The ICCFA staff wishes all of our members a safe and happy 4th of July! Please note that the ICCFA office will be closed in observance of this holiday.
July 3, 2007, Edition - Volume 8 - No. 15
Welcome to the ICCFA Wireless newsletter! If you experience any problems with this html version, please let us know by calling 1.800.645.7700.
ICCFA WIRELESS is a biweekly electronic newsletter bringing members of the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association the latest government and legal, industry and association news. It is available to all ICCFA members current on their dues. Comments, questions and "hot news tips" are welcome. Write to: hq@iccfa.com.
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
INDUSTRY NEWS
Union Bill, Employee Free Choice Act, "Killed" in U.S. Senate—for Now
Updated Alert: Email Funeral Scam Expands to Phone and Fax Scam
Encore: How to Find the Cheapest Gas in Your Area
ICCFA NEWS
Did You Know? Dignity University Offers Many Benefits to You and Your Staff!
ICCFA Magazine Wins National Award
ICCFA University: Hotel Update
Register Today for the 2007 Fall Management Conference
Now Available: 2007 Convention Audio CDs
Registration Forms Available Online for the SCFA-FCA-GCA Annual Convention
Product of the Month: Service$elling Tapes by Gary O'Sullivan
Call For Presentations—2008 Annual Convention & Exposition
CLASSIFIED ADS
INDUSTRY NEWS
Union Bill, Employee Free Choice Act, "Killed" in U.S. Senate—for Now
Last week, the controversial Employee Free Choice Act (H.R. 800/S. 1041), a bill that would abolish secret ballot elections for workers in deciding whether or not to unionize, was "killed" for the time being in the U.S. Senate. Following vigorous debate over the bill on June 25 and 26, a vote was taken to close debate and move to a vote on the legislation. This procedure, known as cloture, is necessary according to Senate rules and requires 60 votes to achieve cloture. Otherwise, debate either continues or, as is usually the case, the bill is tabled for future consideration. The cloture vote failed 51-48 and further consideration of the bill was tabled. Observers believe that this bill will not be considered again until next year at the earliest. H.R. 800 was quickly approved by the House of Representatives on March 1 by a vote of 241-185.
The ICCFA joined the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace, an advocacy group sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, to oppose this legislation due to its restriction on employees' constitutional rights, the imposition of mandatory binding arbitration on collective bargaining, and significant new fines against employers. Labor unions have invested heavily in lobbying for the bill, which they view as a means of increasing their membership. As a result, it is believed that efforts to enact this legislation will persist and intensify in the future. For more details, please see the May 8, 2007 edition of ICCFA WIRELESS.
Updated Alert: Email Funeral Scam Expands to Phone and Fax Scam
In response to our recent reports concerning scam email requests for funeral prices and instructions to charge the amounts to a credit card, several members have also reported receiving these scams by telephone and by fax messages. The phone calls appear to be placed by "relay call" ordinarily used by the hearing impaired. Here's how it works:
After inquiring about prices, the caller gives instructions on placing a credit card charge, then requests that an additional amount of money, ranging from $1200 to $1650, be charged to the credit card and sent to a "burial agent" in another country via Western Union Money Transfer.
The apparent scam seems similar to the well-known "Nigerian money transfer" scam. Emails and faxes forwarded by members to the ICCFA are worded nearly identically with similar typos. Part of the first paragraph reads: "...and pis I will like to book a burial plot of my late mum. Pis I will like you to email me with the costs for the single burial plots which u have available at this time..."
This scam appears to be increasing and members are advised to alert their staff to this activity. Members receiving such calls, faxes or emails are encouraged to report them to the Federal Trade Commission's "Consumer Sentinel" complaint forum on the FTC web site at https://www.econsumer.gov/pls/econsumer/wimsnery2$com.main?p_lang_seq=1.
Complaints entered into this FTC law enforcement database will be made available to certified government law enforcement agencies in participating countries. The information is used by government agencies to spot new trends, uncover new scams, and target suspect companies and individuals for law enforcement actions. Submitting your complaint will help law enforcement agencies worldwide in their efforts to keep the Internet safe for the public.
Encore: How to Find the Cheapest Gas in Your Area
Due to popular demand, we are republishing the following information on how to find the cheapest gasoline in your area or wherever you may be traveling this summer. With gas prices hitting near record levels in recent weeks, the federal government's consumer website, www.usa.gov, has taken the work out of locating both the lowest and the highest priced gas pumps throughout the nation and your neighborhood.
To access this information, visit http://www.usa.gov. On the left hand side of the screen, go to the link aptly titled, "Find Cheapest Gas Prices," and select your state. Subsequent screens will allow you to narrow your search to your county or city. The site identifies and provides addresses of places where you can fill up locally and know that you are getting the lowest price around. We recommend that you bookmark this site for future reference.
ICCFA NEWS
Did You Know? Dignity University Offers Many Benefits to You and Your Staff!
If you are looking for an affordable and convenient way to earn CE credits, fulfill OSHA requirements and educate and train your staff, Dignity University has the solution. Cemetery and funeral home owners, managers and staff can now participate in online safety training through 12 Web-based courses available through the ICCFA Web site at www.iccfa.com/institute.
Among the benefits:
- The courses promote increased workplace safety and help staff recognize and correct potential hazards before they become a problem.
- The courses provide testing and verification, allowing managers to confirm participation and maintain appropriate personnel records.
- Staff have 24-hour access, allowing them to complete the work on their own schedule and from the convenience of their home or office.
- The courses are self-paced, allowing staff to spend as much time as needed on each lesson.
- At just $19.95 per unit, with no travel expenses, the courses are the most affordable way to obtain the legally required training.
Visit www.iccfa.com/institute for more information, or call 1.800.645.7700.
ICCFA Magazine Wins National Award
The ICCFA Magazine and Managing Editor Susan Loving have received an Award of Excellence from APEX, an annual awards program recognizing excellence in publications work by communications professionals.
The magazine was recognized as a top entry in the "One to Two Person-Produced Magazines and Journals" category.
"The award is a testament to the quantity and quality of editorial material published in each issue," said Linda Budzinski, ICCFA director of communications and membership services. "Susan is a one-woman show, yet she continues to improve the magazine every year and provide by far the most relevant and useful content in the industry."
Information on ICCFA Magazine, including select articles from past issues, can be found at www.iccfa.com/icfm.htm.
ICCFA University: Hotel Update
Due to record-breaking registration for the 2007 ICCFA University, July 20-25, at the University of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee, all campus housing has sold out.
The ICCFA has reserved a block of 10 rooms at the nearby Memphis Park Place Hotel, which are on hold until July 13. After that date, reservations will be accepted based on availability. If you have not yet made hotel arrangements for ICCFAU, call the Park Place Hotel at 1.866.371.0865 or 901.767.6300 and identify yourself as a member of the ICCFA Group.
For information on ICCFA University, and to register, visit www.iccfa.com/iccfau07.htm, or call 1.800.645.7700.
Register Today for the 2007 Fall Management Conference
The 2007 Fall Management Conference, October 3-6, at Fantasy Springs Resort & Casino in Palm Springs, California, offers managers and CEOs the opportunity to network and learn from the top experts both within and outside our profession. This year, the ICCFA has planned a comprehensive program incorporating general sessions, facilitated small group discussions and networking receptions.
Some of the highlights include:
- "Radar On-Antenna Up..." Fulfilling Customers' Unexpressed Wishes
Brian Grubb of the Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center will share how Ritz supervisors and managers create exceptional memories through consistently applying the performance management cycle. Find out how to provide legendary service for your client families without spending a lot of money. - Dare to Diversify: Going Beyond Your Core Services and Revenues
Hear from a distinguished panel of cemetery and funeral service owners and executives as they share how you can enhance services to families and increase your revenue by diversifying your business. You will discover creative ideas to get "outside the box," and the steps you can take to start a pet cemetery, offer catering services and more. - Bringing in Outside Talent
Hiring employees from outside the cemetery and funeral service profession can bring an infusion of fresh ideas and talent to your company. In this session, you'll hear from two individuals who have experience recruiting managers and sales counselors. - Tour of Forest Lawn-Cathedral City
All conference attendees are invited to take a short bus ride to visit the newest addition to Forest Lawn Memorial Parks and Mortuaries. This stunning, state-of-the-art location has a unique merchandising room, tranquil reflecting pool and beautiful 3,000-square-foot Ramon Chapel, as well as a wide selection of memorial property for both cremation and traditional burial.
Now Available: 2007 Convention Audio CDs
Did you miss ICCFA's 2007 Convention? Can't understand your notes? Do you wish you could have attended more sessions? You can now order select session on audio CDs. Currently available are five sessions:
- Proven Approaches to Lead Generation, David Dassow and Michael Leaf, Find out effective approaches for expanding your sphere of contacts, increasing your sales and planning successful community events.
- Disaster Preparedness/Recovery, Gerard Schoen, John Vickers, John D. Warren and Robert Gordon Sr., CCFE, This three-hour symposium on disaster preparedness covers everything from crisis prevention to working with families after a disaster and emergency communication plans. Also, find out the latest updates from the recent Fatality Management Pandemic Influenza Conference.
- Difficult Embalming Cases, Melissa Johnson Williams, CFSP, The challenges presented by difficult embalming cases go beyond the prep room. Embalmer and restorative artist Melissa Johnson Williams presents solutions to actual embalming cases and provides tips for avoiding lawsuits and defending yourself if you end up in court.
- Cremation of Sam McGee, Justin Zabor, Sam McGee was a character in a popular 20th century poem by the late Robert W. Service, but he's alive and well in today's consumer. In this session, Justin Zabor creates a colorful portrait of the quintessential 21st century cremation consumer. Learn how to provide value to baby boomers, what today's consumers expect from funeral service and why people choose cremation.
- Marketing Through the Internet, Robin Heppell, In this session Robin Heppell discusses everything from Web site design to viral marketing and e-newsletters. He shares effective programs and ideas on how to draw people to your site and keep them coming back.
Additional tapes will become available later this summer.
Registration Forms Available Online for the SCFA-FCA-GCA Annual Convention
The ICCFA will be partnering with the Southern Cemetery Funeral Association, the Florida Cemetery Association and the Georgia Cemetery Association to offer the 2007 SCFA-FCA-GCA Annual Convention, August 2-5, at Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. This meeting offers cemetery managers and superintendents valuable educational sessions, table-top exhibits and the opportunity to network with their colleagues.
This year's keynote sessions include:
- "How to Get Great Publicity and How to Handle Bad Publicity"—Author and TV News Anchor Jeff Crilley will offer an insider's perspective on how to attract positive publicity and make the most of your coverage.
- "Whale Done"—The Power of Positive Relationships— What does training killer whales have to do with training humans? More than you may think! Chuck Tompkins, Sea World Trainer and Co-Author with Ken Blanchard of the Best Seller, "Whale Done!" will introduce his "Whale Done Approach," and show how building positive relationships helps employees to become more productive, achieve greater results and create an environment where everyone is genuinely excited about the work they are doing.
Product of the Month: Service$elling Tapes by Gary O'Sullivan
For the month of July, the ICCFA is offering a discount on "Service$elling: The Principle that Creates Customers," a set of six audio-tapes by speaker and trainer Gary O'Sullivan, CCE. The tapes combine solid sales education with O'Sullivan's legendary motivational messages-the ideal training tool for bringing your counselors up to speed and keeping them on track for improved sales and service.
Topics are:
- Service$elling
- The Power and Value of Memorialization
- Why Do Some Succeed?
- The Greatest Corporation in the World
- How to Always Have People to See
- The Positive Power of Change
Regularly $75 for members and $85 for non-members, Service$elling can be purchased until July 31 for just $49 plus shipping. Call 1.800.645.7700 to order.
For more information on the Gary O'Sullivan Company, visit www.garyosullivan.com.
Call For Presentations—2008 Annual Convention & Exposition
The 2008 Convention Planning Committee invites ICCFA members and meeting attendees to submit proposals for presentations at the ICCFA 2008 Annual Convention & Exposition, March 26-29 at the San Diego Convention Center.
Interested candidates should submit their proposed presentation to the ICCFA headquarters no later than August 15. Instructions for preparing your proposal are available by downloading them at http://www.iccfa.com/docs/ac08.doc or by calling the ICCFA at 1.800.645.7700.
CLASSIFIED ADS
Position Available!
Position: Vice President and Director of Sales and Marketing
Employer: Heritage Family Management - a major southeastern, family-owned, regional consolidator with properties in Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia and Georgia intent on expansion that offers exceptional compensation and benefits.
Compensation: Annual earnings should range between $135,000 and $180,000 plus benefits, including but not limited to health insurance, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, dental and eye care, and a 401-K plan. Compensation is based on a very strong salary base and incentive bonuses.
Responsibilities:
- Manage and recruit a sales team for eight cemeteries with over 1000 interments while working to create additional revenue streams and improve upon sales averages, profits and new property sales.
- Work with an at-need funeral staff of 13 funeral homes and 2100 services to improve revenue per call with emphasis on increasing outer burial container and cremation averages.
- Create and implement of a coordinated marketing strategy for funeral, cemetery, monument store and pet cremation operations.
- Improve monument sales and marketing efforts through cemetery and funeral home properties, as well as existing monument stores.
Contact: All resumes should be emailed to Sally Harris, Director of Human Resources: sally@heritagefamily.com or faxed to (423) 543-3533.
Exciting Sales Opportunities!
StoneMor, a leader in the industry, has exciting opportunities for Sales Managers at three of our locations in our Western Region.
We boast one of the highest commission rates in the industry and our Sales Managers enjoy triple override bonuses on all location sales after hitting performance goals. We have excellent benefits including:
- Medical
- Dental
- Life
- Short-term Disability
- Long-term Disability
- 401K.
EOE
For more information, please call 877-857-8890 and refer to this ad or send your resume via fax at 215-826-2929 or email it to jobs@stonemor.com.
www.stonemor.com
Exciting Sales Opportunities!
StoneMor, a leader in the industry, has exciting opportunities for Sales Professionals at many locations.
We have excellent benefits including:
- Medical
- Dental
- Life
- Short-term Disability
- Long-term Disability
- 401K.
EOE
For more information, please call 877-857-8890 and refer to this ad or send your resume via fax at 215-826-2929 or email it to jobs@stonemor.com.
www.stonemor.com
Business Opportunity
CEMETERY FOR SALE
Location: Jefferson County Texas
Court appointed Receiver is seeking bids for a potential sale of a cemetery.
(Not a Trustee Sale)
Persons not familiar with laws concerning cemetery should seek appropriate counsel before replying to this request for bid.
Interested parties call 409.722.4684, and ask for the Receiver
DO YOU HAVE A BURIAL AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY?
Call Montgomery Vault. We are installing vaults in Arlington National Cemetery every day and can provide the best possible service. We offer a complete line of Eagle, Trigard and Clark vaults. Please call Montgomery Vault at 1.800.346.2069.
Grow Your Business with FuneralHomes.com
FuneralHomes.com—the Funeral Director's Resource for Effective Customer Acquisition. We connect At-need and Pre-planning consumers with Funeral Homes in their area, you are missing out on business! Position your Funeral Home at the top—Call us at 1.800.208.2580 to start receiving business today. www.FuneralHomes.com.
New Opportunities Await You!
People preplan for many reasons. Chief among them is peace of mind. Now you can offer your families additional peace of mind through the Omega Assured Return Plan, a service option offered through Inman Shipping Worldwide. Inman Shipping Worldwide has been the recognized leader in the deathcare industry for the repatriation of human remains, from anywhere in the world, for over 30 years.
With society traveling more and more today for business, vacations and even health care in distant cities, death away from home is becoming more common. When death occurs 100 miles or more away from an individual's legal residence, all the necessary services for returning the deceased to their home are covered for those enrolled in the Omega Assured Return Plan. The Omega Assured Return Plan is the logical companion for cemetery, funeral and cremation prearrangements. An ideal supplemental product, the Omega Assured Return Plan provides another opportunity to maintain contact with your client families. A simple enrollment form and onetime payment will provide a lifetime of coverage for this valuable service. Expand your selling portfolio and earn generous commissions. No license is required. To find out how you or your company can offer the Omega Assured Return Plan, call our toll free number at 1-888-889-8508 from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM Eastern time Monday through Friday or send an email to omegareturninfo@yahoo.com.
Reach Thousands of Cemeteries and Funeral Homes With Your Classified Ad!
- ICCFA Wireless Classified Ads cost $75 and must be prepaid.
- Ads run in three consecutive issues, and include free placement on the ICCFA Web site for six weeks.
- Ads include a link to the company Web site and/or e-mail at no charge.
- Ads with a box number for confidential reply are available for an additional $5.
- Ads must be no longer than 250 words.
- The ICCFA limits the number of ads per issue to five, on a first-come, first-served basis.
- All advertising is subject to the publisher's approval; advertisers assume liability for all content of advertisements printed and for any claims arising therefrom against the publisher.
- For more information or to place an ad, contact Linda Budzinski at lindab@iccfa.com or call 1.800.645.7700.
And More ...
ICCFA Introduces New sales Training Programs by sales trainer and professional speaker Gary O'Sullivan, CCE. O'Sullivan's two latest products include a 10 DVD Series—The Power to Sell Preneed, and a training support system called the GoSell System. Both products provide sales managers with tools and training strategies that will help them to strengthen and motivate their teams. Click here to download a detailed description of each prodcut: www.iccfa.com/docs/osullivan.doc. To place an order, call the ICCFA at 1.800.645.7700.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2006 Keeping It Personal (KIP) Awards! The KIP Awards recognize outstanding examples of personalization of services or products in the cemetery and funeral service profession. Read about the winning entries at www.iccfa.com/kip.htm.
The 2007 Music Licenses are available for just $232, no additional fees. Covers ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Any U.S. funeral home, cemetery or related business is eligible for membership as a Music License Member. Join today!
The ICCFA Store allows members to purchase the latest ICCFA resources and training products online. Some products are available for immediate direct download, including the newly released Wirthlin Report on consumer attitudes and article packages on cremation, cemetery and funeral home valuations and trust funds.
The ICCFA News Page takes you to sources throughout the world for industry news and updates. It brings you the most comprehensive selection of funeral service and cemetery news available anywhere, along with frequently updated general news items related to national and world events. The News Page reports the news before anyone else and is one of the most visited page on the ICCFA Web site. Stop in each day and you'll see why.
The Network is an online e-mail service that offers ICCFA members an easy, free way to share questions and answers to everyday on-the-job challenges. Recent discussions have examined issues such as working with the Muslim community, distance between burial sites, direct mail marketing, the growing popularity of geocaching at cemeteries, recruiting staff and more. Ideal for smaller companies with smaller budgets. Join today!
The ICCFA Internet Expo is the largest online exposition in the cemetery and funeral service industry. Cemetery and funeral home owners and operators will find 300+ providers in more than 100 product and service categories. Exhibit space is provided as a free, exclusive benefit to all ICCFA supplier and professional members. Check it out today!
Need a labor relations and employment law attorney? Check out ICCFA's HR Law Benefit program offering members no-cost telephone legal consultations, paid for by the ICCFA via an exclusive retainer agreement.
ICCFA members now also have access to an attorney for tax-related questions regarding trust earnings, care fund allocations, capital gains, investments and more. The ICCFA has retained Leslie Schneider, CPA, a tax attorney with Ivins, Phillips & Barker in Washington, D.C., for telephone consultations for up to 20 minutes with no obligation. To take advantage of this member benefit, call Schneider at 202.393.7600.
The ICCFA and Applied Merchant Systems of Chicago, Illinois, currently offer members a Credit Card Processing Program with a special low discount rate of 1.75 percent, with no per transaction processing fee. This new benefit makes it less expensive for cemeteries, funeral homes, memorial designers and related businesses to accommodate customers who wish to pay via credit card. For more information, call 1-800-675-6573.
The ICCFA Insurance Program, administered by Alliant Insurance Services, allows members to purchase commercial property and casualty insurance -- including general liability, commercial property, automobile liability and physical damage, umbrella liability, professional liability, workers compensation, employee benefits and more -- at rates they probably would not be able to afford on their own.
To advertise in the ICCFA Wireless: The ICCFA accepts limited advertising in the ICCFA Wireless newsletter, a bi-weekly newsletter e-mailed to all ICCFA members that are current on their dues and have provided a current e-mail address. For rates and to place your insertion, contact Linda Budzinski at lindab@iccfa.com or 1.800.645.7700.
To unsubscribe from the ICCFA Wireless: Send an e-mail with "unsubscribe" in the subject line to: wireless@icfa.org. Please include your name and company name in the body of the e-mail.
International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association
107 Carpenter Drive, Suite 100
Sterling, VA 20164
1.800.645.7700
703.391.8400
Fax: 703.391.8416
www.iccfa.com
Copyright 2007 International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association.