|
|
Meet Your Board Member
 A Q&A with ICFA Board Member Mark Krause
President
Krause Funeral Homes & Cremation Service Inc.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Why did you choose to work in the cemetery and funeral service industry?
My grandfather founded Krause Funeral Home in 1933. Growing up in the funeral business and living at the funeral home when I was young gave me a sense of the commitment needed to be successful. I admired my father, grandfather and uncles because of how they helped people. It gave me a sense that this profession appealed to a higher ideal. I knew from an early age that someday I probably would become a funeral director.
I have always enjoyed working with people. The exchange of thoughts and ideas was always more appealing than a job of endless repetition. Because two funerals are never the same, the variety and having the chance to be creative at work was exciting.
Just after I graduated from college, my father asked me if I was interested in becoming a funeral director. It took me about five seconds to say yes. I felt fortunate to have the opportunity to work with my family. Being the oldest of all of my generation, my sense of continuing the family legacy and business was strong.
What is the best experience you've ever had in your job?
It started in 1994; the issue was whether preneed insurance was legal to use in Wisconsin. The leadership and the executive director of our state trade association did everything in their power to stop active preneed in our state. It was the feeling of many that the objective of that trade association was one of anti-competition and keeping the status quo.
Those of us who viewed the future of funeral service in a much more competitive and proactive light organized a movement called the Preneed Coalition. What ensued was a senseless power struggle that caused the trade association to split. Our group formed a new association, The Funeral Service Alliance of Wisconsin.
What occurred next was four years of endless lobbying, politicking, hearings, testimony, speeches and organizing. What we accomplished was the passing of a new preneed law that legitimized not only the use of preneed insurance but allowed the use of non-funeral director personnel to provide funded preneed products to our consumers.
The education process of how organizations, government and our professional colleagues work or do not work was amazing. This experience taught me that there are a lot of people committed to doing the right thing and to moving our profession into the future.
What is the worst, and what did you learn from it?
My worst experience was the same as my best. What was truly amazing to me was the number of people who considered themselves death care or funeral professionals but did not understand the issues. The unwillingness of people to sit down and discuss important topics was most disheartening.
The opportunity that arose from the preneed wars in Wisconsin, the joining of the progressive funeral homes into a highly effective political organization and the linking of that group, with the help of Irwin Shipper, to the ICFA was the silver lining.
What advice would you give to young people just starting out in this industry?
My advice would be to get passionate about some aspect of your job. Know everything you can about this industry. Be sincere -- your clients will know if you are not.
The difference between good and great is a very fine line. It took me a few years to realize that the only barriers to success are the ones that we ourselves let block our path. Persistence, patience, being focused and a lot of hard work can bring success to anyone who truly desires it. I always say actions speak louder than words. It is easy to say what you want -- now do what it takes to get there.
What do you see as the biggest benefits of ICFA membership?
The biggest benefit is being a part of the most progressive, knowledgeable death care association in the world. Where else can you go and get ideas from industry leaders who are focused on moving our industry forward? When one looks at the conventions, educational programs, the vision and the attitude, there is really no comparison. The ICFA is the cutting-edge.
Why do you wish to serve on the ICFA board?
I want to make a difference and help mold our industry so we can remain strong and viable in the future. Being able to know and work with our industry leaders is exciting and challenging.
What is the biggest challenge facing the industry, and how is ICFA addressing it?
The biggest challenge for our industry is clearly one of leadership. The ICFA is fortunate in that it has many natural leaders as members.
What I see in many other death care organizations is a lack of people willing to give of themselves to better their profession. It is easy for people to say they have no time to help -- "I'm too busy" -- or that they have small businesses they run by themselves. Apathy and a willingness to let others do the work only diminishes what is possible. Everyone benefits by taking a turn to help.
The starting place for leadership development is education. The ICFA is an industry leader in this area. The ICFA University and other programs are great educational opportunities.
Leadership seminars can help, but the desire to contribute comes from within. The diversity of leadership can keep our profession focused on what is most important: how to know and provide our consumers with what they are looking for.
What are your outside interests?
I enjoy scuba diving and playing jazz guitar.
Who are your heroes or role models?
I have many heroes. They start with the people who are on the front lines at our funeral home. Helping people pick up their lives after a very tragic moment is more than just a job. These people make a positive difference to someone every day.
I have some very dear friends in the death care profession; they know who they are. I have learned a lot from them and cherish the opportunities to be with them and share ideas.
Lastly, my heroes are those who give of themselves to better our profession on any level.
If you could "do lunch" today with anyone in the world, living or dead, whom would you choose and why?
Theodore Roosevelt. What I admire most about President Roosevelt was his commitment to excellence, his passion for everything he did and his ability to think creatively. It must have been amazing to be around a person with his energy and cognitive abilities. He was a person who often did what had to be done in spite of the odds or popular opinion. He took chances and dared greatly.
Copyright ICFA 2000
|
|
