November 2019

Page B6 NOVEMBER 2019 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on B Mike Jamar is founder and co-owner of Advanced Integration Technology. Mike has been working with computers since the early 80s and started Advanced Integration in 1994. Advanced Integration specializes in Internet inventories designed for specialty vehicles and equipment. HearseHub was created through a collaboration between Advanced Integration and Nomis Publications, and is now in its fifth year of service. HearseHub brings together funeral vehicles from a number of dealerships that specialize in high quality funeral vehicles. HearseHub offers funeral directors a large, and easy to shop inventory, of funeral vehicles. You can reach him at Mike@AITAdvantage.com. www.nomispublications.com Funeral Home & Cemetery News Contributors share insights and exchange ideas. B logs By Mike Jamar Purist Rethink I have always prided myself in being a purist when it comes to older hearses, and professional cars in general. I often refer to hearses with unusual paint jobs, hood scoops, bright wheels, adorned with skulls and skele- tons, with monikers such as Frankenstein, Halloween- ers and other such designations. Something happened recently that has me re-thinking my attitude. Let me clarify that I still love hearses and ambulances that have been restored to their original look. However, I recently saw a video clip on Facebook fromHearseFest 2019 which has broadened my tastes. The clip is almost 12 minutes long and features a procession of 100 hears- es. As I understand it, HearseFest was put on by PCS IRS SECTION 179 TAX CODE Tax season is coming quickly, but there is still time to take advantage of what if offers. What it offers for businesses is found in Section 179 of the tax code. This section allows a business to claim an immediate expense deduction for the purchase of a certain de- preciable piece of business equipment, like a new or pre-owned hearse. For most businesses this is much preferred over the traditional way of expense deduc- tion, capitalizing and depreciating the purchase over many years. You can still select the traditional way, if it makes tax sense for your situation. The hearse can even be financed, yet the full amount of the purchase price is still eligible for the deduction. However, to claim this deduction the vehicle must be in your possession by the end of 2019. It is important to point out that I am not a tax profes- sional. So, I highly recommend that you consult your tax professional about your specific situation when de- termining how this Section might apply to your busi- ness. Like all tax codes there are always a few “oh by the way(s)” and you need to make sure none of them apply to you or your situation. Greg Workman is shown taking delivery of his firm’s new 2019 Cadillac Plati- num Coach. Greg and his wife, Dolly , own and op- erate Workman Funer- al Homes, Inc . with lo- cations in Mountville and Columbia, PA. Greg picked up his new coach at the Conaway Enterprises show- room in Uniontown, PA. Featured Dealer: Conaway Enterprises and a group called “Just Hearse’N Around”. There were a lot of beautifully restored hearses, but many were customized as well. I started to realize that although they are not my favorites, some did make me smile. These customized hearses appeal to a completely different group of people. From what I could see most are younger and probably not in the funeral industry. These hearses may not appeal to the purist, but certainly do more to bring positive attention to a car, that in many only generate morbid curiosity. I would never own one of these customized hearses, but if it increases the interest in a vehicle that is much maligned, then it is a good thing for professional cars everywhere. Terrybear Announces ST.PAUL, MN— Terrybear Urns & Memorials has an- nounced the launch of its new logo and tagline. “Our new brand reflects the forward-moving direction of the company and is more relevant to who we are today and who we will be in the future,” said Lavina Lau, president and CEO of Terrybear. “It represents our new expanded capabilities and offerings,” added Lau. Terrybear has traditionally focused on offering beauti- fully designed urns and keepsakes to its customers. In re- cent years, Terrybear has expanded its offerings in urns, keepsakes, cremation jewelry, personalization services, and new technology. “The selection of the hand-drawn logo is a representa- tion of the creativity our team strives to incorporate into all aspects of our business – from product development and design to customer experience, personalization ser- vices, and fulfillment,” said Nikki Nordeen, director of sales and marketing. “We always want to provide fami- lies with beautiful products that reflect the lives they are celebrating; products that capture the memories of a life- time,” added Nordeen. The new visual identity includes a new tagline, “Compas- sionate. Committed. Inspired.” The company’s core values remain the same: delivering exceptional products, person- alization, technology, and service; creating forward-think- ing and meaningful memorials; and, caring for the life and legacy of customers, families and each other. New Brand Identity Bogati Urn Company Debuts New Cremation Jewelry Catalog SARASOTA,FL— Bogati Urn Company has debuted a new cremation jewelry catalog. This updated version, Volume 19, features the company’s most recent selection of high-quality stainless steel cremation jewelry, includ- ing pendants, lockets, bangles and keychains. “As the demand for cremation jewelry has surged over the past few years, Bogati Urns has committed to meet- ing the need,” said Bogati Urn Company owner, Andrea Bogard LeBlanc. “Our new cremation jewelry catalog really highlights that commitment by featuring our larg- est selection of designs to-date.” That selection now offers hundreds of designs, from classic options to those more modern and contemporary in the latest fashion colors. Many are brand new this year. Print versions of the new 24-page catalog, for those who wish to offer their grieving families something in-hand to look at, are available by calling 941-751-3382 or re- questing online at www.bogatiurns.com/catalog. An on- line version of the catalog is also available there by click- ing on the cover image. “Catalog debuts are some of my favorite times here at Bogati Urns,” Bogard LeBlanc said. “In them there’s tru- ly something for everyone looking to honor a loved one’s memory and, ultimately, that’s why we do this.” Founded in 2004 by Andrea Bogard LeBlanc, Bogati Urn Company offers funeral homes and crematories unparal- leled service and wholesale pricing on an equally unparal- leled variety of urns, scattering tubes and related products. Its original lead crystal line has expanded to feature a diverse and hand-selected product line from trusted manufacturers and skilled artisans worldwide. Its inventory now includes hundreds of memorial urns for adults, children and pets in varying materials, including glass, marble, wood, brass and metal. Custom options are also available. Bogati Urns is headquartered in Sarasota, FL and is a proud member of several industry organizations, includ- ing the Association of Independent Funeral Directors of Florida; Florida Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Associa- tion; Cremation Association of North America; Internation- al Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories and Pet Loss Professionals Alliance. For more information on Bogati Urn Company, vis- it www.bogatiurns.com. New Memorials Direct Releases New Seasonal Marketing Images GIG HARBOR, WA— New Memorials Direct has just released new sea- sonal marketing imag- es. These images help re- mind families that they have many ways to hon- or and remember a loved one during this holiday season. Images feature their most popular styles as well as new and excit- ing options like their en- graved band ring. Digi- tal versions of the images may be downloaded di- rectly from the website or a free set of printed images may be ordered. Those locations with dig- ital marketing screens should see the images in their updated slideshow. Make sure the screen is connected to Wi-Fi in or- der to receive this update. Additional printed copies may also be purchased and as always funeral di- rectors have the option of branding the images with their funeral home’s logo and relevant directory in- formation. To order, contact New Memorials Direct direct- ly by phone at 1-877- 995-8767 or visit www. NewMemorialsDirect.com. mymortuarycooler.com Are you state compliant?