July 11, 2008

Webinar to Focus on "Green" Funeral Service Strategies and Practices

The Green Funeral Service Desk Reference Mark your calendar: Kates-Boylston Publications is proud to announce its first ever Green Funeral Service Strategies and Practices webinar, which will be held Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. The webinar celebrates the launch of The Green Funeral Service Desk Reference, a new book that serves as a comprehensive guide for funeral service professionals interested in green burial. >> click here to learn more

Missouri Regulators Reject Additional Legal Action in NPS Case

Missouri regulators recently rejected Attorney General Jay Nixon's request to take additional legal action against National Prearranged Services and its sister companies, the Kansas City Star reported.

Linda Bohrer, acting director of the state Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions & Professional Registration, informed Nixon and his office in a letter that legal action could actually make things worse. "Legal action … could worsen the impact on consumers," she wrote in the letter. read more...

Wisconsin Funeral Home Owner Defrauds Government of Funds

LA CROSS, WIS. - The owner of Dickinson Family Funeral Homes pleaded guilty July 3 to fraud after authorities discovered that he collected $55,000 in state funds for funerals, even though he also charged the families involved, the La Cross Tribune reported.

Darrell Dickinson, 59, pleaded guilty to two felony charges of public assistance fraud. He will be sentenced Aug. 22 in La Cross County Circuit Court and faces up to three years in prison and a $20,000 fine. read more...

Alderwoods Funeral Employees Approve Contract

CHICAGO - Alderwoods funeral employees voted 16-4 to accept a last-minute contract offer from the company on June 1, averting a strike, The International Brotherhood of Teamsters announced in a news release.

Service Corporation International, Alderwoods parent company, sweetened its offer considerably from its initial proposal of a 30 percent wage cut. The final offer included a doubling of the company's contribution to employees' 401(k) plans, from 2 percent to 4 percent. read more...

Carriage Services Names Billy D. Dixon as CFO

HOUSTON - Carriage Services, Inc. announced in a July 8 news release that Billy D. Dixon, age 37, has joined the company as senior vice president and chief financial officer. read more...

Hillenbrand CEO to Serve on Manufacturers Alliance Board

BATESVILLE, IND. - Kenneth A. Camp, president and chief executive officer of Hillenbrand, Inc., has been elected to the board of trustees for the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI, Hillenbrand announced in a news release. A nonprofit organization established in 1933, MAPI is engaged in economic and policy research, continuing professional education and advocacy for manufacturing interests.

“MAPI is an important voice in the manufacturing industry, helping to shape the business environment for companies across the globe,” said Camp. “It’s an honor to be part of a community of business leaders who take an active role in addressing manufacturing’s major economic and policy issues.” read more...

Register Now to Attend Our Strategic Business Conference!

Come with ideas and leave with a plan. That's the ultimate principle behind
our third annual Funeral Service Business Plan conference, featuring some of
the brightest minds in funeral service.

The conference will take place in beautiful Charleston, S.C., from Nov.
20-21 at the renowned Renaissance Charleston Hotel, located in the city's
oldest quarter. Learn more by clicking here...