NFDA Releases Results of 2015 Member General Price List Survey

Brookfield, Wis. – The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) released the results of its latest Member General Price List Study today, which includes the median cost of a funeral with burial. For the first time, the report includes a calculation of the median cost of a funeral with cremation. Median Cost of a Funeral With Burial Since the 1960s, NFDA has calculated the median cost of a funeral with burial by totaling the costs of …

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USVA Reimbursement Benefits for Unclaimed Veteran’s Remains

Here are some of the latest U.S.V.A. reimbursement benefits for unclaimed veteran’s remains. MONETARY BENEFITS OR REIMBURSEMENT Help a family apply for a burial allowance or plot allowance Unclaimed Remains Burial Resources Unclaimed Veteran Remains – Casket or Urn Reimbursement Program Retroactive Unclaimed Veteran Remains – Casket or Urn Reimbursement Program For any questions, please contact: Joe Larson Cemetery Administrator Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services Southern Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery 1300 S. Buffalo Soldier Trail …

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One Voice – Have the Talk of a Lifetime Ideas

Happy start to September! Have the Talk of a Lifetime national media launch gets closer by the day – 2016, are you ready? The One Voice Newsletter may give you a few ideas on how to add the program to your business or communication plan, take a look. Share these ideas and Have the Talk of a Lifetime information with your colleagues and staff. Spread the word, it will take all of our involvement to help make the …

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Southern Arizona Veteran’s Cemetery: New Committal Service Staging Area Procedure

The Arizona Department of Veteran’s Services are implementing a new staging procedure effective immediately.  Below is  a map indicating the route and staging area. From the staging site the cemetery staff will meet the NOK or funeral director and escort them to the Chapel, Committal Shelter, and or Columbaria. This will help reduce confusion and prevent interruptions to any services that are actively taking place.  The Committal Service Staging area is the only access to the Public …

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Glendale, AZ is Hosting the Next Funeral Service Business Plan And the Cremation Strategies conferences

  Funeral professionals throughout the country are already making plans to head to the Tenth Annual Funeral Service Business Plan Conference, Nov. 19-20, 2015, in Glendale, Arizona – and while many will be looking forward to escaping colder climates – that’s far back on the list of reasons to attend. Attendees will learn from some of the top experts in the funeral profession. Topics include: Hiring, retaining and developing top talent. Appealing to consumers with …

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What the National Board Scandal Says About Funeral Service Education – From NJSFDA

This is a three-part series by Wilson H. Beebe Jr., executive director of the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association, in which he explores the alleged cheating scandal that has compromised the funeral industry’s National Board Exam, the players, the fallout and what it means for funeral service education. The litigation was settled without any acknowledgement of wrongdoing by the defendants AAMI and its president Margaret “Meg” Dunn. The following content is accessible for members …

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Matthew’s International Press Release

[su_spoiler title=”August 17 Update: Matthew’s International Announces FTC Approval to Acquire Aurora Casket Company” style=”fancy” icon=”arrow-circle-1″]Release Date: August 17, 2015 MATTHEW’S INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES RECEIPT OF FTC APPROVAL TO ACQUIRE AURORA CASKET COMPANY TRANSACTION EXPECTED TO CLOSE ON AUGUST 19, 2015. ACQUISITION EXPECTED TO BENEFIT FUNERAL HOME CUSTOMERS BY COMBINING THE CAPABILITIES AND OFFERINGS OF MATTHEW’S AND AURORA. TRANSACTION PURCHASE PRICE IS $214 MILLION. PITTSBURGH, PA, August 17, 2015 – Matthews International Corporation (NASDAQ GSM: MATW) …

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2015 NFDA Cremation and Burial Report Released

Rate of Cremation Continues to Increase; Cremation Projected to Surpass Burial in 2015 For Immediate Release: July 20, 2015 Contact: Jessica Koth, 262-814-1536, jkoth@nfda.org Brookfield, Wis. – The national rate of cremation is projected to surpass that of burial in 2015 according to a report released today by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA). The 2015 NFDA Cremation and Burial Report: Research, Statistics and Projections features statistics and in-depth analysis of consumer attitudes toward cremation. …

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Knowledge Refresh: When Can a Funeral Home Order a SSA/VA Copy of a Death Certificate?

Be sure to share this valuable information with your staff regarding the issuance of SSA/VA certified copies. Issuance of SSA/VA certified copies The federal government in association with the Veteran’s Affairs Office and the Social Security Administration assist eligible family members filing claims (VA or SSA) for survivor benefits and burial benefits. Eligible parties may request a certified copy with a stamp, “For Government Use Only” for use with filing these unique government claims. These …

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