In January's Issue

• Preneed
  Why Preneed Matters – Preneed should matter to us because it matters to consumers. Promoting and supporting preneed is essential to the sustaining success of a funeral home because it provides the opportunity to provide a positive brand experience more frequently.
  By Dean Lambert


• Preneed
  It’s Our Family – It is very common to hear the phrase, “my family” when funeral directors are talking to others in the firm – be it staff or preneed funeral advisers. This phrase might seem curious, but after all the years working with funeral professionals, it is understandable vocabulary.
  By Mark J. Guzniczak


• Cover Story
  Genesis Makes its Mark – Funeral service professionals who’ve been wondering just what Genesis Casket Co. has up its sleeve finally have a firsthand look at the company’s products.
  By Thomas A. Parmalee


• Education
  Recruiting the Perfect Employee – Because most funeral service practitioners have been in and around funeral home operations for many decades, if not their entire lives, they often underestimate the difficulty of the work they perform.
  By Glenn Gould


• Business
  Missed Opportunity – Poor oversight and failure to monitor how funeral home calls are handled could cost a firm thousands of dollars in revenue opportunities each month.
  By Jessica Fowler


• AFD Profile
  Answering the Call – Many little boys only think they know what they want to be when they grow up. Gregory T. Burrell knew from the time he was 11 years old that funeral service would be his calling.
  By Patti Martin Bartsche


• Funerals of the Famous
  Power of Love – Luther Vandross had a voice like liquid velvet, and his signature sound defined an era of romance. And while he was gone too soon, his message of love lives on.
  By Patti Martin Bartsche


• Thought Leader
  The Value of Embalming: A Case Study – Some of the basic management techniques that are recommended to embalmers are explained using an actual case that was performed.
  By Vernie Fountain


• Product Spotlight
  Cremation Keepsakes – Three new cremation keepsake products coming to market allow families to have a lasting, treasured memory that pays tribute to a life well lived.
  By Patti Martin Bartsche