Funeral Service Honors Reagan, Receives Positive Press from His Funeral Director
After our 40th president, Ronald Wilson Reagan, died this previous week, our nation began to mourn. While some quietly reflected on Reagan's life by themselves, many chose to sign online condolences for the family, contribute to an Alzheimer's fund or even attend ceremonies in Washington, D.C. Recognizing the country's need to reach out, NFDA created materials for members to host a memorial service or tribute at their funeral home. Materials included a bio, PowerPoint presentation, a guideline for community tributes and ad slicks. Members hosted local events, some even broadcasting the funeral on televisions in their funeral home.
Funeral service also received positive coverage from an article that appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle. Reagan's funeral director and embalmer, Bob Boetticher, was recently interviewed for the article, and shared the responsibilities funeral directors have toward not just celebrities, but anyone. Boetticher, however, described this experience as “the honor of a lifetime.”
In the reporter's words, “He [Boetticher] organized the paperwork, helped the family select an appropriate casket, worked with a dozen security agencies, drove the hearse in a miles-long procession, even pressed the American flag that drapes the ‘coffin.'”
Boetticher also knew for some time he would be overseeing Reagan's funeral services. “He couldn't have known, though, how it would feel to be in a room alone with a man he had revered, a man who rose from humble roots to world leader; how it would look to drive the presidential hearse along a freeway and watch as red flower petals fluttered toward him, dropped from crowds on overpasses …”
"I am doing all of these things aware that the world is watching," Boetticher said. "I have to do everything right. I am representing the family, my firm, my fellow funeral directors.”
To view the article in its entirety, visit the San Francisco Chronicle's Website at http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/06/09/MNGFT72OVO89.DTL.
[Back to Top] 'Event of the Year' Adds Social Events and Workshops for Professionals Under 40
2004 NFDA Convention & Expo Offers Opportunities for Everyone
To meet the needs of funeral professionals, NFDA offers events and workshops for all ages at the 2004 NFDA Convention & Expo, and has now listed some which may be of particular interest to those under the age of 40. It is important to keep in mind that these can also benefit professionals at any age. As the leading event in funeral service, the Convention & Expo offers the best workshops, networking, products, services and overall experience to attendees. It's also attended by people from across the globe. Here are some social events and workshops those under 40 may be interested in.
Workshops
- Digital Media in the Funeral Industry
- Event Planning or Profound Rite of Passage: A New Society, A New Paradigm
- Creating the Ultimate Celebration of Life Experience
- Customer Service: The Hidden Secrets to Business Growth
Represented by the theme, Rhythm of the Future, the 2004 NFDA Convention & Expo wants to lead the future of your business. If you're constantly thinking about what lies ahead, and who isn't, consider these workshops as part of your planning.
- Evolutionary Funeral Facilities
- Cemetery Co-op: Is This Part of Your Business Strategy?
- Creating an Innovation Culture
- Strategies for Surviving until 2020: Tools for Adapting to the New Realities
Social Events
Networking Lunches
Take time to meet and socialize with funeral professionals including those from organizations such as the Flying Funeral Directors, Motorcycle Riders, Scuba Divers and Funeral Directors Under 40. Pick up a sandwich or salad from a convenient convention food facility and start discussing issues, ideas or concerns with leaders who have interests similar to yours! Watch for the convention brochure for more details.
NEW this year! - Funeral Directors Under 40
After a day of learning, join your peers to meet and socialize at this special “under 40” event held at the Wild Horse Saloon. Watch for details in your Souvenir program and don't forget to register! The price is $45 if you register by September 16, and $55 afterwards. Price includes transportation to the Wild Horse Saloon and snacks.
At this year's Convention & Expo, you can be assured that opportunity exists for everyone who attends. You'll also have the chance to earn all your yearly CE credits in one place, experience popular convention speakers and enjoy first-class entertainment. This year's event takes place in Nashville from October 17-20.
For a limited time, register early and save $50 per registrant!
Register by September 16 and you'll save $50 per registrant! If you'd like to take advantage of early registration or view a list of other workshops, convention events and attendee information, visit NFDA's Website at http://www.nfda.org/page.php?pID=525. You can also register by calling 800-228-6332.
[Back to Top] WWII Memorial Dedication Ignites Enthusiasm from Members
In the June 2nd issue of the NFDA Bulletin, we asked for your stories regarding the World War II Memorial dedication, and you responded! Thanks to everyone for your involvement. We've selected two experiences to share with you. One is from a member who raised money locally for the Memorial, and then raised even more to bring 103 veterans to Washington, D.C. for the event. The other is from a member who hosted a dedication event for more than 80 local veterans and received local media coverage. We hope you enjoy these and that they generate ideas for any future events you host.
“A few years ago, the Solimine Family and our funeral home staff in Lynn, Mass. participated in the fundraising efforts to help build the World War II Memorial. We were part of an effort led by the National Funeral Directors Association that saw funeral directors throughout the Greater Lynn Area, and our colleagues across the country, raise nearly three million dollars for the Monument. Two years ago, as the construction for the Monument was underway, I announced the ‘Adopt a WWII Veteran Program' to local veterans and the community. Our goal was to bring 100 local veterans to Washington, D.C. for the new Monument's dedication by raising the funds necessary to cover the cost of the trip. We met and exceeded that goal! Two years of planning came together to provide a moving and memorable experience for 103 Lynn Area World War II Veterans and their guests. We traveled to Washington, D.C. for the dedication of the National WWII Memorial held at the National Mall. Through the generosity of dozens of local businesses, organizations and concerned individuals, the complete travel expenses for all the veterans making the trip were covered.”
-Debra Fogarty, Solimine, Landergan and Richardson Funeral Homes of Lynn, Mass.
“Thank you NFDA for the great idea of hosting a reunion for WWII Veterans. We at Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio hosted a
reunion on your suggestion. We used your ad slicks and presented certificates.
We had around 80 WWII veterans show up with their families. We also set up food inside the funeral home and had cable installed so we could show the dedication in Washington, D.C., for those who wanted to watch it. Our parking lot was set up with
chairs and we had a veteran give a short speech before presenting the
certificates. At the end of the event, the Honor Guard from the local VFW performed a gun salute and played taps. It was an awesome event! WKYC Television from Cleveland covered our reunion. We were on the six and 11 o'clock news, and the morning news the next day. Our local newspaper also included a story.
We have had so many positive comments and the event was very much appreciated. Thanks so much for your help!”
-Marlene A. Shoemaker, Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
It's Not too Late to add WWII Veterans to the Registry of Remembrances!
You can add one or more names by accessing the National WWII Memorial Website at http://www.wwiimemorial.com/registry/edit/donor_nameaddr.asp. You can also send information to the following address: WWII Memorial Processing Center, PO Box 186, Calverton, NY 11933-0186. Information requested includes: Name of honoree, current status, branch of service, rank, hometown, state, activity during WWII, email address and the name of individual who's honoring the honoree and that relationship to him or her. [Back to Top]
Funeral Service Unites to Present Concerns on Streamlined Sales Tax Project
On a united front, NFDA and other funeral service professionals recently represented the profession in a meeting in Tampa, Fla. Here, concerns were presented before the Streamlined Sales Tax Project regarding their proposed sourcing rules. The meeting included over 100 representatives of state governments (primarily state revenue departments), state legislatures and the business community.
The purpose of the project is to establish simplified and uniform sales tax rules for all states on a variety of products and services. Initially created to deal with catalog and Internet sales, this project has expanded to cover the collection and allocation of state sales taxes on many products and services, including funeral goods and services.
For funeral service, the problem arises when these goods and services are delivered across several local taxing jurisdictions. This presents complex record keeping and reporting responsibilities due to the requirements for funeral homes and cemeteries.
This could create very tedious paperwork for firms and additional charges that may be passed along to families. It may also involve additional staff training. Since funeral homes and cemeteries are the principal link for the arranging and delivery, we strongly believe that the sourcing for their products and/or services purchased should be at the funeral home or cemetery. We will continue to voice our concerns on this issue and keep you informed of further developments.
[Back to Top] NFDA Member Websites Now Linked From NFDA.org
NFDA is now publishing the Website addresses of member firms in NFDA's online Member Directory. This is a new, exciting member benefit that will provide an easy, direct link to your Website from ours. In April, NFDA.org had just under 30,000 visits, and the Member Directory remained as one of the top five most visited pages! Consumers from anywhere who seek an NFDA member funeral home can now learn more about your firm with one click. While NFDA has current Website addresses for many firms, you may need to provide your Website address if you haven't already, or a current address if your address has changed.
To find out if your Website is listed on NFDA's Website and is current, visit http://eservices.nfda.org/site/vision_company_update.asp in the Members Only area. Here, primary contacts can view and update contact information for their funeral home. Your updates will be reflected in the online Member Directory immediately. If you do not have your login name and password, please call one of our Member Service Representatives at 800-228-6332.
Don't have a Website? NFDA can build one for you easily and affordably with the Build Your Website program. For more details, visit http://www.nfda.org/yourwebsite.php.
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Deadline this Friday for NFDA Leadership Conference
Friday, June 18, is the deadline to register for the 2004 Leadership Conference in San Diego on July 25-28. At this year's Leadership Conference, we'll focus on helping you make sure your association is as strong as it can be.
Funeral service leaders are those who seek to improve methods and achieve that next level of success for their associations. Whether you do this daily or would like to step-up your leadership role, NFDA's 2004 Leadership Conference will give you ideas and skills that will sharpen your focus. You'll learn strategies for running your association more efficiently on a number of levels including communication, operations, financial planning and strategic business planning. You'll acquire valuable tools from experienced speakers and educators who have established reputations as leaders themselves. Join us for this extraordinary opportunity to meet and learn from other funeral professionals across the country. Here are just a few of this year's speakers.
- Leader-to-Leader Communication with Dr. Cal LeMon
- Marketing to the ‘New Consumer,' The 50+ Boomers with Dan Katz
- Strategic Planning for Associations: Invaluable Tools for Building a Successful Association with Patricia Knight Scholl and Bonnie Tippy, from the New York State Funeral Directors Association
For more information, a complete schedule of events or to register, call 800-228-6332 or visit http://www.nfda.org/page.php?pID=597.
[Back to Top] Earn Your CPC this Summer and More with Professional Development
NFDA offers two opportunities to earn your Certified Preplanning Consultant (CPC) certification this July: July 7-9, 2004 in Okemus, Mich., and July 21-23, 2004 in Atlanta, Ga. You should become certified if you are an experienced, qualified funeral service professional, who is currently assisting families to plan complete funerals in advance as permitted by state laws. Eligibility is based on six months minimum experience, attestation of compliance with state and federal regulations and the CPC Code of Ethics and Statement of Use, meeting other specific criteria, and successful completion of the exam.
On July 15, 2004, NFDA hosts the Handling EPA & OSHA Enforcement Issues: 2004 Update teleconference, which you can participate in from the convenience of your funeral home. For more details and information on registering for all these events, see below.
Certified Preplanning Consultant Program (CPC)
CPC FASTRAC I
July 7-9, 2004
Comfort Inn and Suites
Okemus, Mich.
July 21-23, 2004
Assurant Offices
Atlanta, Ga.
For more details or to register, call NFDA at 800-228-6332 or visit http://www.nfda.org/page.php?pID=299.
Handling EPA & OSHA Enforcement Issues: 2004 Update
Teleconference
July 15, 2004, 1 – 3 p.m. CST
Presented by: Edward Ranier, NFDA OSHA Counsel, Baltimore, Md. and
Carol Lynn Green, NFDA Environmental Counsel, Baltimore, Md.
Registration deadline is July 13, 2004 at 4 p.m. CST.
For more information or to register, call NFDA at 800-228-6332 or visit http://www.nfda.org/page.php?pID=82.
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