11JAN09 WARM IDEAS FOR THE COLD FUNERAL ©
© Copyright All material here is copyrighted, all rights reserved.

You have joined room: Lobby
WELCOME, glad you could visit us, OUR TOPIC: "WARM IDEAS FOR THE COLD FUNERAL" THIS CHAT WILL PROBABLY BE COPIED TO www.funeralserviceprofessional.com FOR ANYONE TO ENJOY LATER. Just a few rules for everyone: 1. USE ONLY PLAIN BLACK TEXT 2 DO NOT USE COMPANY NAMES 3 DISCRIMINATION IS NOT ALLOWED. If you would like chat reminders please send to: LOWELLMA@AOL.COM
You are a room admin.
mactj2 has joined.
Ralph-IL: hey john
Host_John: Hello everyone
daveb has joined.
sam-callahan: hellojone
Tom: John, just doing Age Gender Location and temperature
Erica_L has left.
Host_John: how do you change your funerals when you have cold weaterh
Host_John: Good one Tom
Tom: Ha ha I'm the warmest
Tom: 70 here today
Tom: You said warm ideas
Host_John: 57, M, Lovely Hampton NH and 16 right now
Host_John: where are you tom
Tom: California
Tom: today
mactj2: no changes here...just dress warmer
Tom: Home
Tom: Shorts today playing golf
Host_John: we do change the procession into church
Tom: Hard to put on the sunscreen
Tom: had
Host_John: we get everyone inside and bring casket and family last
daveb: phhtttt
pat has joined.
Ralph-IL has left.
Tom: You know though outside propane heater work really good
Host_John: at the cemetery we set up the gravesite with just the pall bearers and bring the folks in last
Host_John: we valet park cars at our funeral home too
Host_John: for funerals
Host_John: what do you do different when it is extra cold?
brud: Hey there Tom --- sorry, was off on other projects
brud: Cold ---- Friday morning in Bangor, Me it was -25 degrees
Tom: I bet the valat parking keeps the staff pretty busy... do they ever get a tip
mactj2: rotate guys inside an out to warm up
Host_John: good plan Mact
Tom: 70 here today brud
Host_John: how often do you rotate
brud: yeah - I needed to hear that. 7-8" of snow and in the teens here today
mactj2: every 10 minutes or so
Host_John: where are you Brud and everyone else for that matter
mactj2: two or three at a time
brud: mid-coast Maine
daveb: bet john does not allow tips
Tom: Central California here...
Tom: Brud is in Maine
mactj2: arlington, mass. 18 degrees ten inches of snow
pat: New York very cold and snowning
Tom: I'm sitting here in my shorts with all the doors and windows open... How nice
brud: my vehicle had a few choice words for me on Friday morning when I cranked it up. I think the high temp on Friday was in the low single digits.
Host_John: keeping staff at the doorway of the church to encourage people to get inside and staff on the inside giving immediate direction keeps the doorway less clogged
philc has left.
philc has joined.
Host_John: we do have a talk with immediate family on plan for church and cem to be sure it is OK with them
Host_John: snowing we pre start and brush off attendees cars
daveb: ahh what is the liability of you have having keys John
Host_John: we dont think of that dave we have insurance
Host_John: never had a problem
Host_John: at the funeral home
daveb: just get in the limo on the :correct Side: right?
Tom: Just check some temperatures here today.. Palm Springs 80, San Diego 80, Santa Barbara 76... I love this place it like May or June here
Host_John: attendees are delighted to get into a warm car on a cold day the snow clearing is a plus
philc has left.
philc has joined.
Tom: The only thing I have to say about the topic tonight.. move to California
Host_John: tom what do you guys do on the extra hot days?
Tom: Air conditioning
Tom: It's a dry heat...
Tom: I heard Florida was pretty cold right now
fluidpusher has joined.
Tom: We do get some cold weather here.. we just happen to be in a heat wave for this time of year
Host_John: are you saying you don't do anything different in extream hot either Tom?
Host_John: Tom is off to the pool I guess
Host_John: as for the funeralhome temperature
Host_John: we use automatic thermostats
Host_John: set them so the building is comfortable for attendees arrival
Host_John: we encourage people to hang coats up as the church may not be as comfortable as their home is
daveb: so whta is comfort level some people prefer cool
Host_John: hang coats up in the funeral home that is
Host_John: we ask during calling hours are you warm cold or comfortabel
daveb: 65 -68- 70 it builds as more come in
Host_John: we remember that setting and that is what their room will be for the funeral
wjaehnig1 has joined.
Host_John: climate control takes care of that dave it keeps temperature where family wants it
angie has joined.
Host_John: the newer thermostates know how long it will take to get room to set temperature so they really help alot
Host_John: we keep the limo and hearse in the garage until 10 - 15 minutes before we need them
Host_John: saves gas
Host_John: garage is on 50
daveb has left.
Host_John: any have some ideas they want to share on extreme cold
angie has left.
Host_John: OPEN FORUM FUNERAL CHATTER UNTIL THE TOP OF THE HOUR
SOME TEXT MISSING HERE
cnmmnc: what happened to the music service thing he had?
Host_John: we scan the photos ourself and create the slide show all in house
RonHast: Some of our colleagues do a wonderful job with it, and provide it as a courtesy -- and have software to do it all in house. That seems to be well received and works!
shawn has joined.
Host_John: I feel the family who loves music will bring in their own DVD's and we use them
RonHast: cnm.....excellent music may be purchased for reasonable fees and the Fd owns it. Such as $15 per disc. Excellent quality, easy system.
Host_John: you did join some music assn through NFDA too
RonHast: The music license fee is available at a lower fee elsewhere from Nfda.
Host_John: taps in now off a recording
cnmmnc: wow, i know that was an old company, i never cared for the subscription and the fact you never owned the equipment
sam-callahan: don't get me wrong. But you can buy caskets, vaults, books, etc online. I'm just trying to do something you can not get online.
Host_John: sam online is bigger than all of us
RonHast: Again I agree cnmmnc. My last information is that the company (national Music) had another bankruptcy.
RonHast: We don't hear anything more from them.
cnmmnc: sheesh, he hasn't had an easy go of it, but he had/has a beautiful voice
sam-callahan: online can Not offer service, service
RonHast: sam-callahan: Please clarify....
RonHast: Many services are offered online.
RonHast: Like immediate care and cremation services, including all paperwork, and payment by credit card. One of my companies does 400 calls a year on that alone.
sam-callahan: all we have to offer our community is personal service. You can not buy that online
sam-callahan: like john starting care and cleaning snow off windows
sam-callahan: cars,sorry
RonHast: Personal service may not matter to many, and doesn't. It's efficient care at a fair price by good people. What do you mean my "personal service"?
RonHast: Many clients in need do not personally know a funeral director, and are referred by many sources.
sam-callahan: i have a funeral home in a small town in arkansas. We know almost everyone in our county.
christy72034: sam i agree we try to offer personal service to our families
RonHast: I understand your situation - and respect your personal contact with your community.
christy72034: i have lived in the same town my whole life and know almost everyone who comes in our front door
cnmmnc: but Ron, efficient service at a fair price can be rendered by bad people too, so you think it's not an issue for these people?
RonHast: Large cities have an entirely different situation relative to receiving calls. It's not the personal connection such as a small town where that personal contact exists.
sam-callahan: thanks ron,
christy72034: well i will take the small town anyday.... i treat my families like they are family
sam-callahan: Amen
Host_John: good policy Christy
christy72034: and they appreciate that
RonHast: No question about bad contacts and bad connections, and bad service. But many companies serve volumes of calls each year, and try hard as we did to build a fine reputation.
christy72034: i will take quality over quanity anyday...
sam-callahan: Well Look at their stock price
RonHast: There is still some "romance" in death care and funerals in the small town environment. And many fine firms do well financially, and contribute a lot to the community.
cnmmnc: ok
RonHast: It's not quite the same in large volume areas and firms.
christy72034: my families have no doubt they will have the best quality care from us
Host_John: true there are those familys who want privacy
RonHast: Reputation and excellent service is the best asset Any death care and funeral service provider can have.
brud has left.
Host_John: they don't want the neighbors coming
fluidpusher: Van Pine wrote a book about the differences between small town and large city funeral homes. Info is a bit dated, but it still is very valid.
christy72034: interesting fluidpusher.. do you know the name of the book?
cnmmnc: the disposal of the dead
RonHast: There are still challenges in small towns too. The circumstances can change very quickly overnite. I can give many examples. One cannot take their success entirely for granted.
christy72034: cool thanks
fluidpusher: The Role of the American Funeral Director. Describes the Community Funeral Home, and the Cosmopolitan Funeral Home. Fictional, of course, but very accurate.
fluidpusher: I have the book.
Host_John: we have to adapt with the community spirit
cnmmnc: green cover right?
christy72034: i will look for it thanks
fluidpusher: I have worked at large firms, I now own a small 90 call firm. I prefer the small firm, but the large firms can be fast-paced exciting places, too.
fluidpusher: Yes, blue and green cover, I think.
fluidpusher: By Vanerlyn R. Pine
fluidpusher: Vanderlyn
cnmmnc: I remember reading it when I was a kid
RonHast: A very popular employee who may resign or be released can start up a simple service in competition -- then everyone in town knows about it, and if very well liked, can take a substantial amount of calls with minimal facilities. It's happening more and more now.
sam-callahan: your are talking about me ron
RonHast: So you see, sometimes I get it right!
fluidpusher: Here it is on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/b000u87e4w/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=utf8&condition=used
sam-callahan: thank ron, no hard feelings
RonHast: When the long term operators get lazy, let equipment and facilities get tired, and keep raising prices --- amazing things can and Do happen.
fluidpusher: A popular and valuable employee like that should have a non-compete contract, and be paid commensurately for it.
Host_John: sounds like america today
sam-callahan: that is what happened. 90 year old building, etc.. We are your only funeral home. You don't have a choice
RonHast: It doesn't always happen that way. An employee has opportunities if his employer is not suitable and/or fair.
fluidpusher: nothing wrong with a 90 year old building. mine is 120 years old, immaculately maintained, though.
RonHast: What employee should sign a non compete with an employer he doesn't know might turn out to be a jerk?
sam-callahan: no improvements in 30 years.
fluidpusher: $$$$$
Host_John: Warm ideas for the cold funeral is our topic, any one have an idea for us?
RonHast: If someone else can come along and do a better job, with better facililties and lower price -- and is honest and gives good service -- they just might prevail.
fluidpusher: campfires at the gravesite?
fluidpusher: lap blankets in the limo trunk
RonHast: A building can be 100 years old. But it must be maintained to the comfort and expectations of the community.
cnmmnc: well it's true, many of the old owners in this business didn't care if the building was falling down, as long as the calls still rolled in...
Host_John: using a heater at the grave with a tent with sides is nice feature
RonHast: I agree cnmmnc....and one day the big surprise might come.
Host_John: good point Fluid some churches we could use those lap blankets
cnmmnc: or for their kids
christy72034: we use warm blanket at cemetery
RonHast: Some young kid comes along with personality and the ability to meet the needs ..... and guess who wins!!!
cnmmnc: just stay out of politics in these small towns
RonHast: One fellow I know started when he was 16 working, bought his first place at 19, and ended up with 59 over time.
sam-callahan: to late. i just won coroner
Host_John: is he the guy you see in the mirror Ron?
cnmmnc: a little ham yes, politics no
RonHast: Could that be a conflict of interest sam-c?
christy72034: our coroner has funeral home too
RonHast: No John, I only had 14 firms, but quite a few other related businesses.. And I started at 19.
fluidpusher: in Ohio, coroner must be a medical doctor, is an elected postition
sam-callahan: 90 percent of coroners in arkansas work or own a funeral home
RonHast: 14 funeral home / businesses....
Host_John: understood Ron, you are a success story
RonHast: In Calif., the coroner can own a funeral home but must dispatch all calls to other funeral homes unless the family requests him first.
RonHast: Or this was true in the past. Now, it is a medical examiner and he must be a pathologist/physician
cnmmnc: i remember utter-mc kinley had a slew of locations, at one time, I haven't heard anything about them in years
christy72034: same here... coroner takes turns with all funeral homes unless family request certain one
sam-callahan: same here
RonHast: There is only one Utter-mckinley left, same family ownership, they have 3 others not in their name -- and closed all of the 16 neighborhood chapels. A very good company in their time, but the kids had higher aspirations.
cnmmnc: dear!, shocking
RonHast: cnmmnc..are you in California?
cnmmnc: no i'm in Nj
RonHast: Oooooo. Coooooolllld there.....
RonHast: No snow or mosquitoes here.
cnmmnc: indeed!
RonHast: Ever.
cnmmnc: its to be expected at this time
RonHast: Interesting news will come soon about New Jersey etc. etc. Can't talk now, but very interesting.
RonHast: Probably in about a week or two in our pages.
Host_John: OPEN FORUM FUNERAL CHATTER UNTIL NEXT TIME