Page A14 july 2024 www.vischerfuneralsupplies.com www.derma-pro.net sales@derma-pro.net Nadene Cover-Up Cosmetics Ltd. A name you know... ...Products you trust 800-531-9744 Fax 903-641-0383 720-583-1886 info@duncanstuarttodd.com www.duncanstuarttodd.com SINCE 1991 What a ride this industry is. The day-to-day service of family constantly keeps me on my toes, but then I add to the crazy by volunteering in the industry and loudly voicing my thoughts on it all. Once upon a time ago, I heard someone quote Ayesha Siddiqi. I even used this quote already in one of my first months of writing for Nomis. “Be the person you needed when you were younger.” This is why I’m loud. This is why I serve associations. This is why I mentor. This is why I draw attention to things done well or things that need to be done better. My hope is that I can support and inspire. My hope is that my voice joins with others to bring positive and necessary change. Wildly, that doesn’t always thrill people of tradition or those who were on the planet before me. Two years into my presidency, at one of our local association events, I walked up to a couple of member funeral directors to say hello. Rather than a polite or even dismissive hello, I got a bold, “I liked the association better when little girls weren’t in charge.” This is not the only gross thing that’s ever been said to me, but that particular moment needs to be shared in this context: In April, I excitedly submitted a column discussing how my firm had hired women and addressing some inequality issues in the industry. Boy, were there mixed reviews. Ignoring the comments of hostility, I focused on the women and men from all over who reached out to say thank you. The response that made me cry? A text from a woman funeral director in New York State. Michelle Ironside Kinville was texting to say that she read my article and that she had just “little girls” got involved. I’ve heard stories about how valuable it was to be a member in the “good old days,” but I also have stories of how valuable and fun it was to be a member with women involved. I also know about all the good the association has done for its members over the years. The only problem I can see with women in leadership, a few bruised egos. Let me be extremely clear, I have learned so much and admire many male funeral directors. I am not discounting all the impactful things those men have done. I’m just excited for a shift of an era. I’m excited for women to be involved in the decision making and the future of this industry. It’s about **** time. FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS www.NomisPublications.com Monthly Columnsonline at Marika McMeans is a first-generation Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, born and raised in the Midwest. She began her career in the industry at the age of fifteen and was managing a firm by age twenty-two. In 2015, she relocated to Rochester, New York. She is a graduate of the New York State Funeral Directors Association Leadership Academy, a member of their Bridge Commission and a past member of several Task Forces and Committees. She is the current President and Continuing Education Coordinator of Rochester Genesee Valley Funeral Directors Association. Her goal, now and always, is to help support and guide the next generation of funeral directors. put in her application to run for Secretary of NYSFDA. Her goal, to be the third female President! It makes me giddy just typing that sentence. I’ve known this outstanding woman since 2017. I’ve been fortunate enough to watch her involvement in the state level of things and watch her teach the next generation of directors. I’ve heard her stories of being a mother of two, a basketball coach and the former deputy mayor of her town, and now the county supervisor. I’ve watched how she gracefully and professionally fights on the right side of history to create progressive change for our industry. I look up to her and all she does. She’s someone I needed in leadership when I was younger. Honestly, she’s someone I need in leadership now. So here we are, in 2024 about to watch history unfold as there is a race for the secretary seat. Will there be a third woman president? I hope for the sake of the schools full of young women, that there will be. Representation matters! It is important for the next generation to see diversity. It is important for there to be diversity on the board. There should be a variety of humans representing the vastly diverse state of New York. There should be directors from different backgrounds, with different experiences, ethnicities, genders, ages, and knowledge. Maybe with this change, we’ll have younger people get more involved in associations. Maybe with this change, the next generation will find the support they need to stay in the industry longer than a couple years. Maybe with this change, others will be inspired to lead. We all know the problems that funeral service faces. It’s time to start doing things differently or we’re just going to keep having the same issues. Here’s what I know, my local association was not better before By Marika McMeans Musings with Marika LOS GATOS,CA— Falling leaves that bud again in the spring; trees are powerful and timeless symbols of growth, death and rebirth - the ongoing cycle of life. People have always been drawn to the meaningful idea of becoming one with nature after death so their legacy can live on. Interest in nature-based memorials has increased in recent years, with 60% of Americans considering a natural option after death. Better Place Forests is America’s first conservation memorial forest company where ashes can be returned to the earth at a memorial tree in a protected forest. There are over 1,000 acres of dedicated forests across the United States providing protected and designated forests for families to spread their loved ones’ ashes. The idea for Better Place Forests grew from co-founder Sandy Gibson’s experience of visiting his parents’ graves in a noisy, busy cemetery. He realized there had to be a better place to remember them. Of the nearly 60% of Americans choosing cremation, 75% do not have a memorial that loved ones can visit. Better Place Forests combines a place of remembrance with the natural beauty of visiting a forest. Better Place Forests was incorporated in the fall of 2015 to provide a tranquil and natural alternative to cemeteries for people who choose cremation. To date, over 6,000 families have chosen a memorial forest as their final resting place and 300,000 families are considering the sustainable alternative to cemeteries. Individuals and families can choose a memorial tree within a protected forest as a final resting place for cremated remains. A single tree can accommodate the ashes of multiple family members as well as beloved pets. A forest memorial is held to return ashes to the earth and honor the person laid to rest. Guests participate in mixing ashes with local soil and returning the ashes to the earth. A custominscribed memorial marker is placed at the base of the tree as a tribute to that family’s special place in the forest. To ensure the lasting legacy of the forests, an endowment has been set aside for the ongoing care of the forests so that they remain protected and beautiful spaces where loved ones can visit and enjoy for years to come. Irrevocable licenses to access the forest are granted to each customer. To ensure the health of the forests, great care has been taken and the company has worked with soil scientists to ensure that ashes do not harm the trees or the wider forest ecosystem. The company is committed to forest conservation and reforestation efforts, and through partnerships with One Tree Planted and the Arbor Day Foundation. Over 500,000 saplings have been planted in honor of customers since its inception. Better Place Forests partners with funeral homes and crematories to provide a new revenue stream as well as increased green offerings for families. To learn more, visit www.betterplaceforests.com/ become-a-partner/. Better Place Forests: America’s First Conservation Memorial Forests Save on Shipping! DIGITAL DIRECTORY Available Download instantly at www.NomisPublications.com
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Nzg4MQ==