July 31, 2007, Edition - Volume 8 - No. 17
Welcome to the ICCFA Wireless newsletter! If you experience any problems with this html version, please let us know. Email lindab@iccfa.com.
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
ICCFA Testifies on Restoring Veterans Burial Benefits
House Ways and Means Committee Examines Tax-Exempt Charitable Organizations
ICCFA NEWS
Fall Conference Early Registration Deadline: August 31
Call For Presentations-2008 Annual Convention & Exposition
Did You Know? ICCFA Can Help You Prevent OSHA Violations
Call for Candidates to ICCFA Board of Directors
New 2007 Convention CDs Available for August
SCFA-FCA-GCA Annual Convention Kicks Off This Week
Product of the Month:CD on Cemetery Regulations
CLASSIFIED ADS
INDUSTRY NEWS
ICCFA Testifies on Restoring Veterans Burial Benefits
On July 31, the ICCFA testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, to urge swift Congressional action on H.R.1273. This bill was introduced by Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-NV), at the request of the ICCFA, to restore the plot allowance and marker cash reimbursement allowance for veterans who choose interment in private, religious and municipal cemeteries. ICCFA External Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel Bob Fells represented the association as its witness. The bill is now supported by various veterans service organizations including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
These two popular and cost-effective plot and marker burial benefits were used by the majority of veterans and their families from the 1970s until 1990, when Congress abruptly curtailed the plot allowance and eliminated the marker allowance. The ICCFA estimated that up to 70 percent of the veterans who were eligible to receive these two benefits were disqualified when Congress changed the requirements in 1990. The ICCFA believes that since then, many veterans have been forced to opt for interment in national or state veterans' cemeteries when they would have preferred burial in non-governmental cemeteries for personal, religious or ethnic reasons.
The plot and marker allowances also resulted in long-term cost savings for taxpayers by eliminating the ongoing costs of maintaining the graves in national cemeteries in perpetuity when veterans opt for burial elsewhere. Unlike the private sector, national cemeteries do not have care and maintenance trust funds but rely on annual appropriations by Congress to meet their needs. ICCFA urges members to contact their Congressional representatives to support H.R. 1273 as co-sponsors of the bill. The complete text of the ICCFA testimony can be viewed at www.iccfa.com/docs/july_31_va_testimony.doc
House Ways and Means Committee Examines Tax-Exempt Charitable Organizations
Last Tuesday, the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight conducted a hearing to examine tax-exempt charities and foundations. According to Subcommittee Chair John Lewis (D-GA), "These organizations spent over $1 trillion on directly serving those in need.... The government alone cannot address these important unmet needs. We count on charities and foundations to fill this gap. The need for these programs creates a special tie between charities and the government. As we move forward in this Congress, we must work together for the common good of our communities.... We must strengthen the non-profit sector so that we can deliver more services to more Americans." The scope of this July 24th hearing focused on the needs and concerns of the organizations themselves, although Congressional oversight of tax-exempt entities historically has been critical, focusing on incidents of misconduct and the embezzlement of funds. The hearing was described as "the first in a series of hearings on tax-exempt charitable organizations," thereby suggesting that more scrutiny may be given in future hearings. For more information, check the Ways and Means Committee Web site at http://waysandmeans.house.gov.
ICCFA NEWS
Fall Conference Early Registration Deadline: August 31
The ICCFA Fall Conference draws the cemetery and funeral service profession's most successful, forward-thinking owners and managers. That's why this year, due to members' overwhelming demand, you'll have the chance each morning to participate in facilitated discussions where you can hear what others are doing at their locations and share your own experiences.
If you're a CEO or top manager, the ICCFA 2007 Fall Management Conference, October 3-6 in Palm Springs, California, is for you. The ICCFA has created a unique educational program covering topics such as strategic planning, diversifying your products and services, recruiting outside talent, marketing and more.
This year's highlights include a tour of the stunning Forest Lawn-Cathedral City, several networking receptions and the ICCFA Annual Golf Tournament, which will take place at the Classic Golf Club, home to the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. A Spouse/Guest Tour will visit Denise Roberge's world-famous art complex.
Remember, the early registration deadline is August 31. Register today by visiting www.iccfa.com/fall07.htm or call 1.800.645.7700.
Call For Presentations—2008 Annual Convention & Exposition
The ICCFA 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. Presentations on all aspects of cemetery, crematory and funeral home management are welcome.
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 www.iccfa.com/docs/ac08.doc or by calling the ICCFA at 1.800.645.7700.
Did You Know? ICCFA Can Help You Prevent OSHA Violations
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released the four most violated standards for funeral service and crematories, based on data collected from October 2004 to August 2005:
- Bloodborne Pathogens
- Formaldehyde
- Respiratory Protection
- Hazard Communication
ICCFA-Dignity U eCampus offers the following online courses for only $19.95 each:
- Back Safety
- Fire Safety
- Hazard Communications
- Office Safety
- Bloodborne Pathogens
- Forklift Safety
- Hearing Protection
- Respiratory Protection
- Defensive Driving
- Groundskeeper Safety
- Lockout/Tagout
- Trenching & Shoring
Call for Candidates to ICCFA Board of Directors
Service on the ICCFA Board of Directors offers members a chance to learn about and participate in the leadership of the association, and is a meaningful way to give back to the organization and to the cemetery and funeral service profession as a whole.
The ICCFA's Nominating and Elections Committee is currently inviting members to apply to run for the ICCFA Board of Directors.
The committee will narrow all applications received to 12 nominees, which will be reviewed and approved by the board at the ICCFA Fall Management Conference in Palm Springs, California, on October 3. Information on the 12 candidates will then be distributed to the membership, which will vote during the ICCFA Annual Convention & Exposition in San Diego, California, on March 26. The top eight vote recipients will serve three-year terms.
To apply, you must be a designated representative of a Regular (Cemetery, Funeral Home or Allied) Member in good standing or you must be an Individual Regular Member in good standing. The deadline to apply is September 1, 2007. Applications can be obtained by calling 1.800.645.7700 or by downloading the file at www.icfa.org/docs/2008_icfa_board_application.doc.
New 2007 Convention CDs Available for August
Four more sessions from ICCFA's 2007 Convention are now available on audio CDs. Perfect for those seeking new ideas to implement at their business locations, the CDs offer "how-to" advice on a variety of topics and serve as excellent staff training tools. Featured in August are the following sessions:
- Reality Merchandising, Dave Jones
Through case studies of successful industry and non-industry businesses, Dave Jones shares how you can identify your target markets and increase your revenue with multi-channeling marketing programs. - Customer Service: A Recipe For Lasting Change, Marla Noel
Is customer service at your company at the quality you expect? If not, it's time to make a change. Marla Noel takes you step-by-step through an initiative her organization took to communicate and maintain quality customer service. - Timing is Everything: Motivating Families to Prearrange, Pam Kleese
Find out the real reasons consumers choose to prearrange based on primary research done by Homesteaders Life Company. Pam Kleese explains the differences between the genders, age groups and marital status groups, which will help you to improve your marketing strategies. - Cremation Marketing, Presentations and Packaging, Bob Gordon & Tim Lancaster
Providing packages at your business location increases customer satisfaction and brings you more business. In this session, Bob Gordon and Tim Lancaster offer concrete ideas for developing and selling packages, "wow-ing" your client families and reducing the number of direct cremations.
Download the complete list of 2007 Convention CDs at www.iccfa.com/docs/ac07.doc.
SCFA-FCA-GCA Annual Convention Kicks Off This Week
This Thursday, the ICCFA will partner with the Southern Cemetery Funeral Association, the Florida Cemetery Association and the Georgia Cemetery Association for 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.
Highlights include keynote sessions by TV News Anchor Jeff Crilley and Sea World Trainer and Author Ken Blanchard. In addition, there will be many networking opportunities, roundtable discussions, a golf tournament and a legal and legislative update. For the complete schedule of events and to register, visit www.iccfa.com/ops07.htm.
Product of the Month: CD on Cemetery Regulations
For the month of August, the ICCFA is offering a discount on "To Regulate or Not to Regulate? That is the Question," a 50-minute audio CD of a presentation from the ICCFA 2006 Convention & Exposition by consultant Tom Daly, CCE. Among the topics covered are:
- cemetery governing rights
- characteristics of effective cemetery rules and regulations
- how to communicate your rules and regulations
- how existing documents and laws affect your rules and regulations
CLASSIFIED ADS
So, you think you're an innovator?
If you're not an innovator, this won't mean much to you. aegis is a revolutionary new system for funeral directors and cemetery counselors to design, personalize and customize life like monuments and markers in 3D with true granite colors in a matter of seconds. The system renders the memorial, prices the memorial and generates completed customer records, customer agreements and manufacturer order forms.
- Eliminates approval drawings
- Eliminates manual preparation of paperwork
- Eliminates delays
- Eliminates price books
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.
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.
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.