Comments for Funeral Gurus

Comment on Funeral Showcase: Frank Clark of Google Trusted Photographers MD by Funeral Showcase: Frank Clark of Google Trusted Photographers MD

Funeral Showcase: Frank Clark of Google Trusted Photographers MD — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 20:44:56 +0000

[...] In this Podcast, the “Funeral Futurist,” Robin Heppell, interviews Frank Clark of Trusted Photo MD about how Google Virtual Tours are affecting the funeral profession! Listen to the interview. [...]

Comment on Larry Merington: Marketing to the New Boomer by Shroudwoman

Shroudwoman — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 19:29:05 +0000

As a woman (or “NEW COHORT”) a boomer and the owner of a company that has been marketing funeral products online to baby boomers for almost 8 years, I attended Mr. Merington’s presentation March 2012 at the ICCFA on the NEW BOOMER to see what this military officer thought he knew about my generation many of whom living risked their lives to avoid war, work for human rights and the care of the environment (40+ years ago) changing the face of American culture- (remember Steve Jobs was a boomer, who I met once at a Buddhist funeral .) Seems he had discovered women!
I also gave a presentation at the ICCFA in Las Vegas 2012 sharing my experience with how alot of WOMEN, senior WW2 era “socialists”, baby boomers and their children have already decided to have NOTHING to do with the existing funeral industry (out of disgust) and are opting for home funerals, green burials, and alot of direct cremation with big ceremonies and parties afterwards. I actually spend alot of my time over the phone from California introducing them to great funeral directors right near where they live in the rest of the country!
My research has come from selling to people directly by making a beautiful functional product and putting it online in 2005 . So many people looked at it that my company got to the top of all Google searches for burial products – all by itself ! So interesting to BUSINESSWEEK MAGAZINE that they put me & my business as the centerfold in 2008 in an article about “Entrepreneurs Changing the Funeral Industry”.
In the past almost 8 years my company has built a National network connecting funeral homes to cemeteries in over 30 states WITH NO MARKETING BUDGET WHATSOEVER !
Alot of family owned independent funeral homes ,new green cemeteries and baby boomers know us well but not Stewart Enterprises.
“A giant cannot see the what walks between its feet.”

Being a woman funeral professional , a baby boomer and an environmental futurist I am virtually unknown yet I do business like alot of other baby boomers – completely under the radar of the major corporations.
What Mr. Merington has learned about the power of women ,or “FEMALE FEVER” as he calls it in researching with all of Stewarts massive marketing budgets is already about 10 years late. Mr. Merington states -” The future is ours to lose if we don’t get this right.” I could not agree more!

Comment on Funeral Forums Discussion Boards by Robin Heppell

Robin Heppell — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 01:57:17 +0000

Michael, I am not abreast on PA law and I understand that some new changes have occurred or are about to occur in your state. I did find this: http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol35/35-7/278.html
At the top, it says “Proposed” so again, I am not sure if it is in fact law.

13.202. Unprofessional conduct.
Unprofessional conduct includes the following:
(11) Furnishing embalming, other services or merchandise without having obtained written permission from a family member or other person authorized by law to make funeral arrangements for the deceased. Oral permission to embalm, followed by a confirmatory e-mail, fax, telex, telegram, mailgram or other written confirmation will be acceptable.

(i) A funeral director who has made reasonable attempts, without success, to locate family members or other persons authorized by law to make funeral arrangements for a deceased may provide embalming or other services without having obtained permission when there is a legitimate need to provide that service at that time and no facts known to the funeral director suggest that any authorized person, if requested, would refuse to give permission.

(ii) A funeral director who has provided funeral service without obtaining prior permission may not charge for the service unless:

(A) The provision of services without prior permission is authorized by this paragraph.

(B) The person paying for funeral goods and services agrees to pay for the previously unauthorized service.

(iii) A funeral director who has embalmed without obtaining prior permission may not charge or accept payment for the embalming unless:

(A) The embalming without prior permission is authorized by this paragraph.

(B) Embalming is necessary and appropriate for other services, such as a public viewing, subsequently selected by the person paying for funeral goods and services.

Comment on Funeral Forums Discussion Boards by Michael

Michael — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 01:13:48 +0000

My father passed away recently. I called the funeral home on the day of his death and made an appointment for the following day. Although I was planning to have the remains cremated, the funeral director said he had already embalmed the body and charged me $650 for a service I didn’t need or want. He actually said “I wish you had told me that” despite the fact that we had no conversation at all about any funeral plans. That’s what the appointment was for. So my question is: Am I stuck with that expense because he did the work? Or can I get a refund because he did it without my approval? I’m in Pennsylvania, if that makes a difference.

Comment on Coleen Ellis: Sales – It’s Not A Dirty Word by JDanvers

JDanvers — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 22:12:53 +0000

I will be attending and am looking forward to hearing Coleen speak on this topic. Thinking of expanding the business to pets and think this would be quite helpful with our decision process. Thanks for posting.

Comment on Conversations with Jessica Mitford – Ron Hast by Marty Martucci

Marty Martucci — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 04:37:38 +0000

Ron:
With all you’ve experienced in the funeral industry, you need to write a book. I would pre-order one today.

Comment on Libby Gill: You (and Your Staff) Un-Stuck by Raymond Aikens

Raymond Aikens — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:57:04 +0000

I hope Ms. Gill will also focus on the structure of the independent funeral home operator, how decision making tends to run top down and not so much in the way of a democratic or open discussion format. So many indie establishments only reflect the personality of the owner and staff are just expected to do as they’re told. For indie operators it is the owners who set the pace. In that respect, becoming “unstuck” means owner attitude and his/her desire to reinvigorate the operation should be a key point of focus in order to establish a trend of growth that is indeed sustainable. I think “Mom & Pop” mindset is on the wane, no longer capable of weathering the storm that is ravaging our sector. “Stuck” can mean operating behind the management curve and being oblivious to the change that is going on around you. Staff meetings may be regarded as absurd, same with soliciting input from your workers. I call this neanderthal-itis (LOL)…

Comment on Dr. Robert Cialdini: Influence: Breaking Down the Barriers to Yes by David H. Twiford

David H. Twiford — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:15:15 +0000

Thanks for sharing this interview….very good…..only wish I would be able to be inLas Vegas to hear the complete interview…..thanks Rob for helping our great funeral profession. You definite have our interest at heart….David H. Twiford

Comment on ICCFA 2008 Pre-Convention Interviews by Things are Heating Up & I’m not talking Cremation! | Funeral Futurist | Robin Heppell

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 23:04:18 +0000

[...] the ICCFA Pre-Convention Interviews have commenced and can be found at the Funeral Gurus website: http://www.funeralgurus.com/2008/iccfa-2008. ICCFA is in a couple of weeks and they have a great lineup of speakers and panel discussions. I [...]

Comment on Embalming & Preparation Room Management | Shun Newbern | Rose Hills Mortuary by Monique

Monique — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:16:43 +0000

Shun is a great embalmer. I worked with him at Rose Hills for many years. He knows his stuff. I moved to another state and I wish that the management and procedures could be as organized as Rose Hills was, if I ever move back to California I would want to work with Shun again. What can I say he was my supervising embalmer when I was an apprentice and he taught me everything I know.

Comment on Chuck Gallagher: ABCs of Social Networking by ICCFA 2010 Pre-Convention Interviews | Conventions | Funeral Gurus | Funeral Education & Trends

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:38:41 +0000

[...] Chuck Gallagher: ABCs of Social Networking for the Funeral Industry [...]

Comment on Eric Robuck: Internet Security 101 by ICCFA 2010 Pre-Convention Interviews | Conventions | Funeral Gurus | Funeral Education & Trends

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:20:05 +0000

[...] Eric Robuck: Internet Security 101 [...]

Comment on Nick Morgan: Authentic Communication by ICCFA 2010 Pre-Convention Interviews | Conventions | Funeral Gurus | Funeral Education & Trends

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:18:59 +0000

[...] Nick Morgan: Authentic Communication [...]

Comment on ICCFA 2010 Pre-Convention Interviews by Nick Morgan: Authentic Communication | Audio | Funeral Gurus | Funeral Education & Trends

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:17:53 +0000

[...] Go here for more ICCFA 2010 Pre-Convention Interviews Share and Enjoy: [...]

Comment on Ze Frank: Facebook May Not Be The Answer by ICCFA 2010 Pre-Convention Interviews | Conventions | Funeral Gurus | Funeral Education & Trends

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:03:35 +0000

[...] Ze Frank: Facebook May Not Be The Answer [...]