July 2019

Page A30 JULY 2019 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on A Bay Memorials 321 S. 15 th St. • Escanaba, MI 49829 • (906) 786-2609 • Fax (906) 786-2692 Zerbel’s www.baymemorialsbabycaskets.com infant Cremation containers Available in 10”, 20”, 30” Flannel Lined Unisex Juvenile Pattern White Corrugated Cardboard Beginning at $20.00 Appropriate For Viewing News Association ContinueD OGR installs Leadership, Awards Excellence at Annual Conference Newly installed OGR President Thomas Hemmerle (center) his wife, Natalie, and Jeff Wages, Wages & Sons Funeral Homes, Lawrenceville, GA. fered the paper drops of blood and they ap- preciated the chance to share their story of why they were donating. The droplets were displayed on poster boards around the funer- al home for several days. “It’s this type of work that helps bring com- munities together, and it’s OGR member firms like Oliverie Funeral Home that em- brace and encourage community involve- ment year round,” said AdamMartin, OGR’s Immediate Past President. OGR Exemplary Service Award presented to Three Firms OGR presented the Exemplary Service Award to McDonald Funeral Home of Pic- ayune, MS, John L. Ziegenhein & Sons Fu- neral Home in St. Louis, MO, and Aloia Funeral Home of Garfield, NJ at the Con- ference. OGR’s Exemplary Service Award recognizes member firms for the outstand- ing customer service they provided to fami- lies during their time of loss. Exemplary Service Awards are recognized through comments from client families served who respond to OGR’s Family Con- tact Program surveys. One family whomMc- Donald Funeral Home helped shared the fol- lowing about their experience: “The entire staff was extremely accommo- dating. Within two weeks’ time, McDon- ald’s handled two deaths in my family. I can’t begin to describe their professionalism and compassion in helping us cope with our grief. They did an excellent job from begin- ning to end. Ann McDonald took control when our baby was stillborn. This was the most heartbreaking task for our family, but Ann wrapped her arms around us and guid- ed us. She helped my granddaughter dress the baby, took pictures, and cut a lock of her hair. She did all she possibly could to comfort my granddaughter and her husband after los- ing their baby. My mother died two weeks after my great granddaughter. McDonald’s embalmed her body and drove her to the fu- neral home in Louisiana where my mother’s service was held. McDonald’s did everything possible to lighten our load. I couldn’t ask for anything more.” One family John L. Ziegenhein & Sons Funeral Home helped shared the following about their experience: “The funeral home went above and beyond to make this sad experience the best that it could possibly be. The young men that came to pick up my sweet husband the day he passed were so cordial and respectful. When those young men came into my house, I was crying and they comforted me and assured me that they would take excellent care of my loved one. In just a few soft spoken words, they turned this horrible situation around and impressed me beyond belief. The next day, when I met Frank Heckler , his compas- sion and understanding touched me. He was so concerned about how my daughter and I were doing. He was also very conscious about my budget and never tried to “guilt” me into spending more than what I felt comfortable with. He has changed my opinion about the whole funeral planning experience. The ser- vice was just as I envisioned, and they did such a wonderful job with his appearance that we decided to leave the casket open. At the burial, my husband did not want a pastor, and I was so sad that I couldn’t think straight, so Frank took over and said some nice pas- sages and led us in prayer. He was the sav- ing grace that day. Although losing my hus- band was one of the hardest things I have had to deal with, the compassion, kindness and professionalism shown to my family from the staff of Ziegenhein’s made the whole day just a little more tolerable.” One family Aloia Funeral Home helped shared the following: “ Andrea (the funeral director) sympathized with the passing of our daughter. She ex- plained to me and my husband that the fu- neral home was founded by an ancestor who had lost a child and saw the need for better services for grieving parents. She made sure we understood everything on the documents and what to expect, then informed us that they would not charge for their services. As my heart ached in pain, Andrea looked my husband, my mom and I in the eyes and said, “Let me take this burden from you.” She gave us her word and went far beyond our expectations. Once we arrived, her staff helped inflate helium balloons to release af- ter the service. Our baby’s urn was placed so respectfully on the table where she was hon- ored and blessed and seen by everyone. As the service concluded, we went outside to re- lease the balloons. We couldn’t come up with the right words to say, so Andrea stepped up and said something nice before the release. We were grateful because at that moment we were feeling too much grief. After the service, Andrea and her staff carefully packed all of the items for Brianna’s trip home and helped carry them to our car. I feel it’s important for you to know that Andrea and her staff at Al- oia Funeral Home have hearts of gold. We will never forget what they did for us. Thank you so much.” “The services that these firms provided is just one example of why they received an Exemplary Service Award. We are proud that our member firms practice the basis on which we were founded, The Golden Rule,” said OGR Immediate Past President Adam Martin. Founded in 1928, OGR is affiliatedwith in- dependent funeral homes throughout North America and overseas that share common goals of exemplary service, uncompromis- ing care and compassion to families in their time of need. For more information, visit www.ogr.org. sary number of commitments and set the date with Cen- tral Jersey Blood Center. Their motto was “Thank you for making a Life-Saving difference!” They picked February for two reasons; first it was na- tional blood donor month; and second, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in February. Oliverie wanted people to do- nate blood in memory of their loved ones who may have needed a blood transfusion in the months or years prior to their death. It was a way for them to offer their thanks and help pay it forward. All together they were able to collect over 35 pints of blood, a pint of rare blood type needed, and plasma from those who were qualified. The local newspaper helped with advertising and the of- fice staff made red drops of blood large enough to write a sentiment and name on. As donors came in for their appointments, they were of- Continued from Page A29 www.nomi s publ i cat i ons . com $2745 Chelsea@brightwhitepaper.com