the independent summer 2012

Summer 2012 l www.ogr.org

Mike Lewis with wife, Kathieorder of the golden rule

President 2012-2013

technology & social MedianeW director has Vision

inside

3

8 What To Do With All This Stuff? By Evan Strong

Social media: It’s not if you’re using it, but how

you’re using it

10 2012 NFDA Advocacy Summit By Michael Lewis

D.C. plays host to associates from across the nation

12 Vision + Values = OGR By Mark Allen

OGR is good, but we’re going to make it great

20 The Powerful Tool Of Technology By Gregory Darte

Skype® makes communication more personal

ta b l e o f c o n t e n t s

inside ogr

President’s Message ..................5

New OGR Members ....................6

2012 Convention Recap .......... 14

Milestone Anniversaries ......... 22

In Memoriam ................................ 23

Technology Spotlights ............ 24

Exemplary Service .................... 28

neWsWorthy

Pray Funeral Home is Grand

Prize Winner ................................ 29

Funeral Director has High-

Flying Career ...............................30

June 25

Deadline to reserve a cabin on the cruise.

September 8–15

Eastern Caribbean Cruise

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

October 5–6

Fall Forum

Charlotte, N.C.

Calendar of events2012

page 10

page 20 page 8

4

Access Financial Group ................................................ 11, 13 Chris Chigas (800) 487-8220www.afinancial.com

American Cemetery Supplies ......................................... 22 Del Daleman (800) [email protected]

Answering Service for Directors ...................................30 Kevin Czachor (800) [email protected]

Aurora .......................................................................................... 32 Chip Ray (812) 926-5612 x. 457-1111www.auroracasket.com

C & J Financial ........................................................................ 31 Jamie Meredith (800) [email protected]/ogr

Frontrunner Professional .................................................. 27 Kevin Montroy (866) 748-3625www.frontrunner360.com

Federated Funeral Directors of America (A Fiducial company) .........................................................29 John Rodenburg (800) [email protected]

Meadow Hill Corporation .................................................. 23 Adrienne Kalmes (877) [email protected]

Monumental Memories ........................................................ 21 Kevin Miller (800) 982-8823 www.monumentalmemories.net

The Judith Roth Studio Collection .................................2 (800) 413-4455www.jrcal.com

| Summer 2012 | Volume 15 | Issue 3 | www.org.org

The Independent® is a benefit of membership in the International Order of the Golden Rule (OGR), a not-for-profit organization tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code, Federal ID No. 43-1828432. Published quarterly, The Independent® is mailed the first full week of each new quarter. Send address changes to OGR, Attn: Mailing List, 3520 Executive Center Dr., Suite 300, Austin, TX 78731. © 2012 International Order of the Golden Rule. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Non-member subscriptions (USD): One year: $40; two years: $60; single copy: $11.50.

Founded in 1928, OGR is composed of independently owned and operated funeral homes located throughout North America and overseas. Editorial material and letters of opinion are invited. Published articles reflect the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association. OGR reserves the right to edit all submitted materials and does not assume responsibility for unsolicited materials. For author guidelines, contact the editor, (800) 637-8030, or visit www.ogr.org.

Advertising is accepted at the discretion of the publisher. The advertisement of any

product or service in The Independent® does not represent an endorsement of such

product or service by OGR. Classified Advertising: line ads: $1.10 per word; display

classified ads: $30 per col. inch. Call the communications department to reserve space

or to request a rate card and mechanical specifications. OGR does not accept ads that

discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, gender, disability or any

other federally protected class.

Printer Johnson Press of America, Inc., Pontiac, Ill.

Publisher International Order of the Golden Rule 3520 Executive Center Drive, Suite 300 Austin, Texas 78731

(800) 637-8030 Fax: (512) 334-5514

Email: [email protected] Website: www.ogr.org

Board of dIreCtors

President

President-Elect

Secretary-Treasurer

Immediate Past President

Directors

Michael S. Lewis

David Fry

Wayne “Bud” Wieting

Jeffrey S. Wages CFSP

William Brock Jr. CFSP

F. Edward Pearce

Peter “Skip” Urban

Roger Beyers

Executive Director

Communications and

Marketing Director

Editorial

Staff

Mark Allen, CAE

Scott McClure

Debbie J. Smith

Connie Haymes

Maureen Hayes

Pamela Hutchinson

Lisa Krabbenhoft

Gael Murdoch

Josh Nelson

Denise Rodriguez

advertIser’s IndeX

5

Wishing President Michael Lewis and OGR the best year ahead.

What a wonderful conference in Washington, D.C.! It was great to see everyone and share some time of fellowship all while learning new ideas to take home. I want to extend a personal “Thank You” to all of our GSG Suppliers who invested their time and money to come to Washington, D.C. — you helped make our event a huge success.

I really enjoyed this conference and was able to truly appreciate our location this year. The opportunity to lay the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is an experience that I will never forget. It was an

honor and a privilege to share in that experience with Mike Lewis, David Fry, Cathie Tattrie and everyone who took the Sunday trip to Arlington National Cemetery with us.

As I reflect back on the past year, I must first say thank you to everyone in OGR- our valued members, fellow board members, regional coordinators, committee chairs, committee members and last but not least our home office staff for your support and encouragement over the past twelve months. I greatly appreciate each of you for dedicating your time and your leadership skills. The successful year at OGR was a direct result of all of these individuals coming together and taking their time to put in the volunteer hours to benefit our association.

As I “Pass the Gavel” of leadership, please join me in welcoming Mike Lewis as our newly elected President and wish him much success during his tenure. I must say that Mike Lewis will be an excellent President for OGR. Mike’s vision and his eloquent and gracious style will help make our association even stronger. The Board of Directors couldn’t be more aligned with the vision and Strategic Plan for OGR; set in place by the board of directors with the guidance of our consultant Dr. Michael Gallery, PhD, CAE of Opis Consultants. These are exciting times as we move our association forward to greater successes.

Thank you again for everything over the past several years. OGR is on a course for success and I wish all of you the best in the coming years.

Let’s work together to make OGR the best it can be.

Thank you to all who were in attendance at this year’s annual conference. The chance to be reacquainted with everyone is something I look forward to each year. What a humbling experience you have given me as the new president of OGR. I take the confidence you have instilled in me as a great honor.

I want to thank Jeffrey and Susan Wages for not only setting an example of leadership, but for their friendship as well. I have asked that Jeffrey not go far, as I will need his guidance and support.

OGR has been on a great journey set in motion and guided by Guy Linneman. The OGR we have become today was also guided by Koven Brown, Kevin Opsahl and Jeffrey Wages. We are beneficiaries of all the hard work that they, and the presidents who have gone before, have done for this association.

OGR also has a great Board of Directors in place with David Fry, Bud Wieting, Bill Brock, Ed Pearce, Skip Urban, Roger Beyers and Jeffrey Wages. Not to mention, OGR is grateful for Executive Director Mark Allen and the dedicated, hard-working staff at our home office in Austin.

We still have much to do, so let’s ALL get to work to make OGR the best it can be!

Jeffrey S. Wages

Mike Lewis

These are exciting

times as we move our

association forward

to greater successes.

I have asked that Jeffrey not go far...

JEFFREY S. WAGES, CSFP

MIKE LEWIS

President’s Message

6

neW MeMber sPotlight

caldWell & coWan funeral hoMe

Judson Caldwell (770) 786-7062

Covington, Ga.

[email protected]

What do you consider to be the most rewarding part of being a Funeral Home Owner/Director?

Being able to help families at one of the most

difficult times of their lives, and the knowledge

that what you do for them, and the way you do

it, is unique to you. I believe all funeral directors

feel this way, and that’s what helps them

continue to do what they do day after day.

If there was one reason you joined OGR, what would it be?

We joined OGR in order to be a part of a group

of like-minded, independent funeral homes

owners. We look forward to networking with

other funeral homes and learning about what

they are doing to better their businesses. We

hope to find some new and innovative ideas we

can emulate.

What is one way that technology is making a difference for you in this industry?

Well, first of all, we don’t do everything by hand

any more, but technology has made a difference

in a lot of ways. Our Funeral Directors now make

arrangements on MMP; we have a presence on

Facebook; our obituaries are posted online and

a family’s DVD can be viewed online; preneed

arrangements may be made online. Technology is

something my father and uncle never considered

to be useful, but look at us now—and what we’re

doing currently is only a drop in the bucket to

what we hope to be able to do in the future.

What’s a “fun fact” about you?

I’m a SCUBA diver. I haven’t been diving in quite a

while, but it’s something I really enjoy when I have

the time. Underwater is a totally different world,

and I can tell you that when I’m swimming around

down there, I’m the slowest thing moving!

holMes MeMorial chaPel

Scott Shake, (812) 268-0000

Sullivan, Ind.

[email protected]


In a small town, you just won’t believe how close

you get to the people. You seem to care for their

needs not only while you are serving them, but

even after their loved one has been properly taken

care of. It amazes me how my life has changed after

coming from a larger firm in a larger town.

It was a difference between night and day. It’s

not just a job any more, it has become my life’s

work. I am now truly on my own, being solely

responsible for running this business and its day

to day operations is a reward in itself and being

able to connect with the people in ways I wasn’t

able to with the larger firm is very satisfying.


That would be Ed Pierce in Marshal, IL. When he

approached me about OGR it was a no brainer;

my dad told me when I was growing up to watch

successful people and if you watch closely, you will

notice that they all have some things in common,

and it’s the way they do and get things done.

Ed has a very well-established business, he is well

respected in his community and if I wanted to

succeed like he has, I just knew that OGR would be

a good start to growing Holmes Memorial Chapel

and. I feel that we are headed in the right direction.


The smart phone, by all means, is making a

difference by having the ability to be notified

when you receive an e-mail allows me to get

more accomplished in my day. It also allows

me to continue other work and not wait by

the computer for a corrected obituary to be

returned, is another example

northside chaPel funeral directors & creMatory inc.

Rex T. Grizzle, (770) 645-1414

Roswell, Ga.

[email protected]


The standard answer is to help people and I feel

that is what most of us get into this for, but mine is

more to do with a sense of community. I have lived

here all my life and I grew up across the street from

the gentleman who owned the funeral home.

I remember him and all the other funeral

directors I have worked with over the years

being very kind and gentle souls whose work

was deeply appreciated by the community.

Being respected for doing a job well, has always

been important in my family and I was always

told that it was better to have a good name

than riches. I enjoy being a part of people’s

lives, one they can depend on and

a contributing part of our community.


We joined OGR because our industry is changing

rapidly and we need all the resources we can find

to keep up. What’s happening on the west coast,

east coast, and Washington, D.C. etc. may not

affect my business today but it will in the future.


I would have to say computers have changed things most for me. I do things today in just a few minutes that used to take me hours. We have access to a world of information at our fingertips, from desktops to laptops, to I-phones and now I-pads. We can serve families better and faster with up-to-date information. Computer programs that allow us to provide better quality products such as memorial folders, DVD’s and imprinted register books.

New Member Questions & Answers

7


My kids would say I have no “fun” facts so I

guess the only thing I can think of is my love of

travel. I have never gotten into golfing, hunting

or fishing but I do love to get on a airplane and

head in any direction, to almost anywhere.

I have been fortunate to have traveled to most

of the continental United States and Alaska, a

lot of Europe, Caribbean and Central America

and hope to make it to South America soon and

then Australia and New Zealand. Guess I’m just

working on my bucket list. If I was to brag about

anything, it would be the fact that my wife and

I have made several trips to Honduras to work

with a group called Honduras Outreach. We

build infrastructure in small remote villages such

as building latrines, adding metal roofs, installing

chimneys and pouring concrete floors in homes.

allen-beyer funeral hoMe

Tony and Jacqui Allen, (305) 451-1444

Key Largo, Fla.

[email protected]


It’s hard to describe, but it’s having the family

personally thank you for all the work that you

did, and that you had the freedom to do what

was best for the family. In a way, it is liberating yet

humbling because every little thing you do every

day inside and out of your business is going to

reward you one day.


We re-joined OGR based on the fact that the previous business owner had been a member for 25+ years, and we too saw the benefit of being part of the contact network, the plethora of information and resources provided, and the available discounts from suppliers.


The pressures of everything having to be online

have made a huge impact on our industry, and

the need to keep up-to-date with the latest

trends. It has also been very helpful and cost

effective in a way, saving paper and accounting

costs, but also helping families that don’t live in

the area or can’t travel.


Living in paradise (Key Largo) has allowed us to pursue our hobbies of boating, fishing, SCUBA diving and laying around the pool on the weekend.

W.l. Wilson & sons funeral hoMe

W. Leroy Wilson, (706) 866-5555

Ft Oglethorpe, Ga.

[email protected]


When I began in funeral service and even now 48

years later, has been to help every family to the

best of my ability. Personal service and caring for

our grieving families has always been one of the

dearest things in my heart and life. At the cemetery,

which is usually the last close contact with our

families, after days of visitation, gathering close

personal information and usually great emotion—it

is wonderful to have a family walk up, hug your

neck, clasp your hand and place their hand on your

shoulder and tell you they could never have made

it without you. That is a special feeling that only a

dedicated funeral director understands.


I have always highly respected OGR. Every comment about OGR has been positive. I believe OGR is a group of the greatest funeral directors in our business. I thank my friend, Richard Hightower and OGR for the opportunity to be included with the Best of the Best.


I believe the majority of folks in our business

have to adjust to the computer age—sometimes

I really don’t like that but it is here and we are

forced to adjust. In some ways, it may make it

easier, but in other ways it seems to make it

more complicated. (Can you tell that I am not

adjusting easily?). If I can’t get something to work,

I call one of the grandchildren. I do appreciate the

opportunity to have our obituaries available in a

short period of time and anyone can access them

from any part of the country.


I am turning this question over to my wife.

Response from Glenda: I will be happy to brag

on my fantastic husband. We have been married

47 years and dated 5 years before we married,

in that time I have never heard him speak a curse

word nor drink alcohol. He has been dedicated

to the funeral profession since 1965 and looks

forward to going to work every day. He is loved

and respected by his family, his church and his

community. He loves to laugh and to make others

laugh. His favorite past-time, other than reading

and studying the Bible, is traveling in our Blue

Bird motor home and riding his Harley. If we are

home, he loves to play Solitaire on his Kindle.

Welcome New Affiliates

Wilson funeral hoMe

J Avery Bryan Chapel | Chickamauga, Ga.

Wilson funeral hoMe

LaFayette Chapel | LaFayette, Ga.

Wilson funeral hoMe

Ringgold Chapel | Ringgold, Ga.

THE SEWELL COMPANIES

Danny Hughes, (770) 853-9309 | Bremen, Ga.

[email protected] | www.thesewellcompanies.com

The Sewell Companies, located in Bremen, Ga., were established in 1918. Mr. Warren Sewell was the founder and his principles of fair value, integrity and personal relationships with his customers still holds true today.

The Sewell Companies manufacture tailored clothing in the United States and globally giving you the benefit of both variety and price. They offer an extensive in-stock program in both suit separates and blazers.

OGR funeral homes receive a 5% discount from wholesale price.

OGR Welcomes a New Business Member

8

Communicating in today’s world can be a confusing and intimidating

endeavour. There are a myriad of devices, option and platforms

which allow us to receive the local, national or global news in real

time and also allows us to speak to our community and the world

as well. It is said that the world today is not only a different place,

but a smaller place, and within the world of social media this reality

becomes increasingly evident.

At the touch of button and the click of a mouse, we can reach and

be reached by anyone, anywhere and at any time. We can reach

out to our community in a personal way, as if we are talking only to

them. We can create evangelists for our firm and our brand. The

Internet has transformed our world, our relationships and the way

we live our lives. The opportunities to “see“ and “hear” the world

around us are endless and with this ease of communication and

information today, our lives have in some ways become easier and

one could argue, simpler. For example, there are applications now

that will plan your day and tell you what you need to do and where

you need to be, yet in many ways this adds more confusion to our

lives. The questions become what social media platforms should

we be a part of? Who should we “follow?” Who is an expert

with pertinent and useful information that can help me? How can

we be part of something that is so massive and provides so many

options? In essence, many are confronted with a simpler question:

What do I do with all this stuff?

This irony is not lost on our profession. The rapidly expanding and

all encompassing realm of social media has allowed us to reach

more people who may require our services, to promote and educate them on what we do, to allow friends and family to tell the story of a life lived, and to be experts in our field, in ways that were never before possible. Social media has given us the ability to create “followers”—people who will promote our firm and tell multitudes of others. This has become important in a society that increasingly questions the need to have funerals, and more so, the value of what we do as funeral professionals. We now have the ability to reach more people through social media than through the memberships in Rotary, The Knights of Columbus, and the local golf and country clubs. While the personal interaction, the developing of relationships, and the trust we create with the families we serve is still the hallmark and standard of our profession, and will never be displaced by the Internet, the opportunities social media creates cannot be ignored. To do so, comes with great risk and is not a sound business strategy. Today, the reality is simple: if we are behind the social media revolution, we will be shown no quarter.

As funeral professionals what do we do with social

media?

At the recent OGR Annual Conference in D.C., the issue of social media was a prevalent theme and discussion among members. Social media considerations were a part of the presentations, discussed in the breakout sessions, and was the topic of many informal discussions during the meeting. For many, the social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, Blogs, etc., are overwhelming and no doubt lead to more questions than answers. There are so many options, so many considerations and so

BY EVAN STRONG

social Media

What Do I Do With All This Stuff?

“ Innovation needs to be part of your culture, consumers

are transforming faster than we are, and if we don’t

catch up we’re in trouble.”

—Ian Schafer, Deep Focus

9

Save the Date

2012 Fall Forumoctober 5-6, 2012 n Charlotte, nC

In conjunction with NFDA’s International Convention & Expo

many possible strategies that we as funeral professionals can take. It is easy to see how all of this can be overwhelming and confusing! It is hard sometimes to see the value in all of these social media options when you can’t be sure what exactly it will do. As much as this may be the case, the reality is that we as a profession, both collectively and individually, must be willing to embrace social media and determine how it can best meet our needs, and promote who we are and what we do. We as a profession have to be willing and able to use the components of social media to tell our story. It is essential that we become a part of today’s reality, and more importantly, know what the consumer is expecting. This strategy will differ from firm to firm, and focus and direction needs to be crafted into a social media strategy that best meets the story your funeral home is trying to tell.

So how do you go about implementing a social media strategy? How do you create a strategy that will inform, educate and “tell the story?” We do this by determining what our focus is –what we want to say, what our story is, and then we use those platforms that will best achieve this focus. To some, this may mean an updated website, to others, being active on Facebook and Twitter might be the necessary step. Some may create a presence in the blogosphere and on YouTube. Regardless of the platform, the strategy must be clear with purpose and direction. We are fortunate that within our profession, even within our OGR family, there are many firms that have the expertise, the knowledge and people who can help with creating and implementing a

social media strategy that is best suited for them. The process and creation of a social media strategy is not difficult and almost mirrors our individual and personal uses of this new media. The new communication is here to stay.

As funeral home owners, we have to take all opportunities that we can to promote our profession and what we do for the families we serve. By embracing social media, we are better able to promote the value of our profession, our firm, and our staff. We can use these platforms to be experts, to be leaders, to reach out to the communities we faithfully serve and to create “raving fans.” The funeral profession today faces many challenges, social media and its wide reaching audience and the opportunities it presents, will allow us to meet these challenges head on in the future.

Find us on Facebook and Twitter @GoldenRuleFH Visit our website at www.OGR.org

Evan Strong is President of

Evan J. Strong Funeral Services

in Calgary, Canada. He holds

degrees in both public policy

and economics. Additionally,

Evan serves as the Western

Canada Regional Chair for

OGR as well as the committee

chair for the Membership

Committee.

10

The National Funeral Directors of America held their annual

Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C. March 7–9, 2012. Having

attended summits in the past, Jeffrey Wages, of Wages & Sons

Funeral Homes and Crematories asked that I accompany him. My

wife Kathie and I arrived in D.C. early in the afternoon and checked

in at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel, the site of the conference,

where we met with Jeffrey and Susan Wages. Jeffrey and I were

proud to voice OGR members’ interests to representatives of the

United States Congress.

Leaders and members from OGR, NFDA, Cremation Association

of North America (CANA), KAVOD, National Funeral Directors

& Morticians Association (NFD&MA) and Selected Independent

Funeral Homes (SIFH) assembled for an Orientation and Issues

Briefing.

The issues that were discussed included:

Codify the SSI Exclusion for Irrevocable Funeral

and Burial Trust

In 2000, Congress enacted SSI Anti-Fraud Provisions. The

unintended consequences were that the regulatory exclusion

for irrevocable funeral and burial trust was suspended. Congress

did not intend to repeal this exclusion and the Social Security

Administration subsequently reinstated the exclusion. By codifying

or making the exclusion law, such tampering would be eliminated.

If this provision is not codified, it could, at any time, be revoked

without input from Congress..

To Make Permanent the Current Federal Estate Tax

Under current law, estate taxes are paid by the estate of a

decedent on the value of assets owned at the time of death. The

current estate tax has been extended until December 31, 2012.

In order to recognize and preserve the heritage and strength of

a family owned business, it is absolutely critical that federal estate

tax laws not penalize or otherwise prevent the TAX FREE transfer

of family business ownership at death to other family members.

Unless Congress acts, the estate tax will automatically revert to the

2011 exclusion rate of $1 million dollars ($2 million for couples) and

a tax rate of 55 percent starting January 1, 2013.

Repatriate Unclaimed Veterans Cremated Remains

Currently, many funeral homes across the country are holding

the cremated remains of veterans that have been unclaimed by

family members or relatives. The NFDA strongly believes that

BY MICHAEL LEWIS

adVocacy suMMit

OGR Attends 2012 NFDA Advocacy Summit

11

these remains should be properly identified and given the proper

burial or interment along with the appropriate military honors.

The proposed bill would direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs

to work with veterans’ service organizations and other groups to

assist funeral homes in possession of those remains to determine

if they are eligible for burial at a National Cemetery. If there is a

cost to cover the burial of the veteran, the Secretary of Veterans

Affairs would cover the cost. A public database of the veterans

identified in this project would be established.

Following the briefing, there was a welcome reception where we

met fellow attendees of the summit. OGR members, John Wenig of

Wenig Funeral Homes and Mary Steel of Arnett & Steele Funeral

Home, Inc. were among the group that evening. Later that night,

Jeffrey and Susan Wages, Kathie and I joined NFDA President Randy

Earl, (an OGR Past President) of Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes,

and NFDA’s Executive Director, Christine Pepper, for dinner.

The next morning before going out to visit the congressional

offices, we heard from various legislators who attended the

summit. One legislator in particular, Representative Steve

Southerland (R-FL), fired up the crowd. He is the owner of

Southerland Family Funeral Homes, a third generation firm in

Panama City, FL. Yep, he is one of us!

Shortly after, Jeffrey and I joined other Georgia constituents at

Georgia Senator Saxby Chambliss’ office. We had a great visit with

his legislative assistant, P.J. Waldrop. Unfortunately, Jeffrey injured

himself when he fell down some steps and spent the rest of the day

in the emergency room.

Even though ours was a brief visit, I can’t stress enough the

importance of participating in such events. I know it would

be difficult for OGR alone to have a legislative presence in

Washington but we need to stay connected to others who do. I

have had the opportunity to belong to the Independent Funeral

Directors of Florida who have been active legislatively since its

beginning. Every year we travel to Tallahassee to meet with our

legislators to bring their attention to matters that concern us as

funeral professionals and the families we serve. Legislators look

to us for our knowledge of such things whether it is at the state

or the national level. Once they know you care, they will take

care to know what you think. I encourage all of you, if you are

not actively participating in your state legislatively, to get involved.

I certainly want OGR to partner with those who are active on a

national level.

Next year, I again plan to make the trip to Tallahassee and to

Washington, D.C. to share our concerns with those who are

our elected representatives. I again encourage each of you to do

the same.

12

On January 3, 1989, my ‘first’ first day as an OGR staff member, a gallon of gasoline cost 97 cents,

Microsoft Office was a brand new product and the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the year

at 2753. The privilege of becoming OGR’s executive director was beyond my wildest dreams at

that time, but a lot has happened over the years. By March 19, 2012, I had my second first day as

an OGR staff member. Changes within the Association were equally dramatic: the home office

had relocated—twice; geographic exclusivity was phased out; finances were stabilized; and the

Board of Directors had morphed into a smaller but highly effective governing body.

My first question was what do members think about OGR now? According to a Member

Values Survey conducted recently, they believe, not surprisingly, that OGR’s overriding

strength is its network of resourceful individuals who possess integrity and know what it

takes to dedicate one’s life to helping others. Members affirmed that OGR’s educational

programs provide first-rate access to new ideas and innovative information. Discounts on

products and services through Golden Services Group continue to be extremely important.

So where do we go from here?

vIsIon

Fortunately, the Board of Directors had the vision to lay groundwork for the Association’s

future before I returned to OGR. The Board, led by Jeffrey Wages as president and Michael

Lewis as his successor, spent many hours developing six key strategic objectives crucial for

fulfilling members’ needs and keeping the Association financially sound. The strategic plan

gives staff a blueprint for developing initiatives to make OGR membership more valuable

than it’s ever been.

rIsky BusIness

Former Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson once said, “Do you want to be safe and

good, or do you want to take a chance and be great?” OGR is good, but our vision is to

be great. That means taking some calculated risks. In the coming months, you’ll see OGR

try new ideas, introduce new ways of communicating and launch new programs. I’d like all

of them to be successful, but the odds are that some will fall short. Feedback from OGR’s

stakeholders is critical. If something benefits you, don’t hesitate to take advantage of it. If it

doesn’t help you, tell us why. You can reach me by telephone at (800) 637-8030 or by email

at [email protected].

memBer engagement

The core group of OGR members has always viewed itself as more than colleagues; they’ve

been family. My highest priority is to increase the number of high-caliber funeral professionals

BY MARK ALLEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

VISION+ VALuES=

Mark Allen

OGR is good, but our

vision is to be great.

That means taking some calculated

risks.

13

who are an active part of this world-class network. This means

devising ways to encourage less active members outside the core

group to participate more. It means bringing new members into the

fold and giving them opportunities to share the bold ideas they’ve

employed to help families memorialize loved ones in meaningful ways.

In either case, OGR’s responsibility is to identify how it can help its

members become more profitable, stay ahead of service trends,

comply with government regulations and generally make members’

lives a little less stressful.

Members under 40 years of age who responded to the Member

Values Survey provided an eye-opening perception: they feel OGR

is not as receptive to young professionals’ input and participation

as it should be. Expect that to change. Young funeral directors are

now serving in leadership positions, presenting at OGR events and

programs, and are driving OGR toward technologies that will benefit

each of us. After all, the future belongs to the young.

eduCatIng Consumers

As a profession, I believe we must get serious about communicating

the value of funerals to consumers. While we were busy preserving

the dignity of the traditional funeral, we assumed families were doing

an adequate job of explaining the purpose of funerals to the next

generation. It was a shock to learn that much of the under 40 age

group perceive funerals as being, at best, an unwanted responsibility,

and at worst, an unnecessary burden to be avoided at all costs.

Either way, a growing number of people are making it their mission

to “get through” the funeral as quickly—and cheaply-- as possible.

Our profession now carries the onus of dealing with this mindset.

We must describe how honoring a life after death helps survivors

come to terms with a loss, encourages them to express their grief

and rallies their support systems to provide care.

I’m not alone in this vision. OGR is an active member of the Funeral

and Memorial Information Council (FAMIC), an affiliation of several

death care associations that is developing a strategy to effectively

reach consumers with positive messages about how funerals help

people. The work is in its infancy, but the support shown by funeral

professionals and suppliers alike indicate a widespread interest in a

serious and collective effort to educate consumers.

BrIght future

When I worked on the supplier side of funeral service, it became

apparent that funeral professionals are in the driver’s seat regarding

the direction funeral service takes. As OGR’s executive director, I

find that to be an exciting, exhilarating and enviable position. While

the era of arranging the same sedate, dignified funeral is over, change

opens the door for opportunity. Many OGR members received that

message years ago and have created incredibly beautiful experiences

that families will cherish forever. It is my distinct honor to play a small

part in this exceptional profession.

14

The nation’s capital, a city steeped in tradition

and history, served as the backdrop of

the 2012 Annual Conference and Supplier

Showcase! More than 150 OGR members and

suppliers came together in Washington, D.C.

for education, networking, and fun.

In his keynote address, Space Shuttle

commander Col. Rick Searfoss compared

funeral professionals to NASA astronauts

by noting that both require the utmost in

competent, trustworthy and service-oriented

leadership. He noted, “Too much is at stake

for anything less than a service-before-self

philosophy to achieve the ‘right stuff.’”

Perhaps the crown jewel of OGR’s annual

conference was the opportunity to

brainstorm with colleagues, and between

the member exchanges and multiple social

gatherings throughout the conference, there

was no shortage of opportunities to learn

from and network with fellow OGR members.

Attendees also took advantage of the chance

to browse products and services from more

than 25 GSG suppliers and exhibitors, and

learn how they could benefit their bottom

line by partnering with GSG suppliers.

Attendees picked up information and tips

relating to their profession throughout the

conference. Ann Ganley, a mother who

suffered the loss of her son to suicide,

spoke about the important role funeral

professionals play when families are touched

by such a tragedy.

Arlington National Cemetery executive

officer Col. Jack Lechner and superintendent

Patrick Hallinan described many operational

changes that have taken place to restore

trust and correct past improprieties at

the cemetery. Family business expert

Wayne Rivers provided tips to help funeral

professionals adapt to a changing world and

better focus on fulfilling families’ needs. Social

media expert Scott Swanay and funeral

directors Evan Strong and Gregory Darte

outlined ways to better connect families with

resources and to one another when planning

Leadership and Service Strong Themes at This Year’s Annual Conference and Supplier Showcase

Charles and Preston Rader learn about the features of one of SRS Computing’s products from Matt Dugas.

Keynote speaker and former astronaut Col. Rick Searfoss

Dolores & Skip Urban, Matt Stradling, and Linda & Bill Brock enjoy catching up during the Welcome Reception

Too much is at stake

for anything less than

a service-before-self

philosophy to achieve

the ‘right stuff.’—Col. Rick Searfoss

IN REVIEW:

15

funerals and dealing with grief.

It wasn’t all hard work, though. OGR

members paused to pay tribute to

OGR family members who passed

away during the last year. Award

winners, milestone anniversaries

and scholarship recipients were

recognized and celebrated at Friday’s

Award Luncheon.

And after installing the new board

of directors at Saturday’s Annual

Banquet, an evening of dancing and

celebration ensued.

OGR was honored to conclude the

conference on Sunday with a wreath-

laying ceremony at the Tomb of the

Unknowns at Arlington National

Cemetery.

OGR President Michael S. Lewis,

Immediate Past President Jeffrey S.

Wages, President-Elect David Fry,

and outgoing Secretary/Treasurer

Catherine A. Tattrie represented

OGR members at this once-in-a-

lifetime opportunity to pay tribute to

our nation’s fallen soldiers.

2012-2013 OGR Board of Directors: Skip Urban, Bill Brock, Ed Pearce, Immediate Past President Jeffrey Wages, President Michael Lewis, Roger Beyers, President-Elect David Fry, and Secretary-Treasurer Bud Wieting

Outgoing board members Charles Rader, Cathie Tattrie and Kevin Opsahl were recognized for their service to OGR.

2012 OGR Annual Conference and Supplier Showcase

Guy Linnemann of Linnemann Funeral

Homes, Erlanger, Ky., received the

2012 Golden Light Award during

the Annual Banquet at the Annual

Conference. The Golden Light

Award is OGR’s highest honor, and

recognizes an individual who has made

specific, meritorious contributions to

society through his or her profession,

community or field of voluntary

service as lifetime achievements.

In presenting the award, President Michael Lewis noted that

the individual who nominated Guy described him as being a

“model OGR member, a model funeral director, and a model

human being.” Guy, and his daughter, Annie, were on hand

to receive the award.

Guy served on the OGR board of directors for six years,

including a term (2008-2009) as president. He is also a past

president of the Kentucky Funeral Directors Association, and

a past board member and trustee of the Cincinnati College of

Mortuary Science.

A past president of the Erlanger Rotary Club, and past

chairman of the United Ministries Advisory Board, Linnemann

also served on the Cincinnati YMCA Committee of

Management, in addition to being actively involved with

multiple other community organizations.

golden light aWard

16

Four member firms were honored with Exemplary Service Awards in recognition of professional excellence as demonstrated through comments from client families responding to Family Contact Program surveys.

The winner of the Gold Exemplary Service Award is Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler Mortuaries in Omaha, Nebraska. One of the families they served commented, “The follow-up after care service is outstanding. I really appreciated the grief support meetings being offered. I didn’t expect the service to be this personal. To me, this funeral home is far above others in what they offer to the family after the funeral.” Another family responded, “The funeral director and staff ’s help was above superior. It was not a business experience at all, but felt like a true caring group of individuals, helping us with the loss of our loved one. It was a genuine experience.”

The Silver Exemplary Service Award went to Miles T. Martin Funeral Home in Mt. Morris, Michigan. In presenting the award to president and owner Adam Miles Martin during the Awards Lunch, outgoing OGR President Jeffrey Wages shared a portion of the family’s thank-you that earned the firm their award. “I have dealt with other places and I will never go anywhere else. They exceeded my expectations on every level. I could not have had a better experience dealing with the loss of a loved one. They were incredible. I appreciate

their willingness to let me be present and dress my baby boy. I will never forget their kindness.”

Two firms tied for the Bronze Exemplary Service Award this year. The award to Brunswick Memorial Home in East Brunswick,

NJ, was presented to Brian and Michael Kulbacki, based on the following family response. “They located a motorcycle hearse out of state and made all the arrangements for it to be in New Jersey. With the family’s consent, my husband’s last ride home was photographed and filmed, and a photo album was presented to my daughter with a photo of the trip.” Due in large part to the community reaction to that service, Brunswick now has a motorcycle hearse of their own, to provide customized “last rides” to many more of their customers.

Loyless Funeral Home in Land’O’Lakes, Florida, is the other winner of the Bronze Exemplary Service Award this year. Here is one comment provided by a family they served. “My wife and I were very impressed with the kindness and professionalism shown when, because we are home-bound, the funeral home brought the hearse to our home so we could see the casket and say our good-bye’s.”

Congratulations to all these firms for providing truly exceptional care to the families in their communities! If you would like to participate in the Family Contact program, call the home office to find out how to take advantage of this valuable member benefit.

Exemplary Service Awards

OGR President Michael Lewis and OGR Immediate Past President Jeffrey Wages present Adam Martin from Miles T. Martin Funeral Home with the 2012 Silver Exemplary Service Award.

Michael and Brian Kulbacki of Brunswick Funeral Home receive the 2012 Bronze Exemplary Service Award from OGR President Michael Lewis and OGR Immediate Past President Jeffrey Wages.

Special thanks to the following companies for their sponsorship of the conference and their support of the independent funeral home industry.

Copper sponsor:Bronze sponsors:

silver sponsor:gold sponsor:Platinum sponsor:

17

Pray Funeral Home received the 2012 Golden Rule Community Service Award. From left are OGR President Michael Lewis, Tyler Pray from Pray Funeral Home, and OGR Immediate Past President Jeffrey Wages.

John Wenig and Koven Brown discuss auction items.

Golden Rule Community Service Award Pray Funeral Home of Charlotte, Michigan,

is the winner of the 2012 Golden Rule

Community Service Award. The award, now

in its fourth year, is given in recognition of a

funeral home’s outstanding community service

as demonstrated by involvement in local

organizations or community events.

Pray Funeral Home received the award

based on their participation in the Charlotte

Frontier’s Day Festival. Each year Pray Funeral

Home sponsors several activities during the

festival, participates in the parade and rodeo,

and spends the day with community members.

This year, in addition to those activities, the

funeral home set up and operated a child

safety tent along the parade route that

provided free child fingerprinting. More than

100 children were fingerprinted that day, and

several families brought additional children

to the funeral home for fingerprinting in the

following weeks. In addition to providing

this free service that offered a little peace

of mind to area families, Pray Funeral Home

distributed coloring books they created to

help explain funerals in child-friendly terms.

The award was presented to fifth-generation

funeral director Tyler Pray during the Awards

Luncheon. In presenting the award, OGR

Immediate Past President Jeffrey Wages noted,

“this event is a fine example of a funeral home

going beyond what is expected, and truly

embracing the principle of doing unto others.”

aWards of excellence scholarshiPs

OGR’s Awards of Excellence Scholarship Program provides assistance to students about to graduate from mortuary school and enter the funeral profession. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited mortuary degree program, be scheduled to graduate in the current calendar year, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Two scholarships are awarded each year.

Brandon Griffin is the 2012 Silver Award of Excellence winner. Brandon attends Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, Illinois, and will receive a $2,000 scholarship to help complete his studies.

The recipient of the 2012 Gold Award of Excellence, Victoria Geiger, attends Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona and

will receive a $3,500 scholarship. Victoria attended the annual conference as OGR’s guest, and shared her thanks for being selected to receive the award.

Victoria Geiger, center, with OGR President Michael Lewis and OGR Immediate Past President Jeffrey Wages, received the 2012 Gold Award of Excellence Scholarship

thanK you!

Thank you to the following donors

for contributing items to the Awards

of Excellence Scholarship Auction.

Your support of future funeral

directors is appreciated!

Brent Behrens Behrens Design and Development

Bill Brock

Vander Plaat Funeral Home

Chris Chigas

Access Financial Group

George Darte

George Darte Funeral Chapel

Robert Hunsaker Sinosource International Company

Adrienne Kalmes

Meadow Hill Company

Michael Lewis

Lewis Funeral Home

Curt & Barb Lind

Lind Family Funeral Home

Jim Marrocco

Marrocco Memorial Chapel

Kevin Opsah

Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home &

Crematory

Tyler Pray

Pray Funeral Home

JD Slack Slack Funeral Home

Cathie Tattrie

Smith Funeral & Memorial Services

Jon Thomas

Thomas-Pierce & Company

Jeffrey Wages Wages & Sons


18

Wow, what a day! I just had one of life’s highest honors bestowed on me. Even though it was overcast, cold and raining, I feel so in awe of the privilege. I was asked to be one of four people who were allowed to present a wreath from the International Order of the Golden Rule at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery.

Once at the Cemetery for the laying of the wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns, Mike Lewis, Jeffrey Wages, Cathie Tattrie and I were given a briefing by Sgt. Skywalker concerning proper protocol on how to process in and out. Every step, every turn, every gesture, every move has symbolic meaning and must be performed in a manner fitting the high level of respect that a fallen soldier deserves.

After our briefing in the ready room, the four of us were escorted by a guard to what I would call a staging area; an area off to the side where we would then begin our part of this time honored ceremony. Sgt. Skywalker was in his uniform covered by his dress overcoat, hat and boots. He was amazing. As our group, the International Order of the Golden Rule, was announced to the crowd of gathered observers, Sgt. Skywalker’s eyes went immediately up and forward and he snapped to attention. Since he had briefed us prior to this point, the four of us knew we were to begin the procession to the Tomb. I followed immediately behind President Michael Lewis and outgoing board member Cathie Tattrie followed immediately behind Past President, Jeffrey Wages.

For never having served in the military, I believe the four of us looked very sharp and in step. Our group walked together along the gallery of observers, made a ninety degree right turn, took three steps forward, and then came to a complete stop in front of the Tomb. Together, Mike and Jeffrey walked forward with the wreath from OGR, placed it on the designated point, turned back to Cathie and me, and made an about-face back to the Tomb. The only sound at this point was the pounding in my chest and the falling raindrops. The bugler came to his position and began playing “Taps.”

As civilians at this time honored ceremony, we knew it was expected

that we place our right hand over our heart as a sign of respect to those soldiers who lay before us. The emotions at this point were beyond words for me as the tears filled my eyes. I felt so unworthy to be standing there and yet so blessed. For a short minute or two I seemed to forget about the cold and rain and asked myself how many days and nights soldiers had stood, crawled, slept and ate in conditions so much worse. I guess it put a lot of things in perspective for me.

Following “Taps” we turned to our right and began our exit along the mat the guards walk on when they perform the changing of the guard ceremony. Not a word is ever spoken until the Honors Party clears the area. The four

of us never spoke until we returned to the ready room. It was at this time that we all realized just how large the Honors were and just how small we are in comparison. We all shared the moment by reflecting how blessed we were to participate in such a time honored tradition.

We were recognized as a very special group since all four of us are funeral directors. I am so proud of what I do. I am proud to be a member of the Order of the Golden Rule and to serve as a Board Member and President-Elect.

This association is truly the elite of funeral service organizations.

To realize that one of my fellow funeral director colleagues was called upon to prepare each of those soldiers for a proper burial made me proud. I wonder if the embalmer thought about the fact that each one probably had a mother at home anxiously awaiting the return of her son. Sadly, each one of the three who lies in the Tomb was never identified, so each soldier’s parents never knew what happed to their son. As the words engraved on the beautiful white marble tomb state: Here Rests In Honored Glory An American Soldier Known But To God. That says it all.

OGR’s President- Elect David Fry is a fifth generation funeral director. He has been licensed as a Funeral Director in Iowa since 1975 and is also licensed in Indiana and North Carolina in the same capacity. David is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, a member of the Tipton Lions Club, the Tipton Chamber of Commerce, the Tipton Economic Development Corporation and serves on the Board for the Volunteer Services of Cedar County.

by david fry

MY ARLINGTON ExPERIENCE

“To realize that one of my fellow funeral director colleagues was called upon to

prepare each of those soldiers for

a proper burial made me proud.”

19

2012 Fall Forum to be Held at NFDA ConventionAre you planning to attend NFDA’s International Convention and Expo in Charlotte,

North Carolina? If so, remember that OGR’s Fall Forum will be held in conjunction with

NFDA convention this year!

NFDA has graciously invited our attendees to their President-Elect Party on Sunday

and Opening General Session on Monday free of charge, and OGR suppliers who are

exhibiting at NFDA are able to provide free passes to the expo floor. This means you get

to attend two great events in one trip! Additionally, NFDA is extending the member rate

to all OGR members who wish to register for the NFDA convention.

The Hilton Center City, one of NFDA’s co-headquarters hotels, will be our host hotel, with

a reception the evening of Friday, October 5 and educational sessions all day Saturday,

October 6. Save the dates of oct. 5-6, 2012 now and look for more details later this fall.

Michael Lewis is a third-generation funeral director, following in the footsteps of his late grandfather, LD Wolfe Sr., and his late father, Avis C. Lewis. Theirs is an 84-year old firm, which Michael and his brother Sam helped to expand to three locations.

Upon graduation from the Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Service in Atlanta, Lewis returned to Milton and obtained his Florida embalming license and later his funeral director’s license. After their father’s death, Mike and his brother Sam operated the business with their mother until her death in 1996. They have continued to expand the firm with the addition of Lewis Funeral Home, Pace Chapel and Field of Faith Crematory and Tribute Center in Pace, Fla. They also have their own crematory, vault and monument services.

Michael has worked in funeral service

for the past 38 years. He is active in the Independent Funeral Directors of Florida where he is a past president. He is also a member of the First Baptist

Church of Milton, Florida where he has served as Chairman of Deacons and is an active member of their Celebration Choir. He is currently serving as Chairman of the City of Milton’s Historic

Preservation Board.

He has been married to his wife Kathie for 40 years. They have a daughter, Katrina and a son, Stephen, who is a fourth generation director with the firm.

“As a group of independent funeral home leaders, OGR has raised the bar for creating one-of-a-kind tributes to honor loved ones and help families deal with their grief. I’m very excited to be among a group of individuals who recognize how important it is to provide this service in our communities,” Lewis said.

MICHAEL LEWIS i n s ta l l e d a s o g r P r e s i d e n t

michael lewis and his wife kathy

“OGR has raised the bar for creating one-of-a-kind

tributes to honor loved ones and help

families deal with their grief.”


20

Skype® is an online medium that has evolved from our beloved Canadian, Alexander Graham Bell’s invention of the telephone in 1874. Skype® was introduced in 2003 and was since purchased by Microsoft in 2011.

Skype® allows users to communicate via voice, video and instant messaging using VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) technology. Phone calls may be placed to recipients on the traditional telephone networks. Calls to other users within the Skype® service are free of charge, while calls to landline telephones and mobile phones are charged via a debit-based user account system. Skype® has also become popular for its additional features, including file transfer and videoconferencing.

Here at George Darte Funeral Chapel, Inc., we use Skype® to talk with families abroad. This free and effective tool allows us to connect with families in any country and make visual contact for a tangible, face-to-face connection.

On one occasion, we needed to receive permission from a family in Lebanon to have their loved one washed by a local Imam, which required a family representative to identify and handle the ship out arrangements from Canada to Lebanon for final burial. This was a non-conventional Islamic faith family, so transporting the body did not have any religious implications, but Skype® made the entire process seamless and added a more relational touch.

While we do not use Skype® all the time for at/pre need arrangements with our families, it does not hurt that we have

BY GREGORY DARTE

technology

the PoWerful tool of technology

Gregory Darte became a licensed funeral director in June 2005

and is the fifth generation of Darte funeral professionals. Gregory sits on the Board and NextGen for the United Way, Board of Directors for

Rotary, Past President of the Niagara District Funeral Service

Association, past co-Chair of the 5 Car Draw for Hospice Niagara,

member of the St. Catharines Rotary Club and is a parishioner at St. Julia’s Church. Gregory also serves on OGR’s Education Committee as the committee chair.

the technological hardware and software available to us as funeral directors to allow us to proceed with the necessary steps for the funeral processes in this manner. Such opportunities as these give us the chance to speak “face to face” via an electronic medium.

Another type of technology that we often use at the funeral home is a product called GoToMeeting®, which is Web-conferencing. It is a remote meeting and desktop sharing software that enables the user to meet with other computer users, customers, clients or colleagues via the Internet in real-time.

We recently used this piece of technology with an architectural design company to help us create some proposed site plans for an addition that we were putting onto our current funeral home. We were able to see the site plan on our computer screens while the architects went through details of the plans. The architects were able to make real-time changes to the actual schematics.

The concept of using GoToMeeting® was a huge cost savings and effective tool. We did not have to fly in two architects from the Mid West in the United States to Canada. We saved around $3,000 as opposed to paying nothing for downloading GoToMeeting® onto our desktop. Do you think we made a wise choice?

We have used GoToMeeting® on numerous occasions for interaction with professional associations within our industry that we belong to. Through these electronic meetings, we are able to hear and observe the speaker in real time which was not unlike our experience with the architectural firm.

Technology can be a powerful tool for funeral homes to use, if you know how to use it. All it takes is a funeral home’s desire to learn how technology can be used to enhance interaction with our families. There is a wealth of information out there on the Internet waiting to be discovered and implemented in your funeral home.

For information on Skype®, visit www.Skype.com For information regarding GoToMeeting®, visit www.GoToMeeting.com

22

55 Years | May 1957

Stevens Funeral Home, Inc.Pulaski, Va.

55 Years | July 1957

Seaver-Brown Funeral Service, Inc.Marian, Va.

50 Years | May 1962

Mann-Slonaker Funeral Home, Inc.East Greenville, Pa.

50 Years | June 1962

Amigone Funeral Home, Inc.Buffalo, N.Y.

45 Years | May 1967

Cochran Mortuary & CrematoryWichita, Kan.


Speck Funeral HomeLivingston, Tenn.


Flinn Funeral Services, Ltd.Alberta, Canada


Attrell’s Newberg Funeral ChapelNewberg, Ore.


Beckwith Mortuary, Inc.Larned, Kan.


Evanson Jensen Funeral HomeLemmon, S.D.


J. M. White Funeral HomeHenderson, N.C.


Andringa Funeral Home, Inc.Sibley, Iowa


Colvin Funeral Home, Inc.Princeton, Ind.


Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, Inc.La Crosse, Wis.

15 Years | May 1997

Greco-Hertnick Funeral HomeWeirton, W. Va.


Parthemore Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc.New Cumberland, Pa.

10 Years | May 2002

Williamson Funeral Home, Ltd.Staunton, Ill.


Erman Smith Funeral Home, Inc.Pittsburg, Texas

5 Years | May 2007

Dashner-Strauss Funeral HomesDupo, Ill.

5 Years | June 2007

Usrey Funeral Home, Inc.Talladega, Ala.

5 Years | June 2007

Schneider-Michaelis Funeral Home, LLCJefferson, Wis.

Milestone anniVersaries

23

Vernon G. “Evie” Evanson

Vernon Gerald “Evie” Evanson passed from this life on Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012 at the age of 92. Born on November 18, 1919 in Lemmon, SD, he was the oldest child and only son of Richard “Dick” and Sadie (Aure) Evanson. He had two sisters, Delores and Dorothy, both now deceased.

Evie worked with his father at Evanson’s Funeral Home and Evanson’s Furniture in addition to operating an ambulance service. This business later became Evanson Jensen Funeral Home, and joined the International Order of the Golden Rule in 1977. Evie was also a member of the South Dakota Funeral Directors Association, serving as its president in 1975.

After serving in the U.S. Army in France during World War II, he was honorably discharged and returned home to Lemmon. Evie was an avid supporter of the Lemmon community and involved in numerous organizations including the school board, the city council, the Lemmon Volunteer Fire Department, the Jaycees and the LIONS Club.

Celebrating his life are his wife of 70 years, Olive “Ollie” Hanson, his daughter and son-in-law, Darlene and Dick Goebel, Severna Park, MD; three grandchildren, Scott Goebel, Melissa and her husband, Ato Leone, Lindsay-Paige and her husband, Chris Veitenheimer; four great grandchildren, Corena Leone, Dylan and Megan Goebel, and Riley Veitenheimer.

Ede Warner

Ede Warner, 88, passed away on Saturday, April 28, 2012. Ede was the former owner of Smith, Bizzell, Warner & Son Funeral Home in Gary, Indiana as well as Warner Mortuary of Kokomo, Warner Funeral Service of Hammond, and Lil’s Package Liquors.

A 1947 graduate of Worsham Mortuary College, Ede was a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, the Indiana Funeral Directors Association and the

Northwest Indiana Funeral Association

as well as the International Order of

the Golden Rule. He was a member of

Lakeside Lodge #47 P.H.A.F.A.M., Magic

City Consistory #62 and Mahomel Temple

#134. A veteran of World War II and the

Korean Crisis, he was also involved with

the Airplane Owners & Pilot Association,

Flying Funeral Directors of America and the Experimental Aircraft Association.

Mr. Warner is survived by sons Ede Warner, Jr., Ph.D. of Louisville, KY and Paul Warner of Detroit, MI; daughters Lynna Townsend and Paula Warner both of Indianapolis and Edegene “Geney” Warner of Hawthorne, CA; sand ister, Katherine Morris of Gary, IN.

in MeMoriaM

24

gsg technology sPotlight

What’s In a Name? Endless Possibility

Fifteen years ago, tech companies were

educating you on implementing management

software. Ten years ago—the importance of

a website. Five years ago—memorial videos.

NOW—e-RegisterBook.

Just like writing your name on a piece of paper, touch out your name,

address and email on e-RegisterBook, the electronic register book

from SRS Computing. The purpose is not to just replace a piece of

paper with technology.

value to the dIreCtor

Drive Traffic to Your Website. After a family member enters and

saves their email on the e-RegisterBook sign-in screen, an instant

email is sent with your customized note thanking the family for

visiting as well as embedding the link to the memorialization page

of your website. This message now has a positive viral effect and is

forwarded to those who weren’t able to attend the visitation.

Lead Generation. Based on our client’s experience, 2% of all visitors

who sign-in, check the optional, “I want more information”. Do the

math... While your visitors may not feel the timing is appropriate

to discuss their own funeral needs during a visitation, a simple checkbox on the e-RegisterBook allows them to communicate their desire to be contacted for their own funeral arrangements.

value to the famIly

Personalized Acknowledgement Cards and Envelopes remove the arduous process of decoding the handwritten addresses in the register books by handing the family a stack of pre-addressed envelopes and professionally printed acknowledgement cards with the family’s desired message ready for their signature.

Personalized Acknowledgement Cards convert an item you typically give away into a revenue generator. When offered the service of using the e-RegisterBook with Personalized Acknowledgement Cards for $150, the family will now receive customized cards and pre-addressed envelopes.

364 days from the death, a simple email is sent to all friends and family reminding the visitor to keep the family in their prayers as tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary. Members receive an 8% discount.

Visit www.srscomputing.com. Call Kimberly Simons for more details at (800) 797-4861, or email at [email protected].

For more than three years, Tributes.com has been helping evolve the way obituary news is communicated and the manner in which life stories are honored and preserved online in partnership with the funeral service profession.

Tributes. com has developed the most feature-rich online memorialization product in the industry—the Eternal Tribute—which allows partner homes to stand-out among their competitors and to engage their families to enhance and maintain these beautiful memorials for months and years through secure logins right at the funeral home website. Every obituary that a partner home uploads to the Tributes. com database is fully branded with the funeral

home logo, includes multiple links to their site to drive traffic, and the funeral home controls all advertising to encourage visitors to connect to funeral home website content, preneed planners and ecommerce partners. The Eternal Tribute is the only online memorialization product in the industry that allows funeral homes to create video tributes directly from the photos loaded in the online obituary. Tributes. com also provides its partners with tools to engage the circle of grievers that are associated with anyone in their care via obit alerts, email address collection, and anniversary reminders.

Driving traffic to the funeral home web-site is a primary value-add of Tributes. com for the homes that distribute their obituaries on the Tributes.com platform. Tributes leverages

its flagship destination site Tributes. com, the Tributes Network of media partners, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) as well as integration with the social networks to drive consumers to the funeral home—both online and offline. Tributes. com provides the most state-of-the-art Facebook application in the industry which allows its funeral home partners to feature their obits on their Facebook pages and their visitors to take advantage of familiar FB “liking” and commenting mechanisms to increase the reach of those obituaries in the popular social network. Also, Tributes. com launched an all new mobile application for its funeral home partners which will allow consumers on mobile devices to easily read and interact with their

branded obituaries. 10% off for OGR members.

HONORING LIFE STORIES WITH THE ETERNAL TRIBUTE

CALL JOHN HEALD FOR MORE DETAILS AT (617) 913-6122, OR [email protected]

Dark Blue:R 29 C 91 HEX #1e63a1G 100 M 63B 162 Y 10 K 1

Blue: R 46 C 73 HEX #2e9dcbG 157 M 23B 203 Y 8 K 0

Orange: R 250 C 1 HEX #faad5aG 173 M 37B 90 Y 73 K 0

25

With more than 60% of families using the Internet to find a funeral home today, a funeral home’s web presence is more important than ever. Firms are now using complete Website Systems to give families what they expect to find from a business online. The FrontRunner Website Systems have been designed to exceed families’ expectations, provide incomparable service, and bring new revenue and efficiencies to the funeral home.

Frontrunner’s Website Systems are APP based, meaning funeral homes can chose what they want when they want it and add what they need when they need it. Best of all, it Integrates with the leading Management Software companies for a single and seamless efficient process. Funeral professionals only need to enter data once and its already staged in all applications, taking efficiency to a level never witnessed before.

“The public is applauding funeral homes using these Website Systems for their positive, progressive and professional approach with listening and responding to their changing needs and their desire for rich information and convenience,” cites Kevin Montroy, FrontRunner CEO and founder. “The increased online revenue is simply a bonus.”

If a funeral home is looking for new ways to shoulder bottom lines, FrontRunner offers over 14 APPs that tastefully and professionally promote your firm and open the door to a new world of online revenues. Best of all, most APPs are included with a FrontRunner

Website System, but have also been engineered to allow funeral homes to add them to their current website and enjoy the same benefits. Here are just a few examples:

• Sympathy Store• Online Flower ordering

using your local florists• Memorial Candle Program• DVD Tribute Program

• ObitsForLife /Obit Tree• Faithful Forever–

Turn Key pet loss system• Funeral Webcasting• E-commerce catalogs

Integrating state-of-the-art programming, functionality, skilled graphic artists, and the experience of funeral home owners, FrontRunner assists funeral professionals to connect with and grow new markets in their local community and Internet savvy client families. Combining practical web solutions with strategic Internet marketing, FrontRunner delivers a robust content and functionally rich, professional web presence that is easily maintained by any funeral director or assigned staff.

With “risk free” options and APPs and programs designed to generate significant revenues, it’s easy for funeral homes to start enjoying the website that they really want and virtually eliminate their ongoing technology costs forever.

We encourage OGR members to take a few minutes to speak to a FrontRunner specialist to see just what they and their families have been missing. OGR members receive 10% discount.

For f if teen years, Meadow Hill Corporation has continually searched for simpler ways to take f ingerprints for its keepsake jewelry. The latest method—Thumbies Fingerprint Scanner™—is a wireless, biometric device, capable of instantly capturing high-quality f ingerprints. Working with hardware and software developers, Meadow Hill devised a way to connect the deceased’s f ingerprints with his/her name, the date and time, and funeral home information. The ability to easily capture each decedent’s prints necessitated secure storage. Meadow Hill’s Print Vault™ affords complete encryption and multi-layered f irewall protection. Prints taken with the TFScanner are easily transmit ted via WiFi to a funeral home’s cyber “safety deposit box” or via email.

Working with funeral professionals, Meadow Hill further developed a way to use fingerprints to tighten the identification procedures of service providers, thereby reducing exposure to misidentification. This latest addition to the technology offering is based on identification standards used by the FBI and transmission procedures approved by the Federal Communications Commission. Called Last Touch Print Confirmation, this newest feature will be available this summer. Details are forthcoming.

This suite of identity tools comes with Meadow Hill’s commitment to full compliance with state retention and privacy statutes. To that end the company has released a whitepaper following an extensive review of each state’s regulations regarding fingerprinting and scanning. For your copy, contact Adrienne Kalmes, (877) 848-6243 or [email protected]. 10% off the TFScanner for OGR members.

Evolving Fingerprint

Technology andIts Impact on

Funeral Service

FRONTRUNNER’S WEBSITE SYSTEMS OPEN THE DOOR TO A NEW WORLD OF ONLINE REVENUES AND EFFICIENCIES

for more InformatIon, vIsIt frontrunner360.Com or ContaCt frontrunner at (866) 748-3625.

Join your fellow ogr members on a seven-night cruise aboard the oasis of the seas!After departing from Fort Lauderdale, you will explore exciting ports of call in the Bahamas, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. From snorkeling and swimming in turquoise waters, to relaxing on white-sand beaches, to duty-free shopping, there’s no better getaway than a Caribbean vacation.

During days at sea, a host of amazing experiences await you onboard Royal Caribbean’s most innovative and imaginative ship yet. For the first time, entertainment areas have become neighborhoods at sea. With a total of seven distinct onboard neighborhoods, and 2,700 spacious staterooms, this 16-deck marvel proves that the impossible is possible. You have to see it to believe it!

MaKe your reservation todayn A deposit of $500 per cabin is needed to make your reservation

n Deposits are refundable if the reservation is cancelled before the final payment is due

n Final payments are due by June 25, 2012

call 800-444-5380Bill Wodarski, above and Beyond travel

saturday, sePt. 8

FT. LAUDERDALE, FLA.(departs 5 p.m.)

sunday, sePt. 9

NASSAU, BAHAMAS(in port from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.)

Monday, sePt. 10Day at Sea

tuesday, sePt. 11CHARLOTTE AMALIE, ST. THOMAS(in port from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.)

Wednesday, sePt. 12PHILLIPSBURG, ST. MAARTIN(in port from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.)

thursday, sePt. 13Day at Sea

friday, sePt. 14Day at Sea

saturday, sePt. 15

FT. LAUDERDALE, FLA.(arrives 7 a.m.)

Please note itineraries may change as conditions warrant.

gsg technology sPotlight

are faMilies Planning Without you?

Transform the way you interact with families with Advisor by Aurora—the first Customer Service System for funeral professionals

The arrangement process is no

longer confined to the funeral home

meeting room. Today families have

access to more information and more influence than ever before

in the planning process. Unfortunately, in many cases, they have

decided what they want without your assistance.

But now you can transform the arrangement experience for families

with Advisor by Aurora – the first Customer Service System for

funeral professionals. Advisor helps your firm manage the entire

customer experience, from pre-need to first call through the

arrangement process and delivery of services.

With one click, Advisor creates a private, password-protected

website for each family where they can learn about the choices

at your funeral home. They can even begin documenting

key information from the comfort of their home before the arrangement meeting.

Families can browse high-resolution images of caskets, urns, vaults, flowers – any products or services that you offer. Advisor simplifies the creation and printing of all funeral documents, including contracts, death certificates, obituaries, authorization forms, even stationery templates.

Because Advisor is a cloud-based system, your staff can access critical information wherever and whenever they need it from any Internet-enabled device, including tablets and smartphones. Best of all, there is no software to purchase and install. Just $99 per month helps you transform the way you manage your business and interact with families. OGR Endorsed Supplier.

To learn more about Advisor, visit www.AuroraAdvantage.com.

saturday, sePt. 8

FT. LAUDERDALE, FLA.(departs 5 p.m.)

sunday, sePt. 9

NASSAU, BAHAMAS(in port from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.)

Monday, sePt. 10Day at Sea

tuesday, sePt. 11CHARLOTTE AMALIE, ST. THOMAS(in port from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.)

Wednesday, sePt. 12PHILLIPSBURG, ST. MAARTIN(in port from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.)

thursday, sePt. 13Day at Sea

friday, sePt. 14Day at Sea

saturday, sePt. 15

FT. LAUDERDALE, FLA.(arrives 7 a.m.)

Please note itineraries may change as conditions warrant.

28

These members have been cited for providing exemplary service, going beyond the expected level, and are now eligible for the Gold, Silver and Bronze Exemplary Service Awards. Winners will be honored at the 2013 Annual Conference & Supplier Showcase. Comments submitted by families responding to Family Contact Surveys.

Cochran Mortuary & Crematory | Wichita, Kan.When we showed up without an appointment, we were still graciously greeted and attended to. We later learned they were attending to 3 other services on that day. Each staff member exuded great care and compassion every time we were in contact. When we expressed our gratitude for the excellent service from them all we received the humble response of, “We’re just doing our job.” Our expectations were exceeded. My own father had endorsed the Cochrans for many years and he always sought excellence. The staff checks on you from beginning to end and then several weeks after.

M.A. Connell Funeral Home, Inc. | Huntington Station, N.Y.There were many things that needed to get done in a rather quick fashion and you made the process seamless and made us feel as comfortable as can be given the circumstances. Starting from coming to our home and bringing my father to your facility. I felt you and your staff had the utmost respect for him and our family and that truly meant a lot. We then proceeded to finalize the paperwork. You took the time to explain all the forms, procedures and fees in addition to completing all the necessary documents. You and your staff took care of every single detail…from calling and faxing Newsday for the preparation and print of the obituary, calling and coordinating all the arrangements with the church, and providing us with an itinerary as to how the next several days were going to play out. Even the day we were planning to go to church, I mentioned we forgot the crucifix and in a blink of an eye, you had one for us front and center. Your profession is one that requires a special type of person and you all have proven to be just that…special.

Beyers Funeral Home & Crematory | Lady Lake, Fla.Mr. Hill made us feel as though we were the only family he had on his agenda. He was informative, extremely knowledgeable, attentive, compassionate, and has a keen sense of awareness and attention to detail. Mr. Hill is professional, yet offers a kind word when needed. Both my Dad and Mom’s services were conducted in a professional and yet tender and loving manner with style, elegance, honor and portrayed them as the people they truly were. We are still receiving mail and guest comments indicating how beautiful the services were and the services were the best people had experienced. Our family knows in our hearts that our parents were smiling down and would have

been very proud of their services, we know we were.

R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home | Hampton, Va.The person that was serviced was a homeless man without any means to pay for the service. They provided the services at a minimum cost so he could have a dignified burial. I help 2-3 of these homeless people a year with their services and this funeral home is always willing to help. They are very

compassionate and sensitive to the needs of the homeless people.

Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home, Inc. | Alliance, OhioJJohn Christian is just the finest funeral director. No one could be more considerate, calming, patient, and cooperative in trying to accommodate each family’s ideas. The staff members went above and beyond trying to do their tasks with kindness and compassion. Mr. Christian never rushed the services, etc. This was deeply appreciated. We took longer at the graveside ceremony than anticipated, yet he never hinted for us to do anything faster

or differently! I have been told by other families how helpful the “grief support sessions for families” have been for them.

Loyless Funeral Home, LLC | Land O’Lakes, Fla.She showed us great professional attention, compassion, understanding, and patience. Dawn listened, suggested, organized and delivered exceptional service to our family. Very courteous and professional no matter how many times a day I would call. Dawn’s commitment to our family was very apparent when she went out of her way to accommodate us (we had multiple family crises happening at the same time). She captured—really understood who my mother was and how she would want to be remembered.

John J. Ferry & Sons, Inc. | Meridien, Conn.II can’t say enough about how wonderful the two directors were. My brother-in-law died on the Fri. evening of New Year’s weekend and they handled the arrangements as if there was no holiday. Every person we had contact with was compassionate and most helpful. We used a funeral home that was not of our religion, yet they had all the necessary information and products and services that we needed. The cemetery is owned by a Synagogue that my brother-in-law was not a member and Tom Ferry made all the arrangements with them for us to fulfill my brother-in-law’s wish to be buried next his father. Not only was David’s death over a major holiday weekend it was also the Jewish Sabbath. I called them at 9 pm on Fri. and they took care of us without hesitation. I cannot say enough about how wonderful they treated us.

Aloia Funeral Home, Inc. | Garfield, N.J.BBoth Andrea and her father were amazing and did a wonderful job. They helped me when nobody else did. I lost my husband while I was abroad, and when I came back and didn’t know what to do first, Andrea was the one who made it easier for me. The presence of the Honor Guard at the church to pay their respect to my husband was a great surprise. We all thank Aloia for that!

Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. | Milton, Fla.Mike Lewis was very professional, yet also sensitive and caring about our family’s needs as we experienced the shock and grief of Dad’s unexpected death. We know Dad would have been pleased that Mike directed his funeral because he considered Mike a friend. The people at Lewis Funeral Home have special gifts of kindness, compassion, and patience with grieving families. We especially appreciate Mike Lewis, William Price, Sam Lewis Capricia Hunter, and Rhonda Nelson. The ceremony went smoothly due to the attention to detail and careful planning done by Mike Lewis and the staff. It meant a lot to us that they made sure everything was done correctly from the beginning of the ceremony until the burial was completed.

Sossoman Funeral Home, Inc. | Morganton, N.C.My family and I were treated with compassion, respect and consideration in that our needs were being met - not only for ourselves but also my mom whom I had just loss. I brought her nail polish to paint her nails so they would be pretty and Mrs. Mary Lou even offered to do that for me. I was touched. Prior to losing my Mom, they also were so kind and generous with taking care of my Dad and not long ago my sister. I would have Sossoman perform my funeral as well. That’s how much confidence I have in them…thank you.

exeMPlary serVice

29

The International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association named its 2011 KIP (Keeping It Personal) Award winners, recognizing the best in personalization in the cemetery and funeral service profession. This year’s contest attracted a record

58 entries in five categories from the United States and abroad. Communications and marketing professionals from outside the cemetery and funeral service profession performed the judging. Here is why Pray Funeral Home won the award:

Charlotte, Michigan high school teacher Barbara “B.C.” Collinsworth-Johnson was a vibrant personality in her community. Her students, family and friends wanted her to go out in style, and Pray Funeral Home obliged.

B.C.’s casket was custom painted in her favorite color, royal metallic purple, at a local auto body shop. She directed numerous school plays, so the service was held at the new Charlotte Performing Arts Center, which she helped design. The format of the service was divided into three “acts” separated by video interludes of photos from her life. Before entering the darkened auditorium, attendees were presented with pins featuring drama masks and her nickname “B.C.” on them as

well as the Playbill-inspired service program that told her life story as the acts in a play, with the service participants listed on the back page as the cast of characters.

Marquee posters featuring her favorite caricature and posters from many of the plays she directed flanked the entrance to the auditorium. In dramatic fashion, the gleaming casket was spotlighted on the left side of the stage. As the service began, the curtains parted to reveal an empty purple director’s chair with B.C.’s initials along with poster-sized photos spotlighted on stage. As a celebration of her life, an alumni choir and jazz band performed between the many eulogists who shared their remembrances and told how her dreams would live on in her students.

The service concluded with the Michigan State cheerleaders and mascot, “Sparty” flooding the stage during the MSU fight song and leading the crowd to the luncheon in the adjoining cafeteria, while along the way they were presented with B.C.’s favorite snack: popcorn served in purple cups. The services were recorded and edited together with interviews of family and friends and presented to B.C.’s family as Pray’s exclusive “Remember a Life Well Lived” video after the event. They chose to order numerous additional copies to be sent out to family and friends as remembrances.

As a reminder, the annual dues membership renewal date is July 1, 2012. In 2011, in an effort to target better ways to

serve our members and manage resources, OGR implemented an annual membership renewal date of July 1.

By moving to a fiscal year ending June 30, OGR has saved significant administrative time and costs, as well as allowing

you to plan for this expense when you are not impacted by year-end taxes. Quarterly billing is still available as a

payment option. Also keep in mind that you’ll receive a 2% payment discount by paying twelve-months dues at one

time in full. Please feel free to give us a call at (800) 637-8030 should you have any questions or concerns.

neWsWorthy

Pray funeral hoMe is first Place & grand PriZe Winner for Most PersonaliZed serVice or MeMorial

It’s time to renew your

membership!

30

famIly ContaCt survey

neWsWorthy

Given the nature of their schedule with long trips

followed by multiple days off, many commercial

airline pilots have other interests or jobs to fill that

time off. Michael Kulbacki of Brunswick Funeral

Home may hold the most unique combination of

jobs in the industry, being both a professional pilot

and a licensed funeral director. In fact, Michael

Kulbacki may very well be the only airline pilot in

the country that does both!

Michael Kulbacki is a Newark based pilot with

Continental Express/United Airlines flying Embraer

145 jets from Canada to Mexico and throughout the

United States. His schedule routinely includes 2 to

4 day trips interspersed with multiple days off. On

those days off, Mike can be found at his family owned

funeral home, the Brunswick Memorial Home, in East

Brunswick, directing funerals or meeting with families.

Michael’s interest in aviation was rooted in

his fascination with the Space Program as a

young boy. He started taking flying lessons in

his teens at Old Bridge Airport, and soloed

on the earliest date allowed by the FAA-his

16th birthday. He continued

lessons, and then earned his

private pilot license on his

17th birthday, his instrument

rating the following day and

his driver’s license the day

following. Six months later,

taking his then 15 year old

brother Brian along, Mike

flew a Cessna 172 over 3,000

miles round trip to Wisconsin,

Minnesota and several other

states.

While at Auburn University,

he became a flight instructor

and built his hours not only

instructing, but flying to many of

the away games played by the

Auburn Tigers from Tennessee

to Louisiana to Florida. During his university

years, he served internships with ExpressJet as

well as Continental Airlines and was hired at 23

years old to fly the $23 million Embraer jet as a

First Officer.

Growing up above the family funeral home,

Mike started working in the funeral business

when he was 8, doing maintenance and other

chores. Throughout his teen years he would

plow snow in the parking lot before he had

his driver’s license, and when he could legally

drive, would routinely be dispatched to make

removals from hospitals, nursing homes and

residences at all hours of the day or night.

Michael was driving hearses on funerals when

he only had his learner’s permit, and has been

working on funerals since

before that. According to his

father, Peter Kulbacki, working

at the funeral home has given

Michael and his 2 brothers both

wisdom and maturity beyond

their chronological age. Mike’s

father also has his private pilot’s

license, but added “Even before

Mike earned his instructor and

commercial pilot certificate, he

was a better pilot than me, and

I always walked away from a

flight having learned something

from him”.

Mike completed all

requirements for the NJ

Practitioner of Mortuary

Science license and passed

his Boards in 2009, joining the funeral home

licensed staff. According to feedback from

families as well as fellow staff, Mike is an

excellent director and a valued member of

the team.

Michael is now the second generation of the

Kulbacki family to be licensed as a funeral

director. His parents, Peter and Diane Kulbacki,

established the Brunswick Memorial Home in

East Brunswick, N.J. nearly 30 years ago, and

have built a reputation for first-class service.

FuNERAL DIRECTOR HAS HIGH-FLYING CAREER

The family contact survey was created in a straightforward manner in order to get an accurate

and quick response. It is recommended that you inform families about the Family Contact

survey before it is sent out. Without previous notification, families may be taken off guard,

which can be interpreted as insensitivity from the funeral home staff. When personally informed

about the survey, the family is more likely to participate and feel at ease when it arrives. A heads

up is an opportunity to assure them that their loss and feelings are always a priority and that any

feedback they choose to give us is valued and appreciated with our deepest condolences.

If you are interested in signing up for Family Contact, please call the office and ask for

Denise Rodriguez.

Michael Kulbacki may hold the most unique

combination of jobs in the industry,

being both a professional pilot

and a licensed funeral director.

the independent summer 2012

Documents

golden rule ogr

new ogr members

mark allen ogr

golden rulepresident

international order

funeral directors of

technology spotlights

kevin miller