 |
|
|
 |
Cover photo of the Thomas Edison depot beneath the Blue Water International Bridge connecting the U.S. to Canada in Port Huron, Michigan. |
February 2012
- Gimmick and Discount Pricing
Editorial by Ron Hast
When rulings were handed down mandating stated
pricing for the funeral industry, many complained and criticized
the government for getting involved. It wasn’t long, however,
before firms recognized the possible benefits they could achieve,
such as placing prices on anything and everything they may provide.
Ron relates how one rural funeral director handled the ruling.
- Colleague Wisdom
This month’s question: What are your opinions regarding fellow
funeral professionals who choose non-traditional services, namely
the absence of the body at the ceremony, for themselves or family
members?
- Just Conversation
by Ron Hast
Ron’s thoughts this month:
• Some of us are determined to offer only American-made products
to our clientele, but that commitment may be a disservice to ourselves
as well as our clients. Funeral products “made in America” are
often embellished or partly structured with foreign parts more
suitably and economically created overseas.
• Never-ending email from people or businesses reaches a tipping
point where many of us would specifically not use their products
or services, even if needed. When a firm builds an honest, fine
reputation, chances are that reputation will be anchored more
deeply than constant reminders — especially for services not necessarily
wanted, but occasionally needed.
• If the “best friend” of a local funeral director lost his wife,
the friend would naturally call the funeral director in question
to care for her, right? Not necessarily…
- Funeral Director’s Chat
By Nancy Burban,
This month’s interview is with Cody Anderson, who recently graduated
from Piedmont Technical College with a mortuary science degree.
Burban sits down with him to get his take on entering the funeral
industry.
- Refusing Service
By Douglas O. Meyer
What do you do when a family is rude, abusive
and/or argumentative — when it’s basically their way, or the highway
— regardless of your funeral home’s policies? Do you refuse to
serve them? Can you? Meyer lays out what you can and cannot do
in these situations.
- Building Business Beyond Our Borders
By Cal Wilkerson
How can we boost business in the worst economic period many of
us have ever experienced? While there is no simple solution, there
are opportunities — one of which is to explore prospects beyond
our borders. Wilkerson explains how it could be done.
February
Funeral Monitor
-
Economies and Overhead
By Ron Hast
Concerns regarding trends and resulting economies have identified actions with funeral service ownership and management. Old habits are now more closely scrutinized, resulting in distinct changes in operating procedures. Thus, many firms seek part-time rather than full-time employees. Employers desiring a profitable death care business must keep ahead of trends that can diminish profits.
- Tap Into the Power
Commentary by Kim Stacey
Sometimes guests arrive at funeral or memorial services ignorant of the info they need to express their condolences to the right people. They may be confused and uncomfortable — and feel their presence to be less than valuable to those they intended to support. Enter Mourning Cross, the Ireland-based company founded by Kate Hamilton and her sisters. Stacey describes their product offering that elegantly solves this common problem.
- Do You See What I See?
Commentary by Richard Callahan
In the time he has written for and read Mortuary Management, Callahan says, it was like having an informal mentor — in that concerns he might be interested in would crop up, either in a dedicated article or reader comment. Also controversy, differing opinion, information — from every facet of funeral service. He sees a viable force of individuals, including readers, sharing their knowledge and experience for the greater good. The uniqueness of funeral service in whatever form the public causes it to evolve into will be the reason it survives.
- Are We Complicating Selections?
By Beacham McDougald
McDougald used to have a traditional display room containing 20
caskets, but an increasing number of families did not want “to
go into a room full of caskets.” To address this, he opted to
show corners or quarter cuts in lieu of full caskets in one of
the available modular display rooms. Cut to the present where
his business is 100-percent digital and his wares are displayed
on a 46-inch flat-screen TV. The total of offered casket selections:
15. His client satisfaction: 100 percent.
It’s important to remember we are primarily service providers
who also happen to offer products, says McDougald. Simplifying
product selections allows more time for discussing, clarifying
and understanding service selections, and that’s why families
call in the first place.
Want to see more than just the headlines and abstracts?
Order your subscription securely online
from our Death Care Web Store by clicking below:
| 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. |
|
|
|
