HB2188: RELATING TO FUNERAL INTERNS (HB 2188 No longer applies to our interests)

The AFCCA Board of Directors is remaining neutral on HB 2188, funeral intern bill which will allow for Mortuary Science graduates to complete their Funeral Director and/or Embalmer Internship within one year. Here is a link to the draft legislation: https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/54leg/1R/bills/HB2188P.pdf In order to sign on to the bill: www.azleg.gov Search for bill “HB2188” Click Sign On at top of the page Sign in to your Account or Create an Account click on “request to speak” …

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Unclaimed Veteran Remains Casket / Urn Reimbursement Program

www.cem.va.gov The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will reimburse for the purchase of a casket or urn used to inter a deceased, Unclaimed Veteran in a VA national cemetery or a VA-funded State or Tribal Veterans’ cemetery if the Veteran died with no identifiable next of kin and insufficient resources to pay for a casket or urn. WHO – Any individual or entity that pays for a casket or urn used to inter an …

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Funeral Escort Company Selection Best Practices

In order to protect your funeral home and your customers during a funeral procession, here are some things to ask when selecting a Funeral Escort Company. What type of training and/or certification are escort drivers required to have before escorting a Funeral Procession? Are the vehicles used company owned? Escort Company owned vehicles are more likely to be covered by the appropriate insurance What type of insurance does the Escort Company carry for the vehicles …

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Return of the Fallen (Part 3 of 3)

Written by Steve Palmer, AFCCA Board Treasurer, Westcott Funeral Homes for Nomis Publications monthly blog. The dignified transfers are one step in a fallen service member’s long journey home. –Nate Rawling, Time Magazine The family has received the heartbreaking news that their family member has died in active service. If their fallen hero will be transferred to Dover, the family is invited to witness the dignified transfer. The transfer is not a ceremony but a …

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Seeing Through the Haze of Marijuana in the Workplace: 5 Issues that are ‘High’ on the List of Things to Know

This article was written by Poul Lemasters,NCBVA Legal Counsel to make sure you know your options and the risks of doing nothing. The times they are a changing!  What was once banned, illegal, and thought by some as immoral is now legal and becoming one of the largest businesses in the US.  Yes, marijuana is now the in thing.  The problem is that despite the legal status changing in many states, many businesses still have drug-free workplaces.  …

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Return of the Fallen (Part 2 of 3)

Observations By Steve Palmer – Written for Nomis Publications November 2018 I was recently honored to join The Dodge Company’s delegation of its “Wreaths Across America” participants for an operational orientation at Dover Air Force Base. This month we continue the journey of the fallen heroes who arrive and are cared for as they are prepared to return to their hometowns for services and burial “Let the living give thanks to our honored dead who …

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2018 AFCA Fall Mixer – Fiesta Edition Recap

A very sincere thank you to the nearly 200 people that came out on Saturday, November 10th for the annual AFCCA Fall Mixer at Old Town Tortilla Factory. We hope that all that joined us had a wonderful time and met new friends, enjoyed delicious food and maybe a margarita! ? Twenty of the 2018-19 CGCC Mortuary Science Program Students attended and networked…if you haven’t had the chance to go and meet this year’s fabulous …

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2018 Arizona Midterm Election Overview

2018 Arizona ELECTION OVERVIEW Governor – Doug Ducey (R) Ducey 56%   Garcia 41.8% Term Expires: 2022 Attorney General – Marc Brnovich (R) Brnovich 51.8%  Contreras 48.2% Term Expires:2022 State Treasurer –  Kimberly Yee (R) Yee 54.3%  Manoil 45.7% Term expires 2026 Mine Inspector –  Joe Hart (R) Hart 51.8%  Pierce 48.2% Term expires 2022 Secretary of State  – Katie Hobbs (D)  Gaynor 49.6%  Hobbs 50.4% Term expires 2022 Superintendent of Public Instruction – Kathy Hoffman (D) Riggs …

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Return of the Fallen (Part 1 of 3)

Observations By Steve Palmer – Written for Nomis Publications October 2018 “These men and women have paid the ultimate sacrifice. I take pride and honor in being able to give them respect and to help the families in any way I can.” –Hospital Corpsman Chief Bill Montague, licensed funeral director/embalmer The aircraft comes to a halt on the tarmac at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, customs officials board, inspect and clear the aircraft. An …

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Problems in the Palmetto State

Written by AFCCA Board Treasurer, Steve Palmer, for Nomis Publications September 2018 Issue “In law a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics he is guilty if he only thinks of doing so.” –Immanuel Kant It took a disgruntled employee from First Funeral Home in South Carolina for Fred Parker, Jr to learn that his wife had not been cremated three years after her death in March 2015, and was …

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