February 2021

Page A4 FEBRUARY 2021 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS Se c t i on A GRUNDY, VA – Ryan Mullins (R) of Grundy Funeral Home in Southwest Virginia is shown taking delivery of their new Dodge Grand Caravan 1 st call van, converted and sold by John Muster (L) of Muster Coaches. Grundy funeral Home Muster Coaches 1-800-274-3619 Calhoun, KY Cremation Urns, Jewelry & Keepsakes 941-751-3382 www. BOGATI URNS.com By Nancy Weil As we move into our second year of the pandem- ic, many funeral home and cemetery operations are settling into some form of “new normalcy.” Safe- ty protocols are in place, staffing has been adapted to new coverage norms and our ability to shift as the situation changes has become almost seamless. For those in a COVID hot spot there is little that could prepare you for the overwhelming number of death calls, devastated family members and sleep- less nights. Being in death care during a pandemic is best for those who are dedicated, brave and resilient. Throughout the past year, I have noticed that most news stories focus on the heroics of first responders and healthcare workers. They are very much deserv- ing of all the accolades they receive. Yet I wonder where are the stories about you? Why has the press continued to ignore the last responders? This is not about the need for recognition, it is far more impor- tant than that. When the spotlight shines on an is- sue, there is a better opportunity to get much-need- ed services and supplies, such as PPE and the new COVID vaccine. For those in high outbreak areas, the government can assist with delivery of refrigera- tion units and other items you need to take care of the dead in your town. It seems that this is an in- dustry that works just under the radar and gets lit- tle recognition for the hard work that is being done each and every day. I will admit that I have tried to get national me- dia attention and failed. I have pitched stories to newspapers, television shows and every news agen- cy I could find. None of them responded. Maybe it is time that we use a new approach – go local and hope it gets picked up nationally. So now it is up to you. Random Musings Take a look at what is happening in your area and how your funeral home or cemetery has been impacted by these events. Put this together into a pitch for your local media organizations. The best pitches are those that are not about your business, but about assistance for the community or awareness of a situation or just people helping out their neighbors. In others words, this is not about getting a free commercial masquerad- ing as a news story. Some ideas could be: • Reduced funeral capacity does not mean less grief – How to support those who have lost a loved one even when you can’t attend the funeral. • Last responders – Recognizing the work funeral di- rectors are doing to assist the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. • Don’t wait to bury the dead – Why the ritual of burial can comfort the bereaved. • Virtual grief support – Safely take part in a support group from your home Once you have determined the best pitch, use what I term the call-send-call technique. Call your local news- room, radio station or newspaper. Share with them your idea and why it would be of service to the com- munity to receive this information. Ask for the best e- mail where you can send complete details and let them know to expect an email momentarily. This way your pitch will not get lost in the many they receive. Wait a few days then call back and ask if they have had time to review your idea. If they are open to running your sto- ry, contact me and I can help prepare you for your me- dia appearance. If they reject it, don’t give up. Come up with a new pitch and try again in a couple of weeks. What you do is too important to keep it under wraps. Now is the time to reach out to your community and let them know of the valuable resources you provide, both to those who use your services as well as those who go elsewhere. Become the authority in your area for the media to come to when they need a subject expert. As the death count rises, so too does the need for what you provide. Not just funeral and burial services, but comfort and reassurance to those left behind. And that is a story worth telling! If you want a copy of my media preparation tip sheet, e-mail me at nweil@OGR.org. Get Noticed in 2021 Serving as Member Resources Director at the International Order of the Golden Rule, Nancy Weil brings her years of experience working in the funeral industry to funeral directors across the globe. Her professional experience includes serving as Director of Grief Support and Community Outreach at Veterans Funeral Care in Clearwater, FL and at eleven cem- eteries in Western New York. Nancy travels throughout the country offering presentations on how to reduce stress, combat compassion fatigue and offer support for those who are grieving through her company, The Laugh Academy. With certifications as a Grief Services Provider and Grief Management Specialist, Funeral Celebrant, Soul Injury Ambassador and Laughter Leader, Nancy is uniquely qualified to bring new perspectives into how to best meet the needs of the families you serve. For more information on how Nancy can help you and your company grow, visit her website: www.TheLaughAcademy.com or e-mail Nancy@TheLaughAcademy.com. FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS www.nomispublications.com Monthly Columns online at ATLANTA,GA— Geor- gia Governor Brian Kemp signed House Bill 417 into law on August 4, 2020 regulating the crime, trauma and death scene cleaning industry. State leaders took decisive ac- tion following numerous complaints and findings of unethical practices, il- legal dumping of human remains and countless acts of theft in homes. Some companies were revictim- izing families. “I’m glad to sign HB 417 to create a level playing field in the crime scene clean-up in- dustry and protect Geor- gians from bad actors,” Governor Kemp said. Georgia Legislators drafted HB 417 to protect families and business from predatory service pro- viders who were slipping through the cracks. Indus- try leaders Gordy Powell and Doug Cunningham of Georgia Clean worked tirelessly with state legis- lators for more than four years to see this law come to fruition. “The genesis of this protection came from a national associa- tion of professional trau- ma scene cleanup busi- nesses and many from Georgia including Gordy Powell and Doug Cun- ningham as well as those concerned with proper re- mediation and humane disposal,” Georgia Repre- sentative Alan Powell said. “We have corrected a situ- ation of citizens being vic- timized while they are vul- nerable.” As of January 1, 2021, this new law requires business owners to un- dergo fingerprinting, background checks, drug screenings and provide proof of general liabil- ity insurance. The law also establishes a state- wide database available to the public listing all ap- proved and registered ser- vice providers in Geor- gia. Qualified and vetted services providers can be found statewide by zip code or county where ser- Georgia Governor Passes New Law to Regulate Who Can Clean a Crime and Death Scene vices are required by the new State Directory at www.Cleaner911.org. “This is a huge game changer for the better- ment of the trauma clean- up industry. The new law will not only protect vic- tims from being re-victim- ized, but Georgia will lead the country for the better- ment of the industry and victims,” Georgia Clean owner and Georgia Bio Recovery Association presi- dent Gordy Powell said. This new law has been endorsed by heavy hit- ting trade industries: Al- liance of Independent Re- storers (AIR), American Bio-Recovery Association (ABRA), Institute of In- spection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), National Fed- eration of Independent Business (NFIB), Restora- tion Industry Association (RIA), Society of Clean- ing and Restoration Tech- nicians (SCRT) and News Story Link (WGCL-TV CBS46). For more information, contact Gordy Powell by email at contact@GaBRA. org or call 404-606-6224. Your Real Source. Anywhere. Anytime. Online Directories Updated Daily 800-321-7479 • kim@nomispublications.com Go To L king For a Funeral Home, Trade Service or Supplier on your Computer, Tablet or Cell Phone?