Page A18
SEPTEMBER 2015
FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS
S ec t i on A
Funeral Directors Research,Inc.
AMRA INSTRUMENT,
LLC
623 N. Tower (P.O. Box 359)
Centralia, WA 98531
“the shorter the supply line the better off you are”
WEB DIRECT GIFT & PRICING
TM
By Jim Starks, CFuE, CCrE
Emergency Preparedness Hinges
on Proper Training
Emergency preparedness goes beyond installing fire
extinguishers and marking emergency exits. Training
all staff to properly handle emergencies that could take
place at your business is a critical step to protect the fa-
cility, employees and public.
First, all locations, including the funeral home, cre-
matory and maintenance buildings, must have fire ex-
tinguishers mounted in plain view, or labeled if not in
plain view. The fire code sets standards dictating how far
apart the extinguishers may be placed. Depending on
the equipment or product in the area, the standards may
dictate they are placed closer together than in other areas
with less risk.
Second, employees must be ready to use the extin-
guishers should an emergency occur. This means train-
ing to ensure all employees know the location of all the
fire extinguishers, as well as how to use them. Further,
employees should specifically know what to aim the dis-
charge at and when to call the fire department. Training
employees to make safe judgment calls can save lives.
Third, the extinguishers should be inspected monthly
by a staff person, then annually by an outside service.
And employee training should be reviewed at least once
a year with documentation.
Another important measure to promote safety during
Protecting
Your Families
and Business
of the public, employees should know how to protect
themselves and others in the area by first calling 911.
Of course, any time damage happens to the firm or
someone is injured, it is critical to document the inci-
dent. Methods of documentation include photos, vid-
eo and written forms. These items are critical when
submitting a claim to the insurance company or de-
fending against litigation.
Training staff to handle these specific incidents helps
protect the firm, staff and public. But without proper
insurance coverage, a firm is still at grave risk. Every
few years, insurance policies should be reviewed with
the insurance agent to verify there is sufficient cover-
age for things that could affect your business. Deduct-
ibles to cover these incidents should also be reviewed.
an emergency is installing emergency lights through-
out the building. When power goes out, people need
an illuminated path to an exit. If they cannot see,
the consequences could be drastic – particularly for
members of the public who are not familiar with the
building. Importantly, these lights also reduce panic
and trip-and-fall injuries.
Similarly, illuminated exit signs should be installed
at all exits. Never block these exits or lock them to re-
strict egress to the outside of the building. Of course,
a procedure should be created with accountability to
ensure the bulbs are checked on a routine basis. A
burnt-out bulb makes the sign completely ineffective
when the power goes out.
Depending on your location, other emergency train-
ing for specific natural disasters is critical. For exam-
ple, in some areas of the country tornadoes or earth-
quakes are more common. In these areas, staff should
be specifically trained to handle these emergencies.
With tornadoes, there may be some advance warning
notice. With or without notice, staff should know a
designated room to go to, as well as how to advise any
members of the public who are present and where to
take them. With earthquakes, staff should know what
areas of the building to check afterward.
In other areas, hurricanes are the more likely weath-
er emergency. Hurricanes come with more notice and
time for preparation. If a checklist is created and em-
ployees are familiar with the emergency procedure,
the area can be secured. Checklists should include
what should be done ahead of time to secure the lo-
cation, as well as outline how to continue operating
before, during and after the storm.
Sadly, workplace violence is another emergency em-
ployees must now be prepared to handle. Whether
the violence is started by an employee or a member
Tapestry graces one chapel wall. Famous families have endowed
beautiful heirloom pieces to this cemetery.
“We chose
Cressy Memo-
rial
because we wanted a re-
liable company with quali-
ty product, which is exactly
what we got. The families
we serve on a daily basis de-
served a revitalized space
with durable, beautiful fur-
nishings and, with Mary
Anne’s expert help, we were
able to make that happen.
I would certainly recom-
mend Cressy Memorial and
Hekman furniture to all of
our Cemetery and Funeral
Home friends.
Mary Anne
Scheuble
is very knowledge-
able about our entire indus-
try and her interior deco-
rating skills are her greatest
asset,” said Michener.
Allegheny Cemetery: 170 Years Old and Vibrant!
Historical Stephen Foster
stained glass window is a fa-
vorite stop on the cemetery
tour. Additional stained glass
windows on either side honor
this composer’s songs.
As they enter the lobby, guests are welcomed to sit and enjoy
the updated furnishings.
PITTSBURGH,PA—
Allegheny Cemetery
, one of the
oldest and largest cemeteries in the country, has been
a welcoming presence in the Pittsburgh area for 170
years. The cemetery encompasses 15 miles of roads on
300 acres. Hospitals, schools, businesses and neighbor-
hoods surround the property. The rolling hills offer beau-
tiful vistas and a quiet place to pay respects. Winding
paths and interesting features encourage visitors to linger.
Despite the proximity to downtown Pittsburgh and the
densely populated neighborhoods, it is amazing that one
hundred acres still remain for development.
Events throughout the year draw the community to
visit. The July Doo Dah Days, a Stephen Foster Music
and Heritage Festival, draws music and history lovers.
Memorial Day services, with one of the oldest parades in
the nation, honor all veterans but especially, the 12,000
veterans buried there. This designated Pittsburgh, Penn-
sylvania historical landmark also offers summer tours
where visitors experience Pittsburgh’s history, visit grave
sites of well-known families, or just enjoy a walk over
the rolling hills.
David Michener
, President and CEO along with his
Board of Directors, knew they needed to update select
furnishings in the beautiful mausoleum chapel. The ex-
quisite interior of this 1961 building features colorful
marble imported from all over the world, custom-de-
signed stained glass windows depicting Pittsburgh his-
tory, famous operas, oratorios, epics and songs plus so-
phisticated classical paintings. So, just any furnishings
wouldn’t do. In the chapel, aged rich wood paneling and
new carpeting now complement the sturdy, attractive
Hekman
furniture.
“The handsome new furnishings fromHekman will sure-
ly add to this distinguished gathering space.” agreed
Dan
Olesinski
, Supervisor.
Allegheny Cemetery will be hosting a tour for the
Penn-
sylvania Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association
. The
PCCFA event takes place November 5-7 in Pittsburgh,
PA. For information on PCCFA, contact Robert Lomi-
son at
or 717-576-2965. For
information on Hekman Furniture contact MaryAnne
Scheuble, Cressy Memorial 866-763-0485. For informa-
tion on cemetery tours contact the Allegheny Cemetery
Administration Office at 412-682-1624.
