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July 19, 2007
Robert Paterkiewicz Named New Executive Director
Selected Independent Funeral Homes, an international association of independent funeral homes, has announced the appointment of Robert J. Paterkiewicz, CAE, as its new executive director. He will officially begin on August 20.
“The Board of Directors of Selected is pleased to welcome Rob to our association,” said president Porter Loring, III, of San Antonio, Texas. “He has a strong background in association management, and we are excited about working with him in leading our organization.”
“I am very impressed with Selected Independent Funeral Homes,” said Mr. Paterkiewicz, “especially the recent organizational and governance changes it has implemented. This is a very prestigious group that places great importance on the exchange of ideas and best professional practices. The strength of the relationships between its members is key to the association’s success, and I look forward to helping the group achieve its goals.”
Mr. Paterkiewicz previously served as executive director of the American Society of Home Inspectors and has held leadership positions in several trade and professional associations. He received the Certified Association Executive designation from the American Society of Association Executives in 1998 and, in 2000, obtained the Institute of Organizational Management designation from the United States Chamber of Commerce. He is a native of the Chicago, Illinois area.
January 19, 2007
Bellows and Bunker Elected As Officers for 2007-08
At its recent meeting in Chicago, Illinois, the Board of Directors of Selected Independent Funeral Homes elected Bradford R. Bellows as President and Randall M. Bunker as Secretary-Treasurer of the Association for 2007-08. These men will be officially installed in October at the Association’s 89th Annual Meeting in Chicago.
President-Elect Brad Bellows is President of D.W. Bellows & Son, Inc., Pawtucket, Rhode Island. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 2004 from Group 1. He is a past president of the Rhode Island Funeral Directors Association, has served on the Board of Regents for the New England Institute and held numerous leadership positions in his community. He and his wife, Jayne, have four children. His father, Allan R. Bellows, served as President of National Selected Morticians in 1973-74.
“To serve as president of Selected Independent Funeral Homes is truly an honor,” said Mr. Bellows. “Considering what this association has accomplished in the past and its plans for the future, I’m excited about the opportunities we have to benefit the entire membership as we move forward. My hope is that our members will embrace the recent changes we have made and look to Selected to help them better serve the families of their communities.”
Secretary-Treasurer-Elect Randy Bunker is President and CEO of Bunker Family Funeral Homes & Crematory, Mesa, Arizona. He represents Group 6 on the Association’s Board of Directors. He is a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner and has served as president of the Arizona Funeral Directors Association, the Order of the Golden Rule and the Arizona State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers. He and his wife, Arlene, have five sons and a daughter.
“I’m gratified to be able to serve in this capacity,” Mr. Bunker said. “I’ve held many leadership roles in funeral service and other organizations, and I’ve always had the desire to make a difference and hopefully lend my experience to the betterment of those around me. There are a lot of exciting things ahead of us in Selected—opportunities to reach out and lead the profession. Change is in our future, and the nice thing about this organization is that we are willing to adapt and change in order to accomplish our mission.”
September 25, 2006
Eons Provides Members with New Opportunity to Post Online Obituaries and Create Everlasting Tributes
Selected Resources, Inc. is pleased to announce an alliance with Eons(TM), a 50+ media company inspiring a new generation of boomers and seniors to live the biggest life possible. Founded by Jeff Taylor, the creator of world-renowned Monster.com, Eons launched its website, www.eons.com on July 31st. As part of its launch, the company unveiled Eons Obits that features the nation’s largest free obituary database, offering its users access to national and local listings. As the first funeral service organization to partner with Eons, Selected Independent Funeral Homes is providing its members with a special opportunity to be a part of this landmark endeavor through Selected Resources’ Management Assistance Program. This service will impact, help and revolutionize the death notice and obituary market as the funeral home providers and consumers currently know it, and the members of Selected Independent Funeral Homes can be a part of it
Eons Obits provides funeral homes with a resource to offer the families they serve with a place for respecting and honoring a loved one’s death by providing an arena for people to grieve, connect and recognize those who have impacted their lives. Eons Tributes can be prepared with unlimited text, a photo and a memory journal. Visitors to the Eons website can search obituary listings and create notification alerts when an obituary is posted for someone in their community. In addition, each obituary placed on Eons Obits by a member of the Association will include the name and address of that funeral home prominently displayed along with a link to the member’s website. The Selected Independent Funeral Homes logo and web link also will be displayed on each member’s obituary listing.
“This is an important opportunity for members to drive traffic to their own websites,” said George W. Clarke, Executive Director of Selected Independent Funeral Homes. “When you compare the rising cost of obituaries that appear once in a local newspaper, Eons’ approach has significant benefits. Eons is the first resource to incorporate obituary listings into a value-added website offering a wide range of useful information for people in the fifty-plus age group.”
“At Monster, my mantra was, ‘It’s half about a better job and half about a better life.’ Now I am focused on helping people enjoy that better life, and the new mantra is, ‘Let’s live to be 100 (or die trying!)’” said Jeff Taylor, Founder and CEO of Eons. “We are very excited about our alliance with Selected Resources. We understand the value of what funeral directors do and want them to be a part of something very special here, because we believe that Eons Obits can have a profound impact on their business as we re-shape how life stories are told and shared.”
“The Association also will be providing Eons with content to help educate consumers about the value of funeral services,” Mr. Clarke continued. This supports our Public Education Program, as Eons helps position the Association and its members as respected resources for valuable consumer information.”
September 18, 2006
Konica Minolta Business Solutions USA, Inc. Joins Management Assistance Program
Selected Resources, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (KMBS) to the Management Assistance Program—a multifaceted group of consultants and special advantage resources available by special arrangement to members of Selected Independent Funeral Homes.
Konica Minolta Business Solutions was created in 2003 from the merger of two world leaders in optical and imaging technology. With combined experience of more than 200 years, KMBS has a long history of breakthrough achievements that span all the essentials of imaging.
Members of Selected Independent Funeral Homes will receive a negotiated discount on the complete spectrum of black & white and full-color document imaging solutions (including copying, printing, scanning and fax options) available from KMBS. The sales and service network across the U.S. provides members with branch offices in 75 of the largest metropolitan areas plus more than 750 authorized and factory-trained dealers in secondary markets.
In addition, members will receive a Customer Confidence Guarantee certifying that KMBS will repair systems for the duration of the agreement and replace any defective system with a comparable one at no additional charge. Members also have access to free lifetime product training to ensure the highest productivity.
"We have worked with Konica Minolta for three years at the Headquarters office and appreciate the dedicated service we've received as well as the many options our system has provided," said Amy Hunt, Manager of Selected Resources, Inc. "We feel Konica Minolta offers the quality, flexibility and affordability that will allow members to meet the ever increasing personalization needs of families as well as their normal business needs. We are pleased to welcome Konica Minolta as a fine example of how the Management Assistance Program benefits the members of Selected Independent Funeral Homes."
For more information about KMBS or the other consultants and special advantage resources available through the Management Assistance Program, contact Selected Resources, Inc.
June 2, 2006
New Military Funerals DVD Program Ships to Members
Selected Independent Funeral Homes has begun shipping copies of a new DVD program entitled Conducting Military Funerals: Practical Suggestions for Funeral Directors to all member firms throughout North America. Recent armed forces casualties in Iraq have provided reminders that military funerals can create significant challenges for funeral directors. However, they also offer unique opportunities to demonstrate compassion, professional expertise and patriotism.
The DVD program and accompanying 16-page booklet were produced by Selected Independent Funeral Homes exclusively for its members to help them effectively handle military funerals as well as other high-profile, line-of-duty deaths.
“We wish to thank James H. Busch, J. Mark Busch and Robert P. Solich of Busch Funeral and Crematory Services, Cleveland, Ohio, for their willingness to share company policies and recent experiences in serving several Marine families,” said Executive Director George Clarke. “We also thank Selected Resources Management Assistance Program participant Federated Insurance, Owatonna, Minnesota, for its support and interest in this project.”
A shortened version of the program was previewed for Group Meeting audiences as part of presentations made by members of the Busch staff.
“By providing this special DVD and booklet, the Association continues to fulfill its mission of helping members share with each other their best practices and successful techniques that raise the level of the funeral service professional,” said President J. Todd Lumbard. “The Board of Directors and I hope members will find this program to provide a foundation for developing their own line-of-duty death procedures and to connect with their community so that it may come together in time of need to effectively honor those who have died in service to their country.”
The DVD program is divided into four sections which present practical suggestions for 1. Working with the Military, 2. Assisting Families, 3. Managing the Media, and 4. Coordinating the Community. The companion booklet expands on many of the points made in the video. Selected Independent Funeral Homes also is providing copies of armed forces casualty assistance guides on its website at www.selectedfuneralhomes.org/members/support/military.
November 15, 2005
"Lest They Be Forgotten"
Inspires Veterans Day Audiences
During Veterans Day weekend, nearly 50 members of Selected Independent Funeral Homes presented the World War II documentary, "Lest They Be Forgotten,"TM to their local communities in a coordinated effort to raise public awareness of the need to honor our veterans. In addition, many more members hosted Lest They Be Forgotten showings in the weeks leading up to Veterans Days or are planning such events in the coming months.
The focal point of the Lest They Be Forgotten Veterans Memorial Program is a series of World War II documentaries produced by filmmaker and military historian Larry R. Cappetto.
Selected Independent Funeral Homes has partnered with Mr. Cappetto to support and promote his work of documenting the stories of veterans so that future generations can appreciate the fact that "freedom is not free." In many cases, the showing of a Lest They Be Forgotten documentary by member firms is coordinated with other events which may include speakers, parades, receptions, memorabilia and other related activities.
"Each of the memorial events hosted by our members is unique," said Executive Director George W. Clarke. "but whether they are simple or elaborate, each provides a meaningful opportunity for local citizens to honor the sacrifices made by veterans. With so many of our members hosting memorial events, we also are able to demonstrate our commitment as an association to the importance of commemorating the lives lived and lost protecting our freedom."
"It exceeded all of our expectations," said Thomas R. Morris, President of The Downing & Lahey Mortuary, Wichita, Kansas. "We had 600 people in attendance at the historic Orpheum Theatre on November 7, and the comments we have received are all very positive. This is one of the best outreach projects we've ever done. The program is very worthwhile, and it's a good thing for our profession to be associated with."
"We're very grateful to Selected Independent Funeral Homes for bringing this program to us," added Downing & Lahey's Randy Myers who organized the event. "I was fortunate to discover a local florist who has a wealth of ideas, information and contacts. Together we created a memorable event for the people of our community. We received numerous compliments from veterans and families about how great the show was. We arranged for Larry Cappetto to come and speak at our event. His comments added a lot to our presentation."
"I cannot say enough about the professionalism and attention to detail this event received," said Mr. Cappetto. "Downing & Lahey successfully demonstrated what Selected Independent Funeral Homes is all about-they went the extra mile and showed their continued care, love, support and commitment to this community."
In Gastonia, North Carolina, McLean Funeral Directors organized a very full weekend of activities: "On Friday morning, November 11, we held an open house at the local office of Congresswoman Sue Myrick," said funeral director Lindsay Lockett. "We showed a 15-minute preview of the Lest They Be Forgotten documentary, then we had a Veterans Day parade. That afternoon, we went to a local retirement community and showed the preview again. In the evening, we went back to Congresswoman Myrick's office and showed the complete film.
"We showed the full version on Saturday in the nearby community of Belmont and again on Sunday at a local church in Gastonia," Ms. Lockett continued. "We had a great turnout and excellent response. It was wonderful having Larry Cappetto here the entire weekend. His stories and explanation of Lest They Be Forgotten reinforced the importance of this program to honor our veterans. The week leading up to Veterans Day, we had a newspaper ad running every day. We distributed over 100 posters at local merchants and mailed 2,500 invitations. At each of our venues, we gave away Lest They Be Forgotten wrist bands and presented several copies of the video as door prizes."
John A. Gentleman Mortuaries, Omaha, Nebraska, conducted fourteen events: "We did everything from participating in a memorial parade to showing Lest They Be Forgotten to most all of the veterans groups in our area, the week before and after Veterans Day," said Thomas M. Belford, President of the firm. "We also made presentations at care centers and retirement homes to overflow audiences.
"We prepared special recognition certificates that we gave to all the veterans. It was easy to do on the computer, but it meant a great deal to the veterans. We called and got their names in advance. Then, after the movie was shown, we had each veteran stand and receive their certificate.
"On November 5, we were in the veterans parade. We had a bright yellow Prowler sports car with signs promoting our big showing at the Bellevue University auditorium on November 9. Ten of our staff members walked alongside the car and passed out flyers for the event. We got a lot of attention and had a lot of fun.
"Part of our success came from dedicating one of our staff, Sarah Bernhagen, to the project. She did a wonderful job of developing support and organizing the showings. She now is approaching local high schools with the program, and we'll be showing Volume II of Lest They Be Forgotten to the community around Memorial Day next year."
Melcher-Sowers Funeral Home, Piqua, Ohio, took a unique approach. The firm set up a booth at a local mall on Veterans Day where staff members recorded information from people to be added to the World War II Registry of Remembrances (www.wwiimemorial.com) which is a national listing of individual Americans who contributed to the war effort.
"We signed up over 200 veterans," said Wanda Wahl, Family Service Advisor at Melcher-Sowers. "People were so appreciative of us doing this, and we plan to continue. We now make sure all veterans we serve are in the Registry, and we give flag lapel pins to the family. We also are going back through our case files and signing up any unregistered veterans."
March 16, 2005
Selected Independent Funeral Homes
Leads the Way in Consumer Education
Recent incidents in the funeral and crematory services industry have led consumers to question who they can trust when it comes to dealing with the loss of a loved one. To ensure that consumers have confidence in their funeral service choice and the issues that surround this event, Selected Independent Funeral Homes has embarked on a national campaign to educate consumers on funeral practices.
The campaign consists of discussing topics including: prepaying for a funeral, the grieving process and “Five Things a Consumer Should Know When Planning a Funeral.”
According to Selected Independent Funeral Homes’ Executive Director, George Clarke, “As a result of our efforts to educate consumers on the best practices for the funeral service industry, we are delighted to announce that through print distribution we have reached over 2 million consumers in more than 40 newspapers, such as USA Today and the Philadelphia Inquirer.”
Clarke adds, “Our attempt to educate consumers through multiple television and radio broadcast segments on funeral services has reached over two million TV consumers, with live interviews on networks such as FOX News, ABC, NBC and CBS, and over 20 million radio listeners in top broadcast markets such as Dallas, TX., Miami, FL., and Chicago, IL.”
For more than 87 years, the members of Selected Independent Funeral Homes have been committed to providing their communities with integrity, comfort and assistance when dealing with the loss of a loved one. The Association’s approximately 1,500 independently owned funeral homes all bear the official Selected Independent Funeral Home seal and follow the most stringent code of conduct in the industry. This code is known as The Code of Good Funeral Practice.
“The Code of Good Funeral Practice was put in place to ‘police’ ourselves by setting the standards for an industry which serves the most vulnerable segment of society — those experiencing the loss of a loved one. It is our duty to ensure that consumers are offered the highest quality of services. That is why our members are held to the highest standards in funeral practice,” said Clarke.
June 21, 2004
Association Members Help Families
Create Personalized Funerals
More families are taking active roles in planning funeral ceremonies. As a result, a new trend has emerged in the funeral industry: personalization of funerals. For some, personalization means a slide show retrospective of someone's life. For others, it is live jazz musicians or sharing a toast after a wake. Selected Independent Funeral Homes recommends families follow some simple guidelines when making personalization arrangements with their funeral home:
- Research the funeral home and find out if it is an independently owned funeral home. Funeral directors place great emphasis on helping families create unique and meaningful ceremonies.
- Make sure the funeral home presents you with a price list. The Federal Trade Commission requires funeral homes to present an itemized price list to consumers before any discussions about funeral arrangements take place.
- Take time to make the decisions that are best for you. Gather information about your options and discuss them with family before finalizing the details.
“The baby boomers see a funeral as a celebration of a life lived. Though tradition still exists and is very important, funeral directors today place more emphasis on options," said George Clarke, Executive Director of Selected Independent Funeral Homes, the world's largest association of independently owned funeral homes. "A family can combine tradition with personal creativity to whatever extent it desires.”
One Selected member helped a family remember a school teacher by turning the funeral home into a pre-school.
“They set up little tables and chairs, brought in classroom props and pictures to honor this woman by creating a service that was truly reflective of who she was during her life,” says Clarke.
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