Save the Date – AFCCA Annual Convention

There are a lot of lessons to be learned within our industry, and the AFCCA Annual Convention is  a great opportunity to learn from some of the thought leaders in after care that can provide insights on how they deal with day-to-day connections and communications with the families they serve. Make sure to mark your calendars now for the 2016 AFCCA Convention & Expo, to be held June 14 – 16 at the Wildhorse Pass Resort and Casino …

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Bob Arrington Installed as President of the National Funeral Directors Association

Brookfield, Wis. – Bob Arrington, CCO, of Arrington Funeral Directors in Jackson, Tennessee, was installed today as president of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA). The installation took place during the House of Delegates Meeting during the 2015 NFDA International Convention & Expo, October 18-21 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Three individuals were elected by the NFDA House of Delegates and installed as officers: President-elect W. Ashley Cozine, CFSP, CPC, CCO, of Broadway Mortuary in Wichita, Kansas; …

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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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