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Cover photo of the Creaking Pavilion in Alexander Park in St. Petersburg, Russia.
January 2007
Who and What We Are Ron Hast
Ron responds to NFDA’s explanation of the value of a funeral and then presents his own perspective.
Colleague Wisdom: Competing with the Consolidators
We asked colleagues: Would you prefer to have an SCI/Alderwoods-owned competitor or not, and why?
Just Conversation Ron Hast
The influence Ron received from staying touch with his high school English teacher; the rationale that some death care providers use in not having refrigeration facilities; the importance of considering anyone who may be grieving when discussing the funeral trade with the public; labor charges for automobile repair; and some funeral directors have chosen to do away with their merchandise display systems.
Cremation Basics Douglas O. Meyer
Because the cost of litigation is extremely high when you take into account the time spent searching for records, givinig depositions and preparing for trial, as well as the actual judgment or settlement, it’s worthwhile to focus your attention and the attention of your staff on cremation basics from time to time.
What the Consumer Doesn’t Know Can Hurt You Timothy B. Totten
You can learn every new embalming technique created, offer each new memorial product invented and hire only the most qualified funeral attendants in town, but if you don't educate your community about the value of your services, you’s misconceptions. Listed are some of the things the public believes and how you can respond.
Gasoline in Embalming: A Ridiculous and Unnecessary Exposure/Disposal Hazard for Embalmers James H. Bedino
Gasoline is now being formulated into drywash-type embalming chemicals. The progression has been from dangerous chlorinated drycleaning solvents to hexane solvents and has now devolved to just plain old gasoline. All of these chemicals are toxic, unnecessary and an environmental and disposal nightmare.
Man Shot During Funeral Service (Richmond, California)
A man was shot twice during a funeral for his cousin who had been fatally shot days earlier.
Longtime Plans for Mortuary Scrapped (Montebello, California)
While plans have been in the works since 1997, a mortuary proposed for Resurrection Cemetery will not be built.
Body Found Five Years After Death (Vienna, Austria)
The body of a man who apparently died at home in bed five years earlier has been discovered.
Probation Violation Not to Be Charged (Pasadena, California)
A prosecutor will not pursue probation violation charges against a former mortician recently released from jail.
Another Lawsuit Against Biomedical (Rochester, New York)
In the eighth lawsuit to be filed against Biomedical Tissue Services, a man asserts that the company unlawfully harvested tissue from his father’s remains.
Tribal Cemetery Uncovered (Lima, Peru)
Archeologists have uncovered a 600-year-old underground cemetery belonging to a Peruvian warrior culture.
Group Fails to Protest at Amish Funerals (Pennsylvania)
The Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church was persuaded not to protest at the funerals for five Amish children killed by a gunman.
Funeral Director Faces Charges (Eugene, Oregon)
A funeral home owner faces theft and forgery charges after allegedly filing funeral policy claims for people who had not died.
Doctor Charged in Theft of Hand (New Brunswick, New Jersey)
A doctor has pleaded not guilty to stealing a hand from a medical school cadaver and giving it to an exotic dancer.
Judge Fails to Dismiss Economic Liberty Lawsuit (Arlington, Virginia)
A federal judge has denied the State of Maryland’s attempt to dismiss an economic liberty lawsuit.
Lawsuit Given Class Action Status (Seabrook, New Hampshire)
A lawsuit against the owners of the Bayview Crematorium has been classified as a class-action lawsuit with about 25 plaintiffs.
Woman Offers Remains on eBay (Port Huron, Michigan)
The mummified remains of a human skeleton have been confiscated after a woman tried to sell it on eBay.
Husband’s Body Mistaken for Wife’s (Laredo, Texas)
A woman who died in an apparent murder-suicide was mistakenly buried in place of her husband.
Tractor Transports Farmer to Funeral (Wiltshire, England)
A 61-year-old farmer who died in his sleep was carried by tractor and trailer to his funeral.
Necropolis Uncovered in Holy City (Vatican City)
In the holy city, a new necropolis has been unveiled.
Mortuary Owner Pleads Guilty (Hemet, California)
A funeral home owner has pleaded guilty to disturbing the peace at a charity event.
More Plead Guilty in Body Parts Scandal (New York, New York)
Seven funeral directors have secretly pleaded guilty to undisclosed charges in the ongoing investigation into Biomedical Tissue Services.
More Remains Found at Ground Zero (New York, New York)
Five years after the terror attacks on 9/11, human bones have been discovered in a manhole at the site of the World Trade Center.
The Wealthiest Dead Celebs (New York, New York)
Elvis Presley had topped the list of top-earning dead celebrities in the past, but he was recently bumped from the top position by Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain.
Foreign Funeral Expo Held (Moscow, Russia)
The NECROPOLIS-2006 International Funeral Exhibition was recently held in Russia.
Morgue Driver Cited for Road Rage (Shreveport, Louisiana)
A funeral home courier transporting a body to a morgue in Arkansas has been accused of engaging in road rage.
Pricey Dentures Unearthed (London, England)
The Museum of London recently displayed the 200-year-old false teeth of a wealthy archbishop.
Monument Builders Antitrust Litigation Dismissed (Michigan)
The U.S. District Court in Michigan dismissed all allegations in the amended complaint by the Michigan Division of the Monument Builders of North America against 20 cemetery companies and the Michigan Cemetery Association.
Squatters Living Among the Graves (Manila, Philippines)
In the crowded capital city of 12 million, the living must compete for space with the dead.
Weighty Problems Hit Funeral Industry (England)
An increase in obesity has been causing difficulties not only for the national health service, but for funeral directors as well.
Body Worlds Creator Takes on 007 (Germany)
Body Worlds creator Gunther von Hagens is under fire for using corpses to recreate a scene from the new James Bond film.
“N” Word Buried at Symbolic Funeral (Beloit, Wisconsin)
More than 200 people attended a symbolic funeral to lay to rest the offensive term for African-Americans.
Men Won’t Face Charges After Exhuming Body (Prescott, Arizona)
Two men who exhumed the remains of a man who claimed to be the outlaw Billy the Kid will not face any charges.
Christie’s to Sell Egyptian Mummy (New York, New York)
Christie’s, the auction house known for selling estates of fine art and jewelry, added a truly ancient piece to its sale.
Regulators Seek to Ban Formaldehyde (Dublin, Ireland)
European Union regulators are considering banning formaldehyde, which they deem as a potential threat to human health and the environment.
Motorcycle Hearse Fuels Up for Funerals (Holbrook, New York)
One Long Island funeral director is putting the pedal to the metal, offering a turbo-charged exit from this world.
Museum’s Acquisition Includes Bones (Springfield, Illinois)
The Museum of Funeral Customs recently acquired an 1870s-era casket, but it wasn’t counting on getting the casket’s contents.
Cover photo of the Chapel on the
Rock (Saint Catherine of Siena Chapel) at the St. Malo Retreat Center,
located just to the east of Rocky Mountain National Park Photo by
Greg Abbott.
February 2007
Our 50 Years of Death and Life Ron Hast
Ron reflects on his 50-year partnership with Allan Abbott.
Colleague Wisdom:
Younger Patrons
We asked colleagues: about observations of younger patrons
(under age 40) and their choices and trends with death care.
Colleague Wisdom:
Association Conventions
We asked colleagues: What are your thoughts on the values
and agendas of association conventions and special events?
Just Conversation Ron Hast
Publishing Editor shars his thought and insighst
Some Thoughts on Peneed Douglas O. Meyer
Preneeds are a double-edged sword. On the one hand they can be a source of comfort for families and they offer the possibility of an income stream for you in the future. On the other hand, they are a frequent source of confusion and complaints.
Hospice to Offer Funeral Services (Fort Myers, Florida)
Pending approval from state regulators, a hospice group could be the first nationwide to delve into funeral services.
Industry Considers Pacemaker Conundrum (Bayport, California)
The question of what to do with pacemakers after a person dies is causing some controversy.
Women Sue Alderwoods Businesses (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
Four Alderwoods funeral homes have come under fire for alleged sexual harassment.
Funeral Music Going Pop (London, England)
Funerals are increasingly featuring pop music rather than solemn songs.
Corpse Brides (Chenjiayuan, China)
Some parents grieving the loss of a bachelor son search for a dead woman to be his bride.
Rotting Corpses Found in Mortuary (Nicosia, Cyprus)
Two corpses were found left behind and rotting in the freezer of an old hospital mortuary.
Skull Business Not for the Squeamish (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
A fascination with skulls led Jay Villemarette to quite an unusual career as the founder of Skulls Unlimited International.
Dead Woman Wins Election (Anchorage, Alaska)
After a coin flip to break an election tie, a dead woman rose victorious.
Skull Confirms Earliest Autopsy (Portland, Maine)
Anthropologists have determined that the earliest autopsy in North America was conducted more than 400 years ago.
Woman Dies at Her Own Gravesite (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
In an odd turn of events, a Dutch woman died next to the grave where she wanted to be buried.
Same-Sex Couples Get Funeral Rights (Columbus, Ohio)
Under a new state law, same-sex couples can now legally designate each other to make their funeral decisions.
Owner of Troubled Cemetery Found Dead (Glendale, California)
An owner of Grand View Memorial Park cemetery was found dead at the caretaker’s residence on site.
Last WWI Vet to Be Honored (Canada)
The House of Commons has voted to hold a state funeral when the last veteran of World War I dies.
Man Kept Father’s Body Hidden in Bin (Berlin, Germany)
A German man kept dead father’s corpse hidden in a rubbish bin for months for financial reasons.
Man Admits Funeral Addiction (Batatais, Brazil)
A 42-year-old man has attended every funeral in his town for the past 20 years.
State Perplexed Over Wording in Death Act (Oregon)
Under pressure from advocates, the state has twice changed the wording on its Death With Dignity Act.
Russian Author’s Grave Disturbed (Moscow, Russia)
The grave of Russian author Boris Pasternak has been damaged by vandals.
Mortuary Wages Defamation Suit (Oxnard, California)
A mortuary owner suing an instructor with Nationwide Education Services for allegedly making slanderous remarks to his students about the mortuary.
Von Hagens Opens Macabre Salon (Guben, Germany)
Anatomist Gunther von Hagens has turned an old factory into a “beauty salon for the dead.”
Man Beaten in Cemetery (New York, New York)
An 80-year-old cemetery worker has been charged with beating a cemetery visitor with a rake.
Internet Provides Sites of Solace for Mourners (Washington, D.C.)
The Internet is becoming the place to turn in time of mourning.
Funeral Procession Stopped at Toll Booth (Manchester, England)
Mourners were shocked when a funeral procession was forced to stop and pay a bridge toll.
Hard Hitting Holiday Message (Blackpool, England)
Police and council members enlisted the support of a funeral director to get across the message that driving drunk costs lives.
Family Wins Initial Battle in Clergy Case (Hudson, Wisconsin)
The family of funeral director believed to have been killed by a local priest has won a victory in its fight to have U.S. Catholic bishops release names of clergy members who have molested children.
Fans Want to Exhume Rolling Stone (England)
Fans of the late Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones want to exhume his body to prove he was murdered.
Tomb Shows Dentists Served Pharaoh (Saqqara, Egypt)
The ancient tomb of three dentists has been unearthed outside the country’s oldest pyramid.
Teacher Faces Charges for Disrupting Vault (Pocahontas, Virginia)
A high school teacher is accused of sneaking into a burial vault with two students and handling the bones of a corpse.
Funeral Programs Document History (San Antonio, Texas)
Two women have given four binders of funeral programs to the San Antonio Public Library.
Mortuary Gets Three Strikes (Huddinge, Sweden)
For the third time in a year, a hospital mortuary has mistakenly cremated a body.
Widow Sues Over Tombstone Change (San Jose, California)
A woman is suing Oak Hill Memorial Park, claiming they replaced her husband’s tombstone with a new one that removed all mention of her name at the request of her mother-in-law.
Cover photo of Balanced Rock in the Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado, by Allan Abbott.
March 2007
Preparation and Back Rooms Ron Hast
Ron points out the importance of keeping up a good appearance
behind the scenes in the work place.
Open Letter to Peter Soderberg, President The Board
of Directors Hillenbrand Industries.
After several failed attempts to contact Mr. Soderberg,
Ron Hast publishes an open letter stating his concerns and observations
about Batesville Casket Company.
Colleague Wisdom:
Body Sales
We asked Colleagues: Cnsidering the significant trend
of immediate disposal by cremation, would you be willing to present
the option of donation of the body?
Just Conversation Ron Hast
Publishing Editor Ron Hast shares his thoughts and insights.
An Interesting Case Douglas O. Meyer
Target stores is being sued for discrimination against
the disabled because its web site is inaccessible to the blind. Read
what kind of impact this may have on your company web site.
With Apologies To Will Rogers Beacham McDougald
The NFDA rreleased a list of resolves given fir the
new year for improving business. Mr. McDougald takes aim athe NFDA list
and offers his own.
China International Funeral Expo An Invitation to
visit a different culture of Death care Ron Hast
Ron along with five other American funeral
repersenatives went to Beijing, China for the China International Funeral
Expo. The article and many pictures as well as great descriptions on
the differences in cultures.
Nation Considers Green Coffins (China)
With Cremation more common and affordable than burials China’s health
officials are considering cardboard eco-coffins.
Billy Graham to Decide on Burial (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Evangelist Billy Graham has stated he and his wife will decide where
they will be. buried. Graham said That determination will not be made
by our family, our organization or outsiders.
Fired Worker Wins $1.4 Million Suit (Ewardsville, Illinois)
A funeral home has been ordered to pay $1.4 milliom dollars to a worker
who claims he was fired for reporting that the company was throwing
away body parts.
NBA Star Pays Fan’s Funeral (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Philadelphia 76er star Allen Iverson will pay for the funeral of a man
who died after being shot for refusing to hand over his Iverson basketball
jersey.
NUSAF to Outsource Casket Duty (Dover, Delaware)
The United States Airforce is seeking a private contractor to fly caskets
out of Dover Air Force Bace.
Tomb May Contain St. Paul (Rome, Italy)
A 8 foot sarcophagus found in a tomb under a basilica is believed to
belong to the Apostle St. Paul
Church Denies Religious Funeral after Euthanasia (Italy)
A man’s family has been denied their request to give him a religious
funeral after his life support system was switched off.
State Takes Over 28 Cemeteries (Lancing, Michigan)
State regulators have sized control of 28 public cemeteries from an
Oklahoma gas and oil speculator who bought the properties two years
ago.
ICCFA Opposes Hospice Application (Sterling, Virginia)
The Unternational Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association is publicly
opposing a hospice’s application to provide funeral services, claiming
it is a potential conflict of interest.
Paris in the spring is never more
beautiful than in the Left Bank’s Luxembourg Garden, site of the
Luxembourg Palace, the home of the French Senate. Cover photo by
Walt Bilofsky.
April 2007
Fear or Joy of Losing Preneed Ron Hast
Whether it is human nature or greed or inept business
management, too much has gone wrong with the idea of preplanning and
paying for funerals. This fact may lead to government-imposed restrictions
— at least in the hands of funeral and death care providers.
Readers’ Forum
Our February article on Allan Abbott and Ron Hast’s
50-year partnership spawned one of the biggest reader responses in years.
Just Conversation Ron Hast
Publishing Editor Ron Hast shares his thoughts and insights.
Divorce Corporate Style Batesville’s Custody of TCP...Undisclosed
Terms Michael Tod Good
It’s amazing how long divorces sometimes take, as terms
and custody battles shift back and forth before any dust finally settles.
And so it seems with the Batesville-Forethought “Divorce” — where funeral
directors are like kids bounced around until the parents win or lose
whatever they’ve sought throughout the process.
A Second Interesting Case Douglas O. Meyer
In 1911 the United States Supreme Court ruled that manufacturers
could not fix, or set, the prices at which their products were sold
by retailers, nor could they set minimum prices for their products.
This law is now being challenged in the Supreme Court. How would this
affect the funeral industry? The most significant product you sell is
the casket.
Colleague Wisdom:
Casket Suppliers
We ask What is most appreciated and expected from your
primary casket supplier?
Colleague Wisdom:
Clean Property Leaseback
We ask If you want to raise funds for expansion, and
currently own your real property, would you consider selling it to an
investment specialist? If so, would you still be responsible for all
expenses and taxes on that property if the specialist leased it back
to you?
Amazonian Mummies Unearthed (Peru)
A well-embalmed 600-year-old mummy has been uncovered in a cave with
11 other mummies believed to be from the Chachapoyas tribe.
Vets Dismiss Idea of State Funerals (Canada)
While the Canadian government has agreed to hold a state funeral for
the last World War I veteran to die, none of the three veterans still
living wants a state funeral.
Mortuary Billboard Bets on Nostalgia (Whittier, California)
Nostalgia may be a draw for collectors and pop culture fans…but how
will it work to sell funerals? Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary
officials are hoping to draw the attention of thousands of freeway motorists
with an electronic billboard that takes people down memory lane.
Ancient Warrior Perserved in Permafrost(Russia)
Archaeologists have uncovered the 2,000-year-old remains of a warrior
preserved intact in permafrost.
Disgruntled Worker Torches Urns (China)
The United States Airforce is seeking a private contractor to fly caskets
out of Dover Air Force Bace.
Cremation Costs to Rise Due to Mercury Emissions (United
Kingdom)
Mercury pollution is prompting a rise in the cost of cremations. Because
mercury fillings in bodies prepared for cremation are polluting the
atmosphere, costs will rise to purchase filters to halt the toxic fumes.
The levy could see the price of cremation rise by up to a third.
Pet Death Care is Big Business (New York, New York)
The pet death care industry is growing every year, and according to
the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, one out of 10 dog
and cat owners would buy an urn for their pet on its death.
Manufacturer Feels Jilted by Pentagon (Portsmouth, Virginia)
Laurie Eanes owner C&L Containers, claims Pentagon officials hired her
to make containers and then later gave away her drawings and a contract
to another company.
More Developments Occur in Forest Hills Case (Michigan)
A Michigan judge has frozen the assets of an attorney connected to the
Forest Hill funeral home case amid charges that the lawyer accepted
millions of dollars in looted cemetery trust funds.
Alleged Kidnapper Worked at Funeral Home (Kirkwood, Missouri)
Michael Devlin, who worked nights answering phones at Bopp Chapel Funeral
Home, allegedly kidnapped Shawn Hornbeck more than four years ago.
Carter Plans Plains Burial(Plains, Georgia)
Jimmy Carter has announced that he wants to be buried in his front yard
in his hometown.
Former Dairy Queen Transformed into Funeral Home (Kennett
Square, Pennsylvania)
A former Dairy Queen will be transformed into a funeral home. The
shell of the 30-year-old building will remain, but it will not be
recognizable to former customers. The change will be radical, but
not too contemporary.
Octogenarians Build Own Caskets (Groton, South Dakota)
Two octogenarians have found a unique way to face death — make their
own caskets. Lyle and Lucille Von Wald constructed simple wooden caskets
with barn-door handles for the pallbearers to carry them to the grave.
Thief Returns Stolen Cremains (New Port Richey, Florida)
After their home was broken into, Eve and Steven Greene pleaded for
the thief to return only one thing — the cremated remains of their 4-year-old
son.
Cover photo of Yosemite Valley in
springtime
by Allan Abbott
May 2007
Financial Management Ron Hast
Financial management can be critical with any business structured for profit, and funeral service is no exception.
In fact, death care is particularly vulnerable to a varying stream of unpredictable income.
Colleague Wisdom:
CEMETERY vs Mortuary
Do you consider the cemeteries in your service region colleagues or competitors? Do you believe cemeteries should be mandated by federal law to provide price list disclosures prior to any purchases as is required of death care providers?
Timeline
Look back with us over the decades and see how much has changed, and how much has stayed the same.
Just Conversation Ron Hast
Publishing Editor Ron Hast shares his thoughts and insights.
Business Insurance Issues Douglas O. Meyer
If you’ve been in business for any length of time, you know the basic types of insurance you should have — general liability, professional liability, and vehicle and property insurance. however there are likely to be risks not covered by these policies.
Economic Contingency Planning What Mortuary Executives Need to Know
By Dr. Bill Conerly
How much would a recession affect the funeral business, and what can a mortuary manager or owner do about it? Last February Alan Greenspan said that a recession is possible. In fact, economists have been offering odds of a recession ranging from one chance in 10 to better than 50-50. Predicting recession is a dangerous business, but laying the groundwork to deal with an economic downturn is sound management.
Your Mortuary Success in 2007 By Brian J. Porteous
The death care world is changing rapidly. Methods and ideas successful in the past may not be the way to go in 2007 and beyond. For your mortuary to remain competitive, you must constantly develop new ideas and new approaches.
Hugging Skeletons Unearthed (Northern Italy)
Locked in a frozen embrace, a couple’s remains have lain entwined for more than 5,000 years.
Are Family Funeral Homes Resurging?
Family-owned funeral homes are making a comeback, says National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) president Jack Hogan. Though Hogan himself sold his Queens, New York, funeral home to Service Corporation International (SCI) in 1993.
Funeral Director Must Undergo Sensitivity Training
(Schaumburg, Illinois)
A funeral director has been ordered to undergo sensitivity training after reprimanding a family for leaving their children unattended in the parking lot.
Bill Targets Handling of Remains (Montanabr>
Funeral directors in Montana are backing an effort to designate who may handle remains. Under this bill only licensed morticians and funeral home directors may pick up a body from the hospital or other place of death
Funeral Home May Have Been Drug Front (Purcell,Oklahoma)
Six people, including the owner and five employees, were arrested after a drug bust at the Funeral Home and an adjoining home. Authorities suspect the funeral home was used as a front to sell the drugs.
Father, Son Shot in Argument at Funeral Home (Heber Springs, Arkansas)
In an apparent family dispute, a coroner and his father were both injured in a shooting. The two are co-owners of the funeral home, and details of the shooting were being investigated.
CARDBOARD CASKETS MAKE FUNERALS MORE “GREEN” (CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA)
Caskets made from recycled paper and cardboard are designed to make funerals more environmentally friendly. The boxes are recycled wood fiber — 90 percent of which comes from the 1.6 million tons of paper and cardboard recycled in Australia each year.
Smith’s Embalmers Sign Confidentiality Agreement
(Jupiter, Florida)
Amid the ensuing circus surrounding the death and burial of celebrity Anna Nicole Smith, Aycock Funeral Home was charged with embalming the body of the 39-year-old former Playboy centerfold.
Film Claims Jesus’ Gravesite Found
(Jerusalem)
A new documentary says the cave in which Jesus Christ was buried has been found in Jerusalem.
Duo to Wed in Cemetery (St. Louis, Missouri)
Two lovebirds have chosen a cemetery instead of a traditional church aisle for their upcoming nuptials.
Man Sets Up Phony Funerals (Key West, Florida)
Peddling phony funerals recently got a Florida man arrested. The man had been laid off from his job at a funeral home, was nabbed after setting up two burials and two cremations and collecting more than $22,000.
Archdiocese Sets Eulogy Rules (Australia)
Long-winded eulogies may soon be a thing of the past if the Catholic Church has its way. The archdiocese is setting a five-minute limit and warning about those making inappropriate remarks.
Trump Plans Burial in Jersey (Bedminster, New Jersey)
Donald Trump may want to be buried in New Jersey. The mogul has filed paperwork to build a wedding chapel on his golf course in Bedminster and said he wants to later convert the building into a mausoleum for himself and his family.
.
Cover photo of Lake George, New York taken and retouched
by Suzanne St. John
June 2007
Computer Technology Ron Hast
Ron Hast discusses the integration and increasing acceptance
of computer technology in funeral service.
Just Conversation Ron Hast
Publishing Editor Ron Hast shares his thoughts and insights.
Timeline
Look back with us over the decades and see how much
has changed, and how much has stayed the same.
Selling Your Funeral Home Douglas O. Meyer
Douglas O. Meyer gives practical and prudent advice
on the basics of funeral home sales..
Colleague Wisdom:
Visitations
How and when do you provide visitation access to the
deceased? Colleagues voice their individual policies and practices.
Colleague Wisdom:
Price Lists
Do clients appreciate, understand or even read price
disclosure lists? Colleagues weigh in on their experiences with price
lists.
Empathy in Death Care By Brian J. Porteous
Webster defines empathy as “the capacity for experiencing
as one’s own the feelings of another.” Brian Porteous outlines how sensitivity
to a family’s emotions can improve funeral service.
Preneed Landscape By Graham Cook
Graham Cook comments on some of the recurring themes, perspectives and
problems of preneed.
Web 2.0 for Funeral Directors By Robin Heppell
Robin Heppell suggests ways to integrate Internet resources
– such as YouTube and MySpace – with the memorial and mourning needs
of those you serve.
Change Is Good: The Story of The Conference, Part1 By Dalene Paull
Dalene Paull reflects on the transformations of The
International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards since 1903.
Funeral Home Licensing Snafu Resolved
(Washington, D.C)
Licensing investigation resolved for relocated funeral home.
Vet’s Body Arrives in Poor Condition
(Frankfort, Kentucky)
Investigation is underway about Robert Groves, a Vietnam veteran, whose
family was enraged over Groves’ body’s treatment.
UCLA’s Body Program Under Investigation (Los Angeles, California)
Two men were arrested and charged for their involvement in a body part
trafficking scandal.
Law Aims to Boost Muslims in Industry (Annapolis, Maryland)
Maryland could vote to pass a law supporting Muslims who are new to
the funeral trade. There is currently a shortage of trained Islamic
personnel.
Inert Grenade Found in Cemetery (Westboro, Massachusetts)
A WWII-era hand grenade, discovered by a passerby, had reportedly been
in the graveyard for years.
Pet Cemetery to Be Razed for Condos (Palm Beach, Florida)
Over 200 pets are buried on Paradise Pet Ranch Cemetery, where construction
will begin soon. There are no federal or Florida state laws forbidding
building over pet cemeteries.
Interest in Home Funerals Grows (Seattle, Washington)
Though it offers both benefits and drawbacks, Seattle sees a surge in
the desire to have funeral services in private homes.
Internet Sites Sell Unused Burial Plots The trend of online
plot advertisement is growing, but should be approached with caution.
.
Cover photo of cliffs on the coast of Pacific Grove, California by Allan Abbott.
July/August 2007
Directing Funerals…or Not Ron Hast
In response to the recent death of a person while traveling in a funeral procession, funeral directors must be conscientious of safety precautions and liabilities associated with professional escorts.
Just Conversation Ron Hast
Publishing Editor Ron Hast shares his thoughts and insights.
Colleague Wisdom:
Courtesies
When contacted by another funeral director to provide service for a local death, how much do you allow them to participate? Colleagues voice their individual policies and practices.
How is Your Management Team? By Douglas O. Meyer
Finding capable people for funeral home management can be difficult. Meyer suggests networking, internal hiring and retention efforts to strengthen your management team.
MySpace and Facebook: Online Memorials for the Next Generation By Robin Heppell
Some advice on the best ways to embrace online social networking pages like MySpace and Facebook, allowing families to make meaningful memorial sites.
Change Is Good: The Story of The Conference, Part 2 By Graham Cook
Graham Cook comments on some of the recurring themes,
perspectives and problems of preneed.
The Greening of American By Tim Rivera
As the nation goes green, so will many people’s attitudes and wishes concerning funeral arrangements.
A sample of Mortuary Management’s
extensive news coverage.
A Century Late, Lawman Gets Proper Gravestone
(Salt Lake City, Utah)
130 years later, law enforcers mark the grave of one of Utah’s first prison wardens.
Licenses Under Scrutiny (San Diego, California)
Funeral home under fire for using unlicensed employees to embalm bodies.
Biomedical Saga Continues (Rochester, New York)
Seven people are facing charges for removing parts from bodies awaiting cremation.
Biblical King’s Gravesite Found (Jerusalem)
Archaeologists located the grave of King Herod the Great.
Do Ashes Pave Walkway? (United Kingdom)
Funeral director accused of using human ashes to coat his funeral home’s walkway.
Casket Flips into Grave (Birmingham, Alabama)
A distraught family watched as a broken lowering device caused their mother’s casket to spin and fall into the grave.
State Examining Burial Laws Regarding Pets (Florida)
Lawmakers consider allowing pets to be buried alongside owners.
Couple Gets Shock on Home Tour (Janesville, Wisconsin)
Prospective buyers stumbled upon the dead homeowner lying in bed.
Request to Exhume Billy the Kid Denied (Hamilton, Texas)
Town council denied requests to exhume Billy the Kid’s body for DNA testing.
Niece Seeks Exhumation of Ice Cream Magnate (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
Pamela Carvel suspects her uncle, Thomas Carvel, may have been murdered.
Sunrise on the Delta - Northern California. Taken
from aboard TRIBUTE by Steve Nimz
September 2007
Death Care vs. Funeral Service Ron Hast
Unanticipated trends and changes in choices and expectations
of clientele have had a profound effect on death care services. Newly
established firms with limited facilities featuring simplicity have
often attracted a majority of death calls in a community. As we plan
for and anticipate future opportunities and profit margins, these facts
should be given serious consideration.
Just Conversation Ron Hast
Publishing Editor Ron Hast shares his thoughts and insights.
Colleague Wisdom:
Arrangements
A fairly new concept regarding funeral service arrangement
environment has sparked concern and controversy. Typically in an open
environment of arrangement tables and merchandise displays, privacy
is eliminated and distraction occurs when more than one client family
is being served at the same time.
Timeline
We take a look back over the past 40 years at what was
in the page of Mortuary Management
Remembering the Basics By Douglas O. Meyer
Many of the problems my clients consult me about are
the result of failures to follow basic steps. These steps or procedures
apply to all services, not just Funeral Directors. In the hustle and
bustle of your daily activities it’s easy to overlook the need for good
communications and training. However, if you want to minimize the number
of problems and complaints, you need to incorporate good communication
practices and training into your firm’s culture
Pricing Isn’t Just About Economics It’s As Much About
Psychology By Jack Jensen
We know certain things — instinctively, if not scientifically
— funerals cost a lot of money. Our customers believe that funerals
cost a lot of money. Most of our customers are quite prepared to pay
a lot of money. Pricing isn’t just about economics — it’s as much about
psychology, and those who find the perfect intersection of those two
disciplines will reap rewards in customer satisfaction and business
success.
Final Wishes: A True Story By Emily A. Jaschke
Emily takes us through the process of donating a loved one to science.
The conflicts, help and solutions she faced in the process.
The Colonel By Beacham McDougald
Beacham McDougal recounts a recent service he conducted
for a retired Colonel who was married to a friend of his family. A beautiful
account of helping a family that ends with the Colonel’s son considering
funeral service as a profession.
Your Families, Your Funeral Home and You Tube By Robin Heppell
Chances are that sometime soon a link will be forwarded
to you to a video, and it will be a memorial video tribute, a eulogy
or even an entire funeral service. With the evolution of camcorders
and the vast improvements of Web cams — coupled with the ever-increasing
availability of broadband — both you and your family will find it easier
than ever to capture and distribute video clips.
A sample of Mortuary Management’s
extensive news coverage.
FORMER FUNERAL HOME OWNER INDICTED
(Pikesville, Kentucky)
A former funeral home owner has been indicted on numerous counts, ranging
from theft to fraud. Investigations began after authorities received
complaints from people who purchased preneed insurance policies through
the funeral home.
JFK MANUSCRIPT MAY BE SOLD (Dallas, Texas)
A piece of presidential history may soon have a new owner. Funeral home
worker Don McElroy wants to sell the original version of President John
F. Kennedy’s death certificate. It’s the only original known to exist,
43 years after a typo helped make it void.
BAY AREA A FAVORITE FOR SCATTERING (Rochester,
New York)
The San Francisco Bay area is becoming an increasingly popular place
to scatter cremains. There’s something calming about the water. You
have to say that if there is something spiritual about it, this is one
of the most beautiful places in the world to have it done.
SENATOR WANTS WIFE TO REPLACE HIM (East Chicago,
Indiana)
Democrat senator Sam Smith has resigned to focus on his family’s funeral
home business and wants his wife to serve the remaining 18 months of
his term.
DEATH CHANNEL TO BEGIN TELECASTS (Germany)
It was only a matter of time before death hit the airwaves. This fall,
German TV will begin 24-hour telecasts featuring programming on mourning,
cemeteries and obituaries..
GRAHAM BURIED IN PRISON-MADE CASKET (Charlotte,
North Carolina)
When Billy Graham’s wife died in June, she was laid to rest in a modest
casket built by inmates at the Louisiana State Penitentiary. It was
a casket selected by the Grahams’ son, Franklin, after he admired the
craftsmanship of the plywood caskets several years ago.
SENATOR ADVOCATES NEW TISSUE DISPOSAL METHOD(Albany, New York)
Should the law allow human remains to be flushed down the drain? One state senator believes so.
FUNERAL HOME EMPLOYEE CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY (Homewood, Alabama)
A funeral home employee and his accomplice have been arrested for stealing identities of the deceased to open credit card accounts, place catalog orders and pay utility bills.
LAWSUIT FILED IN PROSTHETIC LEG MISHAP (Idaho)
A woman has filed a lawsuit claiming the company cremated her husband before she had given permission and either destroyed or discarded his prosthetic leg, which was worth $7,000.
SHOULD DOCTORS ATTEND PATIENTS’ FUNERALS?
(Great Britain)
Can attending funerals of their patients be therapeutic for doctors? One professor believes so.
Innisfree Girl Scout Camp in Howell,
Michigan taken by Suzanne St. John.
October 2007
Trends of the World Ron Hast
Over the past fifteen years I have been invited to Japan
to discuss issues and comparisons with death care and funeral service
providers — or as many refer to themselves there: Ceremonial Services.
Ron recently hosted five executives from prominent Japanese firms —
and one interpreter to discuss the funeral industry..
Just Conversation Ron Hast
Publishing Editor Ron Hast shares his thoughts and insights.
Colleague Wisdom:
Staff When Slow
What do you expect your employees to do during business
hours if they are not engaged in activities directly related to death
care and funeral services?e.
Timeline
We take a look back over the past 40 years at what was
in the page of Mortuary Management
Dealing with Difficult Cases By Douglas O. Meyer
Most funeral directors are very careful to avoid increasing the pain grieving families already feel. For that reason, they use vague euphemisms when talking to the family about the condition of their deceased loved one, or they avoid the subject altogether. This is a mistake.
Employees: The Heart of the Funeral Home By Kristy Lee Hochenberger-Witt
Applauding employee success and improvement is a necessary component of any business, so why then is recognition becoming extinct?
Current Issues in Embalming: Building Successful Relationships Between Funeral Directors and Embalmers By Kim Stacey
Interviewing embalmers for this article, each respondent — without fail — launched into the same area of concern: the lack of respect and a decided lack of proper pay for their services.
Blogging for Funeral Homes By Robin Heppell
Blogs are popular because they’re easy and inexpensive to start and just as easy to update. There are some general strategies that would apply to all funeral homes, but other techniques can be applied whether your funeral home is in a large city or a smaller town. The following is a list of categories that could make up your blog. Find out more at www.funeralfuturist.com.
Keeping the Faith By Beacham McDougald
A Baptist minister in a small North Carolina town performs a traditional Jewish service for one of the residences.
Enter Consumer-Friendly General Price Lists By Joshua Slocum
The best and the worst of the GPLs have been made into a clear, user-friendly guide to the gentle art of selling services for the dead.
A sample of Mortuary Management’s
extensive news coverage.
Holocaust Survivor Denied Arlington Burial
(Washington, D.C.)
A Holocaust survivor has been refused burial at Arlington National Cemetery. The Army has rejected an appeal by the family of Abraham Klausner, a leading advocate for Holocaust survivors, to be buried at the cemetery.
Pile of Bones Uncovered at Cemetery (New Milford, Connecticut )
A woman visiting Atwood Cemetery stumbled upon something unexpected — a pile of human bones.
Funeral Homes Becoming “Event Centers (Eugene, Oregon)
About a decade ago, when Mark Musgrove and his brother Jeff took over the family’s Musgrove Family Mortuary, they knew they had to make some changes. They decided to transform the mortuary’s chapel into a multipurpose family center, complete with catering kitchen and multimedia room.
Council Plans Batch Cremations (Blackburn, United Kingdom)
According to a British blog, council members have decided to cremate bodies three at a time to save money and energy, but the move has angered relatives.
Funeral Director Missing After Fraud Charges (Duffield, Virginia)
More than a dozen families who thought they prepaid for funeral services learned both their money and the owner of the funeral home have gone missing.
SCI Cleared in Cremains Case (Phoenix, Arizona)
The state Board of Funeral Directors has cleared a company accused of dumping cremated remains in the desert without notifying the families of the deceased.
States Vary on Roadside Memorial Laws
A growing number of states are looking to replace roadside memorials with warning signs. The makeshift memorials, often erected by families of those lost in traffic fatalities, are, in some cases, becoming roadside hazards on their own.
Funeral Director IDs Illegal Immigrants
(Greenville, South Carolina)
Illegal immigrants might not have any way to find a proper journey to their homelands if it weren’t for the expertise of Donna Harper.
Man Plans Lavish Funeral for Dog (Chengdu, China)
A funeral home recently received one of its largest contracts, about $13,310, to provide a funeral for a dog.
Remains Trigger Bomb Scare (Miami, Florida)
A traveler attempting to bring cremated remains onto a plane at Miami International Airport triggered a bomb scare.
Funeral Director Must Embalm Her Father (Opa-Locka, Florida )
Lori Davis had just received her first client as a new funeral director — but she wasn’t expecting it to be her own father.
Cover photo by Walt Bilofsky was taken in the southern
Italian town of Amalfi. During the 7th-11th centuries, Amalfi was
one of the great city-states of Italy, rivaling Genoa and Pisa.
Now it is famous for breathtaking views from the Amalfi Drive, which
clings to these sheer cliffs above the Mediterranean, and for limoncello,
the local lemon liqueur which is like drinking sunshine.
November 2007
Kindness Ron Hast
The depth of kindness is usually evident with most persons
who have chosen funeral service as a career. Unfortunately, the inherent
commitment of caring service by an increasing number of persons entering
this field is waning. Frankly, many are not fit for this service. Venues
seriously considered at fault include our present death care educational
institutions and employers that attract personnel for the primary purpose
of sales achievement through tactics, quotas and bottom line performance.
Just Conversation Ron Hast
Publishing Editor Ron Hast shares his thoughts and insights.
Colleague Wisdom:
Unpacking and Disposal
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) mandates that no extra charges may be made for handling third-party caskets. Now the agency concludes that a funeral home may not charge additional fees for disassembling major crating and the disposal of the packing materials, nor may the funeral director require the family to unpack and dispose. Unpacking and disposal is not typically required when receiving caskets purchased by the funeral home. What is a reasonable resolution to this problem?
Timeline
We take a look back over the past 40 years at what was
in the page of Mortuary Management
Memorialization Products and Services By Douglas O. Meyer
Almost every month it seems someone comes up with a new memorialization product or
service. These options represent both opportunities and risks for funeral directors. Remember that if something goes wrong with the product, the family will look to you to solve the problem.
Employees: What It Actually Means to Create Lasting Memorials. Thoughts on a Sunday Morning By Kim Stacey
Can anything we do last beyond the lifetimes of those left behind? Interesting thoughts on a Sunday morning, don’t you think?
Current Issues in Embalming: Building Successful Relationships
Between Funeral Directors and Embalmers By Kim Stacey
Interviewing embalmers for this article, each respondent — without fail
— launched into the same area of concern: the lack of respect and a
decided lack of proper pay for their services.
Funeral Home Radio Hot Your Own Radio Show Through Podcasting By Robin Heppell
Although this might be pushing the envelope for everyone save the most tech-savvy funeral director, this cost-effective initiative would allow a funeral home to start its “narrowcasting” marketing campaign. In the past (and into the future), funeral homes have used forms of “broadcast” media such as newspapers, television, radio and bulk mail for “top of mind” awareness.
Tumultuous Funerals“When the Deceased Can’t Rest in Peace…” By Robert F. Granzow III, MS
For most persons, funerals are meant to be a time of solemn reflection, a dignified celebration of a deceased’s life. All too often, however, the decorum and sanctity of these ceremonies are irreparably marred by hostile confrontations, disruptive behaviors or even disorderly altercations erupting amongst family members, friends and those who have ostensibly gathered to pay their last respects.
A sample of Mortuary Management’s
extensive news coverage.
Funeral Director Considers Cremation Alternative
(Manchester, New Hampshire)
As interest in cremation grows, a funeral director is considering an eco-friendly alternative. A water-based process instead of fire that involves dissolving the body using water and alkali in a hot, pressurized steel chamber.
Funeral Director Nabbed in Foiled Murder Plot (Newport, Arkansas )
A funeral director has been arrested because of an alleged plot to kill both the city’s police chief and mayor.
Funeral Director Gets 10 Years for Theft, Fraud
(Circleville, Ohio)
A former funeral director has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for stealing nearly $1 million from clients and insurance companies.
Arrest Prompts More Oversight (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
A funeral home owner has been arrested on 88 criminal charges, prompting the state to look into stricter oversight of the industry.
Sentence Levied in Drug, Preneed Fraud Case
(Purcell, Oklahoma)
A funeral home director accused of selling drugs out of his facility has been sentenced to five years in prison for taking more than $57,000 in prepaid funeral benefits from his customers.
Cemetery Under Suspicion for Defaced Graves
(Mount Holly, North Carolina)
A cemetery owner and gravedigger have been charged after exposed human remains were found in a cemetery.
Government at Odds with Scattering Companies
(Helena, Montana)
Some companies are butting heads with the government when it comes to scattering cremains on public lands.
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The Story Behind Our
Cover Photos
During casual conversations
with our readers, we are occasionally asked why the scenic covers
of Mortuary Management have no relationship to funeral service.
Publisher Ron Hast explains that our covers are purposely chosen
to be supportive of the surroundings they are often found in. “I
recall visiting funeral establishment lobbies over the years where
trade magazines were visible. Covers often carried lines about embalming
and other issues that could be disquieting to a bereaved family.
We know that many receptionists and others read trade journals during
visitation hours and covers are visible to others,” Ron says.
Most readers concur. The picturesque scenes are also representative
of the respect and enjoyment of nature by everyone at Abbott & Hast
Publications and have been the compliment of many.
Our magazines are mailed with the label on a removable protective
dust cover to allow viewing of the cover photograph in its entirety.
Select cover photographs may be purchased by calling (800) 453-1199.
