FTC Annual Undercover Report

Undercover Inspections of Funeral Homes in Six States Prompt Compliance with Funeral Rule Disclosure Requirements FTC’s Funeral Rule Requires Funeral Homes to Provide Price Lists to Consumers Investigators working undercover in six states found failures to disclose pricing information to consumers, as required by the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule, in 27 of the 100 funeral homes they visited during 2014. All but two of the 27 homes have agreed to enter the Funeral Rule …

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Congratulations to 3 MCC Mortuary Science Student SCI Scholarship Recipients

SCI held their annual scholarship competition last week, April 15th -17th; three of our very own MCC Mortuary Science School students were chosen to attend. Jill Caldwell, Sara Becker and Carol Harings flew out to stay at the Woodland’s Resort, with 27 other students from around the country to compete for fifteen $3,000 scholarships and fifteen $500 scholarships. 250 Mortuary Sciences students from around the country filled out applications beginning in September of 2014 to be considered for …

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NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Award

In 2015, NFDA will, for the 35th time, honor member firms with the Pursuit of Excellence Award. Make this the year your firm is recognized for its commitment to providing exceptional service to grieving families and the community, while adhering to the highest ethical and professional standards. Pursuit of Excellence is the premiere recognition program for funeral homes, setting standards of excellence that motivate staff, inspire innovation and sustain consumer confidence in the funeral profession. …

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AFCCA Request for Proposal Photography

Description of Needs The AFCCA (Arizona Funeral Cemetery and Cremation Association) seeks service throughout our Annual Convention,  Tuesday, June 2, through Thursday, June 4, 2015, at the Carefree Resort and Conference Center, in Carefree, AZ, to capture: Candid shots of each session and event Photographs of speakers and entertainment Group shots at the offsite Golf Tournament BONUS: The ability to record each speaker session (Total of 6 speakers, 9 hours of video) Photographer is to provide digital copies of …

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VA Announces Final Rule on Reimbursement of Casket and Urn Costs for Indigent Veterans Being Interred in a VA Cemetery

Sourced from NFDA, T. Scott Gilligan, NFDA General Counsel | Posted: April 17, 2015 On April 13, 2015, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published the Final Rule on reimbursement of caskets and urns used for the interment or inurnment of the remains of indigent veterans in VA cemeteries. To qualify for reimbursement, the following criteria must be met: Reimbursement is only available for veterans who die on or after January 10, 2014, and whose …

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2015 AFCCA Convention Speakers

Douglas R. Gober Upping Your Game: What to Do When the Competition Levels the Playing Speaking Wednesday, June 3 at 9:00 AM    [su_spoiler title=”Topic Description” style=”fancy” icon=”arrow-circle-1″] You worked your tail off to create a marketable difference for your business and blazed a trail in your market. Now everyone in town is doing tribute videos, personalizing memorial folders and taking condolences from their websites. What’s next? How can we take control of this crucial …

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NFDA Policy Board Report from the Hill

By: Steve Palmer, NFDA Policy Board Rep for Arizona Rep. Mike Pompeo of Kansas spoke. Straight forward, truthful communication is the key to success in business and politics. It is easy to lead when all is going well. The true test is going to where there is a problem. Most of you succeed despite what the government does to you not health. The federal government cannot deliver healthcare effectively, it is too big and too …

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2015 William Aaron Scholarship Recipient

The AFCCA is dedicated to promoting the further development of professional, ethical, responsive death care providers that are a credit to the industry. This is why the  William Aaron Scholarship Program was created for current Mortuary Science students at Mesa Community College. Each year, AFCCA offers a scholarship to a 2nd year student, with a B or better grade point average. The scholarship is valued at $1,000. Applicants that meet the criteria are asked to submit …

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2015 Maintenance Seminar Recap

Thank you to all who attended our 2015 Maintenance Seminar, held at Resthaven Park Mortuary and Cemetery! We had a great line up of speakers this year that covered everything from turf, to water, to safety, and more. Our backhoe rodeo was heavily participated in, and everyone had a great time. A big congratulations to our winners: 1st – Henry Garcia with Diocese of Phoenix Catholic Cemeteries; 2nd – Barry Berkezchuk with Mountain View Cemetery; 3rd …

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