Dec. 11, 2009

NFDA 2009 Convention & Expo Sets Records

BROOKFIELD, WIS. - The National Funeral Directors Association's 2009 International Convention & Expo, which was Oct. 25-28 in Boston, drew 6,056 total attendees and 365 exhibiting companies. Moreover, anticipation for next year’s event in New Orleans resulted in the association selling more than 61 percent of the NFDA 2010 Expo floor in three days, according to a news release by NFDA. read more...

PFDA Sponsors Wreaths Across America Ceremony

HARRISBURG, PA. - On Dec.7, the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association joined other states and the District of Columbia in honoring veterans with a remembrance wreath laying ceremony at the Pennsylvania State Capitol, according to a news release. read more...

Funeral Advertising Specialist Launches Agency

NORTHRIDGE, CALIF. - Los Angeles advertising creative director Dan Katz started his first ad agency during the recession of the early 90s and built it into one of the top independents in Los Angeles. Eventually known as Potter, Katz, Postal & Ferguson, the company became well known in the funeral industry for its unique “Dare to be Different” approach to creative funeral advertising. read more...

Eternal Branding's Signature Services Provides Free Technology

GREENWOOD, S.C. - Eternal Branding, a division of Premium Promotions & Imports, announced the debut of the newest feature in its Signature Services series for funeral homes: “Eternal Photo Memories,” an online service, according to a news release. read more...

Funeral Director's License Taken Away for Misconduct

ELKHORN, WIS. - Funeral director David J. Betts has been ordered to surrender his license after an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing revealed that while working for the Skindingsrude Funeral Home from November 2007 to December 2008 he filled out death certificates erroneously, applied makeup to bodies improperly and wrote inaccuracies in obituaries, according to a report by The Janesville Gazette. read more...

AMERICAN FUNERAL CONSULTANTS

16th Annual Funeral Service Winter Educational & Ski Seminar
Snowmass, Colo.
January 17-21, 2010

The Changing Face of Funeral Service:  Circa 2010

If you love skiing as much as you love funeral service, this seminar is for you!
Join us for a fun-filled educational week…
Call or e-mail for more details

1-800-832-6232 OR afc@teamafc.com

The Funeral Director’s Economic Recovery Guide

Weathering an economic downturn while positioning yourself to make the most out the recovery is a tough line to walk. But this book, with commentary from experts such as Tom Johnson with Johnson Consulting Group; Mayra Ruiz-McPherson of Ruiz-McPherson Communications; Alan Creedy of Trust 100 and others, outlines step-by-step actions you can take to ensure you survive the bad times and beat your competitors as the economy turns around. The book – a comprehensive manual on how to maximize profits when the recovery comes – includes our popular 2009 Salary and Casket surveys, filled with tips on how to keep labor costs down while holding on to top talent and how to score better deals with suppliers. Sponsored exclusively by Homesteaders Life Company, this guide is a must-have that you’ll keep on your bookshelf for years to come. To learn more about the Recovery Guide, click here...

Get Your Copy of the 2010 American Blue Book of Funeral Service!

New features for 2010: • U.S. Cemeteries • Hospice Care Facilities • Updated information with a more convenient easy-to-use layout And as always, the new Blue Book will include: • Listings for funeral service associations, crematories and mortuary science colleges, as well as international shipping regulations, and death certificates • Our buyer’s guide, which will give you access to all the inventory and services you need • PLUS a comprehensive listing of funeral homes in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and abroad. Call 800-500-4585 to order today!

You Just Missed the Fourth Annual Funeral Service Business Plan Conference!

Attendees received top-notch guidance from some of the top minds in funeral service. We are already working on next years program, and we will announce details on our homepage soon. Next years event will feature entirely new content!

Click here to learn more.

Online Buyer's Guide

Kates-Boylston's Buyer's Guide is a listing of some of the leading companies in the funeral industry, with information to help you with the needs of your business.

To access the Buyer's Guide, click here...

Join Kates-Boylston on Facebook!

Connect with other funeral professionals and view the latest articles and videos from the industry. A great and easy way to stay connected to the industry and your peers!

To sign up, please click here.

Editorial Submissions

Do you have an article or idea that you would like to submit to American Funeral Director or American Cemetery? Please e-mail your article in Word document format to: editorial@katesboylston.com

Articles are typically 1,500 to 2,500 words in length. Articles must not be overly self-promotional or libelous. Please note in your submission if you have accompanying images for the article. Images must be high resolution in order to be considered for publication.

Click here to view our editorial contractor agreement.