May-June 2012
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Modern Marketing in an Industry Slow to Adapt
Effective marketing distinguishes your company from your competitor. Within our industry we strive to maintain a professional and conservative image and often carry that tone into our marketing materials, even though our objective is to convince the public that our firm is better than our competitor’s. Effective marketing should not only identify your brand, but also carry a message that speaks to the buying public as to why your firm is the best choice for them. It is clear that the buying public, in general, is giving much weight or credence to who owns the local mortuary, or for how long ...
Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel
Ten years ago the City of Visalia, California had three funeral homes to service the needs of the 120,000 residents that call it home. At that time community members had the choice of utilizing the services of either one of the two SCI firms or those of the Lowen Group owned mortuary. Ten years ago community members did not have the option of choosing to do business with a locally owned and operated funeral chapel. However, that all changed nine years ago. With decades of experience guiding them, and the highest standard of family focused customer service driving them; Jeff Salser ...
Second Chances: Transforming Adversity into Opportunity
An interview of Chuck Gallagher, Author and Speaker Transparency, integrity and ethics – all were at the forefront of presentations made by Chuck Gallagher, author of the new book – Second Chances - at both the NFDA and ICCFA meetings over the past two years. We have taken the opportunity in this issue to interview Chuck – a regular contributing author for Funeral Business Advisor magazine – about his new book. Q. Some might say that this book isn’t relevant to the funeral industry, yet the story certainly is intertwined with your career in the death-care industry and Frank Stewart (Chairman of ...
Company Spotlight – A Simple Thank You
Who is A Simple Thank You and what service do they provide? They have developed an application for the iPad which digitally captures guest information at a wake or service. This ensures they capture complete guest information for both the family and the funeral home. They do all the work by providing the printing of the thank you cards and more after the information is uploaded to them. How did A Simple Thank You get involved in the funeral industry? After the loss of his wife in 2006, one of the partners, Chris Gordon was unable to send out thank you cards ...
Industry Alerts
New American-Made Memorial Products Hit the Jackpot in Vegas
St. Louis-based Kap-Lind Enterprises presents new cremation urn designs at ICCFA Convention LAS VEGAS, NV- The American-manufactured ‘Cretian’ and ‘Arion’ cremation urns, designed and produced by St. Louis-based Kap-Lind Enterprises, made a successful debut at the annual convention of the International Cemetery, Cremation, and Funeral Association in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rooted... [Read more]
FrontRunner Introduces the New Sympathy Gifts & Tributes Online Store
Kingston, Ontario – FrontRunner Professional announces the release of the Sympathy Gifts & Tributes Online Store, a new free offering designed to snap into any funeral home’s existing website. It is not just for clients using FrontRunner integrated solutions. The simple hook-up provides a tasteful, dignified offering on the funeral home website. It offers the highest commissions available... [Read more]
ASD Mobile 2.0: The Most Advanced Funeral Home Telecommunication App Available
Introducing a powerful new version of ASD’s sophisticated iPhone application Unrivaled functionality Enhanced features and added tools Intuitive, user-friendly interface Media, PA—ASD – Answering Service for Directors is pleased to introduce ASD Mobile 2.0, a state-of-the-art iPhone application that brings unparalleled control and convenience to funeral professionals. Last... [Read more]
Evolving Fingerprint Technology and Its Impact on Funeral Service
Lake Barrington, IL – Meadow Hill Corporation, the first manufacturer of fingerprint keepsakes in funeral service, is once again engaging funeral professionals with new ideas. The advent of biometric scanners, cloud storage and print verification to protect identity opens up a variety of privacy and security issues. Meadow Hill retained an attorney to address these concerns and undertake an extensive... [Read more]
Eagle’s Wings Air named a Preferred Provider by Selected Independent Funeral Homes
Fort Wayne, IN —Eagle’s Wings Air (EWA), the nation’s leading provider of transportation management services to North American funeral homes and shipping services, has been named a Preferred Benefit Provider of Selected Independent Funeral Homes (Selected), offering transportation services and incentives to Selected members. Selected is an exclusive, invitation-only nonprofit organization representing... [Read more]
Johnson Consulting Group’s 2011 Excellence in Customer Service Award Winners
Scottsdale, AZ – Jake Johnson, President of the Johnson Consulting Group (JCG), the death care industry’s premier Total Solutions Consulting Firm announced its winners of the “JCG 2011 Excellence in Customer Service Awards”. The Awards were presented to JCG client funeral homes who achieved the highest Overall Performance Scores from family satisfaction surveys mailed to each family they... [Read more]
National Guardian Life Supports Funeral Service Foundation
Brookfield, WI — National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) has contributed $20,000 to the Funeral Service Foundation (FSF) designating their gift to the Children’s Fund. “Thanks to the generosity shown in this profession by leaders like NGL,” said Kathy Wisnefski, Executive Director, “our mission’s success is perpetuated as this gift will specifically benefit grieving children.” “National... [Read more]
funeralOne Paves the Way to Selling Sympathy Gifts & Flowers Online
Detroit, MI – More than 600 funeral firms across the country have discovered an effortless way to help their community support families during their time of need. The Sympathy Store, funeralOne’s free done-for-you eCommerce solution, empowers funeral firms to sell sympathy gifts and flowers directly on their website, providing the community a convenient way to share their condolences. Funeral... [Read more]
Wilbert Offers New Philanthropic Program for Fallen First Responders
Broadview, IL – Wilbert Funeral Services, Inc (WFSI) introduces a new philanthropic program, Commemorating First Responders, which donates burial vaults and urns for first responders who have died in the line of duty. Families of firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency medical personnel receive, at no charge, a Wilbert Stainless Steel Triune® burial vault when traditional burial is... [Read more]
Cemeterians Seeking Alternatives to Traditional Bronze Memorials Rising Costs Blamed for Decline of Bronze Memorial Sales
Aurora, IN — Cemetarians are noticing a decrease in bronze memorial sales, with 62.5 percent citing cost as the major reason for the decline. In a recent survey, the majority of cemetery professionals indicated they would consider alternatives to traditional bronze memorials. Since 2002, the price of copper, the primary component in traditional bronze memorials, has risen from less than $1 per pound... [Read more]
MortuaryConsultant.com Becomes Sponsor of Jamie “The Ghost” Toney, Legendary Mixed Martial Arts Champion’s Next Bout
Westlake Village, CA – MortuaryConsultant.com is proud to announce their teaming with legendary mixed martial arts champion, Jamie “The Ghost” Toney. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to sponsor and support Jamie. He is a great fighter and an even better individual” said Ryan M. Lee, CEO of MortuaryConsultant.com. Jamie has established himself as a true mixed martial arts... [Read more]
Galaxy Audio Celebrates 35 Years by Continuing Family Structure
Galaxy Audio is celebrating their 35th anniversary in 2012. Manufacturers of the Hot Spot, the original compact personal monitor, Galaxy Audio has been in business since 1977. Based in Wichita, Kansas, Galaxy Audio has expanded beyond the Hot Spot to include wireless personal monitors, wireless microphones and light weight headsets. Continuing their family based business in their 35th year, Yule... [Read more]
Eagle’s Wings Air Announces Acceptance Into Leading Funeral Service Rewards Program
Clients of ASD utilizing EWA now eligible to earn credits through popular program. Fort Wayne, IN — Eagle’s Wings Air (EWA), the nation’s leading provider of transportation management services to North American funeral homes and shipping services, announces its recent acceptance into the prestigious ASD Rewards Program. The Rewards Program is one of the funeral service profession’s largest... [Read more]
Doric Products, Inc. Announces 2011-2012 Board of Directors
Doric Board Members. Front row (l-r): Adair Payment, Steve Vincent. Back row: Joe Brewster, Gerald Hardy, Chuck Foskey, Mike Crummitt, Jim Wiens, Bobby Smith and Hubert McQuestion Doric Products, Inc., held its annual shareholders’ meeting in Louisville, KY this year. Within this meeting, all but one Director was reelected demonstrating the continued confidence the shareholders have in the existing... [Read more]
New “In Memoriam” Coin, Superb Way to Honor Veterans
Columbia, SC – At the South Carolina Mid-Winter Expo, exhibitor Military Pride Group unveiled a new “In Memoriam” coin for funeral directors to present to family members of deceased Veterans. “As Old Glory is being folded, placed in a flag case and presented to the widow/widower of a Veteran, this new specially designed coin can also be given to the family members of the deceased,” stated... [Read more]
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