November 2020

Page A35 NOVEMBER 2020 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on A © Custom Air Trays YOUWOULDN’TUSEOUR LEAK-RESISTANT CREMATION TRAY AS ABATHTUB, BUT YOUCOULD. We test ours in the labsoyou don’t have to test it in the real world. 1-800-992-1925 | CustomAirTrays.com News Association ContinueD Selected Independent Funeral Homes Hosts Virtual Annual Meeting Continued from Page A34 in 1991 and his great grandfather being an active part of the organization at inception. “The funeral services profession is changing quickly, and we need to be ready to adapt quicker,” stated St. Pierre. “Selected will be ready to support our mem- bers with those changes and provide the tools they need to be effective. The only way to feel the Selected connection is to share with your peers.” Trimble is president of their 146-year old firm and states that Selected has been an important part to their firm’s cul- ture forever. “We’re seeing things evolve so rapidly in the pro- fession. Selected is uniquely positioned to help our mem- bers to better help their communities however they need,” said Trimble. “Being independently-owned, we answer to the families we serve and as long as we address their needs and values, we will stay relevant.” Trimble is past president of the Illinois Funeral Directors As- sociation, served on the American Board of Funeral Service Education, served two terms on the Illinois Funeral Directors and Embalmers Licensing and Disciplinary Board and has been a speaker at several professional conferences. With the installation of the president and board chair, new board members Al Asta,W. Byron Calhoun, Steven Pierce and Erich Schepp were also inducted. The entire board of directors includes president Paul C. St. Pierre, Green- wood, IN, Group 2; board chair Eric R. Trimble, Moline, IL, Group 4; Erich A. Schepp, Fayetteville, NY Group 1; W. Byron Calhoun, Cleveland, OH, Group 2; Robert D. Nunnaley, Carthage, NC, Group 3; Steve Pierce, Kansas City, MO, Group 4; Josh Blake, Waco, TX, Group 5; and Al Asta, Phoenix, AZ, Group 6. In addition, the following thirteen firms were recognized: 75 Years of Continuous Membership: Brown Funeral Home, Inc, Martinsburg, WV; and Twiford Funeral Homes, LLC, Elizabeth City, NC. 50 Years of Continuous Membership: The Behm Family Funeral Homes, Madison, OH; Car- son McLane, Inc, Valdosta, GA; Holloway Funeral Home PA, Salisbury, MD; Keyser Funeral Service & Cremation Services, Inc, Kingston, NY; Langeland Family Funeral Homes Memorial Chapel, Kalamazoo, MI; McLean Funer- al Directors, Gastonia, NC; Mothe Funeral Homes, LLC, New Orleans, LA; Frank E. Smith Funeral Home and Cre- matory, Lancaster, OH; Speers Funeral Chapel, Inc, Regina, SK, Canada; Stanly Funeral &Cremation Care, Albermarle, NC; and Williams Funeral Directors, Garland, TX. The annual meeting also gave all participants and members an opportunity to complete the Community Service Proj- ect sponsored by Homesteaders Life Company. Selected partnered with the Walk a Mile Campaign, an online doc- umentary series that tells the stories of impoverished wom- en around the globe. Participants and members viewed three videos and voted for the organization they wanted to receive a $10 donation on their behalf. Selected member firm Flan- ner Buchanan, Indianapolis, IN was so moved by this effort that they have pledged to match the donations made through the Community Service Project. “Giving back through community service has become an honored tradition at the annual meeting,” said Stefanie Favia, partners and meetings manager at Selected. “We were honored to be able to expand on a global scale this year and it wouldn’t have been possible without the sup- port of Homesteaders Life.” Selected Independent Funeral Homes delivers innovative and pertinent resources, solutions and ongoing support nec- essary for enduring excellence to its international network of independently owned death-care providers who aspire to be the very best in their profession. The 2021 Annual Meeting will be held in San An- tonio, TX on Septem- ber 22 to September 25. For more information on Selected’s programs, becoming a member of Selected Independent Funeral Homes or to locate a member, visit selectedfuneralhomes.org or call 800-323-4219.

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