July 2018

Page A32 JULY 2018 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on A FREE SHIPPING MEMORIAL MARKERS Call (800) 950-4061 3’x5’ NYLON U.S. FLAG Sewn Stripes & Embroidered Stars (Flag Only) Wholesale Prices • Dependable Quality on orders over $75! $ 10OFF $ 100ORDER Use Code FNMP10 $ 14 50 MEMORIAL CASES FLAG PARADE SETS News Association ContinueD Wednesday was packed full of continuing education opportunities. Directors attended sessions on Iowa Laws and Rules, insurance ethics, or FTC and Legal. They also enjoyed a second visit to the Expo and a de- licious lunch. In the afternoon, a session on “Critical Issue: Opi- oid Panel Discussion” was held for all to attend. This session featured four individuals and a facilitator who discussed the effects of the crisis on the funeral profes- sion, including the safety of funeral directors as well as how to assist families who lose loved ones to addiction. The most moving part of the panel was presented by a mother who talked about losing her son nearly a year ago to suicide after being released from treatment. A video from the NewYork State Funeral Directors Associa- tion was also presented during the session. The remainder of the afternoon featured insurance basics, the (Continued) History of Life as a Funeral Director, and ways funeral directors can assist families after suicide loss. The final two sessions of the convention occurred Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. Funer- al directors attended a session Wednesday evening with Dr. Jason Troyer . He spoke about communicating the value of funerals. Thurs- day’s three-hour session was presented by Shane Ritchie where he presented post mor- tem reconstruction of a mas- sive head trauma while com- municating why it matters. Convention attendees and the public delivered wedding dresses and formal gowns to the IFDA Convention as part of IFDA’s participation in the “Angel Gowns” service proj- ect. Angel Gowns is an or- ganization started in western New York State that creates gowns and suits are made from formalwear, special oc- casion dresses, that are repur- posed so grieving families will have a formal burial outfit for their child. IFDA mem- ber Jessica Ubben of Ub- ben-Lentz Funeral Home in Humboldt has a team of seamstresses who deconstruct the formal gowns and make the “Angel Gowns.” The gowns are not just for girls. Small gowns with vests and even bow ties are cre- ated for premature and tiny infant males. Depending on the sizes of the angel gowns created, anywhere from 10 to 15 dresses or suits can be made from one average size dress. Ms. Ubben had dress- es and suits available for fu- neral directors to take back to their funeral home to have on hand for families who need them. Next year’s Convention will be May 14-16. 2019, at Prairie Meadows Event Cen- ter in Altoona. The Iowa Funeral Directors Association “promotes and supports funeral service ex- cellence” by representing over 700 Iowa licensed funeral di- rectors and promotes high standards within the field of funeral service through con- tinuing education programs, legislative representation and service to Iowa communities. For consumer information regarding funeral service, please log on IFDA’s website at www.iafda.org . IFDA Member Jessica Ubben of Ubben- Lentz Funeral Home in Humboldt explains theAngel Gowns her team of seamstress- es have created for tiny angels. Iowa FDA Convention Continued from Page A31