Feb. 5, 2010

Funeral Associations Release Statement on Haitian Earthquake

BROOFIELD, WIS. - The members of the National Funeral Directors Association, the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, the Cremation Association of North America, the Casket and Funeral Supply Association of America and the Monument Builders of North America express their heartfelt sympathies to those affected by the earthquake that devastated Haiti Jan. 12. The associations’ members also wish to express their deepest concerns over the treatment of those who died in the earthquake in a statement. read more...

Eagle and Federal Coach Consolidate Production in Cincinnati

CINCINNATI - With top funeral service vehicle brands Federal Coach and Eagle Coach gaining a combined double-digit market share increase in 2009, company leadership is now poised to continue that growth with the move of its Federal funeral coach production from Fort Smith, Ark., to its manufacturing facility in Cincinnati, according to a news release. read more...

Homesteaders Launches Redesigned Web Site

DES MOINES, IOWA - Homesteaders Life Co. recently launched its revised virtual presence, online at www.homesteaderslife.com, according to a news release. The vision for the Web site is to promote Homesteaders while also demonstrating the market leader’s advocacy of funeral service and advance funeral planning. read more...

Funeral Service Program Opens Updated Facility

GREENWOOD, S.C. - The Funeral Service Education department at Piedmont Technical College is on its way to becoming the premier training facility for current and future funeral directors in the southeast with the recent renovations to the embalming lab and the addition of a pet crematory, according to a news release. read more...

Funeral Home Allegedly Mixes Up Bodies During Service

DENVER - A funeral home has been closed, at least temporarily, while the state investigates how the bodies of two women got confused during a service, according to several news sources. read more...

The Complete Preneed Perspective

The Complete Preneed Perspective is one of the most detailed books ever written about the preneed industry. With the help of some of the top thinkers in the profession, Daniel M. Isard dissects every aspect of preneed – from its historical beginnings to its modern-day operations. To learn more about the book, click here...

The Funeral Director’s Economic Recovery Guide

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

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

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

NEW White Paper!

A new White Paper is now available from Tributes.com, an online obituary and memorial resource, titled "The Evolution of the Obituary."

Click here to view this White Paper.

Please take our Transfer of Business Ownership Survey

We need your help with an important survey, and we'll be passing along the results to our valued subscribers. Even if you do not subscribe, by participating and providing your e-mail address at the end of the survey, we'll be sure to send you a copy of the special report. The survey is for funeral home owners only, and focuses on transfer of business ownership. Thank you for participating in our survey. Your feedback is important as we try to help funeral service professionals with succession planning.

Click here to take the survey.

Online Buyer's Guide

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

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

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

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Editorial Submissions

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

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

Click here to view our editorial contractor agreement.