What's New at ICCFA?

Here's the latest:



• ICCFA Provides Members With New "Red Flag" Compliance Program—ICCFA is providing members with a sample compliance program concerning new federal rules to fight identity theft. To have the program template sent to you, please contact us at 1.800.645.7700 or rfells@iccfa.com.

• GPL Compliance Check Offered to Members—Effective immediately, members whose businesses must comply with the FTC Funeral Rule's General Price List (GPL) requirements can have their lists reviewed by attorney Poul H. Lemasters, Esq., without charge. The ICCFA has retained the services of Mr. Lemasters, who is an attorney and a licensed funeral director, to provide telephone consultation on cremated-related legal issues. Now this service has been expanded to include GPL reviews. You may contact Lemasters toll-free at 1.800.221.2889.

• Free Telephone Consultations on Cremation Issues Through exclusive retainer agreements, ICCFA members can access telephone legal consultations regarding cremation questions through attorney and funeral director Poul Lemasters at 1.800.221.2889.
  

• ICCFA to Join the American Board of Funeral Service Education—ICCFA will become the newest member of the American Board of Funeral Service Education, effective January 1, 2009. The decision to join came as the result of a unanimous vote of the ICCFA Board of Directors on October 22, during its Fall Management Conference in Naples, Florida. The ICCFA will now have three representatives on the ABFSE and one representative on four of the organization's committees: Curriculum Committee, Scholarship Committee, Program Committee and Constitution and Bylaws Committee.
  
  
• Register Today for the 2009 Wide World of Sales Conference—ICCFA wants to help you make 2009 your best sales year ever! The complete program is now online for the Wide World of Sales Conference to be held January 13-15, 2009, at the Las Vegas Hilton. We have two solid days of educational seminars planned offering practical tools and techniques for boosting sales.
  
  
• Join the Evolution! at the 2009 ICCFA Annual Convention & Expo—This year's Annual Convention is aimed at launching your company to the forefront of the industry. Join us April 20-23 at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, NV. Complete details may be found here.
  
  
• Now Accepting Entries—Entry Forms for the 2008 KIP Awards are now available. The KIP Awards for the best in personalization were created by ICCFA's Personalization Committee to recognize outstanding examples of personalization of services or products in the death care profession. Deadline: December 7, 2008.
  
  
• ICCFA Offers $243 Music License for 2008—2008 Music Licenses are available through the ICCFA for just $243. Membership is open to any company in the cemetery and funeral service industry in the United States. The Music License Membership fee covers music licensing with all three licensing agencies: BMI, ASCAP and SESAC, for the calendar year 2008. There are no added fees. Companies that wish to purchase a new membership may do so by calling the ICCFA at 1.800.645.7700.
  
  
• A set of Cremation Guidelines has been developed by the ICCFA in order to foster professional standards of care and consideration by our members. These Guidelines supplement and complement cremation-related materials previously published by the ICCFA. More than 40 professionals completing the 2007 Cremation Certification program at ICCFA University in Memphis, Tennessee, have pledged to adopt and uphold these guidelines. To view the guidelines and the pledge list, visit www.iccfa.com/guidelines.htm.
  
  

And here's some older (but still important) stuff:

• The ICCFA Blog
  Stop by the Blog each day for an update on the latest news from the association and the industry at large (formerly the ICCFA News Page).
  
  
  
• ICCFA Insurance Program Now Available: The ICCFA has endorsed Alliant Insurance Services to offer a comprehensive casualty insurance option to ICCFA members nationwide. For more information, call 800.390.9099.
  
  
  
• Lowest rate in the industry: Discount credit card processing now available to ICCFA Members: Applied Merchant Systems announces special rates for all ICCFA Members. Improve your bottom line! Take advantage of the new ICCFA sponsored credit card processing program. Call today at 1.800.675.6573 or go to: http://www.appliedmerchant.com/partners/icfa/ for more information.
  
  
  
• DO NOT CALL: Do you understand how the new rules affect your business? Our Frequently Asked Questions can help. Check back regularly for updates.
  
  
  
• ICCFA Magazine's Web Extra section offers more in-depth coverage of the issues affecting your business. The newest additions: Todd Van Beck on "Embalming of the Popes", photos and notes from ICCFA Past President David Shipper's trip to the Shanghai International Exhibition & Seminar on Funeral Equipment & Funeral Service and "A Born Undertaker," a three-part interview with funeral director and educator Todd Van Beck.
  
  
  
• ICCFA's Internet Expo is the largest online exposition of products and services in the cemetery and funeral industry! Visit today to find the ICCFA member suppliers who can help you build your business and improve your services.
  
  
  
• Upcoming meetings schedule: The best in industry education
  
  
  
• What Do You Get With Your ICCFA Membership? For starters, look at these Member Only Benefits.
  
  
  
• Get the latest news from your state and regional industry associations on our new Association Pipeline page.
  
  
  
• Looking for a job? Looking for employees? Click here for the latest job listing or to place a free ad in the ICCFA Online Classifieds.
  
  
  
• Need consumer information on funerals, cemeteries and related services? Click here to visit the Consumer Resource Guide.