From MCDPH: Medical Certification and Permit Issuance Procedures

As we approach our industry’s busiest time of year, the Maricopa County Office of Vital Registration (MCOVR) would like to share with all funeral home partners some suggestions and reminders regarding the remote attestation of medical certification and disposition-transit permit process. There have been a few barriers identified and there are a few recommendations to improve this process for all involved. Our mutal priority is to serve the community during times of grief and sorrow, …

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Fall Festival 2013 Sponsors

Thank you to our Sponsors Batesville Casket – Silver Sponsor SmartCard Services – Silver Sponsor Johnson Consulting Group LLC – Silver Sponsor Law Offices of John K. Mangum – Silver Sponsor Mickelson & Ray – Silver Sponsor Handley Precast Systems – Gold Sponsor Foundation Partners – Gold Sponsor Diocese of Phoenix Catholic Cemeteries and Mortuaries – Gold Sponsor SCI / Dignity Memorial – Gold/Drink Sponsor

ICCFA Music License for AFCCA Members

We are pleased to inform you that your membership in the Arizona Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Association now entitles your company to music licensing with ASCAP, BMI and SESAC for only $258 for the 2014 calendar year. If you have not already purchased or renewed your ICCFA Music License for 2012, simply complete the 2014 Music License Application and return it to ICCFA with payment, and your music license requirement for 2014 will be covered. …

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“Honoring Heroes” – Hampton Funeral Home Featured in ICCFA Magazine

“This is the story about how a small-town funeral home, with lots of help from friends, took care of the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots who died June 30 fighting a wildfire in Arizona.” In June 2013, tragedy hit the hearts of the Prescott community when 19 firefighters died fighting a blaze in Yarnell, AZ. Hampton Funeral Home, with the help of funeral homes statewide, and other funeral industry professionals, these heroes were given the final respects that …

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Doctor Refusal Process – MCDPH Notice

On August 2, 2013, Arizona Revised Statute 36-325 went into effect. This clarified and established which health care provider can certify a death certificate within Arizona and their responsibilities and requirements regarding the process. This legislative change has had a positive impact on both the quality of reporting and timeliness of the death registration process. The Maricopa County Department of Public Health is asking for their Funeral Home Partners assistance. MCDPH is still experiencing resistance …

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Updates from the Arizona Office of Vital Records

Source: Arizona Office of Vital Records After consulting with our Attorney General liaison, it was determined that Funeral Homes do have the ability to request and receive on behalf of immediate family members, 1 free copy of a certified death certificate for Social Security claims and 1 free copy of a certified death certificate for Veteran Affair use. These Social Security and Veteran Affair certificates are to be released to the family without restriction (i.e., …

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Shipping Cremated Remains Via U.S. Mail

Source: NFDA Website Beginning August 26, the United States Postal Service (USPS) will begin placing a special sticker on any cremated remains being mailed domestically or internationally. According to the USPS, the label will not be required but it is highly recommended to increase visibility during USPS processing and transportation. Currently cremated remains are not identifiable in the mail stream. Today, if a package containing cremated remains cannot be located while in the Postal Service’s …

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TOUGH TALKING: INITIATING & MANAGING TOUGH CONVERSATIONS

Some people will only have difficult conversations when it is safe and they genuinely feel you care. When people don’t think the conversation is safe they either remain quiet or they turn verbally violent. (“Quiet or riot”). Silence is masking to agree or being sarcastic), avoiding (steering conversation away from subject) or withdrawing. Violence is trying to control the conversation, labeling (name calling) or attacking (belittling or threatening). We tend to be more forceful with …

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RACE FOR RELEVANCE – NFDA Leadership Conference

By: Mary Byers In 1960 20% women worked outside the home, now 71%. When a member would not renew, they claimed they did not have the money for dues, now the most common reason is “I didn’t have time to take advantage of your programs”. Associations have problems getting active members and officers. Time can hurt associations more than money. We have always expected our members to come to us. How can we bring the …

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NFDA Policy Board Report – July 2013

POLICY BOARD- JULY, 2013 By Steve Palmer, Westcott Funeral Homes  ELECTION I was not successful in my bid for at-large representative. Scott Anthony from New York, who was the first to announce his candidacy and worked hard to prepare for the job (and a natural leader) and Chuck Bowman, who is John Horan (of Horan & McConaty)’s manager and has served six years on the policy board were elected. Chuck Bowman entered the race late, …

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