed Sum for Varying Amounts of Overtime: A lump sum paid for work performed during overtime hours without regard to the number of overtime hours worked does not qualify as an overtime premium even though the amount of money paid is equal to or greater than the sum owed on a per-hour basis. For example, no part of a flat sum of $90 to employees who work overtime on Sunday will qualify as an overtime premium, even though the employees' straight-time rate is $6.00 an hour and the employees always work less than 10 hours on Sunday. Similarly, where an agreement provides for 6 hours pay at $9.00 an hour regardless of the time actually spent for work on a job performed during overtime hours, the entire $54.00 must be included in determining the employees' regular rate.
Salary for Workweek Exceeding 40 Hours: A fixed salary for a regular workweek longer than 40 hours does not discharge FLSA statutory obligations. For example, an employee may be hired to work a 45 hour workweek for a weekly salary of $300. In this instance the regular rate is obtained by dividing the $300 straight-time salary by 45 hours, resulting in a regular rate of $6.67. The employee is then due additional overtime computed by multiplying the 5 overtime hours by one-half the regular rate of pay ($3.335 x 5 = $16.68).
Overtime Pay May Not Be Waived: The overtime requirement may not be waived by agreement between the employer and employees. An agreement that only 8 hours a day or only 40 hours a week will be counted as working time also fails the test of FLSA compliance. An announcement by the employer that no overtime work will be permitted, or that overtime work will not be paid for unless authorized in advance, also will not impair the employee's right to compensation for compensable overtime hours that are worked.
Where to Obtain Additional Information
This publication is for general information and is not to be considered in the same light as official statements of position contained in the regulations. Copies of Wage and Hour publications may be obtained by contacting the nearest office of the Wage and Hour Division listed in most telephone directories under U. S. Government, Department of Labor or by calling our toll free number 1-866-4USWAGE.
I'll bet your company keeps records like this for your pay!
Recordkeeping Requirements Under The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
This fact sheet provides a summary of the FLSA's recordkeeping Regulations, 29 CFR Part 516.
Fact Sheet No. 021
Records To Be Kept By Employers.
Highlights: The FLSA sets minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping and child labor standards for employment subject to its provisions. Unless exempt, covered employees must be paid at least the minimum wage and not less than one and one-half times their regular rates of pay for overtime hours worked.
Posting: Employers must display an official poster outlining the provisions of the Act, available at no cost from local offices of the Wage and Hour Division and toll-free, by calling 1-866-4USWage (1-866-487-9243). This poster is also available electronically for downloading and printing at http://www.dol.gov/dol/osbp/public/sbrefa/poster/main.htm
What Records Are Required: Every covered employer must keep certain records for each non-exempt worker. The Act requires no particular form for the records, but does require that the records include certain identifying information about the employee and data about the hours worked and the wages earned. The law requires this information to be accurate. The following is a listing of the basic records that an employer must maintain:
1.Employee's full name and social security number.
2.Address, including zip code.
3.Birth date, if younger than 19.
4.Sex and occupation.
5.Time and day of week when employee's workweek begins.
6.Hours worked each day.
7.Total hours worked each workweek.
8.Basis on which employee's wages are paid (e.g., "$6 an hour", "$220 a week", "piecework")
9.Regular hourly pay rate.
10.Total daily or weekly straight-time earnings.
11.Total overtime earnings for the workweek.
12.All additions to or deductions from the employee's wages.
13.Total wages paid each pay period.
14.Date of payment and the pay period covered by the payment.
What About Timekeeping?: Employers may use any timekeeping method they choose. For example, they may use a time clock, have a timekeeper keep track of employee's work
hours, or tell their workers to write their own times on the records. Any timekeeping plan is acceptable as long as it is complete and accurate.
The following is a sample timekeeping format employers may follow but are not required to do so:
DAY DATE IN OUT TOTAL HOURS
_________________________________________________________________
Employee Name_________________________
Sunday 5/2/93 -----
Monday 5/3/93 8:00 12:02
1:00 5:03 8
Tuesday 5/4/93 7:57 11:58
1:00 5:00 8
Wednesday 5/5/9 8:02 12:10
1:06 5:05 8
Thursday 5/6/93 -----
Friday 5/7/93 -----
Saturday 5/8/93 -----
____
Total Workweek Hours 24
Employees on Fixed Schedules: Many employees work on a fixed schedule from which they seldom vary. The employer may keep a record showing the exact schedule of daily and weekly hours and merely indicate that the worker did follow the schedule. When a worker is on a job for a longer or shorter period of time than the schedule shows, the employer must record the number of hours the worker actually worked, on an exception basis.
How Long Should Records Be Retained: Each employer shall preserve for at least three years payroll records, collective bargaining agreements, sales and purchase records.
Records on which wage computations are based should be retained for two years, i.e., time cards and piece work tickets, wage rate tables, work and time schedules, and records of additions to or deductions from wages. These records must be open for inspection by the Division's representatives, who may ask the employer to make extensions, computations, or transcriptions. The records may be kept at the place of employment or in a central records office.
Where To Obtain Additional Information
This publication is for general information and is not to be considered in the same light as official statements of position contained in the regulations.
For additional information, visit our Wage-Hour website: http://www.dol.gov/dol/esa/public/whd_org.htm and/or call our Wage-Hour toll-free information and helpline, available 8am to 5pm in your time zone, 1-866-4USWAGE (1-866-487-9243).
You can learn more about how wages should be paid by visiting http://www.dol.gov
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OH Here's NFDA's Announcement! Wonder if they use PAC money for this adventure?
May 30 2001 16:23:00 Via Fax -> 9784590115 McDonough Funeral Home Page 001 Of 002
13625 Bishop's Drive
Brookfield, WI 53005-6607
414-789-1880 fax 414-789-6977
E-mail:nfda@nfda.org. Website:www.nfda.org
NEWSRELEASE Kelly Smith
800-228-6332
John Fitch
202-547-0441 For Immediate Release
May 30, 2001
NFDA Renews Professional Designation Efforts For Funeral Directors
Washington, D.C.&emdash;The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) is renewing its efforts to persuade the federal government that funeral directors should be designated as salaried professionals rather than hourly employees.
NFDA Director of Government Relations John Fitch has asked for a meeting with the U.S. Department of Labor. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss a federal court decision reached last year.
The court ruled that funeral directors and embalmers should be considered professionals because they require advanced, specialized knowledge in order to perform their duties. The ruling was handed down by the Sixth U.S. District Court and was based on a similar, but unpublished, previous decision made by the Seventh U.S. District Court.
Prior to the court's decision, the U.S. Department of Labor had refused to classify funeral directors as professionals. The department also would not exempt funeral directors from federal wage and hour laws that require they be paid hourly wages for overtime worked rather than having the option of receiving compensatory time as payment for overtime.
As a result of the court rulings, funeral directors living in states within the sixth and seventh federal district are exempt from wage and hour laws and are considered professionals. They are considered salaried rather than hourly employees.
ļIt would make sense for the U.S. Department of Labor to establish new rules similar to the court decisions, so that we have standard rules across the country, rather than a regulation that only applies in some states,· Fitch explained.
Fitch sought a meeting last September with Department of Labor Wage and Hour Administrator. However, there is a new administrator this year as a result of the November election and change of administration in Washington, D.C.
Last year, Congress passed legislation that would have exempted funeral directors from the wage and hour laws and enabled them to be paid in compensatory time or overtime. However, President Clinton vetoed the legislation.
NFDA, the world's oldest and largest funeral service association, represents more than 13,000 individuals. It is headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin and maintains an office in Washington, D.C.
-------------
INTERESTING! A new broader class for NFDA membership? FACT IS NFDA IS MOSTLY COMPRISED OF FUNERAL HOME OWNERS AND MANAGERS NOT EMPLOYEES.
NFDA, the world's oldest and largest funeral service association, represents more than 13,000 individuals. It is headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin and maintains an office in Washington, D.C.
TWO LESSONS HERE,
1. Consumers need to know PRE PAID FUNERAL FUNDS ARE NOT GUARANTEED TO BE THERE BY ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY, seems in Maine many have paid this funeral home for a funeral they will never get.
2. Funeral Directors need more business training, here is the perfect example of an F.D. who did not know how to operate his business, why don't we get business training? Business knowledge is as essential as OSHA training, we need and use both every day!
In a message dated 6/11/01 8:59:47 AM, Beacham in North Carolina writes:
http://www.ellsworthamerican.com/archive/news2000/11-30-00/ea_news2_11-30-00.html
As reported by Craig Crosby on the website ellsworthamerican.com we did write and ask permission to show you the entire article and we never heard back so if you want to read the entire article please click to the above link.
Funeral Home Director Gets 7 Years; Restitution Ordered
"Where it went, we don't know. The only person who can tell us that is the defendant."
&emdash;Assistant Attorney General Carlos Diaz
ELLSWORTH MAINE&emdash;Paul C. McFarland, the former Bar Harbor, ME funeral director who stole $480,000 from mostly elderly people who had relied on him when planning their funerals was sentenced to nine years in prison Tuesday, with two years suspended.
McFarland reportadly bought the funeral home in 1989 and owned it until August 1999, the FD stole some $483,032 intended for preneed trust funds of 193 clients, Assistant Attorney General Carlos Diaz said during sentencing.
McFarland pleaded guilty to the four-count indictment brought against him. Aparently the FD never opened trust accounts for most of his customers, and illegally took money from 37 of the 86 pre need accounts that he did open while the beneficiaries Diaz said.
Though nearly 300 pre paid funerals McFarland had only opened 86 trust accounts at the time the state investigated his business.
As usual in these circamstances the majority of those who lost money were elderly, many disabled, Diaz said.
In his sentencing memorandum, Assistant Attorney General Carlos Diaz wrote that one victim had paid $5,000 in advance to pay for his Alzheimer's-stricken mother's funeral. The man considered McFarland a friend and had even worked as a grave digger for the FD.
According to Maine law, a funeral director is required to provide the customer with a written contract or mortuary trust agreement. Within 10 days of payment, the funeral director must deposit the money into a separate interest-bearing account in a Maine financial institution, Assistant Attorney General Carlos Diaz said.
The pre need thefts went undetected for 10 years until one of his customers, checked her trust fund at the bank and found she no longer had one, Assistant Attorney General Carlos Diaz said. Her account predated McFarland owning the funeral home. The Client complaint prompted a state probe into the FD's activities. In August of 1999, the FD Paul C. McFarland agreed to pay a fine of $1,500 and surrender his funeral director's license effective at once. Reportadly the FD refused to turn over records to State Funeral Home Inspector Matthew Cyr for six months despite a court order to do so,.
To his credit, the FD Paul C. McFarland provided services for those who died, Diaz said. Over the 10 years he was in business, McFarland provided services to 47 beneficiaries representing $139,313.04.
The FD pleaded guilty on Nov. 7 to two counts of theft, one count of misuse of entrusted property and one count of violation of prearranged funeral or burial plans.
Mr. McFarland maintains he used the money to keep his struggling business afloat, but he stole an average $50,000 a year for 10 years on top of his legitimate business earnings, the Assistant A.G. reported.
"Where it went, we don't know," Diaz said." The only person who can tell us that is the defendant."
McFarland said "I am totally remorseful of what has happened the last 10 years, I spent my entire life trying to help people and I ended up hurting them." McFarland said he fell into a trap of trying to keep the business going with others' money.
Hancock County Superior Court Justice Paul Pierson sentenced McFarland to nine years in prison with two years suspended in addition to $260,994.14 in restitution. That amount represents the sum sought by Diaz less amounts two financial institutions have paid out to restore some of the victims.
The Article reports the prison term will be followed by four years of probation. Under Maine's old "good time" rules, which allow prisoners early release if they exhibit good behavior in prison, McFarland could get out in four to five years.
In a message dated 6/11/01 8:05:06 AM, JIMK4@aol.com writes:
The subject of grief, as a result of the death of a loved one, has usually been an afterthought in the field of medicine. As a matter of fact, in the death and dying community, the delivery of treatment for grief is called "Aftercare".
Such is the attention given to grief. But, that is to be expected. After all, isn't it true that grief is generally not life threatening? Isn't it true that it is a condition which lessens over the passing of time without attention? Perhaps it is just as well to let grief take care of itself because "This, too, shall pass."
It was not until the early 1980's that a formal request for research on the issue of grief was made to the National Academy of Science Institute of Medicine by the National Institute of Mental Health. The resultant report, Bereavement: Reactions, Consequences and Care, was delivered in 1984.
The Project on Death in America (PDIA), one of many participants in the George Soros's family of Foundations, is presently underwriting an update of this report as part of its project with the Center for the Advancement of Health. The March 2001 issue of the PDIA Newsletter discusses some of the aims and purpose for further comprehensive study of the bereavement subject. Ultimately, the studies will be used to define care programs for the bereaved. "There are big gaps in our understanding of what happens when people grieve - how the psychological and emotional experiences associated with bereavement manifest in some individuals as biological/health outcomes, including compromised immune function and other types of physical ailments."
Obviously, these professional studies are incredibly important and will define in precise detail cause and effect valuations and may very drive policy and legislation for many years to come. The benefits will be enormous; the information, invaluable.
We can only hope that the new findings on grief will bring new understanding of what is happening to people not only in their minds and bodies but how it effects what goes on in the household, the work place and in the class room. Unquestionably, grief will follow the individual through the daily routine and affect every thing they do.
The documentation of these professional studies will give grief a credence and legitimacy that are already intellectually understood by members of the death and dying industry and will also point out the shortcomings in how it is being treated today by the medical community as well as the general public. It is generally acknowledged that only Hospice and grief specialists have awareness and appropriate programs dealing with grief recovery.
Despite the enormity of this significant task, the role of peer support may well lag behind in terms of studies. While it is certainly a component of the total understanding of the condition of grief support, for a variety of reasons, it may only receive cursory attention.
It may well be many years more before peer support receives the attention and credit it deserves. This is not a deliberate attempt to downplay or criticize its role in grief support. It is simply a matter of fact. Peer support programs are difficult to measure in an empirical manner. Yet, no one can quarrel with the success of programs as effective as Alcoholics Anonymous, for instance. While programs such as AA might not be formally recommended as required in treatment of alcoholism, as a matter of practicality, if not science, it is strongly suggested, simply because it works.
There is something truly special about sharing with someone who is in the same circumstance, a communion of hurt perhaps. Somehow there is a relief of sorts when sharing takes places among the grief wounded. Good peer support programming does not come routinely from the professional community. It has to come from pain. It has to come from personal experience, not data.
A wonderful example of peer support success can be found in the programs of The Compassionate Friends, a worldwide nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people after the death of a child. Hundreds of chapters all over the world offer support and comfort to parents, grandparents and siblings. Founded in England in 1969, TCF has Chapters in more than 600 sites, just in the United States, providing resources to tens of thousands. The Compassionate Friends have found their way to the Internet, as well.
The Internet is taking peer support to a new and distinctive venue. On the Internet one can find resources on any subject and at any time - and grief is no exception. The Internet might be the most appropriate grief setting since the pain and reality of the loss come so often like the proverbial thief in the middle of the night and the Internet is never closed; you don't need an appointment.
Non profit grief support Internet sites, such as WidowNet, GriefNet, and GROWW (Grief Recovery Online) are providing a wonderful service. The unique features of the Web offer an unusual resource to the bereaved. And the dynamics of web interactivity are simply amazing. Seeing the words on a message board, getting and giving feedback to people in similar circumstance, finding a group or individual which understands what you are going through, learning you are not alone in your journey, having helpful resources at your fingertips on demand - these are just some of the features of grief support on the Internet.
Grief recovery is sometimes hindered by society's view of grief. Many think that grief is a condition that should be handled in a specific period of time and should not affect one's ability to move beyond the loss. The mourner might even think that grief might be considered a weakness (particularly men) and they stifle "good grief" in order to show their strength.
The Internet mourner can circumvent this perception because of the anonymity facet of the web. Whether in email communication or message board tête-à-tête, or chat room interaction, the "Netizen" can openly and fully disclose feelings they could not unveil face to face. There is no shame, no fear of reprisal, just the ability to unload thoughts and feelings that might need expressing and feedback. The liberation of inhibitions, that may be present in personal communications, can be incredibly advantageous to healing in this very trying time of grief.
Anonymity has its drawbacks, too, as does the psychological vulnerability of the bereaved. It is important to be aware of these factors in finding or recommending a dependable grief website resource. Because the dynamics of internet interactivity can be so genuine and sincere, it is imperative that the Netizen be made aware of the negative aspect of the medium and it is incumbent on the web community leadership to educate its visitors to this effect.
GROWW, www.GROWW.org, has taken the matter of security very seriously. In addition to providing an Awareness page, GROWW has developed systems and procedures to protect its community from predators and visitors whose aims are not honorable. Together with law enforcements agencies, web specific security organizations, Internet tracing and investigation software, and a comprehensive training program for volunteers, GROWW has provided as safe a site as feasible under present circumstances.
GROWW is a child of the Internet. It was "born" because a widow found comfort and solace through interaction with other widowed. Judy Divers was widowed in 1992. Bill had died from pancreatic cancer. Although Judy was surrounded by supportive family and friends, she was often more concerned about THEIR grief. It was not until she "met" other widowed that she could experience true connectivity, real understanding. Judy took this experience and expanded it to the entire bereaved community by creating GROWW, a place for caring and sharing.
Peer support or self-help, though, is not for everyone. In fact, members of these groups will be the first to express that further professional help might be in order. And the admonition might be better accepted because it is delivered with no purpose in mind other than care and concern.
So, peer support is a viable, valuable resource for those who are bereaved. It is a powerful supplement to professional intervention. Some even say that peer support can be as powerful as peer pressure because the support comes from a personal perspective rather than a "study".
That's what GROWW can bring to the study - not Aftercare but WeCare and NOWCare.
In a message dated 6/3/01 9:13:09 AM, Paul in New Mexico writes:
Jun 1 2001 11:41AM
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - A Swedish scientist investigating the most environmentally friendly form of burial has found a way of quickly recycling corpses into soil enricher, the Swedish daily Svenska Dagbladet reported on Friday.
The new green method, approved by the Church of Sweden, turns the human body into organic matter in a few weeks compared with coffin burial, in which the body takes between 50 and 60 years to decompose.
It was developed by biologist Susanne Wiigh-Masak, who found that cremation emits poisonous gases with unknown effects, making it even less eco-friendly than conventional burial.
In the new green method, the body is immersed in a bath of liquid nitrogen, producing up to 65 pounds of pure organic matter, which is put into a thin, easily degradable coffin.
This is then buried near the ground surface and enriches the soil in the same way as autumn leaves.
On the question of ethics, the Church of Sweden gave its blessing to the new burial method.
"We are promised a new body at the resurrection and so we have no need for the old one," Kerstin Lindqvist, a senior prelate, told Svenska Dagbladet.
In a message dated 6/3/01 9:11:44 AM, Marshall in Ohio writes:
Jun 3 2001 8:31AM
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - In a surreal ceremony, the exhumed and restored body of Pope John XXIII, who died in 1963, was carried Sunday in a glass coffin to a new resting place in St. Peter's Basilica where it will be visible to the faithful.
It was eerily recognizable -- the familiar hooked nose, the rotund belly, the big hands, the "Camauro," or white fur-trimmed red bonnet designed in the 12th century that John liked wearing because it kept his head warm in the cold Vatican halls.
The coffin, which looked like a crystal boudoir jewelry box framed in gold, was rolled out of a side entrance of the basilica on a wheeled, red-draped platform.
Vatican ushers dressed in gray tuxedos slowly pushed the platform, which was bedecked with red and yellow roses, behind a silent procession led by solemn-looking cardinals and altar boys wearing fashionable sunglasses.
Inside the glass box, John's body was dressed in a white, silk cassock and red cape. His big head rested on damask red pillows. His face was covered with a wax mask.
The coffin stood in the square as Pope John Paul said a mass for tens of thousands of people.
Pope John will join only two other pontiffs to be placed in glass coffins inside the church. The others are Saint Pius X and Innocent XI.
A HISTORICAL RARITY
Sunday's ceremony marked one of the rare times in history that a living pope and the body of a dead pope were in the square at the same time.
In his homily, the Pope said it was a "happy coincidence" that John's body had returned to the same square where tens of thousands of people prayed for him on the night of June 3, 1963, as he lay on his deathbed, his stomach ravaged by cancer.
The body of John, who was beatified and put on the road to sainthood last year, was exhumed in January and found to be in surprisingly good condition.
Although some thought it was a miracle, the conservation was in fact due to the work of Professor Gennaro Goglia, a doctor who secretly embalmed the dead pope with a special liquid.
Goglia, now 78, said his emotions on seeing the face were mixed.
"It made me think of Madame Tussauds (Wax Museum)," he told Reuters Television. "It could have been handled better," he said, adding that a cleansing solution would have given the dead pope a more natural look.
In the past five months since it was exhumed, technicians have been working to keep the body preserved so that it could remain visible to the faithful.
Since it was exhumed, the body of John was effectively "mummified," as one technician put it. The coffin's glass is bullet-proof and treated to block ultra-violet rays which could damage the body.
John, known as the "Good Pope" because of his jovial and benevolent nature, reigned from 1958 to 1963.
BRIEF REIGN, HISTORIC PAPACY
Although his reign was relatively brief, he revolutionized the Roman Catholic Church by calling the Second Vatican Council, which modernized the Church.
After Sunday's mass the body was moved into the basilica's main floor, and, after faithful are allowed to file past it for a day, it will be placed permanently in a side chapel.
The body had been kept in a marble crypt in the Vatican grottoes under the basilica along with many of the 147 other popes who are buried inside Christendom's largest church.
Although Vatican officials are not commenting, there has been widespread speculation that the current Pontiff some day may be buried in the spot in the grottoes where John XXIII was.
Nearly four decades after his death, the man born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli remains one of history's most loved popes, with a particularly devout following in Italy.
He has been credited with curing an Italian nun, Caterina Capitani, of a stomach tumor. She prayed to him and quickly recovered with no apparent medical explanation.
In a message dated 5/24/01 01:52:34 PM, Peter in New York Sends us:
John what kind of notice is this wow, membership has a whole week to put their hat in the ring for election? NFDA is just as clicky as the states are, what is their election process all about?
I alwasys thought State Presidents need apply only, members do not get to vote do they ?
Can you check this out?
Peter
May 24, 2001 05-01
Elections
Calling all Candidates. The deadline to declare candidacy for the 2001-02 Executive Board is June 1, 2001. For more information, call Jackie Klann, NFDA's office administrator, at 800-228-6332 or e-mail her at jklann@nfda.org.
I called Jackie brand new at NFDA, she called me back in ten minutes and tried to answer my questions, she did not know if this was the only notice sent out or nor was she aqauainted with the election process. She will get more information for me.
NFDA's Public Relations Manager: Mr. Kelly Smith, tells me yes, it was the only notice sent out on the issue.
Mr. Smith tried to explain the election process to me over the telephone and to me, it is Rocket Science, a very difficult process to understand for my little brain. Mr. Smith and Ms Klann have been in touch via e-mail as well as some of the folks at ICFA, when I went to ICFA Las Vegas I witness members voting for the officers of ICFA, contacting Bob Fells at ICFA he and Linda Budinski sent me the ICFA election process information already. I am foggy on the election process of NFDA even though I have been a member of NFDA for my entire career I don't know the process.
I hope to get all the information put together to share with you in the immediate future.
For the Record NFDA only got 4 candidates for Executive Board, these candidates had already declaired earlier in the year. No one knows why the Open Candidacy announcement was never made before.
In a message dated 6/1/01 11:24:49 AM, ggould@mkjmarketing.com writes:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 1, 2001
For Further Information, Contact:
Glenn Gould, CEO
MKJ Marketing
1501B Belcher Rd., South
Largo, FL 33771
727-524-8100
MKJ Introduces 877-FUNERAL
Largo, FL- Everyday millions of Americans use telenumonics (a word based toll-free telephone number) to contact businesses simply because they are easier to remember. MKJ Marketing is a full service marketing firm serving funeral homes, cemeteries and other death care industry businesses in areas of Market Research, Advertising, Web Site development and Management Training. MKJ is making 877-FUNERAL available to funeral homes, cemeteries and other businesses for use in their respective communities.
According to Glenn Gould, CEO of MKJ Marketing, "Many funeral firms are searching for new advertising and marketing tools to elevate their brand name. To this end, many of them are investing in web site development. MKJ creates web sites, and the concept can be very successful; but older consumers are much more inclined to use a telenumonic before referring to the Internet. MKJ has been involved with funeral related telenumonics for four years. Our experience has convinced me telenumonics can be a very productive funeral service marketing tool."
877-FUNERAL is licensed to funeral homes on a zip code basis. Telephone calls emanating from within a licensed area are directed to whatever phone number the licensee indicates. The phone calls may be received by the funeral home's office staff, or directed to an answering service. Calls coming in after normal business hours can be directed to a night service, just a calls are presently received.
Any telenumonic requires local advertising to be productive. Consumers must be familiar with the number if it is to be productive. Because there are costs involved in promoting the number, MKJ has adopted a very low-cost fee structure in making 877-FUNERAL available.
877-FUNERAL is licensed for a one-time fee. The number is used exclusively by a single company within a defined area. The fee structure is established to make the number attractive to funeral homes and other companies serving areas with large populations. For example, the one-time licensing fee for most metropolitan areas is a one-time fee of $3,000. The
licensing fee for an entire state ranges from $3,000 for states with smaller populations to $15,000 for the largest states. For example, the one-time fee for the entire state of Ohio is only $12,500.
The only additional cost is a $1,000 annual renewal fee and the telephone company's usage charge of $.11 per minute. MKJ adds no surcharges for the minutes the number is used. In fact, the licensing funeral home receives the phone bill directly from the phone company.
According to Gould, "The great advantage of a telenumonic is the ease in remembering the number. Most funeral homes don't even bother to include their phone number on television or billboard advertising simply because no one would remember it. 877-FUNERAL makes billboard, newspaper, direct mail and television advertising more productive. Once the consumer learns the number, they will remember it when they need information or death care services."
Contact Glenn Gould for more information on 877-FUNERAL, at 888-MKJ-1566 or ggould@mkjmarketing.com
In a message dated 6/1/01 12:27:29 AM, Jon in Massachusetts writes:
Hey john, Just wanted to let u know that a wonderful funeral direcotor died this week after a long battle with a brain tumor......Kevin McWilliams of Fitchburg died on Wednesday mornig.... here is the obit...http://www.telegram.com/news/obits/mcwilliams.html
......Please post this on the weekly update lots of people know his borther Jimmy (he owns Britton Funerals Homes in Shrewsbury and in Auburn MA )
thanks jon >>
Kevin McWilliams, 48, firefighter in Fitchburg
Thursday, May 31, 2001
Kevin McWilliams, 48, firefighter in Fitchburg
FITCHBURG-- Kevin B. McWilliams, 48, of 15 Atlantic Ave., a firefighter and funeral director, died Wednesday, May 30, in the Hospice Residence, Worcester, from complications after a six-year battle with a brain tumor.
He leaves his wife of 19 years, Joan (Capodagli) McWilliams; a son, Brendan McWilliams of Fitchburg; a daughter, Meagan McWilliams of Fitchburg; his mother, Alberta (Daniels) McWilliams of West Yarmouth; five brothers, John McWilliams of Fitchburg, James McWilliams of Shrewsbury, Stephen McWilliams of Fort Myers, Fla., Mark McWilliams of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Terrance McWilliams of Holland; nephews and nieces. He was born in Fitchburg, son of John I. McWilliams. He graduated from Fitchburg High School, attended Hamden College of Pharmacy, Northampton, earned a degree in fire science from Mount Wachusett Community College, Gardner, and graduated from New England Institute of Applied Arts & Sciences, Boston. He served with the Army in Germany.Mr. McWilliams was a firefighter 19 years for the Fitchburg Fire Department, retiring because of illness in 1997. He was appointed to Engine 3, Headquarters Co., in March, 1978 and to fire alarm in 1984. He was also a funeral director for Britton Funeral Homes of Auburn and Shrewsbury.He was a member of St. Anthony di Padua Church and a former member of St. Bernard's Church, Fitchburg Order of Elks, South End Social Club, and Sons of Italy Lodge. He was a member of the International Association of Firefighters, the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts, the National and Massachusetts Funeral Directors associations, serving on the board of directors, and the Greater Worcester Funeral Directors Association. In 1991, he was named to the Outstanding Young Men of America.The funeral will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 2, from Brandon-Simard Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Road, with a Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Anthony di Padua Church, 84 Salem St. Burial will be in St. Bernard's Cemetery. Calling hours are 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 1, in the funeral home. Donations may be made to the Hospice Residence, 10 Judith Road, Worcester, MA 01602.
Thursday, May 31, 2001
In a message dated 6/5/01 9:11:56 PM, Mike in Boston writes: Mary C. Sullivan, ran funeral homesBy Globe Staff, 6/5/2001 Mary C. (O'Brien) Sullivan of Rockland, retired co-owner of Sullivan Funeral Homes, died Saturday in South Shore Hospital in Weymouth. She was 84.Mrs. Sullivan was born in Worcester, where she graduated from St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing.She was night supervisor of nurses at South Shore Hospital before her marriage to the late Albert E. Sullivan Sr. in 1941.After graduating from New England Institute of Anatomy in 1947, she and her husband owned and operated the Sullivan Funeral Homes in Rockland, Hanover, and Hanson.In her retirement, she was director of medical records at North River Nursing Home in Pembroke and Del Manor Nursing Home in Rockland.She leaves three sons, Albert E. Jr. of Hanover, Michael J. of Eastham, and Paul P. of Rockland; a brother, Michael J.J. O'Brien of San Pedro, Calif.; three sisters, Kathleen N. Smith of Northampton, Eileen R. Ferguson of Leicester, and Agnes P. Gardner of Worcester; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.A funeral Mass will be said at 9 a.m. tomorrow in Holy Family Church in Rockland. Burial will be in Holy Family Cemetery in Rockland.
Sullivan, Mary C.
ROCKLAND HANOVER EASTHAM
Of Rockland, June 2, Mary C. (O'Brien). Wife of the late Albert E. Sullivan, Sr. Mother of Albert E. Sullivan, Jr., and his wife, Maryann T. of Hanover, Michael J. Sullivan and his wife, JoAnne G. of Eastham and Paul P. Sullivan of Rockland and his Fiance, Ann M. Lienart of Hacienda Heights, CA. Sister of Dr. Michael J.J. O'Brien of San Pedro, CA, Kathleen N. Smith of Northampton, Eileen R. Ferguson of Leicester and Agnes P. Gardner of Worcester. Grandmother of Thomas E. Sullivan and his wife, Cynthia of Northbridge, Robert A. Sullivan and his wife, Amy C. of Rockland, Atty. Kevin J. Sullivan and his wife, Jeannie of Brookline and Kristen M. Sullivan of Eastham. Great Grandmother of Amanda, Ashley, Sarah, Thomas J. and Rachel. Funeral Mass Wednesday at 9 AM in Holy Family Church, 403 Union St., Rockland. Interment in Holy Family Cemetery in Rockland. Visiting Hours in the Sullivan Funeral Home, 41-45 East Water St., ROCKLAND on Tuesday from 1-4 & 6-9 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Holy Family Church Restoration Fund, 403 Union St., Rockland, MA 02370.
In a message dated 6/1/01 3:29:51 PM, DLane@auroracasket.com writes:
Aurora, Indiana - With the latest release of its innovative funeral planning software, Aurora Casket Company has brought even greater flexibility to the arrangement process. The new Family Advisor 6.0 lets funeral homes choose how they guide families through the funeral planning process. "The funeral home can now customize the arrangement process," says Chris Barrott, Aurora's Executive Vice President of Operations. "Funeral directors don't have to follow a predetermined path. They can create a funeral planning sequence they are comfortable with, one that meets the needs of the families they serve."
The new software is also network friendly, enabling funeral homes to pull information from several laptops or workstations into a central database.
Other program enhancements include new Personal Expressions by Aurora(tm) "rooms" featuring photos of cremation caskets and urns displayed with personal mementos. These photos give families ideas for customizing the funeral ceremony. Additional information on urns and cremation arrangements has also been added.
Launched in 1998, Family Advisor provides all the tools needed to plan a funeral or memorial service - including a virtual selection room where families can examine caskets, urns and other products or watch video clips about the manufacturing process. Using the program, funeral directors can help families personalize each aspect of a funeral while tracking their costs. The program also enables funeral directors to manage inventories and order caskets online.
"Family Advisor offers families a great deal of information about funerals," says Mr. Barrott. "It tastefully and tactfully educates them on the services of funeral homes as well as the products available to them. It also provides a greater selection of products than funeral homes might have. Families prefer making arrangements this way because they can customize the products to best represent the lives of their loved ones."
Due in part to its high-tech vision, Aurora is the fastest-growing manufacturer serving family-owned funeral homes. Headquartered in Aurora, Ind., Aurora Casket Company is the nation's largest privately owned manufacturer and distributor of caskets, cremation services and memorial products.
In a message dated 6/2/01 10:22:33 AM, Beacham in North Carolina writes:
STOCKHOLM, June 1 (Reuters) - A Swedish scientist investigating the most environmentally friendly form of burial has found a way of quickly recycling corpses into soil enricher, the Swedish daily Svenska Dagbladet reported on Friday.
The new green method, approved by the Church of Sweden, turns the human body into organic matter in a few weeks compared with coffin burial, in which the body takes between 50 and 60 years to decompose.
It was developed by biologist Susanne Wiigh-Masak, who found that cremation emits poisonous gases with unknown effects, making it even less eco-friendly than conventional burial.
In the new green method, the body is immersed in a bath of liquid nitrogen, producing up to 30 kg (65 lbs) of pure organic matter, which is put into a thin, easily degradable coffin.
This is then buried near the ground surface and enriches the soil in the same way as autumn leaves.
On the question of ethics, the Church of Sweden gave its blessing to the new burial method.
"We are promised a new body at the resurrection and so we have no need for the old one," Kerstin Lindqvist, a senior prelate, told Svenska Dagbladet.
11:18 06-01-01
In a message dated 6/14/01 10:44:07 AM, lacorn@icfa.org writes:
Hey, John, Here are a couple of the latest items from ICFA WIRELESS for use in your next edition if you like. Thanks!
Linda B.
PRIVACY ACT DEADLINE JULY 1: ARE YOU AFFECTED?
Retailers covered by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Privacy Act must comply with
its notification provisions by July 1. This complicated law requires
"financial institutions" to give existing and new customers a written
notice describing the institution's information collection and sharing
practices. In some cases, financial institutions must also allow
customers to opt out of the institution's plan to share nonpublic
personal information with non-affiliated third parties. Cemeteries,
funeral homes, and other retailers may be considered "financial
institutions" under the Privacy Act if they regularly engage in a
"financial activity" such as extending credit, servicing credit and
offering a third party's insurance products.
Compliance regulations have been published by the Federal Trade
Commission and can be viewed at the FTC Web site, http://www.ftc.gov. An
appendix to the FTC regulations containing sample notification clauses
can be found on the ICFA Web site at http://www.icfa.org
Considerable caution should be exercised in selecting any sample clauses
for compliance purposes. Attorney David Thompson has published an
overview of the Privacy Act requirements in the May issue of the ICFA
magazine, International Cemetery & Funeral Management. Mr. Thompson can
also be reached at (216) 378-9998 for questions.
ICFA OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING
Are you looking for a job? Trying to find qualified employees? Hoping to
sell one of your properties? The ICFA offers two venues for placing
industry-related classified advertisements: International Cemetery and
Funeral Management magazine and the ICFA Web site.
Each issue of ICFM magazine is mailed out to 6,200 industry members;
pass-along readership totals more than 10,000. Classified ads can be
purchased for just $30 for 50 words or less, and 30 cents for each
additional word. Classifieds on the Web are accessed by several hundred
visitors each month and are currently posted for free.
For more information on placing a classified ad in the magazine, contact
Nadira at 1-800-645-7700, ext. 225. For information on Web classifieds,
visit http://www.icfa.org/employment.htm.
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In a message dated 6/3/01 11:02:53 PM, Melissa in Chicago writes:
I just got done watching 6 ft under, and when I wasn't rolling on the floor laughing I was crying. There was a lot of truth remarkably for a show of this nature in what was done. Like when the son was in the chapel greeting visitors and some body was talking to him and he screams (not really but wants to), god, I have felt like that at times. I think it portrayed us as having feelings normal feelings (despite the dead people downstairs) normal grief but also unnormal grief because we are taught to put that aside. and I could swear since my dad died, i have heard him talking to me in his voice just like the dad in this show.
I like it how about you guys?
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In a message dated 6/10/01 8:03:29 PM, Melissa in Chicago writes: go down to the third topic: Death Be Not Bad for Ratings. This was in the NY Times today. This speaks to the previous bad press we've gotten and also mentions Tom Lynch; "then the poet-undertaker Thomas Lynch began writing books like the Undertaking and Bodies in Motion and at Rest, and getting the public to think that undertakers could be sensitive too." well if this program portrays us as human and sensitive and caring that has done us more good then anything NFDA has done for us in a very long time. Yes, I definitely came from a dysfunctional family, if you had dead people downstairs from where you sleep how is there going to be "normalcy". I like my life growing up (don't ask my sisters though). this is just one woman's opinion. read the NYT. Melissa >>
Click here: The New York Times: Week in Review
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/weekinreview/index.html
Death Be Not Bad for Ratings
By JENNY LYN BADER
Undertakers, historically regarded with dread, may have a new lease on life thanks to a new HBO television series, "Six Feet Under."
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In a message dated 6/4/01 2:15:20 PM, Christian in Massachusetts writes:
John- I thought Six Feet Under was a great new program. As did you, I felt it did a good job portraying real feelings. I hope it stays around for a while. Christian
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In a message dated 6/5/01 8:43:37 AM, V in Maryland writes:
I had taped 6 Feet Under and watched it last night. What a great show. Obviously there were exaggerations in there, but I thought it was basically realistic about life in a family funeral home. And how funny with the corporate guy!! Those commercials for Funeral products were a hoot, too.
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In a message dated 6/11/01 2:07:30 PM, Mark from Tennessee writes:
Six Feet Under is trash.
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In a message dated 6/8/01 11:20:16 AM, Mike in Massachusetts writes:
A taxi passenger tapped the driver on the shoulder to ask him a question. The driver screamed, lost control of the car, nearly hit a bus, went up on the footpath, and stopped centimeters from a shop window. For a second everything went quiet in the cab, then the driver said "Look mate, don't ever do that again. You scared the daylights out of me!"
The passenger apologized and said he didn't realize that a little tap could scare him so much. The driver replied "Sorry, it's not really your fault. Today is my first day as a cab driver - I've been driving 'hearses' for the last 25 years!!!!!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sex And Death On HBO
The HBO drama from the writer of "American Beauty", "Six Feet Under", debuted Sunday night as the most watched original premiere in the cable channel's history. According to Variety, 3.8 million households tuned in. "Sex and the City"'s season premiere that same night did well, too. The two original half-hour episodes from 9 to 10 p.m. were watched by 4.4 million households, a record rating for the series. The "Sex" hour ended up surpassing the Big Four broadcast networks in women aged 18-34 during the hour, even though HBO gets into only about 32 million homes compared to the 100 million or so that receive the broadcasters, Variety says.
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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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Sorry, No posts in this issue.
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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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