Basic HTML Version
Page A8
OCTOBER 2013
FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS
S ec t i on A
YOU SELL YOUR BUSINESS
ONCE. MAKE IT COUNT.
Ensure you have the industry’s leading financial
experts on your team.
NewBridge Group clients:
t 3FDFJWF BO JOJUJBM GSFF CVTJOFTT WBMVBUJPO
t 3FDFJWF UIF IJHIFTU TBMF WBMVF QPTTJCMF
t )BWF UIF MPXFTU UBY MJBCJMJUZ
t 1BZ OPUIJOH VOUJM B USBOTBDUJPO JT DPNQMFUFE NFFUJOH BMM ZPVS HPBMT
t "SF HVBSBOUFFE UIF IJHIFTU DPOĕEFOUJBMJUZ
With certifications as a Laughter Leader, Funeral Celebrant, Grief
Services Provider and Grief Management Specialist, Nancy Weil is
uniquely qualified to bring new perspectives and new ways to help
clients heal from the pain of grief as well as reduce stress for profes-
sionals in the industry.
As director of aftercare at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Buffalo,
NY, Nancy has developed one of the most comprehensive aftercare
programs of any cemetery in the country in order to support fami-
lies following the death of a loved one. A professional public speak-
er, Nancy is available to speak to your staff, association or confer-
ence, bringing her passionate interest in the healing qualities and
therapeutic benefits of laughter across the country. Her new book,
If Stress Doesn’t Kill You, Your Family Might, filled with tools that
work to reduce stress, can be found through her website, www.The-
LaughAcademy.com. You can contact Nancy at nancyw@mountcal-
varycemetery.com or visi
By Nancy Weil
Morals, Morass and Morale
Is it any wonder that our industry continues to be skew-
ered in the press when we ourselves have witnessed the be-
havior of some of our colleagues? Guilt by association is
not fair, however the broad brush concept holds true in
funeral service. I have seen funeral professionals (funeral
directors and cemeterians alike) sell products that were not
necessary or truly not wanted by the family. The family
just assumed they were required to complete the burial.
Our role is to guide, to educate and to direct, not to sell a
product or service we think the family needs or to meet es-
tablished sales goals.
Not long ago a sales person told me that the reason he
sells more crypts than graves is because, “the commission is
higher.” Ever stretch the truth when it comes to the overall
cost of options, perhaps exaggerating the cost of a monu-
ment to make the crypt seem like a bargain? Yep, I’ve seen
that as well. Today’s families are consumers and they are
bringing their buying habits into our industry and we have
to be prepared. It is not always “about the money.” People
want and need to see and receive value for the products
and services they receive. If we fail to deliver we have not
only let that family down, we have influenced future fu-
neral decisions within that family as well.
Bad press? Magazine articles reporting that we, as an in-
dustry, are money-grabbing-no-good-hooligans? Newspa-
pers, radio andTV have focused on the dark side of our in-
dustry; yes there are a few funeral professionals who made
inappropriate decisions that have reflected poorly on the ma-
jority of us who are caring, conscientious professionals. It is
your/my responsibility to create positive press. Get your an-
nual memorial and remembrance services into the news. Take
the time to speak and meet with those of influence within
your community. We assume they know what we do and why
we do it. Let them spread the good word on your behalf. No
longer can we let anyone assume anything about our indus-
try. Get out and tell your story!
My grandmother used to drill into me when I was a little
girl that the only thing that mattered was my good name and
that I was to protect it at all costs. Anything I did also reflect-
ed upon the family name. Good advice for me, better advice
for our industry. We must work diligently to deal honestly
with our clients. Character counts. Morals are a must. If you
always deliver more than what was expected by the families
you serve, your business will only grow.
Yet, with the rise of cremation, we are thrown into an un-
known morass of unknowns. What was once simple and tradi-
tional is now open to interpretation. In the past a family came
into your office listened to what you had to say and selected
what was important to them. Today they walk into your office
and tell you what they and you are going to do. Do you listen
with an open mind or do you become defensive? Do you just
blurt out NO! and return to your old ways? Or do you listen,
compromise and deliver the memorable service they were look-
ing for?
Zig Ziglar
, a recognized leader in the world of sales, was
once quoted “If you always do what you have always done, you
will always get what you always got.” No longer true in our in-
dustry and/or any industry, let alone in life. The word adapt-
ability should be plastered everywhere.
By doing what is right, every time; by being compassionate,
yet professional; by honoring the deceased and comforting the
living, we bring respect to our industry and pride within our-
selves. We also raise morale at our business and create a work
environment that is above reproach. Morale comes from do-
ing our job well, not feeling like we are being pitted against
one another, and going home each day satisfied that we have
helped someone through our efforts. Morale stems from a mu-
tually supportive environment where you know your co-work-
ers are there to lend a hand. Morale comes from unexpected
praise, unsolicited thanks and undeniable commitment to the
Changing
Lives
Through
Laughter
job. Morale is created through effort and a plan. It is what
makes the job more than a job. It makes the business feel
like home. It creates friendships, forms bonds and allows
each individual to thrive and expand their capabilities in a
supportive environment.
Every business needs to look at where they stand in
these three key areas. Have you conducted a morality
check at your office? Are expectations clearly commu-
nicated? Are customers being treated fairly all the time?
Are policies in place to enforce honest interaction with
clients and one another? Do these same policies cover
confusing situations that may occur with the changes in
societal norms? Is the staff trained how to handle the un-
usual request or situation? Most of all, do they love show-
ing up to work? Do they feel like they are in a supportive,
safe environment? Do they feel like they can make a dif-
ference through their efforts and feel proud of a job well
done? If you can answer “yes” to the questions above, you
are to be commended for being one who brings honor to
our industry. May every funeral home and cemetery join
in so that no news outlets can cast dispersions on our in-
tegrity, values or commitment ever again.
After The End: A Journey
through Loss to Hope is
now on DVD and Digital
Platforms
LOS ANGELES, CA—
Most people avoid talk-
ing about death. Follow-
ing the unexpected loss
of his father,
Andrew
Morgan
decided to make
a documentary in which
the viewer could “observe
loss honestly in all of its
power.”
After The End
is
now available on DVD
and
video-on-demand
(VOD) platforms (in-
cluding Amazon Instant
and Hulu) from Cinema Libre Studio.
Morgan lost his father suddenly in 2011 when the
two of them were on a bicycle ride. Morgan moved
forward with his life: changed jobs, moved across
country, had a child. “All of the changes and new
things helped me to focus on anything but my dad,”
said Morgan. And then one day, he woke up and re-
alized he really wanted to talk about his father and
his death. By sharing his own experience with inter-
view subjects, Morgan was able to create a very nat-
ural and very cathartic examination of the grieving
process which will allow those who have experienced
the loss of a loved one to recognize the common bond
they share with many others and to be reassured that
they CAN eventually heal.
Through interviews with hospice coordinators, be-
reavement specialists and experts on grief counsel-
ing, including
Alan D. Wolfelt
(author, educator and
founder of
Center For Loss & Life Transition
),
Rev.
David M. Smith
, and
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
(via
archival video), the author of the seminal work on
grief issues,
On Death and Dying
, we are reminded
that by sharing our pain, we allow ourselves to heal.
“A poignant, beautiful film that genuinely invites
viewers to examine not just grief, but the opportuni-
ties for resilience, hope and deep, deep love that can
emerge following profound loss,” says
Dianne Gray
,
President of the Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Foundation.
For more information, visit
LOOKING BACK...
.com
MOVING FORWARD...
stop by Booth 1035
to win an
i
pad
teddy bear
or banner ad!
to win