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Abbott & Hast Publications, the publisher of Mortuary Management monthly
magazine and Funeral Monitor weekly newsletter, has introduced three
plaques for funeral directors to display tastefully-stated messages at
their business.
Two are wall plaques, measuring 10" high by 5" wide, include brass mounting
screws and are suitable for interior or exterior use. One states, "WE ARE
PROUD TO BE PRIVATELY OWNED -- DEDICATED TO THE CARE OF THOSE WE SERVE."
The other says, "THANK YOU -- FOR NOT USING PAGERS AND PHONES." The
self-standing desk plaque measures 10 1/4" wide by 2 1/2" high, displaying
the message "UNLESS PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE -- PAYMENT IS EXPECTED
BEFORE SERVICES." All three are cast in aluminum with gold-colored letters
and brown background.
The plaques were designed after discussions with funeral directors
regarding messages that were considered important to reaffirm to families
being served. The statement of private ownership was the first available
and has been well-received by funeral directors and the public. "We are
surprised at the number of visitors who comment favorably about our sign
and private ownership," states Russ Monroe of Monroe's Village Chapel in
California. Allison D. Swan of MacLean Funeral Home in Canada writes, "We
just received our first order for the plaque and found it to be very
professionally inscribed. The plaque has a very pleasant way of stating
ownership."
The plaques are priced at $59 each, which includes shipping, or can be
purchased as a set of three for the discounted price of $149. Orders can
be placed through the Web at www.mortuarymanagement.com or by calling (800)
453-1199. For inquiries, call or write to info@mortuarymanagement.com.
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
Online Casket Sales Is Focus of New FTC Hearings
Court Blocks Injunction Prohibiting Cemetery from Flag Removals
ICFA's Guardians Newsletter Sent to Members of Congress
FTC Telemarketing Hearing Transcript Now Available Online
ICFA NEWS
ICFA Launches New Online Products and Services Exposition
Fall Management Conference to Provide 'Breakthrough Solutions'
ICFA 'Small' Conference Registration Deadline Extended to August 9
August Preneed Product of the Month: 'Goodnight, Sweet Prince'
---------------------------
INDUSTRY NEWS
---------------------------
ONLINE CASKET SALES IS FOCUS OF NEW FTC HEARINGS
Last week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced it would convene a
public workshop conference on October 8-11, 2002, in Washington, D.C., titled
"Possible Anticompetitive Efforts to Restrict Competition on the Internet."
According to the FTC announcement, "The workshop will focus on how certain
state regulation may have anticompetitive effects, and how certain business
practices may raise antitrust concerns, in the context of
business-to-consumer e-commerce."
The workshop is designed "to enhance the Commission's understanding of
particular practices and regulations" and panels will "address certain
specific industries including . . . funerals(caskets)." The FTC announcement
observed that each industry has experienced "some growth in commerce via the
Internet, but according to various commentators, each also may have been
hampered by anticompetitive state regulation or business practices."
With respect to online casket retailing, the FTC indicated that it wants to
explore the following areas: "What types of state regulations limit online
casket sales? What are the costs to the consumers? What are the pro-consumer
rationales for such regulations, particularly in light of recent
controversies? Are there less restrictive means of achieving the same goals?
What is the status and focus of current litigation?" The ICFA has contacted
FTC staff to express its interest in participating in the workshop.
---------------------------------------------------
COURT BLOCKS INJUNCTION PROHIBITING CEMETERY FROM FLAG REMOVALS
Following up on the July 9 issue of the WIRELESS, a Massachusetts appeals
court vacated a lower court's preliminary injunction that had prohibited a
cemetery from removing American flags placed on gravesites.
In Westfield Veterans Council v. Diocese of Springfield, St. Mary's Cemetery
in Springfield, Massachusetts, has a policy of allowing flags to be placed on
graves for seven days prior to and following Memorial Day and Veterans Day. A
local veterans group objected to the removal of the flags after seven days,
alleging that such policy violated Constitutional rights of free expression.
The cemetery cited maintenance and safety concerns to justify the regulation.
However, the lower court granted the veterans group a preliminary injunction
that prohibited the cemetery from removing any of the flags on the 1,600
gravesites until trial.
In vacating the injunction, the appellate court noted that "the laws
governing cemeteries and burials ... distinguish between private cemeteries
and public cemeteries." The court held that a private cemetery "may limit
what is said in a grave marker, what sort of grave markers are used, and what
is acceptable as grave decor. In the absence of a right of expression by
family members in connection with the graves of their loved ones, there is no
basis for this injunction." The veterans group has filed an appeal to restore
the injunction.
---------------------------------------------------
ICFA'S GUARDIANS NEWSLETTER SENT TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
A new issue of the ICFA semi-annual newsletter, Guardians, has been sent to
the 535 members of Congress in Washington, D.C. Each issue highlights for
Congressional members and their staffs various recent projects by the ICFA to
assist consumers and respond to criticism against the industry. Copies of the
Guardians are also being mailed to all state cemetery and funeral directors
associations and to selected federal agencies. The current issue will be
available on the ICFA's Web site within the next week. Past issues can be
viewed at http://www.icfa.org/guardian.htm. Copies of the current issue also
can be obtained at no charge by calling ICFA at 1-800-645-7700.
---------------------------------------------------
FTC TELEMARKETING HEARING TRANSCRIPT NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
The FTC has posted the transcript of its June 7 hearing regarding exemptions
to the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) on its Web page. As previously
reported, FTC staff has proposed maintaining the exemption for "appointment
calls" typically made by preneed callers, in spite of opposition by some
consumer groups and the National Funeral Directors Association. The ICFA was
represented at the hearing by Paul Elvig, vice president of industry
relations, who discussed the association's reasons for maintaining the
exemption. The panel discussion can be found at pages 157 through 203 of the
June 7 transcript at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/workshops/tsr/index.htm .
---------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------
-------------------
ICFA NEWS
-------------------
ICFA LAUNCHES NEW ONLINE EXPOSITION OF 300+ SUPPLIERS
The ICFA yesterday launched the ICFA Internet Expo, the largest online
exposition in the cemetery and funeral service industry.
Cemetery and funeral home owners and operators will find more than 300
providers in over 100 product and service categories at the Expo. Currently
each supplier "booth" includes the company's name, logo and contact
information, as well as links to Web and e-mail addresses. Booths also will
feature company and product descriptions as submitted by each exhibitor.
Exhibit space in the Expo is provided as an exclusive benefit to all ICFA
supplier and professional members. To visit the ICFA Internet Expo, go to
http://www.icfa.org/expo/index.html .
---------------------------------------------------
ICFA 'SMALL' REGISTRATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO AUGUST 9
The deadline for hotel reservations and early registration discounts for the
ICFA's Small Cemetery and Funeral Management Conference has been extended to
Friday, August 9. Members registering by that date will pay just $200 for the
full three-day conference, including several lunches, receptions and a
closing Western steak banquet and dance. Members registering after August 9
will pay $245. Hotel reservations made after that date will be accepted on a
space-available basis.
Already surpassing attendance at last year's conference, this year's program
will feature a keynote address from noted grief educator Alan Wolfelt and a
firsthand account of the September 11 disaster recovery effort. Additional
sessions will focus on how-to topics such as ethnic funeral and burial
customs, soliciting revenue from outside sources, preneed sales, reclaiming
unused graves, planning new cemetery developments and more. Attendees also
will have opportunities to tour Linn Grove Cemetery, view equipment
demonstrations and meet with suppliers at a table-top trade show.
For a complete program and registration forms, visit
http://www.icfa.org/small02.htm or call 1-800-645-7700.
---------------------------------------------------
FALL MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE TO PROVIDE 'BREAKTHROUGH SOLUTIONS'
The ICFA Fall Management Conference, October 2-5 at the Hyatt Grand Champions
Resort in Indian Wells, California, will offer 12 executive educational
sessions on today's most pressing industry concerns.
Under the theme, "New Challenges, Breakthrough Solutions," the conference
will explore topics ranging from changing consumer preferences, to innovative
ways of encouraging cremation memorialization, to current financial and
governance matters and more. The Annual Fall Management Golf Tournament will
take place at the challenging East Course at the Golf Resort at Indian Wells.
The hotel reservation and early registration deadline for the conference is
August 29. A complete program and registration forms are available at
http://www.icfa.org/fall02.htm or by calling 1-800-645-7700.
---------------------------------------------------
AUGUST PRENEED PRODUCT OF THE MONTH: 'GOODNIGHT, SWEET PRINCE'
For the month of August, the ICFA is offering "Goodnight, Sweet Prince: You
Can Give a Eulogy" at special volume prices. A growing number of families are
choosing to personalize funeral and memorial services through the eulogy.
"Goodnight, Sweet Prince: You Can Give a Eulogy" allows you to assist these
families with this often difficult task. The book is a 60-page workbook and
guide designed to help the bereaved collect and organize their thoughts in
tribute to the person who has passed away, put the ideas on paper and present
the eulogy at the service. Several sample eulogies are included.
"Goodnight, Sweet Prince" was created and written by an advertising executive
who, confronted with the task of writing a eulogy for his grandfather,
discovered there were no printed sources for help. It breaks down the eulogy
into 10 manageable steps, and its hands-on approach offers direction,
provides examples and instills confidence.
Regular price: $2 each; August price: 15 copies for $15; 25 copies for $20;
50 copies for $35! For additional information on this product discount, call
the ICFA at 1-800-645-7700.
---------------------------------------------------
AND MORE É
The ICFA News Page at http://www.icfa.org/newspage.htm takes you to sources
throughout the world for industry news and updates. It brings you the most
comprehensive selection of funeral service and cemetery news available
anywhere, along with frequently updated general news items related to
national and world events. The News Page is the fourth most visited page on
the ICFA Web site. Stop in each day and you'll see why.
The ICFA has spearheaded the Music License Coalition to obtain discounted
music licensing for industry members. The goal of the Coalition is to offer a
discount price of $185 annually for licensing from BMI, ASCAP and SESAC
beginning January 1, 2003. Membership in the Coalition is free and is not
tied to membership in any other industry organization. For more information
or to join the Coalition, visit http://www.icfa.org/music/ or call
1-800-645-7700.
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 .
The ICFA uses a national media placement agency to distribute an ongoing
series of newspaper articles and radio announcements with positive preneed
and memorialization messages. Placements to date have been highly successful,
reaching hundreds of markets throughout the country. For more information and
to view copies of the actual releases, visit http://www.icfa.org/media.htm .
ICFA members can establish their own Web sites for just $14.95 per month,
with no up-front fees. FuneralAssistant.com provides 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
http://www.icfa.org
Copyright 2002 International Cemetery and Funeral Association
In a message dated 8/5/02 12:52:26 PM, kshay@nfda.org writes:
Contact: Fay Spano
800-228-6332
New Online Tool Gives High-Tech Twist to NFDA Convention
Members/Exhibitors use technology to plan for this year's big event
Brookfield, Wis. &endash; This year, convention attendees can tour the
National Funeral Directors (NFDA) Convention & Expo show floor from the
comfort of their home or office with NFDA's interactive floor plan. The
floor plan can be found at NFDA's Online Convention Central,
www.nfda.org/convention, and is sponsored by the Funeral Directors
Life Insurance Company.
The interactive floor plan is an up-to-the-minute map detailing all of
the exhibitors' booths. Designed to be a pre-planning tool for members,
this special feature is an opportunity to see what companies will be
exhibiting and where they are located. The tool allows members to
capitalize on their valuable convention time by mapping out what they
would like to see ahead ofReceived: from GRPWISE-MTA by time.
NFDA members can simply click on a booth space to display complete
information on the company. The interactive floor plan also features a
searchable database organized by exhibitor name and category, and has a
keyword search option. This allows members to easily locate the
businesses they want to visit during the three-day event.
For potential exhibitors, the interactive floor plan offers an
Exhibitors' Section to help them decide which booth will best present
their products and services to NFDA members. Once a space has been
chosen, exhibitors can call NFDA's Exhibit Office at 800-228-6332 to
reserve their booth. Audio/visual equipment order forms and key
information also is available in this special Exhibitors' Section.
When visiting the interactive floor plan, members should be sure to
note the location of this year's Virtual Golf booth. This convention
favorite returns again, with a daily shoot-out for the day's top
players, including an opportunity to win $35,000 for a hole in one.
Sponsored by NPC and Messenger, this crowd-pleaser is a must stop for
all!
In addition to Virtual Golf, exhibitors and members will have more
chances to win prizes in a first-ever booth contest. Stay tuned for
more details!
NFDA is headquartered in Brookfield, Wis., and has an office in
Washington, D.C. It is the world's oldest and largest funeral service
association, serving about 13,500 members. To learn more about NFDA,
visit our Website at www.nfda.org.
NORTH CAROLINA FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
919-876-7886 * 800-616-2332 * FAX: 919-876-5382
http://www.ncfda.org
E-LINE DATE: August 2, 2002
THREE CANDIDATES SEEK TWO SEATS: With the passing of the deadline for
filing, we can report that three licensees have filed petitions to seek the
two open seats on the NC Board of Mortuary Science. The candidates are
Jamie Boles of Southern Pines, Kimberly Dorshann Kelsey of Salisbury and
Rudy Lea of Raleigh. Expect to receive your ballot from the NC Board of
Mortuary Science . . . NCFDA urges you to vote!
OUR LEGISLATIVE POSITION: Given the current state budget circumstances, we
find ourselves in a posture of protecting and preserving. Legislators are
looking for any possible source of revenue. State workers have been fired
and doors have closed. NCFDA cannot assume we will be exempt and we are on
the alert for any signs. We recently read that the cost of copies of 3state
generated2 death certificates may increase. We have discussed this matter
with state officials. If the bill passes it would not affect the death
certificate costs at the county level.
HEAT CAUSES CONCERNS: Transportation by air cargo can cause concerns and
problems during this time of excessive heat. When sending human remains via
air cargo try to schedule the most direct flight and be aware of problems
resulting from improper containers, preparation and heat exposure. NCFDA
has learned of unfortunate air cargo (human remains) problems that have
arisen during the last week.
NCFDA CALENDAR OF EVENTS: The following list of activities is submitted for
your use and information:
Aug 13 Funeral Service Rules & Regulations Exam at NC Board of Mortuary
Science
Aug 14 State Board Meeting at NC Board of Mortuary Science
Aug 15 NCFDA Mid-Winter Conference Committee at 10:00 AM at NCFDA Office
in Raleigh
Aug 19 NCFDA Long Range Planning Committee at 10:00 AM at Hayworth-Miller
Kinderton Chapel in Advance
Aug 19 Third Annual NCFDA President's Golf Tournament at the Oak Valley
Golf Club, Highway 801 South, Advance with 12:00 Noon shotgun start for $45
which includes green fee, cart and lunch. Contact Dorman Caudle at
336-765-8181.
Aug 19 NCFDA Districts 6, 8, 9 and 10 Meeting Village Inn Golf &
Conference Center in Clemmons with a social at 6:00 PM, dinner at 6:30 PM
and the program at 7:00 PM. Program is Mark Henderson, State Board. Contact
Dorman Caudle at 336-765-8181. (2.0 c.e.c.)
Aug 20 NCFDA Board of Directors Meeting at the Village Inn Golf &
Conference Center in Clemmons Aug 22 NCFDA District 3 Meeting "Beauty and
the Beast" at The Berne Restaurant in New Bern with dinner at 6:00 PM and
the program at 7:00 PM. Cost: $15.00. Contact Clint Free at 910-347-2595.
(2.0 c.e.c.)
See Below: 3Funding Methods for Prearranged Funeral Care2 by Vision
Insurance Programs from 9:00 AM - 3:20 PM. Contact Michael Wilson at
336-877-3960. (5.0 c.e.c.)
NCFDA Fax Broadcast (August 2, 2002) Page 2
Sept 9 McLean F H, 700 S. New Hope, Gastonia
Oct 8 Golden Corral, I-85 Elon College Exit, Burlington
Dec 20 Ryan1s, 1053 Patton, Asheville
Dec 30 Western Sizzlin1, 119 Conover, Conover
Sept 10 NCFDA Ethics Committee at 10:00 AM at the Holiday Inn in Southern
Pines
Sept 10 NCFDA Education Committee at 1:00 PM at the Holiday Inn in
Southern Pines
Sept 10 Funeral Service Exam at NC Board of Mortuary Science
Sept 11 NC FS PAC Committee at 10:00 AM at the Holiday Inn in Southern
Pines
Sept 11 NCFDA Bylaws Committee at 1:00 PM at the Holiday Inn in Southern
Pines
Sept 17 NCFDA District 9 Meeting "The Funeral Service Professional" at
the Woodshed Restaurant in Stanley with dinner at 6:00 PM and the program at
7:00 PM. Contact Danny Carroll at 704-933-2131. (2.0 c.e.c.)
Oct 1 Funeral Service Rules & Regulations Exam at NC Board of Mortuary
Science
Oct 10 3OSHA: What1s new in 20022 by Greensboro Area Health Education
Center at Moses cone Hospital in Greensboro from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. Contact
Elizabeth Haile at 336-832-2851. (6.5 c.e.c.)
Oct 16 NCFDA District 6 Meeting in Burlington
Nov 5 Funeral Service Rules & Regulations Exam at NC Board of Mortuary
Science
Dec 3 NCFDA District 6 Christmas Party
Dec 10 Funeral Service Rules & Regulations Exam at NC Board of Mortuary
Science
Feb 17 - 19, 2003 NCFDA Mid-Winter Conference at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel
in Research Triangle Park with exhibits and educational programming
Feb 18, 2003 NC Funeral Service Political Action Committee Legislative
Reception at the North Carolina Museum of History
NCFDA TRADING POST: The Trading Post is a free service for our membersÐwe
invite you to call us to place a notice. Funeral Coach: 1987 Superior
Cadillac Funeral Coach. The vehicle is white with black top, gray interior,
excellent condition. Call 910-428-2124 for details! Career Opportunity:
Leading family-owned funeral home in Coastal NC area is seeking a licensed
funeral director for pre need sales. Base salary +commission. This is a
solid growth opportunity for the right person. Fax resume to: MANAGER @
(910) 762-0621. Trainee: Individual wishing employment as a trainee in the
Raleigh/Durham area. Please contact NCFDA
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY: It is not too late to place an advertisement in the
2002-03 NCFDA Membership and Resource Directory. Just sign below, check the
size ad you wish and send us your ad copy. We will do the rest and an
invoice will follow at a later date!
______ 1/4 Page $110.00
______ 1/3 Page $145.00
______ 1/2 Page $180.00
______ 1 Page $275.00
RECENT DEATHS REPORTED: Paul Pendry, retired funeral director and founder
of Pendry1s Lenoir Funeral Home, died on June 27, 2002.
NCFDA Mid-Winter Conference Ð February 17 - 19, 2003, Research Triangle
Park, NC
Editors note: NFDA has 13,000 members, NONE can vote in Association Elections! I will speak more to this election rules at another time.
John McDonough
Contact: Fay Spano
800-228-6332
Two new At-large Representatives Elected at
NFDA Leadership Conference
Policy Board Discusses New Code of Professional Conduct and
Codification of the Funeral Rule
Brookfield, Wis. &endash; The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA)
Policy Board met on Saturday, July 27, 2002, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, to
elect two Executive Board members and advance two crucial issues.
The Policy Board elected John D. Reed Sr., CFSP, Dodd & Reed Funeral
Home, Webster Springs, W.Va., and Arthur W. "Bubba" Lang, CFSP,
Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Golfport, Miss., to serve as at-large
representatives to the Executive Board. They will begin their two-year
terms of service immediately following NFDA's 121st Annual Convention &
Expo in San Antonio, Texas, October 20-23.
Two important funeral service profession topics also were discussed
during the day-long session. ThReceived: from GRPWISE-MTA bye Policy Board discussed NFDA's
recommendation for adoption of a new Code of Professional Conduct and
enforcement process. If approved by the House of Delegates at
Convention, NFDA would have an enforceable Code of Professional Conduct
in place by 2004.
"With the events that occurred in Georgia and Florida, it has become
imperative that our code of ethics is strengthened and that funeral
homes are held accountable for the standards set before them," explained
NFDA Chief Executive Officer Christine Pepper. "Such high-standards
give added meaning to NFDA membership and instill confidence in families
who choose our member funeral homes."
On a related topic, the Policy Board approved support of the
codification of the Federal Trade Commission Funeral Rule if it includes
ALL sellers of funeral goods OR services.
NFDA is headquartered in Brookfield, Wis., and has an office in
Washington, D.C. It is the oldest and largest funeral service
association, serving about 13,500 members. To learn more about NFDA,
visit our Website at www.nfda.org.
Editors note: NFDA has 13,000 members, NONE can vote in Association Elections! I will speak more to this election rules at another time.
John McDonough
NFDA ENews Alert
July 26, 2002
Volume 3, Issue 23
IN THIS ISSUE...
NFDA Unveils Spectacular Discount Program Covering Spectrum of Computer Equipment and Electronics
NFDA has entered into agreements with Dell Computers and CDWG, a seller of name-brand software and other electronics, to receive discounts of up to 30% off the standard retail price for their products. NFDA members can take advantage of these substantial savings, which cover a spectrum of Dell Computer products and other brand-name electronics including:
* Computers
* Software
* Printers
* Scanners
* Digital Cameras
* Palm Pilots
* Televisions
* MP3 Players and Speakers
For more information, visit http://www.nfda.org/mediacenter/releases/2002/july16.html.
MORE
Contact: Fay Spano
Joe Kendall
800-228-6332
NFDA Unveils Spectacular Discount Program Covering Spectrum of Computer
Equipment and Electronics
Brookfield, WI&emdash;The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) is
now offering a new program to benefit NFDA members. NFDA has entered
into agreements with Dell Computers and CDWG, a seller of name-brand
software and other electronics, to receive discounted prices of up to 30
percent off the standard retail price for their products. These
substantial savings, from the largest hardware and software providers in
the world, will be passed on to funeral service professionals
nationwide.
"These are virtually the lowest prices available and present an
outstanding opportunity to receive great deals on electronics for
personal use and to upgrade your funeral home's computer equipment,"
said NFDA Chief Executive Officer Christine PeppReceived: from GRPWISE-MTA byer. "The computer is a
necessity for today's small business success, and we hope members take
advantage of this new offer to stay competitive in the business market,"
said Pepper.
Pepper added that the computer discount was established as an incentive
for first-time buyers, as well as those already using computers who need
to upgrade or purchase new software or computer accessories.
As part of NFDA's discount program, Dell Computer will also provide
purchasers with special payment or lease options, 24-hour telephone
customer support and 3-year, on-site technical service.
"The agreement is a group volume discount program where the savings
increase as more participate in the program," said Pepper. "This is a
pure member benefit meaning NFDA does not receive any royalties or
kickbacks from individuals that take advantage of this program."
Savings also will be determined by retail trends as computer hardware
and software prices, as well as technology, are continually changing.
In addition to original equipment manufactures (OEM) Microsoft
products, discounts are available on thousands of other products
available through CDWG including additional software (such as a word
processing programs) or hardware (such as monitors), electronic devices
(such as digital cameras), and peripherals (such as printers and
scanners). The exceptional CDWG discount includes brand name computer
supplies like Compaq, Hewlett Packard and IBM.
If you are unsure what type of computer package you need to suit the
needs of your business, or you are new to computers and need further
explanation, a frequently asked questions list and a computer
terminology list is available by calling NFDA's Faxback line at
800-713-0661 and requesting document 9502.
All specific inquiries about computer-usage or this program should be
directed to the appropriate retailer, as Dell and CDWG have adequate
resources to answer questions.
For more information or to purchase a Dell Computer system:
Call Dell at 877-671-3355 or
To build your own system and order online:
1. Visit http://www.dell.com/us/en/biz/default.htm
2. Click on Premier Login
3. Add Your Access Code Key
4. Click on "Configure a Dell System"
To receive the NFDA discount, purchasers also must provide the NFDA
account code and access key at the Dell Website.
Access Code: US22E8M
Access Key: UR7N1
For more information on the software and computer accessories offerings
from CDWG:
Contact Ryan Wilson at 800-808-4239 ext. 58931 or via e-mail at
ryanwil@cdwg.com.
Please remember to identify yourself as an NFDA member when calling
these vendors.
NFDA is headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin, and has an office in
Washington, D.C. It is the world's oldest and largest funeral service
association, serving about 13,500 members. For more information, visit
www.nfda.org.
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
GAO Confers with ICFA on Funeral Industry Investigation
FTC Chairman Seeks Agency Reauthorization for Fiscal Years 2003-2005
ICFA Members Respond to Government and Legal Fundraising Campaign
ICFA NEWS
ICFA 'Small' Conference Registration Deadline Approaching
Fall Management Conference Takes Fresh Look at Industry Challenges
July Preneed Product of the Month: ICFA Sales Meetings Guidebook
---------------------------
INDUSTRY NEWS
---------------------------
GAO CONFERS WITH ICFA ON FUNERAL INDUSTRY INVESTIGATION
On July 18, staff members of the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO), the
investigative arm of Congress, met with ICFA staff at the association's
headquarters. The GAO had been requested to review the effectiveness of state
agency oversight of the funeral services industry by Sen. Christopher Dodd
(D-CT) and Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL) in reaction to the highly publicized events
in Florida and Georgia earlier this year. At that time, the ICFA announced
its support of an objective investigation and stated that the GAO was perhaps
the best qualified agency to conduct the project.
GAO staff indicated they are currently conducting a broad-based review of
various issues but that eventually the scope of the investigation would be
narrowed. The ICFA provided a listing of state legislation and agencies, the
ICFA Model Guidelines for State Laws and Regulations and related materials.
Presumably, the GAO will published its findings by the end of this year, but
that timetable is not certain.
---------------------------------------------------
FTC CHAIRMAN SEEKS AGENCY REAUTHORIZATION FOR FISCAL YEARS 2003-2005
On July 17, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Timothy Muris, together
with other FTC commissioners, testified on the funding reauthorization needs
of the agency for fiscal years 2003 through 2005. Muris's 23-page testimony
before the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs, Foreign Commerce
and Tourism outlined dozens of law enforcement actions including "targeting
special initiatives to specific groups of consumers." Among these initiatives
are projects directed toward children and violent media, homeowners and
Spanish-speaking consumers.
Muris's testimony also discussed the FTC's Consumer Response Center, which
answers more than 55,000 inquiries and complaints a month. Another program,
the Consumer Sentinel, is an online fraud database available to law
enforcement agencies. Through Freedom of Information Act requests, the ICFA
periodically obtains data from the FTC concerning consumer complaints against
cemeteries and funeral homes for use in identifying areas of concern. The
Muris testimony provided a comprehensive overview of the FTC's activities
although the Funeral Rule was not mentioned. The complete text can be viewed
by visiting the FTC Web page at http://www.ftc.gov and following the prompts
to the chairman's speeches and testimony.
---------------------------------------------------
ICFA MEMBERS RESPOND TO GOVERNMENT AND LEGAL FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
In the first few weeks after launching the 2002 Government and Legal
Fundraising Campaign in June, a large number of ICFA members have already
responded with contributions to support the association's government
relations programs. A letter sent by ICFA Past President Irwin W. Shipper,
CCE, chairman of the Government and Legal Affairs Committee, noted that due
to the recent problems in Florida and Georgia, some public officials have
called "for an examination of the way we do business and whether tough new
laws, state and federal, are needed."
In the past, approximately 90 percent of ICFA members have contributed to the
Fund. The voluntary contributions are suggested at a rate of 50 cents times
the number of cases or interments a member handled the previous year, with a
suggested minimum contribution of $125. Members who would like more
information about the fund should contact the ICFA at
mailto:wireless@icfa.org or 1-800-645-7700.
-------------------
ICFA NEWS
-------------------
ICFA 'SMALL' REGISTRATION DEADLINE APPROACHING
The deadline for hotel reservations and early registration discounts for the
ICFA's Small Cemetery and Funeral Management Conference is July 31. Members
registering by that date will pay just $200 for the full three-day
conference, including several lunches, receptions and a closing Western steak
banquet and dance. Members registering after July 31 will pay $245. Hotel
reservations made after July 31 will be accepted on a space-available basis.
Among the highlights of this year's conference is a keynote address from
noted grief educator Alan Wolfelt. Additional educational session will cover
topics such as reclaiming unused graves, soliciting revenue from outside
sources, building heritage through preneed sales, the September 11 disaster
recovery effort, ethnic funeral and burial customs, planning new cemetery
developments and more. Attendees also will tour Linn Grove Cemetery, view
equipment demonstrations and meet with suppliers at a table-top trade show.
For a complete program and registration forms, visit
http://www.icfa.org/small02.htm or call 1-800-645-7700.
---------------------------------------------------
FALL MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE TAKES FRESH LOOK AT INDUSTRY CHALLENGES
Educational sessions at the ICFA Fall Management Conference, October 2-5 at
the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort in Indian Wells, California, will bring
fresh new perspectives on the future of the cemetery and funeral industry.
Among the highlights: The opening session will present up-to-the-minute
research on changing consumer preferences; a series on cremation will offer a
revolutionary approach to the cremation arrangement conference, advice on
competing with third-party providers and updated information on cremation
compliance; and a set of "how-to" roundtable discussions will provide
concrete ideas on marketing, management and financial topics.
The hotel reservation and early registration deadline for this conference is
August 29. For more information and registration forms, visit
http://www.icfa.org/fall02.htm or call 1-800-645-7700.
---------------------------------------------------
JULY PRENEED PRODUCT OF THE MONTH: ICFA SALES MEETINGS GUIDEBOOK
For the month of July, the ICFA is offering the ICFA Sales Meetings Guidebook
for half price! As a sales manager, your ability to deliver exciting,
interesting sales meetings is crucial to your success. Why reinvent the
wheel? The ICFA Sales Meetings Guidebook offers an ideal starting point for
meetings that get results.
Compiled by the ICFA Manuscript and Marketing Committee, this Guidebook
contains a year's worth of weekly sales meetings, submitted by some of the
most successful sales managers in the prearrangement industry: Regular price:
$50; July price: $25! And please note: ICFA WIRELESS readers receive an
additional $5 discount. Simply mention that you saw this promotion in
WIRELESS and receive the Guidebook for $20 (plus shipping and handling)!
For additional information on this product discount, visit
www.icfa.org/july.htm or call the ICFA at 1-800-645-7700.
---------------------------------------------------
AND MORE É
The ICFA News Page at http://www.icfa.org/newspage.htm takes you to sources
throughout the world for industry news and updates. It brings you the most
comprehensive selection of funeral service and cemetery news available
anywhere, along with frequently updated general news items related to
national and world events. The News Page is the fourth most visited page on
the ICFA Web site. Stop in each day and you'll see why.
The ICFA has spearheaded the Music License Coalition to obtain discounted
music licensing for industry members. The goal of the Coalition is to offer a
discount price of $185 annually for licensing from BMI, ASCAP and SESAC
beginning January 1, 2003. Membership in the Coalition is free and is not
tied to membership in any other industry organization. For more information
or to join the Coalition, visit http://www.icfa.org/music/ or call
1-800-645-7700.
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 .
The ICFA uses a national media placement agency to distribute an ongoing
series of newspaper articles and radio announcements with positive preneed
and memorialization messages. Placements to date have been highly successful,
reaching hundreds of markets throughout the country. For more information and
to view copies of the actual releases, visit http://www.icfa.org/media.htm .
ICFA members can establish their own Web sites for just $14.95 per month,
with no up-front fees. FuneralAssistant.com provides 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
In a message dated 7/25/02 2:56:30 PM, kshay@nfda.org writes:
Contact: Fay Spano 800-228-6332
NFDA Negotiates Agreement with OSHA on New Sharps Rule Enforcement
Brookfield, Wis. &endash; The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA)
has successfully negotiated with the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) on its enforcement of a new sharps rule. The
NFDA-assisted settlement of citations issued against a funeral home in
federal Region 8 (Colorado, Utah, North Dakota, South Dakota Montana and
Wyoming) sets a new guideline for future responses to OSHA inspections
at other funeral homes across the country.
"NFDA carefully monitors citations of this type and assists its
membership, where necessary and appropriate, to protect the funeral
service profession from misinformation and misinterpretation by
regulatory authorities," explained NFDA Director of Government Relations
John Fitch. "This is an excellent example of how one funeral home's
plight can Received: from GRPWISE-MTA byaffect the entire profession."
In this case, a funeral home was found in violation of the OSHA
Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, which includes new requirements for sharps
injury protection. The accusations included a serious violation
alleging that employees were not properly protected against exposure to
contaminated syringes, scalpels and suture needles. The violations
included fines against the funeral home and raised serious questions
about how funeral homes nationwide would be expected to comply with the
new sharps requirements. The funeral home called the OSHA "Hotline" and
informed NFDA of its situation.
NFDA joined the funeral home in its appeal and discovered the citations
appeared to be based on misinformation about the preparation process,
actual exposure to sharps contaminated by bloodborne pathogens, and
cost-effective and practical methods to protect employees.
"Through education and negotiation with OSHA, NFDA was able to help set
a reasonable standard by which funeral homes can abide," said NFDA Chief
Executive Officer Christine Pepper. "By working closely together, we
were able to avoid costly changes in equipment and procedures that
offered no improvements in safety for employees."
As a result of the ruling, funeral directors must use sharps boxes that
allow a funeral service practitioner to remove and dispose of used
scalpel blades, and do not require that the blade be manually handled.
Also, funeral homes do not have to use blunt suture needles, but must
use "needle cover" guards that allow multiple use of a syringe during
tissue building.
NFDA reminds its members that this ruling does not alleviate the need
for annual reviews and updates of their Exposure Control Plan, or from
annual employee training on these and other OSHA rules and regulations.
For more details, NFDA has prepared an ISSUE ADVISORY on this case,
which has been posted on NFDA's Congress-at-a-Click Website at
http://capwiz.com/nfda.
If questions arise on how to comply with any OSHA safety and health
requirements, members are encouraged to use the OSHA "Hotline,"
800/633-2674. This free member benefit offers facts on OSHA compliance
and can be used to answer general questions. Legal questions should be
referred to NFDA's Washington, D.C., office at 202/547-0441.
NFDA is headquartered in Brookfield, Wis., and has an office in
Washington, D.C. It is the oldest and largest funeral service
association, serving about 13,500 members. To learn more about NFDA,
visit our Website at www.nfda.org.
In a message dated 7/23/02 8:54:54 PM, Mike in New York writes:
Emergency Rooms Report Uptick In Use Of Disco-Era Drug, PCP; Drug Being Mixed With Marijuana, Ecstasy
NEW YORK, July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- There are growing signs that the disco-era scourge, PCP, is quietly gaining a new following and sometimes among unwitting users, report Correspondent Suzanne Smalley and National Correspondent Debra Rosenberg in the July 22 issue of Newsweek (on newsstands Monday, July 15). PCP seizures by the Drug Enforcement Administration shot up 24 percent from 2000 to 2001 (not counting a big Texas bust that drove the numbers through the roof). And nationally, PCP-related visits to emergency rooms jumped 48 percent from 1999 to 2000 and were still on the rise in the first half of 2001, the latest year for which figures are available.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020714/NYSU004 )
Known as "angel dust" in the 1970s, PCP, or phencyclidine, gave users superhuman strength and a numbing calm. But the addictive, psychedelic drug also made many paranoid, violent and completely out of touch with reality; they leapt off roofs and broke out of handcuffs with their bare hands. Police cracked down and eventually the drug got such a bad reputation that even junkies wouldn't touch it.
Though use of PCP now is still a small part of the nation's drug problem, drug experts worry about the smallest uptick in use because of the drug's nasty history. PCP can make users become so delusional that "they become like a hand grenade with the pin missing," says Jim Parker of the Do It Now Foundation, a drug-education group. "Any increase is cause for alarm." The drug is cheap, relatively easy to make in the lab and boosts the effects of other drugs. Dealers are mixing PCP with marijuana, and ecstasy -- upping the potency while lowering the price. "Most people using PCP have no idea they are using," says Dr. Barry Spiegel, of the Rosecrance Treatment Center in Rockford, Ill.
I Felt Like I Wanted To Hurt People'
Emergency rooms report the violent return of PCP
Mike is hardly a seasoned drug user. When the shy 16-year-old bought marijuana in the bathroom of his suburban Hartford, Conn., high school, he didn't know what it was supposed to smell like. The stuff gave off such a strong chemical stench that Mike hid it in the attic insulation at home. The pot seemed more potent than he'd expected, too. "The next day, when most people would feel normal, I would still have trouble walking," says Mike, clad in frayed-bottom khakis and a red Nike T shirt. "I felt like I wanted to hurt people. I felt like everybody was after me." When Mike's parents finally discovered some of the stash in his reeking bedroom, they knew it wasn't the marijuana they remembered from the '70s. Turns out Mike's pot was "wet" -- laced with the hallucinogen PCP and, for an extra kick, embalming fluid.
Known as angel dust in the 1970s, PCP, or phencyclidine, gave users superhuman strength and a numbing calm. But the addictive, psychedelic drug also made many paranoid, violent and completely out of touch with reality; they leapt off roofs and broke out of handcuffs with their bare hands. Police cracked down, and eventually the drug got such a bad reputation that even junkies wouldn't touch it. But now there are signs that the disco-era scourge is quietly gaining a new following -- often among unwitting users like Mike. PCP is cheap and relatively easy to make in the lab, and boosts the effects of other drugs. PCP seizures by the Drug Enforcement Administration shot up 24 percent from 2000 to 2001 (not counting a big Texas bust that drove the numbers through the roof). Nationally, PCP-related visits to the emergency room jumped 48 percent from 1999 to 2000 and were still on the rise in the first half of 2001, the latest year for which figures are available. To be sure, PCP is still a small part of the nation's drug problem: the 2000 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse found that 264,000 Americans fessed up to PCP use in the previous year -- a fraction of the million who said they'd tried methamphetamines. But given PCP's nasty history, drug experts worry about the smallest uptick. PCP can make users so delusional that "they become like a hand grenade with the pin missing," says Jim Parker of the Do It Now Foundation, a drug-education group. "Any increase is cause for alarm."
It's easy to see why. In April, aspiring rapper Antron Singleton was arrested after Los Angeles police found him standing in the street, naked and covered in blood. Prosecutors say he brutally murdered his 21-year-old roommate -- she had bite marks on her face, a slashed cheek and a lung that appeared to have been gnawed on. Singleton's defense? He was smoking PCP the morning before the killing. In Phoenix, a man bit off and swallowed the thumb of his 2-year-old son in a wigged-out attempt to mix their DNA. (Later, while telling police he'd taken several hits of PCP, the man regurgitated the thumb.) In Pittsburgh last month, a man who said he was on PCP shot a pregnant woman and her parents before beating, stabbing and shooting their 12-year-old son -- who somehow lived to testify against the alleged killer.
Many of today's PCP users are too young to remember the havoc the drug caused the last time round. At Ben Taub Hospital, Houston's busiest emergency room, Dr. Janice Zimmerman treats from one to five PCP patients every day -- most of them 17 to 25. Cynthia Hepler, admissions manager at a Houston drug- treatment center, estimates that 40 percent of her admissions are now young PCP users. "Wet started being used in the inner city, but it is hitting the suburbs," says Hepler.
And that counts only those who knowingly try the drug. In addition to soaking pot in it, dealers have been mixing PCP with ecstasy -- upping the potency while lowering the price. "Most people using PCP have no idea they are using," says Dr. Barry Spiegel of the Rosecrance Treatment Center in Rockford, Ill. It was certainly a shock to Mike, who's now in treatment and has sworn off smoking any more mysterious substances. "I never want to do PCP again," Mike says. A lesson learned the hard way: it's just not worth the risk.
In a message dated 7/23/02 8:48:41 PM, Frank in New Jersey writes:
State Offers Online License Renewal for Licensed Professionals in Pennsylvania
Available First for State Board of Nursing Home Administrators;
Others to be Added Over Next Two Years
HARRISBURG, Pa., July 23 /PRNewswire/ -- On behalf of Pa. Gov. Mark Schweiker, Secretary of the Commonwealth C. Michael Weaver today announced that licensed professionals in Pennsylvania can begin renewing their licenses online through License PA -- Pennsylvania's state-of-the art, online licensing system.
License PA is available through the PA PowerPort at www.state.pa.us, PA Keyword: "License PA."
The online renewal process is initially only available to the State Board of Nursing Home Administrators. The remaining state licensing boards will be added over the next two years as their expiration dates occur.
"We are constantly striving to meet the challenge of improving access to public records and becoming more responsive to the needs of those we serve," Secretary Weaver said. "The newest enhancement to the License PA website is our most recent response to that challenge. We are thrilled that 231 applicants have successfully renewed their license in just the first week -- that's almost 20 percent of the renewals to date."
In addition to license renewals, licensees will be able to make various updates, such as address changes, to their records.
License PA -- unveiled in July 2001 -- provides people with access to information on nearly 1 million business, health and real-estate professionals licensed in Pennsylvania and enables consumers, employers and licensed professionals to verify the licensure status of professionals and businesses regulated by the Department of State's 27 boards and commissions.
Future features to License PA include applying for a new license, requesting duplicate licenses and automating continuing education data submissions from providers.
David M. Williams, Acting Commissioner of the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, said, "Although protecting public health, safety and welfare is our highest priority, we constantly look for new ways to make state government more accessible and convenient to the public and the regulated community."
Established in 1963, the Department of State's Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs provides administrative and legal support to 27 professional and occupational licensing boards and commissions. Professional licensing protects the public from fraudulent and unethical practitioners. The boards and commissions within the department's Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs include the: State Board of Accountancy; State Architects Licensure Board; State Board of Auctioneer Examiners; State Board of Barber Examiners; State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers; State Board of Cosmetology; State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists; State Board of Funeral Directors; State Board of Landscape Architects; State Real Estate Commission; State Board of Vehicle Manufacturers, Dealers and Salespersons; Navigation Commission for the Delaware River and its Navigable Tributaries; State Board of Chiropractic; State Board of Dentistry; State Board of Medicine; State Board of Nursing; State Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators; State Board of Occupational Therapy; State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors; State Board of Speech-Language and Hearing Examiners; State Board of Optometry; State Board of Osteopathic Medicine; State Board of Pharmacy; State Board of Physical Therapy; State Board of Podiatry; State Board of Psychology; and State Board of Veterinary Medicine.
CONTACT: Allison Hrestak or Jill Goodrich, +1-717-783-1621, both of the Pennsylvania Department of State. >>
In a message dated 7/23/02 8:32:14 PM, Bill in North Carolina writes:
Crematory Operator Denied Bond Appeal
LaFAYETTE, Ga. - The operator of a crematory where investigators found hundreds of discarded corpses on Wednesday was denied a request to appeal his $39,200 cash bond.
Ken Poston, an attorney for Tri-State Crematory operator Ray Brent Marsh, argued his client does not have access to that much cash.
But Superior Court Judge James Bodiford said his order requiring at least $39,200 in cash as part of a $159,200 bond did not deserve review.
Marsh, 29, has been in jail since Feb. 17, charged with 398 felony counts, including theft by deception and abuse of a body for allegedly accepting money and never performing the cremations.
During a bond hearing last week, Bodiford expressed uneasiness about Marsh's safety were he released from jail. Poston also has said Marsh received threats.
``It concerns me, but I can't tell Mr. Marsh what's best for him,'' Bodiford said. ``If he asked me, I'd tell him to stay in jail.''
More than 340 uncremated human remains were recovered on the grounds of the Marsh family's Tri-State Crematory at Noble, near the Tennessee border. So far, 167 bodies have been identified.
In a message dated 7/23/02 8:47:05 PM, John in New Jersey writes:
Thieves frisk dead man in French funeral parlor
LILLE, France - Thieves who broke into a funeral parlor in northern France frisked the corpse of a 78-year-old man for potential loot, police said Tuesday.
The robbers broke into the funeral home in the town of Mericourt Monday night after typing in the electronic door code.
"There was no breaking and entering, it was a very easy code to guess," said a source close to the inquiry.
They stole stereo equipment and furniture and disturbed the clothing of the corpse in a vain search for personal valuables, the source added.
In a message dated 7/21/02 9:23:04 PM, Judy in Massachusetts writes:
One day a farmer's donkey fell into an abandoned well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up anyway, so it just wasn't worth it to him to try to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They each grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. Realizing what was happening, the donkey at first cried and wailed horribly. Then, a few shovels full later, he quieted down completely.
The farmer peered down into the well, and was astounded by what he saw.
With every shovel full of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up on the new layer of dirt. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off, to the shock and astonishment of all the neighbors!
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to not let it bury you, but to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up!
Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
Free your heart from hatred.
Free your mind from worries.
Live simply.
Give more.
Expect less.
Also, the donkey kicked the crap out of the guy that tried to bury him.
Which brings me to another moral for this story: When you try to cover your ass, it always comes back and gets you!
Address Guardian™ Extends Free Registration to Deceased Suppression List
Hundreds Subscribe to Service for Ending Solicitations to Lost Loved Ones
Charlotte, NC, July 16, 2002: Address Guardian™, the only company dedicated
to ending solicitations of the deceased, announced the extension of its
offer of free registration for the service, designed to eliminate junk mail
and telemarketing calls to the deceased.
Through July 31, 2002, registration with Address Guardian will continue to
be free to family members and those sharing the same address as the
deceased. To qualify for the free offer, family and household members must
register the name and former address of the deceased at
www.addressguardian.com/registration_form.htm. Once included, the
information will be used to contact direct mail and telemarketing firms to
eliminate the solicitation of the deceased. The website also allows a
consumer to list offending mailers and telemarketers to help focus the
company's efforts.
"Response to Address Guardian has been so overwhelming in such a short time,
we thought we would give more people time to use the service for free." said
Jim Veilleux, President of Address Guardian. "Since our goal is to end the
rude and disrespectful plague of direct marketing to the departed, we wanted
to give families the maximum opportunity to enroll the names of the deceased
before business economics forced us to start charging for the service."
As part of the Address Guardian registration process, consumers were asked
to answer a survey about the problem of direct marketing to the deceased.
Preliminary results of the survey included some compelling findings:
· 86% said that direct mail to the deceased was a problem
· 31% said that they got more than 5 pieces of direct mail to the deceased a week
· 51% described direct marketing to the deceased as "highly offensive" while another 31% said it was a "major nuisance"
· 33% said that the deceased person getting mail had been dead for 3 years or more
After July 31, enrollment in Address Guardian will require a nominal payment
of $9.95 to cover the costs of contacting the literally tens of thousands of
companies that use direct mail and telemarketing to sell their products.
Those enrolled by July 31 will continue to be included at no charge.
Address Guardian is a North Carolina company based in Charlotte, NC and
founded specifically to address the issue of direct marketing to the
deceased.
For more information about Address Guardian, call Jim Veilleux at
704-543-6613 or jveilleux@addressguardian.com. Information can also be
obtained at www.addressguardian.com.
Address Guardian is a service mark of Dignity Marketing and James Veilleux.
Foresight Communication's 2003 Winter Seminars should be on your calendar now.
Refer to this letter and respond before June 30, 2002 to receive your VIP brochure and discount.
Save $100 to $200, based upon seminar location. You'll also receive a
discount for:
First time registration by a colleague whom you refer from another funeral home.
PARADISE Sheraton Kauai Resort, Poipu Beach, Hawaii January 12-17, 2003
PAIR O' DICE TBA, Las Vegas, Nevada February or March 2003
PAR 'N' SLICE Radisson Resort & Spa, Scottsdale, Arizona February 2-8, 2003
Dan Isard and Curtis Rostad have totally re-engineered our winter seminar series and introduce "Re-Engineering You and Your Firm to Succeed in the 21st Century."
Look at the topics that will be covered:
Attendees of this re-engineered series will return home with a practical written game plan which will lead to greater business profitability personal satisfaction, and community service.
Please call us at (800) 426-0165 or email f4sight@f4sight.com to receive VIP registration materials and assistance with CEU application. Don't delay, VIP space is limited.
Cordially,
Debbie Isard
Winter Seminar Coordinator
FORESIGHT ANALYSTS, INC. FAIR MARKET VALUE, INC. ? FORESIGHT M&A, INC.
FORESIGHT COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
6520 North 7th Street, Suite 200 Phoenix, Arizona 85014 (602) 274-6464 (800) 426-0165 ? FAX (602) 277-6722
MORE
Dear Foresight Seminars Friends,
Advertising in funeral industry press has commenced. Historically, this
means that the, during the next few weeks, we will receive the bulk of our
requests for registration materials. SPACE IS LIMITED!!!
DO NOT WAIT FOR A SEPARATE SNAIL-MAIL THIS YEAR! We are advertising only
through E-Mail and the industry media.
Here's WHY YOU should attendÉ..
NEW ideas, REFINE old methods, MOTIVATION, Pragmatic and Sensible Business
Solutions, SOLVE PERSONNEL Issues, REFRESHING, CHALLENGE to LEARN.
If you have not yet registered, or if you have not yet requested that your
name be placed on our 'seminar interest list', please do so NOW.
Detailed information and registration materials may be accessed on our
website www.f4sight.com
ORÉ.call toll-free now to receive registration materials by mail or fax:
FORESIGHT (800) 426-0165
ORÉ.print this page, write your name and address on it and FAX it to
receive your registration materials
Foresight FAX: (602) 277-6722
HAWAIIÉSheraton KauaiÉJanuary 12-17-2003
SCOTTSDALEÉRadisson Resort & SpaÉFebruary 2-7, 2003
LAS VEGASÉBellagio ResortÉFebruary 24-26, 2003
Presenters Dan Isard and Curtis Rostad have re-engineered a NEW seminar
aptly entitled " Re-Engineering You and Your Firm to Succeed in the 21st
Century.
Topics will include:
Developing a Culture of Service Through Your Staff; Updated Strategies for
Financial Growth; Money Management Tools for Cash Flow, Receivables and
Financing; Setting Goals that Will Get You Where You Want to Be; Calculate
Your True Overhead and Pricing; How to Market for At-Need, Preneed and
After-Service.
Continuing Education Credits pending from The Academy of Professional
Funeral Service Practice.
Please ask for Debbie Isard when you call or email to f4sight@f4sight.com
In a message dated 7/16/02 12:07:58 PM, Ed in Massachusetts writes:
I am hearing rumblings that "Safely Home" as trademarked by the Phaneuf Group......aka St.Pierre Funeral Chapels in Springfield is the root of a lawsuit against the Sampson Family Chapels of Springfield,MA......not sure if you can dig up any info of this...if I find more I will let you know
Ed
In a message dated 7/28/02 4:45:51 PM, name withheld by request writes:
John:
We recently had a very touchy situation with a family. This was a second
marriage and the wife did not want anyone to view the deceased. Closed
casket...do not open. Five minutes prior to the start of the service a son
of the deceased came in with a court order that would allow "Immediate
Family" members to view the deceased. We called the police/sheriff
department and had the officer varify if the document was authentic and
actually signed by a Judge. It was and we had to clear out the chapel while
the spouse stood by the door and the son and his aunt(the sister of the
deceased) went in to view the deceased for all of about 3 minutes. They were
escorted in and out of chapel. They left and we went on with the
service...1 hour and 20 minutes late. The document was hand written by a
paralegal and was signed and stamped. There's a first time for everything.
Long time Funeral Director, B.
In a message dated 7/29/02 4:56:55 PM, V in Washington, DC writes:
Owner blames spouse for cemetery troubles
A Bala Cynwyd cemetery owner, accused by former workers of knowing that old graves were being dug up to make room for new bodies, Friday blamed her late husband and late father-in-law for mismanaging the graveyard.
Rita White, who has run Merion Memorial Park since 1992, does not deny that there are bones and other burial debris scattered on the edges of the property.
A visitor to the cemetery Friday could easily see bones sticking out of soil behind a chain-link fence that rings the 24-acre property.
Their presence may be a function of the cemetery's history as a burial ground for low-income people, some of them placed in unmarked graves, and lax record-keeping over the years, White said.
And she repeated her assertion that Ronald "Duke" Marrow, one of her accusers, and other former workers planted some bones for a Fox Philadelphia news crew out of revenge for being fired.
"He's out to hurt me, and in the process he's hurting many, many families," she said in an interview.
As she spoke, families streamed into her office, worried that their relatives had been illegally disinterred.
White's explanations did not satisfy Bianca Gillis, a Philadelphia resident who came with her brother Shawn to find their mother's grave.
"There are no excuses," Gillis said. Even if White has run the cemetery only for a decade, she is still responsible for any dug-up bones, Gillis said.
The Gillises were upset that cemetery workers took them to a plot with another person's marker.
"I want her to have a spot," Shawn Gillis said of his late mother. "Is she there or is she in the rubble like the other people?"
The Gillises said they intended to talk with Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor's office about their mother's remains.
Castor said Thursday he had assigned detectives to the case.
The cemetery was established in the 1880s to serve the black and Asian American communities.
White's father-in-law, C. Percy White, bought Merion Memorial in 1947 from Hobson Reynolds, a Philadelphia magistrate judge. After Percy White died in 1981, Rita White's husband, Donald, a Montgomery County real estate commissioner, ran the cemetery. He died in 1991, and White, 55, said she had to learn the business from scratch.
"Before my husband passed away, I don't think I ever came out here," she said. "Not once." White said the cemetery was a "dump," and she found herself trimming hedges, mending fences, and trying to make sense of a confusing tangle of records.
"I loved him dearly," she said of her husband, whom she described as an absentee owner, "but I don't think even he knew what was going on."
Similar allegations against the cemetery have surfaced in the past. In 1980, Lower Merion Health Department investigators found exposed skulls near a shed after receiving complaints that workers had "lost" or "misplaced" bodies.
White said she would cooperate with Castor's office, which is investigating the accusations.
"We have a lot of work to do on this," said Detective Sgt. John Stillwagon of the Lower Merion police, who are also involved in the investigation. "There's a lot of different agencies that have to get together."
Among them is the state Attorney General's Office, which would investigate whether the cemetery has violated consumer-protection laws.
Two other agencies, the state Department of Health and the state Department of Environmental Protection, have jurisdiction over cemetery waste such as bones and human remains.
Cemeteries need permits to disinter a body, and Merion Memorial Park has not asked for any, said Richard McGarvey, a Health Department spokesman.
Old bones, without soft tissue attached, are not a health hazard, he said.
Human corpses are exempt from Department of Environmental Protection rules governing infectious waste as long as they are properly interred, said Ron Furlan, a deputy program manager at the agency's southeast regional office.
"If they are not, we could go back and take an action if we needed to," he said. "You shouldn't have bones lying around."
Marrow said White fired him in August because he would not continue to "desecrate graves." Using a backhoe, workers would hit caskets and unearth bones and clothing, he alleges.
White said that grave digging in her cemetery requires a deft touch. Many headstones are so close they almost touch, and graves in one area near the rear of the property are noted only with nameless, stone markers.
"You need to be right on target," she said. "There are graves everywhere."
Yet the cemetery can hold 20,000 more bodies, she says. By her estimate, "hundreds of thousands" of people are buried there.
Merion Memorial conducts 300 to 400 funerals a year, White said, starting at $395 for a shared grave site.
"We do cater to lower-income people," she said. "You have to have a cemetery for people who are not wealthy."
She acknowledged that some people who buy "semi-private" plots might not know that unrelated people can be buried in the same plot, above or beside an existing casket, which can make future identification difficult.
Even so, Philadelphia resident Janice Debose wants proof that her daughter Latresha, who died in 1996 at age 21, is in her grave.
A regular visitor to the cemetery on Mother's Day and Memorial Day, Debose now intends to have Latresha's body exhumed.
"I'm going to get the ground opened up," she said, "and she better be in there."
In a message dated 7/23/02 8:45:51 PM, Linda in Hawaii writes:
Cemetery full after fake leases issued during past 10 years
No more burials will be allowed in the Hindmarsh Cemetery in Adelaide unless the person has a spouse already interred there.
The cemetery has been declared full and the Charles Sturt Council has ruled that any unrealised leases will not be honoured.
The Council wants residents who still have leases to contact them so alternative arrangements can be made.
The Mayor of Charles, Harold Anderson, says it is unclear how many people still have leases for gravesites in a situation made worse by allegations that a caretaker issued fake leases more than 10 years ago.
"We know there was some fraudulent bogus leases issued to members of the public, we know that some records were destroyed in the early 1990s so we're in a spot now," Mr Anderson said.
"If there isn't a spouse already there, then with regret we cannot take them into the Hindmarsh Cemetery," he said.
In a message dated 7/23/02 8:44:08 PM, Mary in Texas writes:
Carriage Services Announces Management Change and Affirms Guidance; Company Also Announces Second Quarter Conference Call Schedule
HOUSTON, July 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Carriage Services, Inc. (NYSE:CSV) today announced that its chief financial officer, Thomas Livengood, plans to leave the company on July 31, 2002 to pursue other career interests. He will remain available on a consulting basis through December 2003. On an interim basis, the position will be filled by W. Clark Harlow, Treasurer and principal financial officer, and Terry Sanford, Controller and chief accounting officer, together acting as co-chief financial officer until a search for a replacement is completed.
Mel Payne, chairman and chief executive officer, said, "Tom and I have been through a lot together, including the rapid acquisition period after going public in 1996 and the turnaround period beginning in 2000. His contributions toward the success of our Fresh Start restructuring program have helped put the company on firm financial ground so that he can leave the company knowing that his hard work has made a difference. We wish Tom the best in his future endeavors.
"Clark and Terry have each been with Carriage for five years and are highly capable of handling our financial and accounting affairs while we search for a proven financial and business leader to complete our Fresh Start program and position the company for future growth."
Additionally, Carriage reaffirmed today its previous guidance for the second quarter of 2002. Revenues are expected to range between $36 million to $38 million, EBITDA to range between $9 million and $10 million, and earnings to range between $0.07 to $0.09 per share. For the full year 2002, Carriage continues to expect revenues to range between $150 million to $155 million, EBITDA to range between $41 million and $43 million, earnings to range between $0.42 to $0.45 per share excluding the special tax benefit reported in the first quarter of $12.8 million, or $0.73 per share, and free cash flow from operations to range between $0.79 to $0.82 per share.
Mr. Payne added, "We intend to be a leader in transparency of our accounting so that the reasons for our financial and operating results are clear, which will involve greater disclosure than companies in our industry have traditionally provided. Our new independent public accounting firm is KPMG, a firm that brings strong industry knowledge to our company. We will also work on rolling out and improving over time a forward-looking enhanced outlook with more data, both financial and non-financial, that will enable our shareholders to better understand the drivers that produce our financial results, especially our cash flows and balance sheets. Our first enhanced outlook will be issued later this year or early next year and will cover 2003 and 2004.
Second Quarter Conference Call Information
Carriage Services will release second quarter results on Friday, July 26, 2002 at 6:00 a.m. eastern time. Management has scheduled a conference call for Friday, July 26, 2002 at 10:30 a.m. eastern time. To participate in the call, dial 303-262-2193 at least ten minutes before the conference call begins and ask for the Carriage Services conference call. A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after the live broadcast ends and will be accessible until August 2, 2002. To access the replay, dial 303-590-3000 and enter the pass code 485674.
Investors, analysts and the general public will also have the opportunity to listen to the conference call free over the Internet by visiting http://www.easterlyir.com . To listen to the live call on the web, please visit the website at least fifteen minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live webcast, an archive will be available shortly after the call. For more information, please contact Lisa Elliott at Easterly Investor Relations at (713) 529-6600 or email lisae@easterly.com .
Carriage Services is the fourth largest publicly traded death care company. As of July 23, 2002, Carriage operates 149 funeral homes and 30 cemeteries in 29 states.
Certain statements made herein or elsewhere by, or on behalf of, the Company that are not historical facts are intended to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are based on assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable; however, many important factors, as discussed under "Forward- Looking Statements and Cautionary Statements" in the Company's Annual Report and Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, could cause the Company's results in the future to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made herein and in any other documents or oral presentations made by, or on behalf of, the Company. The Company assumes no obligation to update or publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company. A copy of the Company's Form 10-K, and other Carriage Services information and news releases, are available at www.carriageservices.com .
Contacts: Mel Payne, Chairman & CEO
Carriage Services, Inc.
713-332-8400
Ken Dennard / kdennard@easterly.com
Lisa Elliott / lisae@easterly.com
Easterly Investor Relations
713-529-6600
In a message dated 7/22/02 10:07:47 PM, Wally in Florida MA writes:
New State Laws Take Effect Today
Smokers in seven states were paying more for their habit Monday, nudity with ``artistic value'' is no longer off-limits to minors in Utah, and teddy bears now have official status as the state toy of Mississippi.
Hundreds of new laws took effect with the July 1 start of fiscal years in many states. The laws reflect legislators' concerns with the burdensome threats of terrorism and budget deficits, spiked with a few less-weighty matters.
Florida lawmakers, for example, found time to stipulate that cooking-school students under the legal drinking age can taste small amounts of wine during class - although they will be expected to spit it out after swishing it around their mouth.
Budget woes dominated many recent legislative sessions, and smokers were a preferred target in efforts to raise more revenue. As of Monday, the per-pack cigarette tax rose by 70 cents in New Jersey, 49 cents in Vermont, 46 cents in Kansas, 40 cents in Indiana and Illinois, 31 cents in Ohio and 12 cents in Louisiana.
Kansas also increased inheritance, sales and business taxes, part of a bill aimed at raising $252 million for the state.
Though terrorism already is covered by numerous federal laws, several legislatures - prompted by the Sept. 11 attacks - passed their own anti-terrorism measures.
Oklahoma, Iowa, Idaho and South Dakota are designating terrorism a state crime; Oklahoma also outlawed committing a terrorist hoax, and Iowa outlawed possession of anthrax spores. Georgia is giving authorities broader powers to conduct wiretaps and listen to cell phone conversations.
Death penalty laws are changing in Indiana, where the minimum age for execution rises from 16 to 18, and in Alabama, where lethal injection becomes the primary form of execution. Alabama's switch leaves Nebraska as the only state with the electric chair as the sole means of execution.
Targeting drunken drivers, Wyoming, South Dakota and Mississippi are lowering the legal intoxication limit from 0.10 percent blood-alcohol content to 0.08 percent. The lower limit - now adopted by 32 states - conforms with a federal standard required by October 2003 to avoid losing some highway construction funds.
Wyoming lawmakers rejected similar legislation in the past, but approved the lower limit following a crash in which eight University of Wyoming student-athletes were killed by a drunken driver.
Georgia lawmakers also responded to shocking, close-to-home news. Reacting to the macabre scandal at the Tri-State Crematory in Noble, Ga., where hundreds of rotting bodies were found earlier this year, they passed a law to ensure that crematoriums are subject to inspection and make it a felony to abandon a corpse.
Georgia altered its statute-of-limitations law so various violent crimes - not just murder - can be prosecuted even after seven years. The new law says such prosecutions can occur if DNA evidence becomes available for the first time.
Some anti-crime legislation is narrowly focused. Florida created new penalties for people who intentionally injure or kill a guide dog; Indiana made it a crime, punishable by a maximum $10,000 fine, to flick a cigarette butt from a car.
Utah, at the behest of state pornography czar Paula Houston, rolled back a law banning any public nudity that might be viewed by minors. Fearing the old law might be struck down for encompassing a work like Michelangelo's ``David,'' lawmakers rewrote it to exempt displays that have artistic value.
Vermont, as of Monday, becomes the first state to require the pharmaceutical industry to disclose gifts - ranging from ball point pens to free trips - that it lavishes on physicians to influence their prescription choices.
In Georgia - despite one lawmaker's plea that there were more pressing topics to tackle - the legislature passed a bill recognizing grits as the state's official prepared food. The breakfast staple joins peanuts, peaches and Vidalia sweet onions as Georgia's designated food symbols.
Grits are popular far beyond Georgia, but Mississippi claims a distinctive reason for declaring teddy bears the state toy.
This year marked the 100th anniversary of a hunting expedition by President Theodore Roosevelt in the Mississippi Delta. After three days without success, the president was offered a captive bear to kill, and he refused.
A political cartoonist depicted Roosevelt's humane act, and toy bears thereafter became widely known as teddy bears.
Hillman Frazier was one of two state senators opposing the bill, calling it a frivolous distraction at a time lawmakers should be working harder to support Medicaid and education.
``If we're going to adopt a state toy, based on what I've seen this session, it should be the football because we're good at punting,'' Frazier said.
In a message dated 7/22/02 10:04:23 PM, David in New York writes:
Hillenbrand earnings hurt by WorldCom loss
BATESVILLE, Ind., July 15 (Reuters) - Hillenbrand Industries Inc. <HB.N> said on Monday its third-quarter earnings will fall short of forecasts because of a $33 million loss from investments in bankrupt WorldCom Inc. and other telecommunications companies.
Hillenbrand, which makes caskets and hospital beds and provides insurance and other financial products for pre-planned funerals, said the investments were made by its Forethought Financial Services unit.
The investment loss, equal to 34 cents a share, will be partially offset by a 10 cent per share credit for the release of tax reserves, leaving a 24 cent per share charge in the quarter, the company said.
Hillenbrand expects third-quarter net income to be reduced by approximately $15.5 million as a result of the charge.
The company said that, excluding the impact of these items, its third-quarter earnings would have modestly exceeded earlier estimates of 70 to 73 cents per share.
Fiscal year earnings would also have modestly exceeded earlier estimates of $3.30 to $3.35 per share, excluding the one-time items, the company said.
Hillenbrand stock was down $2, or 3.88 percent, at $49.53 on the New York Stock Exchange early on Monday afternoon.
"Ongoing turmoil in the credit markets and high-profile downgrades of corporate debt, especially the unprecedented volatility within the telecommunications sector, continue to adversely impact our investment portfolio," said President and Chief Executive Officer Frederick Rockwood.
He said Forethought "remains a financially solid company with a strong underwriting business," noting that the losses represent approximately 1.2 percent of its $2.9 billion investment portfolio.
The investment losses will have no effect on Forethought's ability to pay claims or grow, he said. He added that Hillenbrand would closely monitor and manage the investment portfolio to mitigate exposure to future losses.
The losses were primarily within the telecommunications sector of Forethought's investment portfolio, including approximately $12 million resulting from investments in WorldCom Inc. bonds. Other Forethought telecommunications investments that hurt the company's bottom line, included Nortel, GT Group Telecom, Teleone Europe BV, RCN Corporation, Telewest Communication, Intermedia Communications and Focal Communications.
In a message dated 7/22/02 10:03:31 PM, Mike in Maryland writes:
US FTC studying possible restraints on e-commerce
WASHINGTON, D.C. July 17 - Antitrust enforcers at the Federal Trade Commssion will scrutinize state regulations around the U.S. to see if any are being used to thwart online competitors, the head of the agency said on Wednesday.
The FTC will study state rules, along with the tactics of private companies, to determine whether they are handicapping e-commerce, FTC Chairman Timothy Muris told reporters in a press briefing.
"Obviously the Internet has enormous potential, and these restrictions limit that potential in terms of benefiting consumers," Muris said.
FTC officials are still in the process of trying to "educate ourselves" on the subject, Muris said. The agency is scheduled to hold an open forum on the subject in October.
But Muris added, "I be would surprised if we don't have additional investigations and engage in additional advocacy" on the subject.
Critics have argued many of the restrictions imposed on Internet sales are designed to insulate traditional "bricks-and-mortar" businesses from competition.
Muris said private studies indicate that those restricitons "at least visibly look like a quite serious problem."
Muris singled out one study that estimated anticompetitive restrctions on e-commerce may be costing consumers more than $15 billion a year.
As one possible example, FTC officials cited regulations imposed by all 50 states that prevent automobile manufacturers from selling cars directly through the Internet.
Other industries in which "significant restrictions on Internet commerce have been alleged" include real estate and mortgages, contact lenses, wine and burial caskets, the FTC said in a statement.
"Much of discussion of Internet commerce has proceeded almost with an assumption that the Internet was a libertarian free for all, and that assumption does not seem to be an accurate representation of reality," said Ted Cruz, the FTC's policy planning director.
David Balto, a former FTC official now with the law firm White & Case LLP, said the initiative is a big move for the agency.
"It's a place where they really should be focusing their time and attention," Balto said.
07/17/02 18:52 ET
In a message dated 7/22/02 10:00:55 PM, Lou in Pennsylvania writes:
Matthews International Announces Third Quarter Earnings and Declares Quarterly Dividend
PITTSBURGH, July 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Matthews International Corporation (Nasdaq:MATW) today announced earnings for the third fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2002. Net income for the quarter was $10,558,000 versus $8,761,000 for the same quarter last year. Earnings per share for the third quarter of fiscal 2002 were $0.33 compared to $0.28 a year ago, an increase of 17.9 percent.
Sales in the quarter increased 66.3 percent to $118,825,000 versus $71,461,000 in the third quarter a year ago. The increase in sales for the quarter and year-to-date primarily reflects the benefits from three acquisitions completed during fiscal 2001.
Net income for the nine months ended June 30, 2002 was $28,012,000 (excluding the effect of a change in accounting) versus $23,627,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2001. The current year excludes a charge (net of taxes) of $3,226,000, or $0.10 per share, for impairment of goodwill resulting from the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." Earnings per share for the first three quarters of fiscal 2002 increased 17.3 percent to $0.88 (excluding the accounting change) compared to $0.75 for the nine months ended June 30, 2001.
Sales for the first three quarters of fiscal 2002 increased 53.8 percent to $314,254,000 versus $204,356,000 for the first three quarters of fiscal 2001. York Casket segment sales for the seven months ending June 30, 2002 totaled $79.2 million or 72 percent of the year-to-date sales increase.
In discussing the financial results for the quarter and year-to-date, David M. Kelly, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated:
"I am pleased with our sales, income and earnings per share growth for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2002. These results have been driven by the benefit of three successful acquisitions which were completed since May a year ago which more than offset lost sales and lower operating income resulting from the divestiture of Tukaiz Communications (January 2001) and a slowdown in the economy which has reduced sales and operating income in our domestic Marking Products and Graphics Imaging businesses."
Mr. Kelly also stated that "More recently we started to realize the benefit of a favorable foreign currency translation of Euro dollars to U.S. dollars as the Euro averaged 92 cents for the quarter ending June 30, 2002 versus 87 cents for the same quarter a year ago -- an increase of 6 percent. This could have a positive impact on future results on an annual basis if the Euro stays at or above par to the U.S. dollar, considering approximately 20 percent of our consolidated sales revenue is generated outside of the United States."
The Board of Directors of Matthews International Corporation also declared at its regularly scheduled meeting today a dividend of $0.02625 per share on the Company's common stock for the quarter ended June 30, 2002. The dividend is payable August 14, 2002 to stockholders of record July 31, 2002.
Matthews International Corporation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a designer, manufacturer and marketer principally of memorialization products and caskets for the cemetery and funeral home industries, and custom-made products which are used to identify people, places, products and events. The Company's products include cast bronze memorials and other memorialization products; caskets; bronze and aluminum architectural products; cremators and cremation-related products; mausoleums; printing plates, pre-press services, and imaging systems for the corrugated and flexible packaging industries; and marking equipment and consumables for identifying various consumer and industrial products and containers.
MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In Thousands, except Share Data)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
6/30/02 6/30/01(A) 6/30/02 6/30/01(A)
Sales $118,825 $71,461 $314,254 $204,356
Operating Profit 18,897 14,631 49,525 39,704
Income before Taxes
and Accounting Change 17,199 14,265 45,624 38,476
Income Taxes 6,641 5,504 17,612 14,849
Income before
Accounting Change 10,558 8,761 28,012 23,627
Effect of Accounting
Change, Net of Taxes 0 0 (3,226) 0
Net Income $10,558 $8,761 $24,786 $23,627
Earnings per Share before Accounting
Change $0.33 $0.28 $0.88 $0.75
Earnings per Share $0.33 $0.28 $0.78 $0.75
Weighted Average
Shares 32,001,768 31,200,564 31,723,260 31,309,354
(A) The first nine months of fiscal 2001 included after tax income of
$300 ($0.01 per share) from special items which consisted of a pre-tax gain on the sale of a subsidiary, net of asset impairments, restructuring costs and other special pre-tax charges.
Any forward-looking statements contained in this release are included pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to be materially different from management's expectations. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove correct. Factors that could cause the Company's results to differ materially from the results discussed in such forward-looking statements principally include economic, competitive, and technological factors beyond the Company's control.
In a message dated 8/5/02 8:48:53 AM, Chris@theoutlookgroup.com writes:
THE SCIENCE OF SELF PROMOTION
Written by:
Chris Kuhnen
Director of Marketing
The Outlook Group, Inc.
The science of self-promotion is one everybody should become skilled in. It
can go a long way towards closing a contract or landing a new job with
unlimited upward and financial mobility. While it goes without saying,
nobody likes someone who constantly is bragging about him or herself or
feels they are "better" than everyone else, you shouldn't feel guilty
letting people in your community know who you are and what you've done.
Here are some tips on how to become your own public relations representative
as outlined by Barry Farber, author of Dive Right In: 101 Powerful Action
Steps for Personal Achievement and Fairy Godmother of Advancement for Women,
aka Anne Murray, qualified type trainer who speaks on many subjects around
the country.
1. Promote yourself and your success. Create a list of people
to whom you can promote yourself, and send them periodic notes of your
accomplishments, articles that might interest them, notices of events they
might want to attend, birthday cards or notes of congratulations.
2. Tell everyone about your goals. "When you commit to
something, you need one main thing; desire." Goals are more likely to become
reality if you talk about them. Getting positive and negative feedback on
your goals can help you proceed with them.
3. Discover your uniqueness. There are three reasons
people should do business with you. You're first, best or
different. The first two can be rough, but you can always be unique.
Capitalize on your strengths and sell yourself.
4. Never badmouth your competitors. Talk only
about your strengths rather than a competitor's
weakness.
5. Volunteer. You may be noticed by others simply
by participating in community activities.
6. Acknowledge good news about people. Send notes
of congratulations or acknowledgement of achievements to
people in your organization and in your professional field or in your
community. People notice, appreciate and remember your gracious attitude
toward them.
7. Acknowledge good news about people to other
people. In addition to sending notes to the people who are
achieving, send letters of appreciation to their immediate superiors about
them as well. Anytime someone in the organization does you a favor, thank
him or her in writing with a copy to his or her boss.
8. Learn basic public speaking skills. Speak to your
audience as if you were having a casual conversation.
Nothing enhances visibility like speaking in public.
9. Write an article for a local publication, company
newsletter or industry publication. The written word can be
copied and shared, establishing your credibility even when you're not
around.
10. Attach your name to your ideas. Never assume
that people will know that an idea is yours.
Include you name on all articles, reports and
position papers.
11. Be active in trade/professional associations. Many
people are "discovered" by colleagues in other
organizations and given credibility for what they
know or have accomplished.
12. Associate with influential. Distinguished people
are eager to recognize and support talent. Try to
cultivate relationships with those people who are
the gatekeepers of influence in your organization.
13. Become known in your community. Serving on
a committee of your local Chamber of Commerce can create
visibility for you that penetrate layers of your organization and other
organizations. Serving on various local boards can create friendships with
people who are highly visible and influential in your community.
In a message dated 7/22/02 9:59:23 PM, Frank in New Jersey writes:
FEATURE-Dying to make you laugh: new funeral home ads
BORDENTOWN, New Jersey - Death is no laughing matter. But that doesn't mean the undertaker can't have a little fun selling his services.
Take the Huber-Moore Funeral Home in this central New Jersey town. It's been running newspaper ads featuring director Bill Huber in full clown costume, with curly blond wig and shiny, big red nose.
"Bill Huber. Part-time Shrine clown. Full-time human being," reads the copy under a photo of Bill, who plays the clown at children's parties organized by the Shriners philanthropic fraternity.
Another ad for the company's other funeral home features a photo of funeral director Deb Tolboom in her choir gown.
Huber, 67, became "Willie the Clown" 30 years ago as a break from his career as a mortician and former county medical examiner. But it was only this year that his laughing persona was featured in a series of ads for what has traditionally been a deadly serious profession.
"Hopefully, we're getting back to the human side of the business. I'm a human being, I have emotions, too," he said.
Of course, he doesn't appear in clown costume at wakes and funerals, but the idea of the ads is to humanize what many people still regard as a taboo subject.
The spots, created by the Potter, Katz, Postal & Ferguson agency of North Hollywood, California, also come as funeral homes and cemeteries are having to hustle for business.
Although the death industry would seem to be one of the safest in economic hard times -- since people are always dying -- it has become harder to survive in recent years.
The rising number of people choosing cheaper cremation over elaborate caskets and funeral services, has taken a bite out of profits.
PEOPLE ARE LIVING LONGER
Medical advances mean people are living longer now, forcing funeral homes to sell more "pre-need" funerals to those who are still relatively young and many years away from death.
Analyst William Burns of Johnson Rice in New Orleans, who follows the death industry, said the number of Americans choosing cremation accounted for 25 percent to 26 percent of all deaths last year.
"The problem is that 10 years ago, the funeral homes miscalculated, thinking that all their profits would be in caskets which they can buy for $900 and sell for $3,000.
"They gave away everything else, like the embalming and other services."
Consumers have discovered they can buy cheaper caskets on the Internet and all of a sudden America's 23,000 funeral homes are not making the profits they expected.
They have had to increase prices for all the other services and now the average cost of a funeral -- without the headstone -- is more than $5,000.
That means more competition and the need to advertise. The economic tightening has also led to more corporate takeovers of smaller, family businesses. In the United States, two companies -- Service Corp International and Stewart Industries -- dominate the business.
This creeping corporatization is a theme of the hit HBO-TV drama "Six Feet Under," which garnered 23 prime-time Emmy nominations, including best drama series, and has done a lot to humanize the death-care business.
"The whole landscape has changed," said advertising executive Dan Katz. "We hate conventional cemetery and funeral home advertising, they're so boring."
Katz, a partner in the agency that now handles some 20 funeral home accounts, told Reuters humor is the key when selling to baby boomers who never really thought about death and funerals while they were growing up in the 1960s.
'NOBODY IS DEAD YET!'
"When you're selling before need, nobody is dead yet, so you can afford to lighten up. Excuse the pun, but most are deadly, they talk of death rather than taking care of family.
"The idea is to say 'we have a sense of humor, we're not the Grim Reaper, we're a friend of the family,"' Katz said.
A few years ago, he said the agency began working with Mt. Sinai Memorial Parks and Mortuaries in the Los Angeles area. "We found out the director had been a therapist and so we created a campaign about 'The Man Behind the Mortuary."'
Sales shot up 24 percent in the first year. After getting a call from a second funeral home, Katz realized there was a market that was not being met.
"It's really no different from selling cars or running shoes," Katz said.
One Albuquerque, New Mexico, funeral home launched a "life campaign," urging people to do good deeds like "Swim with a Dolphin" or "Learn a New Language."
A Massachusetts funeral home took out newspaper ads, baldly listing its prices for coffins, plots and funeral services.
Selling to the age 50-plus boomers is challenging, Katz said. "These are people who grew up in the '60s so you can be more irreverent."
Katz's agency recently ran ads in the funeral trade magazines featuring the back of a hearse with streamers and tin cans attached, like for newlyweds. "Dare to be Different" was the message.
"I can't say this is necessarily a trend, but the creativity is wonderful," said Maryann Carroll of the New Jersey Funeral Directors Association.
John Moore, who owns the Huber-Moore home and another in Browns Mills, New Jersey, said the ads resulted in a 7 percent to 10 percent increase in volume of calls. "The results have been very favorable.
"In 20 years as a funeral director, I have never had people come up to me and say they saw my ads," he said
In a message dated 7/27/02 9:44:54 AM, Mike in Massachusetts writes:
Charles C. Nichols
Of Dedham July 22. Beloved husband of Loretta B. (Leshney). Devoted father of Eugene Nichols, D.M.D. and his wife Susan of Foxboro, Julie Spillane and her husband Chris of Mansfield and Robert Nichols of Dedham. Brother of Theodore "Ted" Nichols and his wife Judy of West Roxbury. Loving grandfather of Kristen, Emily, Brian and Ethan. Also survived by several nephews and 2 nieces. Funeral Service will be held Saturday at St. John The Baptist Church, 410 W. Broadway, South Boston at 10'oclock. Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held at The Laughlin, Nichols & Pennacchio Funeral Home, 34 Oak St., (Cor Maple St.-Cleary Sq.) HYDE PARK, 617-361-2410, Thursday & Friday 2-4 & 7-9PM. Late Proprietor of Charlie's Pioneer Food Store of West Roxbury. Memorials may be made in Charlie's memory to the Shriner's Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114. (Doorman Parking).
In a message dated 8/5/02 4:44:30 PM, Mike in Massachusetts writes:
Kenneth MacCuish
Of Malden, Aug 1st. Husband of the late Elmira "Myra" (Williamson) MacCuish. Father of Jean M. Dunn of Gt. Barrington, Kenneth A. MacCuish, Donald E. MacCuish and Bessie L. Moran all of Malden. Brother of the late G. Neil, William A. and Andy MacCuish formerly of Malden. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be held at the Maplewood Baptist Church, 729 Salem St., Malden, on Tues. Aug. 6th, at 10:00 AM. Friends may call at the Weir-MacCuish Golden Rule Funeral Home, 144 Salem St., MALDEN on Mon. from 2-4 & 7-9PM. Contributions in Ken's memory may be made to the Patient Activities Account at McFadden Manor, 341 Forest St. Malden, 02148. For directions or obituary:www .weirfuneralhome.com.
Kenneth MacCuish, 96, died Thursday, August 1, 2002 at the Mc Fadden Memorial Manor in Malden, MA. Ken was born and educated in Malden and active in sports during his high school years. When he graduated from Malden High School with the "Class of 1924 A" he continued his education nights at Boston University where he received his degree. He was employed as an accountant at the Whitehead Metal Products Co. of Cambridge which worked on the Manhattan Project during WW II. He then went to work for the U.S. Air Force as a defense contract auditor at General Electric in Lynn where he was employed for over forty years until his retirement in 1970.He continued his interest in sports after high school playing baseball for the Malden Twi- City League, coaching the Malden Chapter Order of De Molay Baseball Team, coaching and refereeing basketball for the Malden PCAA and playing first base for the Nelson's Bakery softball team for many years. He also lead the "Early Bird" exercise program at the Malden YMCA for a number of years until he turned ninety one. He was an active member of the Maplewood Baptist Church of Malden where he taught Sunday School, was a life Deacon and served as their treasurer for many years. He was a Past Master and Treasurer of The Lodge of Stirling AF & AM of Malden, "Dad" Advisor to the Malden Chapter Order of De Molay, Past High Priest of the Royal Arch Chapter of the Tabernacle of Malden, Former Grand Marshall of the 7th Melrose Masonic District, member of Beauseant -Palestine Commandery #041, Knights Templar and Aleppo Temple Shrine of Wilmington. Ken MacCuish was a life long resident of Malden. He is survived by his daughter, Jean M. Dunn of Gt. Barrington, his son, Kenneth A. Mac Cuish of Malden, his son, Donald E. Mac Cuish of Malden, and his daughter, Bessie L. Moran of Malden. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Elmira "Myra" (Williamson) Mac Cuish, his father William MacCuish, his mother Bessie Mac Leod, his brother G. Neil Mac Cuish, his brother William Mac Cuish, and his brother Andy Mac Cuish.He was born November 16, 1905 in Malden, MA the son of the late William and Bessie (Mac Leod) MacCuish. Visitation will be held at Weir MacCuish Funeral Home, 144 Salem St., Malden on Monday Aug. 5th, from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM Contributions in Ken's memory may be made to the Patient Activity Account, Mc Fadden Manor , 341 Forest Street, Malden MA 02148 Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 6, 2002 at 10:00 A.M. at the Maplewood Baptist Church, 729 Salem St. Malden. with Pastor Paul McPheeters officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Dale Cemetery in Malden.
In a message dated 8/5/02 8:42:56 AM, Chris@theoutlookgroup.com writes:
<< RESS RELEASE-FSPA For More Information Contact
For Immediate Release Chris Kuhnen (937) 743-8912
OUTLOOK GROUP AND HOMESTEADERS LIFE COMPANY MAKE GENEROUS DONATION TO
FAMILIES OF FREEDOM SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Franklin, OH. &endash; The Outlook Group, Inc. Advance Funeral Planning
Professionals (AFPP's) raised over $1,375.00 for the Families of Freedom
Scholarship Fund. On a voluntary basis from October 12, 2001 through April
30, 2002 a charitable group of Outlook AFPP's donated $0.50 from each funded
funeral prearrangement contract to the fund. In addition to the funds raised
by the AFPP's, specific matching amounts were donated by Outlook Regional
Development Directors; Corporate Office Staff and nationally recognized
funeral prearrangement funding partner, Homesteaders Life Company, Des
Moines, Iowa. This raised the total amount donated to $4,133.79
Former President Bill Clinton and former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole
teamed up to chair the scholarship fund campaign that provides educational
assistance for the children and spouses of those killed or permanently
disabled as a result of the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. The two
promised to help build the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund tm, which
was founded by the Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America (CSFA) and
the Lumina Foundation for Education. Organizers hope to raise the funds
needed to distribute at least $100 million to financially needy applicants
for use at all types of postsecondary education, including two and four year
collages, trade and vocational schools, and others. The Fund will continue
for as long as there is need from the families of the attack victims.
Charles W. Anderson, CEO and President, The Outlook Group, Inc., stated,
"Outlook Group and Homesteaders Life Company employees, like all Americans,
were profoundly affected by the events of September 11 and were eager to
show their support in a positive, supportive way". He added, "Donating
unselfishly to the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund is an opportunity
for those of us in the advance funeral planning profession to come together
to help ensure a bright future for the many families of the victims of this
senseless tragedy!"
Individuals can donate or apply for scholarship funds on-line at
www.familiesoffreedom.org or by calling toll free (800) 335-1102.
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It's summer, vacation season
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In a message dated 8/5/02 8:45:18 AM, Chris@theoutlookgroup.com writes:
Career Opportunity
Department: Sales - Funeral Home
Position: Advance Funeral Planning Professional (AFPP)
Hours: 40+ (Full time position)
Reports To: Regional Development Director
Current Territories Available:
Across the states of Georgia and Maryland; Indianapolis, Lafayette, Michigan
City, Rockport, Indiana; Gurnee, Illinois; Davenport, Iowa; Cincinnati,
Crestline, Galion, Ohio; Philadelphia, Pottstown, Reading, Pennsylvania;
Boiling Springs, South Carolina.
Qualifications:
No previous sales experience required, we will train;
however, must have personal traits and desires that would allow service to
families with caring, compassion and dignity; must demonstrate the ability
to take direction and the willingness to try new concepts outside their
traditional comfort zone; excellent listening, written, oral communication
and interpersonal skills are essential; strong organizational and problem
solving skills required; must be a self-starter that has demonstrated the
ability to be patient and persistent to achieve set goals. Must demonstrate
an ability to work well with others in a team atmosphere and to develop
ongoing positive relationships within your community, funeral home and
co-workers.
Major Function:
The Advance Funeral Planning Professional (AFPP) interacts primarily with
their Regional Development Director to set goals and strategic plans related
to generating pre-need sales for the funeral home client(s) they will
represent by utilizing the sales process of prospecting, appointment setting
and presenting as taught in the Outlook Academy of Advance Funeral Planning.
The AFPP must mirror the values and culture of their funeral home. The AFPP
is responsible for securing and growing the market share for the funeral
home(s) represented by purposefully building value in the services of The
Outlook Group, Inc. They must continually attempt to reach, educate and
inform their community about the advantages of pre-planning and pre-funding
funeral services by utilizing relationship-building methods designed by The
Outlook Group, Inc. to ensure no family in the funeral home's service area
faces a loss uninformed or unprepared.
Requirements:
Must be a licensed life insurance agent and/or have the desire and ability
to secure and obtain a life insurance license (before date of hire) from the
state in which you will be working. If not already a licensed life insurance
agent, licensing requirements generally involve attendance at a state
approved life insurance school/program course followed by the successful
passing of the state life insurance license exam. Must have the ability to
be fully bonded and pass a standard background/security check. Must have a
valid drivers licenses and dependable transportation in order to travel to
sales appointments. Some limited states (please call to inquire) require a
licensed funeral director to legally consummate a funeral prearrangement
contract with a consumer.
Working Hours:
Commonly Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. Occasional weekend and evening
hours will be required. Most main nationally recognized holidays are not
worked.
Compensation Package:
* Base salary
* Competitive commissions
* Attractive monthly and annual sales volume bonuses
* 2001 avg. first year earned gross income (directly from W-2 forms) was $45,118.95
* Flexible working hours.
* Vacation (one week after one year's service) & holiday pay
* Personal and sick days
* Excellent company sponsored group insurance including: health, dental, short and long-term disability
* Company sponsored training and professional development courses
* Productive training through the exclusive Outlook Academy of Advance Funeral Planning
* Outstanding, five-star company trips and retreats
* Employee recognition programs and awards
* Rapid promotion based on merit
* We focus on YOU - listen to your needs and help you to be successful!
* Generous retirement plan, including 401(k) savings plan & long term incentive plan
* Chuck's Bucks cash rewards
* Other liberal incentives
How to apply:
Interested candidates should mail, fax or e-mail a cover letter, resume and
salary history to: Paula Colbert and/or Chris Kuhnen % The Outlook Group,
Inc. 121 East Second Street, Franklin, Ohio 45005 Phone: (800) 331-6270 Fax:
(937) 743-8918 Email: chris@theoutlookgroup.com. For further information
call The Outlook Group, Inc. or visit the company web site at
http://www.theoutlookgroup.com. The Outlook Group, Inc. is an equal
opportunity employer committed to a diverse workplace. m/f/v/d/h.
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Consider these steps for your life.
1. Work like you don't need the money.
2. Love like you've never been hurt.
3. Dance like you do when nobody's watching.
C YA
John
BOTTOM LINE: WE ALL WORK FOR THE BETTERMENT OF FUNERAL SERVICE PROFESSION AND THE DEATH CARE INDUSTRY THE CONSUMERS WE SERVE AND THE PROFESSIONALS WE WORK WITH. IF YOU SEE ANYTHING WRONG, IF SOMETHING HERE REALLY OFFENDS YOU, LET'S WORK TOGETHER. PLEASE NOTIFY FSPA IMMEDIATELY, YOU CAN E-MAIL TO lowellma@aol.com Or call FSPA in the United States Voice 978-458-6816 Fax 978-459-0115 or the old fashioned way through the mail at FSPA c/o 14 Highland Street Lowell, Massachusetts 01852-3399 USA
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