Page A10 april 2024 In an era dominated by technological advancements and digital communication, there is a great opportunity for generations to reconsider the significance of some of our timehonored traditions. The value embedded in gestures like a firm handshake, maintaining eye contact during conversations, and the irreplaceable experience of meeting in person persists as an essential aspect of human connection. This is especially relevant in professions such as funeral service, where the humanistic touch plays an irreplaceable role. Beyond being a simple formality, a handshake is a universal sign of respect, trust, and sincerity. Its roots trace back through history, symbolizing agreements, sealing deals, and fostering a sense of connection. In a world that increasingly relies on virtual interactions, preserving the essence of a strong, confident handshake becomes a powerful statement. It embodies the values of authenticity and establishes a foundation for genuine human connection. The handshake, in this context, becomes more than just a gesture; it becomes a bridge between the grieving and the comforter, a tangible expression of shared sorrow and support. Eye contact, another timeless tradition, holds the power to transcend words. When engaged in a conversation, By Jon O’Hara, CEO, Great Lakes Partnership maintaining eye contact communicates attentiveness, sincerity, and a genuine interest in the person speaking. In an age where screens often create constant distraction, the value of direct eye contact is easily overlooked. Encouraging the younger generation to embrace this tradition fosters better understanding, empathy, and an authentic connection that cannot be replicated through virtual means. While technology has undoubtedly made communication more accessible for the families we are serving and even our supplier partners, the personal touch of face-to-face meetings remains unparalleled. In funeral service, where empathy is non-negotiable, physically being present for grieving families establishes a connection that transcends the limitations of screens and keyboards. The tactile, sensory experiences of a handshake, eye contact, and in-person meetings contribute to the richness of our interactions, grounding us in shared history and shared humanity. And the families we serve deserve our efforts to maintain these genuine expressions of humankind. In conclusion, challenging our youth and the next generation of funeral service professionals to appreciate and uphold past traditions is not a call for stagnation but an invitation to blend the best of both worlds. The digital age should not eclipse the timeless essence of human connection, especially in our profesCritical Thinking: The Evolution of the Funeral Profession sion. A good handshake, eye contact, and personal meetings are not relics of the past but enduring symbols of our shared humanity, creating a legacy that enriches our lives and professions for generations to come. FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS www.NomisPublications.com Monthly Columnsonline at Jon O’Hara is a forward thinking funeral director & CEO of the Great Lakes Family of Companies. Jon is a first generation funeral director and in addition to working as a funeral director, he has also worked for Aurora Casket Company, Tributes.com, and The Outlook Group. He founded Great Lakes Partnership in 2018, which has grown from solely a pre-need marketing organization to a strategic consulting partner for funeral homes. He is also currently building his first funeral home location in Chesterfield Twp, MI. He lives in the Detroit area with his wife, Michelle, two sons, Henry and Teddy, and Labradoodles Sydney and Annie. Contact Jon O’Hara at 586-636-6611 or johara@greatlakespartnership.com. The Timeless Value of Human Connection Forest Lawn Appointments Gabriel Enriquez Vice President-Long Beach Park Lawn Corporation Announces Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2023 Results and Appointment of New Director TORONTO,ONTARIO— Park Lawn Corporation (TSX: PLC, PLC.U) announced its financial operating results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023, the appointment of a new director and its 2024 financial outlook. “Our focus on operational efficiency and cost management contributed to improved profitability and bottom-line growth during the 2023 calendar year,” stated J. Bradley Green, Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Green continued, “In addition, during the fourth quarter, we achieved an important milestone in the Company’s history through the strategic disposition of certain legacy businesses which has allowed us to reshape our platform and reallocate resources to support a more efficient operating environment. We are excited for the opportunity to fully realize our potential through our strong operating acumen as we look towards 2024 and beyond.” For the three-month period and year ended, December 31, 2023, revenue increased by approximately 2.3% to $88M and 6.6% to $347.6M, respectively, over the comparable prior periods. Appointment of Maggie MacDougall In furtherance of its commitment to deepening and diversifying the skills and backgrounds of its directors, the Company also announced the appointment of Maggie MacDougall as an independent director to its Board of Directors. Ms. MacDougall will serve as a member of the Governance and Nominating, Human Resources and Compensation and InService Corporation International Announces Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Results HOUSTON,TX— Service Corporation International (NYSE: SCI) reported results for the fourth quarter of 2023. Revenue increased $28 million to $1.1 billion. Tom Ryan, the Company’s President, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer, commented on fourth quarter results: “We delivered a solid quarter as we closed out 2023 and are pleased to report growth in revenue and adjusted earnings per share. These results are all made possible by our greatest asset, our 25,000 associates. Their hard work, dedication, and focus on our client families are what makes this company so strong.” Quarterly Cash Dividend Increased SCI also announced that its Board of Directors has approved an increase in its quarterly cash dividend to thirty cents per share of common stock. This quarterly cash dividend declared represents a 3.4% increase from the previously declared quarterly dividend of twenty-nine cents per share of common stock per quarter. The quarterly cash dividend announced is payable on March 28, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 15, 2024. For more information and full results, visit www.sci-corp.com. vestment Committees. “We are pleased to welcome Maggie as a new director to the Park Lawn Board,” said Deborah Robinson, Chair of the Board. “Maggie’s deep experience in working closely with similarly sized organizations, as well as the Canadian capital markets, will provide us with additional expertise as we execute on our growth strategy. Her addition to our team aligns with the Board’s desire to balance skillset with experience, diversity and tenure.” PLC is the largest publicly traded Canadian-owned funeral, cremation and cemetery provider. PLC operates in three Canadian provinces and seventeen U.S. states. For more information about Park Lawn Corporation, please visit our website at www.plcorp.com. Gabriel Enriquez GLENDALE,CA— Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks & Mortuaries CEO Darin Drabing has announced the appointment of Gabriel Enriquez to vice president-Long Beach. The internal promotion represents the caliber of strong leadership present throughout Forest Lawn’s staff as well as Enriquez’s twentyplus year commitment to serving Forest Lawn’s communities. Enriquez began his career with Forest Lawn in 2002 as a client representative at Forest Lawn-Glendale. During his overtwenty-year career at Forest Lawn, Enriquez has served as a memorial counselor, funeral service supervisor, and most recently crematory manager. “We have been fortunate to benefit from Gabriel’s outstanding leadership, dedication, and ever-growing expertise,” said Drabing. “We are proud to bestow this leadership role onto such a deserving member of our team.” In addition to Enriquez’s promotion, Forest Lawn also appointed Angie Ray, former vice president of Forest Lawn-Glendale, to vice president-Cypress, and Shivon Ozinga, formerly vice president in Long Beach, to vice president-Glendale. Both Ray and Ozinga are respected members of the Forest Lawn management team. For more than a century, Forest Lawn has been an integral part of Southern California. Since its founding, Forest Lawn has committed itself to providing outstanding service and beautiful environments for family outings, remembering loved ones and commemorating holidays. Forest Lawn’s locations in the Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties serve all faiths and cultures, and offer a wide range of celebrations and special events with competitively priced cremation and traditional funeral services throughout Southern California. www.NomisPublications.com 1-800-321-7479 “I Love My Funeral Director” “I Love My Cemeterian” Now is the PERFECT TIME to order the PERFECT GIFTS
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