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eNews A monthly news update for the Wilbert Licensee Network july 2020

Wilbert Haase

We encourage you to circulate this issue of eNews to others in your organization.

upcoming events

We’d Like to Hear from YOU!What have you found that works in your experience? Anything poignant or tastefully funny that you would like to share? Old photos of Wilbert products or employees from days gone by that would be interesting? Please email your stories to Ken Moore at kmoore@wilbert.com. If you’re not comfortable writing, don’t worry – he will be happy to help.

October 19 - 21, 2020NFDA – The National Funeral Directors Association Annual ConventionNew Orleans, Louisiana

Wanted: simpliFi® Testimonials! Reward Given!See more on page 2

A Golden Anniversary Creates a Golden Opportunity!See more on page 2

Updated Graveside Services Recommendations See more on page 3

Wanted: simpliFi® Testimonials! Reward Given! . . . . . page 2

A Golden Anniversary Creates a Golden Opportunity! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 2

Updated Graveside Services Recommendations . . . . page 3

New Lowering Device Catalog & Special Offers! . . . . . page 3

Updated CDC Guidelines for Manufacturing & Office Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 4

FTC Issues New "Tip Sheet" for Funeral Providers . . page 4

Licensee Coronavirus Best Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 5

Remembrance Urns Now Available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 6

Trade Show Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 6

Commemorating First Responder Cody Holte . . . . . . . page 7

Commemorating First Responder Andy Clark . . . . . . . page 7

what’s news

Any Personnel Changes for the Directory or eNews Subscription?Kindly report any changes in your Licensee information to Kelly Kubicz at kkubicz@wilbert.com or call Kelly at 708-865-1600 at your first opportunity when changes occur. Thank you!

New Lowering Device Catalog & Special Offers! See more on page 3

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eNews july.2020

There's nothing as powerful as testimonials and we are hoping to gather those from Funeral Professionals using the Wilbert simpliFi burial vault presentation program. The intent is to use these testimonials to gain more simpliFi users and ultimately, help them (and you) increase lined burial vault sales.

We plan to use both online and offline marketing strategies to get these testimonials in front of more Funeral Professionals, including advertising, website placements, email campaigns, materials for your local use, and more.

Our primary goal is to gather video testimonials for the most impact. We are asking for your help in "interviewing" your best simpliFi customers, simply using your cellphone and the attached list of questions. It can be very casual and we have the ability to smooth out any rough spots, so this should just

take about 10-15 minutes for each video interview.

In return for your and your customers' assistance, we will give you a $25 gift card for each video testimonial you obtain – and a separate $25 gift card for your customer.

Once you have the video, just go to the simpliFi Testimonials Dropbox folder (https://tinyurl.com/simplifi-testimonials) and upload the videos. You can try uploading them directly from your phone but if you find that doesn't work well, simply copy the video from your phone to your computer and upload it from the computer.

If you have customers who would be willing to provide testimonials but are hesitant to do so on video - or if you are hard-pressed for time to do these - you can send them this survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/like_simpliFi (Note, however, that we are only offering gift cards for those who do video testimonials).

Thank you so much for your assistance with this initiative! If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, don't hesitate to contact Ken Moore at kmoore@wilbert.com or 913-345-2120.

Wanted: simpliFi® Testimonials! Reward Given!

Over the years we have added many urns, urn vaults, mementos, and jewelry to the Wilbert Cremation Choices® family, but let’s revisit the first product brought into the cremation line in 1970: the Universal® Urn Vault. Yes, 2020 sees the Universal® celebrating its Golden Anniversary!

50 years ago, the Universal was the first urn vault product on the market for the interment of urns and cremation receptacles. An advertising piece that was shown

in “Service and Innovation, The Wilbert Way” published in 1998, used the following descriptive words regarding the Universal:

“Because you know the committal service is the most important symbolic factor in fulfilling the grief syndrome of families you serve, and because you realize that a quality burial receptacle at the time of committal adds measurably to the family’s sense of satisfaction and security, we recommend for your consideration, the Universal cremation urn vault, the only one of its kind.”

These words still ring so true today, 50 years later!

To help commemorate the Universal’s Golden Anniversary, we have a golden opportunity for you to take advantage of: through July 10th, take $20 off the PW400WS Universal urn vault with a minimum order of 5!

Don’t wait for the fireworks to fizzle…Contact Inside Sales today!

To help your funeral homes promote the Universal urn vault to families, download a flyer with a fillable area for the funeral home info at https://tinyurl.com/Universal-UV

A Golden Anniversary Creates a Golden Opportunity!

®

Testimonials

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eNews july.2020

Each week as you receive new information on COVID-19 trends, you make decisions on how best to keep your employees safe during graveside services. On March 19th the

four major vault companies released recommended guidelines for graveside services through the National Concrete Burial Vault Association (“NCBVA”). On May 21st the NCBVA revised the guidelines as States began to loosen restrictions on group gatherings. Following are the revised guidelines, but please make sure whatever options you implement, you comply with all of your State and local guidelines.

The NCBVA and Wilbert recommend the following: ● Reintroduce tents and chairs assuming you are confident in your supply of disinfectant.

● Use gloves when setting up and handling equipment – grass, tents, chairs, lowering devices, etc.

● Properly sanitize and disinfect tent poles. ● Properly sanitize and disinfect chairs. ● Avoid using chair covers unless you have a way to disinfect them. Disposable chair covers are an option, here is a link to an inexpensive plastic cover – https://www.efavormart.com/products/white-polyester-folding-flat-chair-covers?variant=31664017211438&gclid=CjwKCAjwrcH3BRApEiwAxjdPTZl7x64umJH9LLm0Zp_baEBFwcqKb5ijh8SBTt4qrMWGGyEl31JxoCN9kQAvD_BwE Please dispose of them properly and safely.

● Promote social distancing by keeping 6’ between chairs if possible. An alternative chair placement idea is to create pods of four chairs for each family and have 6’ between each pod. A second option would be to arrange seating 360° around the vault.

● The Customer Service Representative (“CSR”) should refrain from approaching the grave if two or more people are present. CSRs should maintain social distancing of 6’.

Listen to the local authorities and continue to adjust your offerings to fit what’s right for your area. Stay safe.

Updated Graveside Service Recommendations

We recently completed a new electronic lowering device catalog featuring the Revolution™, Simplicity™, WilbertWay® and Wilbert Ovation® devices along with the associated ancillary equipment. All of these devices are made at Wilbert Funeral Services and we warrant the devices will be free of defects in materials and workmanship during normal and customary use for a period of two years from the original date of purchase.

Licensees have been buying the WilbertWay and Ovation devices for many years, but several Licensees were not aware that we manufactured a casket lowering device in Broadview.

We are asking you for an opportunity to prove that our Revolution device is made with the same precision quality as our vault lowering device and have a special offer: �Try a Revolution device for 30 days - if you like it, keep it

and we will invoice you for it. If you decide not to keep it, then simply return it to us undamaged - no obligation!

And here’s another special offer: �To celebrate the unveiling of our new electronic

lowering device catalog, you will receive a 10% discount on the purchase of any two lowering devices! The discount applies if you purchase two of the same devices, or if you purchase a casket lowering device and a vault lowering device together. The 10% discount applies to the amount of the total order.

Both offers will expire on September 1, 2020. Call Inside Sales today to place your order.

You can access the electronic Lowering Device Catalog on the Licensee website at Marketing | Print | Brochures & Catalogs under the Miscellaneous heading.

New Lowering Device Catalog & Special Offers!

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eNews july.2020

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has developed guidelines for both manufacturing facilities and office buildings which you may be interested in. As stated in the opening paragraph of the Manufacturing guidelines:

Employers should assess their workplace for factors that might increase the risk of spreading COVID-19. Develop a health and safety plan using a combination of the following prevention recommendations. Reach out frequently to state and/or local public health officials and occupational safety and health professionals to get relevant and up-to-date information concerning COVID-19.

Manufacturing Facilities https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/community/manufacturing-companies-fs.pdf

Office Buildingshttps://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/office-buildings.html

Links to these and more information related to COVID-19 is on our Licensee Resources page: www.wilbert.com/licensee/resources/

Additional useful information, also on the Licensee Resources page, are individual state’s reopening guidelines and current recommendations:

Business Guidelines, state-by-statehttps://www.huschblackwell.com/state-by-state-covid-19-guidance

General Coronavirus Restrictions, state-by-state https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/government-elections/info-2020/coronavirus-state-restrictions.html

Updated CDC Guidelines for Manufacturing & Office Facilities

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has created a new “tip sheet” for funeral providers, entitled “Funeral Price List Essentials.”

This simple one-page (front and back) document highlights when a price list for funeral goods and services should be provided to a consumer. It also identifies the needed elements of consumer price lists. Lastly, it recommends including a Casket Price List (CPL) and Outer Burial Container Price List (OBCPL) in a consumer General Price List (GPL) and then giving them to the consumer all at once.

The ICCFA wrote in their June 2020 issue of ICCFA Magazine that this was most likely issued in response to recent compliance issues found in undercover shopping by the FTC, where the CPL and OBCPL are handed out too late in the arrangement process - triggering a compliance failure.

This would be a great piece for you to provide to all your customers.

Download it here: https://www.wilbert.com/assets/1/7/FTC_Funeral_Rule_Price_List_Essentials.pdf

Federal Trade Commission Issues New “Tip Sheet” for Funeral Providers

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eNews july.2020

At the beginning of June, the Wilbert Manufacturers Association sent each of their members the gift of a no-contact thermometer to better monitor their teams during COVID-19. A great idea, a great member benefit, and a great cause!

Wilbert Burial Vault Co., Inc. in Greenville, South Carolina reinforced their commitment to First Responders at the Greenville Police Department by providing 250 meals in one week this past June. Meals were given to police officers, sheriffs, and administrative personnel over a 24-hour period.

Hal Wilkes of Christy Vault Co., Inc. in Colma, California reports he is still piping away on the rooftop every evening (by the time this is published it will be 100+ days straight) and has received a few requests from those in the neighborhood that listen nightly. One special request was for a young girl celebrating her 6th birthday. What a wonderful gesture to lighten peoples’ spirits!

Also, although Hal is sheltered in place, he has been making calls to customers setting appointments for a time when he can call back and have a conversation. He says this approach has been rather successful and engages the customer by giving them an opportunity to talk about their needs while giving Hal the opportunity to respond appropriately. Hal points to several successes with these calls, including being asked to design several columbarium niche projects and doing Zoom trainings for cemetery and pre-need staff. This is a great focus on the “We are here for you” approach. With California beginning to open a bit, Hal is now beginning to physically visit customers and brings along a refreshing English summer beverage, Pimm’s…the perfect liqueur for summertime! Great job Hal!

Licensee Coronavirus Best Practices

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eNews july.2020

● Cremation Association of North America (CANA) is going VIRTUAL August 5-6, 2020Visit https://pheedloop.com/cana20/site/home/ for more information on the convention, speakers and registration information. CANA is offering a very reasonable registration fee so you might want to think about attending and encouraging your customers to participate as well in this first ever virtual event!

● National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association (NFDMA) is going VIRTUALOriginally scheduled for August 1-6 in National Harbor, MD, they have indicated they will go virtual but as of yet there is no concrete information.

● Catholic Cemetery Conference (CCC) is CANCELLEDOriginally scheduled for September 29-October 1 in New Orleans, LA.

● National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) STILL SCHEDULEDThe NFDA convention is still on for October 18-21 in New Orleans, LA as of today. We have requested a rooming block and once it has been secured, we will publish that information. Please watch eNews for more information on the convention as it becomes available.

Trade Show Update

COVID-19 UPDATE: CONVENTION CHANGES

As we mentioned in the June eNews, Wilbert is excited to add a greater selection of wood urns that you can be proud to show to funeral homes. The enhanced selection will furnish those who are seeking exquisite quality and designs with a number of additional options to choose from.

Starting with the new Cremation Choices Catalog Vol 9 coming in the fall you will see a return to high quality, handcrafted hardwood urns made in the United States from familiar names like Davis Whitehall, Mabrey Urns and Howard Miller.

We have created a fillable PDF giving a “sneak peek” at the new woods for you to share with your customers! You can download this promotional piece from the Licensee website at Marketing | Print | Fillable PDFS under the “Pertaining to Cremation” heading.

New Fillable PDF on New Wood Urns

We are very happy to announce that Remembrance urns (P540) are back in stock. It has been a long process, but we are very excited with the quality of the finished product. The Remembrance urn has been a staple in our product line for decades and has carried the torch for quality. Its simple elegance, exquisite craftsmanship and satin finish is a demonstration of Wilbert’s unrivalled attention to detail.

The Remembrance urn is made here in the USA. Place your order today.

Remembrance® Urns are Available

Look for new high quality, handcrafted wood urns made in the U.S. from familiar names like Davis Whitehall and Mabrey Urns in the upcoming Wilbert Cremation Choices Catalog available in the fall.

Wilbert is excited to showcase these and other quality urns coming soon.

NEW! Colored Texture Printing

This innovative UV cured printing process delivers a lifelike image with a raised printed surface that enhances the level of detail on each product allowing families to touch and feel the image on their cherished memorial.

Creating Memories You Can Feel™

Mabrey Urns“It’s Love That Keeps the Memories Alive”

The Davis Whitehall Co.“When you are preserving a memory, it must be perfect”

All trademarks, service marks, and registered trademarks are intellectual property of Wilbert Funeral Services, Inc. © Copyright 2020 Wilbert Funeral Services, Inc. All rights reserved. URN-20062501

For more information:

A “Sneak Peek” of What’s Coming Soon

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eNews july.2020

Sheriff Andy Clark, 43, of the DeKalb County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office was responding to a request for aid from one of his deputies when he was killed in an automobile crash on June 3, 2020. Sheriff Clark devoted more than 23 years of his life to Missouri as a law enforcement officer and previously served his community as an EMT and volunteer firefighter.

Sheriff Clark is survived by his wife and four children, his parents, a brother, a large extended family, and a community who will miss his presence dearly.

Following a procession with police escort through Amity, Missouri, his graveside funeral service was held on June 10th at Oak Cemetery. Turner Family Funeral Home arranged the services.

Wilbert Funeral Services in St. Joseph, MO, was honored to provide the Clark family a Stainless Steel Triune® burial vault with Legacy Custom® print, as well as the graveside service.

Commemorating First Responder Sheriff Andy Clark

Grand Forks, North Dakota Police Officer Cody Holte, 29, was shot and killed on May 29, 2020, as he provided backup to Sheriff’s Office deputies who were fired upon by a tenant while serving eviction papers. Holte had been serving with the Grand Forks Police Department since 2017. After high school, he became a Military Engineer in the North Dakota National Guard and was currently serving as a First Lieutenant with the 815th Construction Engineers.

Officer Holte is survived by his wife of four years, their ten-month-old son, his parents, his sister, his twin brother who is an officer in Fargo, and a large extended family.

His funeral service was held June 2nd at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, North Dakota, with burial following at Augustana Cemetery in Halstad, Minnesota. Amundson Funeral Home in Grand Forks handled the services.

Northern Wilbert Vault Service in Grand Forks was honored to provide the family a Stainless Steel Triune® burial vault with a Legacy® print, along with a graveside service with Ovation® setup.

Commemorating First Responder Police Officer Cody Holte