New Legislation for Endowed-Care Cemeteries – Unitrust

Introduced in the 2017 Legislative Session was HB2203, which allows for Cemeteries in Arizona to utilize a Unitrust to maintain their property. Bill Text Main Points The goal is to provide enough revenue to provide for the perpetual maintenance of cemetery properties, current limitations make that increasingly difficult in a persistently low interest rate/bond yield market. There are many necessary safeguards in place to ensure prudent expenditures. The use of a Unitrust is not mandatory. …

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AZ Dept. of Health Services – State Bureau of Vital Records D.A.V.E System

As most you are aware the State Bureau of Vital Records has acquired a new application of vital events. The anticipation is that this will make Arizona a 100% electronic state.  Something that is changing is that with D.A.V.E. medical certifies will be added in this electronic system in addition to Funeral homes and others who already have access to VSIMS.   So these medical certifiers will be given an I.D. and password.   All physicians will …

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A Heritage of Deceit

Crossing Fingers - Heritage Cremation Provider

By Steven Palmer, written for Nomis Publications August 2017 Edition “When one with honeyed words but evil mind persuades the mob, great woes befall the state.”  –  Euripides, Orestes Massachusetts citizens’ complaints of a Colorado based cremation provider helped put the final nails in their respective cremation containers. On June 6, 2017, the Colorado Office of Funeral Home and Crematory Registration suspended the registration of Heritage Cremation Provider, LLC for failing to notify customers that it subcontracted its …

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Opioid Epidemic and How the Funeral Profession Can Help

Grief-opioid-epidemic

Opioid Epidemic: State of Emergency A White House commission is urging the president to declare an opioid epidemic state of emergency. “America is enduring a death toll equal to September 11th every three weeks,” the commission’s report notes, saying a state of emergency would “force Congress to focus on funding” ways to combat the growing epidemic. The opioid crisis, which now kills over 100 Americans a day, is also having a devastating effect on business. Companies across the country …

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NFDA Cremation and Burial Report Shows Rate of Cremation at All-time High

Increase in Cremation Impacts the Way Families Honor the Lives of Their Loved Ones Brookfield, Wis. (July 18, 2017) – The rate of cremation in the United States is at an all-time high and surpassed the rate of burial for the second year in a row according to the National Funeral Directors Association’s (NFDA) 2017 Cremation and Burial Report. The annual report found that 50.2 percent of Americans chose cremation in 2016, up from 48.5 …

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2017 Annual Convention Sponsors

Another annual conference has come and gone. We had great attendance from Funeral Homes, Cemeteries and Crematories Statewide. Vendors representing all aspects of the aftercare industry in our expo hall. Delicious food and beautiful accommodations at The Wigwam in Litchfield Park. A successful golf tournament, a like totally awesome 80s Themed Fundraiser for the AFCCA Foundation for Children, and ended it with a classy banquet dinner at sunset. Through all of it, we cannot express …

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2017 Honorees – Presidential Award, Lifetime Achievement and Of the Year Awards

It takes great individuals and organizations to continue moving the profession of aftercare to the next level. Each year, it is an honor to award those who strive to provide the highest quality of service, promote education and lead with ethical standards. Congratulations to the following individuals; your state association applauds your dedication and leadership in the industry. Presidential Award Each year the AFCCA Elected President selects an individual who has high ethical and professional …

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NFDA Consumer Survey: Funeral Planning Not a Priority for Americans

Contact: Funeral Service Trade Media: Jessica Koth, 262-814-1536, jkoth@nfda.org All other Media: Henson Consulting (for NFDA), Lucy Emery, 312-374-8569, lemery@hensonconsulting.com  The National Funeral Directors Association’s 2017 Consumer Awareness and Preferences Study Reveals Inconsistency in Funeral Planning Practices Brookfield, Wis. – June 22, 2017 – For the fifth consecutive year, the National Funeral Directors Association’s (NFDA) annual Consumer Awareness and Preferences Study indicates that consumers acknowledge the importance of preplanning their own funeral, but fail to do …

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