How Cemeteries Can Move from Record-Keeping to Operational Innovation

Sponsored Article from AFCCA Supplier Member OpusXenta Just as the traditions and rituals of death care have evolved over time, so have our ways of keeping cemetery records: from handwritten notes and maps, to Excel spreadsheets, through to comprehensive cemetery management software. These newest options have brought with them new opportunities, and notably – the chance to move far beyond simple record-keeping. With new technologies, funeral directors and cemeteries can now move from simply ‘running’ …

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Comfort Dogs Making a Difference!

Funeral Innovations recently interviewed AFCCA Member, Trish Hansen Kerr from Hansen Mortuary, about how comfort dogs are making a difference at their firm. Each week Funeral Innovations releases a new video as part of our interview series called Trends, Tips, and Technology where we chat with industry leaders on insights for excellence in service. 

Technology Resources for PreNeed Sales

Resources Provided by Dave Petermeier, Coldspring (DPetermeier@coldspringusa.com) Here are some resources that may be helpful to you when creating online meetings and ramping up your virtual pre-need sales. Continue Meeting your family needs with technology Meeting with families and assisting them to memorialize a loved one is an important aspect of their journey.  In these times of great change, this is more challenging now than ever before.  By utilizing free web-based tools, you can still …

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Messenger Becomes Distributor for Multi Surface Sanitizer and PPE

AUBURN, IN – Messenger, a leading provider in stationery, funeral service and personalization solutions, continues to put focus on sourcing personal protective equipment and supplies to help funeral professionals, the families they serve and funeral guests stay safe during today’s pandemic. Messenger is now a distributor for fine mist spraying devices and hypochlorous (HOCl) solution. Hypochlorous is an N-listed ingredient effective against Sars-Cov-2 and in sanitizing hard surfaces. The solution contains no harsh chemicals, will …

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NFDA 2020 Cremation and Burial Report Reveals Embrace Of Technology In Fifth Consecutive Year Of Growth For Cremation

The Future of Funerals: COVID-19 Restrictions Force Funeral Directors to Adapt, Propelling the Profession Forward Contact:  Consumer Media: Kate Glending (Agency H5 for NFDA), 312-374-8584, kglending@agencyh5.com Funeral Service Trade Media: Jessica Koth (NFDA), 262-814-1536, jkoth@nfda.org Brookfield, Wis. (July 7, 2020) – More than half of funeral directors have experienced increased cremation rates due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the 2020 Cremation and Burial Report, released by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA). The pandemic …

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NFDA Cancels In-person International Convention & Expo and Will Unite the Profession During Its First-ever Virtual Convention

Brookfield, Wis. – Out of concern for the well-being of funeral professionals, exhibitors and association staff, the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) has canceled its in-person 2020 International Convention & Expo, scheduled for October 18 through 21 in New Orleans. NFDA will instead hold its first-ever virtual convention the week of October 18. “With the recent spikes in COVID-19 cases in many states, canceling our in-person event was necessary to assure the health and safety …

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FTC Releases Funeral Home Compliance Results

Federal Trade Commission investigators, working undercover in five states, found failures to disclose timely itemized pricing information, as required by the Funeral Rule, in 17 of the 90 funeral homes they have visited since 2018. The non-compliance rate 18.9% for 2018-2019 is below the average of 23.2% from 2017-18. Shops took place in Marietta and Gainesville, GA; Lafayette, LA; Las Vegas, NV; northern and central New Jersey; and Beaumont, TX. The FTC’s announcement also includes …

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The Funeral Profession and a Time of Need

As a funeral professionals, we are subject to comments, some true and some false. This current pandemic has brought some interesting comments. A Common Misconception of the Funeral Industry “You are lucky, your business must be booming during all of this.” A common misconception of the Funeral Industry – that we profit off of pandemics and mass fatality. This is due to a lack of understanding, and perhaps lack of proper communication on our industry’s …

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Covid-19 Updates Archive

July 31, 2020 Family Service Counselors have been seeing a rise in Preneed requests. Here are some resources that may help you when meeting with families virtually. Technology Resources for PreNeed Sales July 23, 2020 Updates Continuation of Executive Order 2020-43 Slowing the Spread of COVID-19 Major points from today’s press conference with Governor Ducey.  The Governor also announced the extension of an Executive Order pausing operations on gyms, bars, nightclubs, movie theaters, water parks, and tubing. …

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Funeral Service Foundation’s Suite of Scholarships

Funeral Service Foundation has put together a poster documenting scholarships for all stages of your career! Take advantage of these scholarships while in school or to attend NFDA events through out the year. AFCCA’s mission statement supports continuing education of its members, please pass along to your staff and colleagues! Download: Funeral Service Foundation Scholarship Opportunities and Information Or visit FuneralServiceFoundation.org/Scholarships for more information.