September 2018

Page B8 SEPTEMBER 2018 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on B Meadow Hill Announces Rebranding WOODSTOCK,IL— Meadow Hill Corporation, found- ed in 1997, is changing the name it conducts business as to Thumbies ® after the iconic line of fingerprint keepsake jewelry it pioneered two decades ago. A Decision 20 Years in the Making “Ever since we first introduced Thumbies® keepsakes to the funeral services industry,” commented CEO Diana Braun, “our partners and the public have taken to refer- ring to the business by that name. While we were always consistent in how we referred to ourselves, there’s some- thing to be said for embracing a trend that is two decades running.” Focusing on What Matters Although the name has changed, the firm remains steadfast in its mission; to design and produce the finest custom memorial keepsake jewelry, handcrafted by arti- sans in the heartland of the United States. “As our 20th year of working in the bereavement indus- try was approaching we undertook an internal deep dive to re-focus on what matters most; our partners, the fami- lies they serve, and the quality of our work. This rebrand is a direct result of that exercise. It has also yielded several new products and operational improvements with more to come,” Braun added. New Experiences The name and logo aren’t the only new things people will be experiencing. In the coming weeks Thumbies® will be rolling out: new packaging, a completely redesigned website featuring a true ecommerce user experience with enhanced partner features, and updated marketing ma- terials. All of which culminates with the launch of even more new product designs at the NFDA Annual Confer- ence in Salt Lake City, October 14-17. Same Commitment “With all of the exciting changes taking place it’s impor- tant to remember what’s staying the same; our people,” said Braun. “Everyone at Thumbies®, from our front of- fice to our exceptional customer service staff on through our amazing artisans, remains committed to producing the finest keepsakes and providing the best customer ex- perience available.” Thumbies® memorial keepsake jewelry is made from the finger, hand, foot, and other prints of the recently deceased people, and pets, they cherish. 2018 marks 20 years since Thumbies® were introduced to funeral pro- fessionals by way of their Thumbies®, Buddies Pet Keep- sakes™, and Phoenix Collection® product lines. The emotional connections forged by these remarkable heir- loom-quality pieces offer a measure of comfort to those who grieve. Each keepsake is hand crafted by skilled arti- sans in the heartland of the United States. Available in a range of precious metals and designs, there is something to satisfy every taste and budget. To learn mo re about Thumbies®, visit www.thumbies.com. Jennifer Padilla joins Kates-Boylston Publications WALL,NJ— Jennifer Padilla, a recent graduate from Kean University in Union, NJ has joined Kates-Boylston Publica- Jennifer Padilla tions as associate editor. Padilla was previously an editor and writer at her col- lege newspaper, The Tow- er, and also completed sev- eral internships in the field of journalism. She also worked for several years at Wegmans Food Markets. “I have no doubt that Jennifer will be a great as- set to our team moving forward, and the fact that she’s fully bilingual in both Spanish and English is a great plus since funer- al homes, crematories and cemeteries are all serving more diverse populations,” said Thomas A. Parmalee, executive di- rector of Kates Boylston Publications. Allison Sullivan, publisher of Kates- Boylston Publications, added, “We’re thrilled to have Jennifer join our team. We know her skills will serve us and our readers well.” Kates-Boylston Publi- cations has been help- ing death-care profes- sionals succeed and serve since 1877 and publishes American Funeral Director and American Cemetery & Cremation magazines, Funeral Service Insider and numerous books on death care. It also hosts webinars and events to help death-care profes- sionals. Padilla can be contacted by email at jpadilla@kbpublications.com or by phone at 732-746-0218. Visit www.katesboylston.com to learn more. The first Victoria was introduced by Sayers & Scovill in 1938 and created an immediate sensation. The Victoria’s stately landaulet styling quickly became popular with dis- criminating funeral directors and, within two years, the majority of America’s professional vehicle manufacturers were producing Victoria-inspired models. The selection of the Victoria name for the new 2019 model reflected the company’s carriage-building heritage - that could be traced back to 1876. Fresh exterior styling and elegant new interiors all craft- ed with the direct participation of discriminating funeral service professionals have enabled S&S to create a distinc- tive and distinguished new funeral car model specifically conceived to enhance your professional and community image. The all-new 2019 Victoria with its heritage styling cues reflects tradition tuned to the contemporary. While at the same time making a new styling design statement, the new S&S Victoria is a modern evolution of the popu- lar and traditional landaulet and one expressly designed, engineered and constructed for 21st century funeral ser- vice practitioners. The vehicle’s sweeping and sculptured body lines enhance the exterior beauty of the Victoria which is in perfect ac- cord with the aerodynamic Cadillac XTS design. Elegant new rear body lines are a bit more forward slanting with subtly rounded corners and sculpted rear door accents. Eye-appeal and distinction are further enhanced by the new landau panel styling. A sizeable, cantilever rear load door opens 270 degrees, and provides easy loading and unloading and all doors on the S&S professional vehicles open extra-wide and are equipped with hold-open detents. Inside, the 2019 S&S Victoria presents a spacious as well as sophisticated casket compartment design of dis- tinctive beauty. Gleaming jewel-like appointments accen- tuate its regal appearance. High quality, color-coordinat- The All-New Victoria by Sayers & Scovill Continued from Page B1 expressed requirements of modern funeral directors and, as a result, represent a renaissance of grandeur for profes- sional vehicles as well as simultaneously elevating your dis- tinction within the community. Simultaneously, the all new Victoria, like all S&S professional vehicles, is designed to retain its contemporary appearance for years to come thereby protecting your investment,” said McKiernan. For discriminating funeral service professionals, Sayers & Scovill’s complete line of funeral coaches provides the luxury of choice from distinctive designs on the Cadillac XTS platform. In addition, S&S offers a complete range of professionally-designed and constructed six-door lim- ousines on Cadillac XTS platform. S&S Coach manufacturers funeral coaches, limousines and other fine specialty vehicles for funeral homes, funeral ser- vice liveries and major funeral service consolidators. Head- quartered in Lima, OH the company markets its products through a nationwide network of highly qualified dealers. ed upholsteries, draperies, floor coverings are avail- able in a wide selection of materials and colors. New ceiling-mounted LED lighting and an urn holder are also exclusive features incorporated as standard equipment in the Victo- ria funeral cars. Luxury and precision craftsman- ship are evident even in the smallest details. “Inside and out this all- new Victoria has been de- liberately designed and created to respond to the OGR welcomes New Supply Partner Halo International AUSTIN,TX— The International Order of the Golden Rule (OGR) is pleased to wel- come Halo International, a distributor of unique, high-quality cremation urns, me- morial jewelry, pet urns and prayer cards, as its newest supply partner. Halo invested in new technologies that make it possible to offer unique funeral products that enable families to create one- of-a-kind memorialization experiences. Di- mensional imaging, for example, prints full color images directly onto urns. Wood, stone, wood and selected brass urns can be personalized using a 60-watt laser. Dia- mond-tip engraving makes possible custom designs on bronze, brass and stainless steel urns. Engraving plates and appliques round out the many ways Halo can deliver prod- ucts that add a dimension to every urn. “We will do our best to help you serve fam- ilies and help them get through the most dif- ficult time in their lives,” said Mark Stuver, Halo vice president and general manager. Stuver added, “Here at Halo, we are pas- sionate about compassion.” To learn more about Halo and the technologies it uses to create unique memorial products or to view a vid- eo on Dimensional Imaging, visit www.halointernationalproducts.com, or call Sarah Ross at 330-425-3800.  Founded in 1928, OGR is affiliated with independent funeral homes throughout North America and overseas that share com- mon goals of exemplary service, uncompro- mising care and compassion to families in their time of need. For more information, visit www.ogr.org . Perfect Gift for any occasion! 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