December 12, 2008

ICCFA Names Burn 'Cremation Czar'

STERLING, VA. - The International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association has named Julie A. Burn director of cremation services to lead the association's cremation-related program development, effective Dec. 31. read more...

Accountants Rank Below Funeral Directors in Ethics

PRINCETON, N.J. - The Gallup Poll's annual ranking showed that funeral directors are viewing in a positive light, with 28 percent viewing funeral directors as "high" for honest and ethical, and 48 percent of participants seeing funeral directors' ethics as "average." Only 5 percent of participants saw the ethics of funeral director as being "very low." read more...

Former Funeral Director Gets Community Service

VALPARAISO, IND. - Instead of jail time, a former Portage funeral home operator plead guilty to illegally taking thousands of dollars from a nursing home resident who gave him power of attorney, according to a report by The Times. read more...

Forethought Announces Enhancements to ForeLifeSM Product

Forethought Financial Group, Inc. recently unveiled new enhancements to its ForeLifeSM final expense product that will appeal to consumers and agents alike. The new enhanced ForeLife will offer expanded underwriting from two to four tiers and includes up to three supplemental benefits that bring unprecedented value to its customers, the company announced in a news release. read more...

Man Accused of Stealing Over $400,000 to put to Funeral Home

BROOKLYN, N.Y. - A Bellport man is accused of stealing $432,000 from the life savings of his cousin, a terminally ill priest, according to a report by Newsday.com. read more...

FSX Wants YOUR Opinion!

From television shows and movies to books and music, funeral service is everywhere in pop culture. FSX wants to know what you think is the best funeral director or funeral industry pop culture reference.

Please send your answers to tkenevich@katesboylston.com. The submissions will be printed in a future issue of American Funeral Director!

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JUST PUBLISHED: 2009 American Blue Book of Funeral Service!

The only directory that offers you: • The Kates-Boylston 2008 Salary Survey. • The Kates-Boylston 2008 Casket Survey. • “Shipment of a Deceased Person”––The comprehensive chapter from Mike Kubasak’s “Traversing the Minefield.” • Information on how to prepare a body for shipping. • Tips on how to end your receivables nightmare. • Airlines addresses, shipment service and airport codes. • A listing of national and state funeral director associations and boards. • PLUS a comprehensive listing of funeral homes in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and abroad. Online Special: Only $99! Order today and receive our supplemental 80-page handbook “Honoring Veterans: A Guide to Military Service” absolutely FREE! Call 800-500-4585 or visit www.katesboylston.com/bb Learn more...

Plan Ahead for the 2010 Blue Book!

Here are just some of the improvements we are making next year: • A detailed survey of industry salary trends conducted in-house by the same Funeral Service Insider experts who provide you with reliable and dependable weekly news and business-building tips. • Hear what your peers are saying about the casket market in our comprehensive casket survey. • How new government leadership is affecting OSHA compliance. • Tax tips and expert advice on dealing with insurance agencies and eliminating receivables that will help you increase your profit margins. And we’re not leaving out Blue Book’s core purpose: shipping regulations. We will feature: • Updated information on international shipping; with a more convenient, easy-to-use layout. • The latest government regulations on securely shipping a body. • Our glossy Buyer’s Guide will make sure you have access to all the inventory and services you need to serve the families in your trust. Discounts through Dec. 31! Call 732-730-2581 or e-mail ydefilippo@katesboylston.com to learn more about what you can save.