May 2020

Page A4 MAY 2020 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on A COVID-19 INDUSTRY RESPONSE FigTree Print Celebrating Life Customized Memorial Stationery Designed to reflect each individual loved one. Exceptional Quality • Reliable Service 24/7 Availability • Next Day Delivery Call today and learn the FigTree Print difference. 978.503.1779 • m.petie@figtreeprint.com Personalized funeral stationery that makes all the difference. Victoria “Viki” Williams December 15, 1944 - April 11, 2019 Barbara McIntyre April 4, 1938 December 11, 2019 ServedProud StevenJ.Wagner May 21, 1948 April 4, 2019 Barbara H. Little April 6, 1945 January 25, 2019 InLovingMemory Joseph Robert Sand August1,1932 -March25,2019 In Loving Memory InLovingMemory Ellen Corley May 12, 1032 -March 15, 2019 figtreeprint.com Rollings Funeral Service is Proud to Support their Local Medical Professionals TYRONE,GA— While the coronavirus has forced a grow- ing number of businesses to send their employees to work from the safety of their own homes, there is one group that has no other choice but to be on the frontlines – healthcare professionals. In an effort to recognize these heroes, the almost 50 funeral homes in Rollings Funer- al Service have spent the last two weeks donating meals to their local first responders and emergency room staff. “These men and women, day in and day out, are self- lessly putting their own health at risk to care for those in the middle of this pandemic,” said Greg Rollings , President and CEO, Rollings Funeral Service. Greg Roll- ings, whose own daughter is an ER nurse, has witnessed first-hand the long hours and hard work medical pro- proud of the large number of medical professionals that they are able to show their gratitude to. As coronavirus cases continue to show up in every state across the US, New York State remains at the number one spot. Currently, Rollings Funeral Service owns four funeral homes in Upstate New York, so it was especial- fessionals are putting in to care for their patients while trying to slow the pandem- ic. With almost 50 funeral homes in the organization, spread across seven states, Rollings Funeral Service is Accomplished Deathcare Regulatory Attorney Forms Boutique Law Firm to Serve Profession TALLAHASSEE,FL— Wen- dy Russell Wiener, Esq ., a deathcare regulatory at- torney with more than 27 years of industry experi- ence, announced the form- ing of her own boutique law firm, WRW Legal . Focus- ing primarily on the death- care profession, WRW Le- gal offers legal counsel in Florida and consulting ser- vices nationwide. Based in Tallahassee, WRW Legal serves all members of the deathcare industry, including funer- al homes, cemeteries, cre- matories, financial institu- tions, insurance companies, state or industry associa- tions and more. Among its services, the firm assists with licensure, prepares forms, policies and proce- dures, reviews firms’ opera- tions to ensure compliance and serves as a liaison be- tween clients and regula- tors. “Forming a boutique law firm enables me to serve the deathcare industry in any way they need it, as we focus on all aspects of the profession and have the ability to fulfill any regula- tory need of a client,” said Wiener. “As a firm with a deep understanding of deathcare laws, rules and regulations, we are capa- ble of navigating clients through any issue and pro- Wendy Russell Wiener viding a solution quickly and seamlessly.” Wiener brings along asso- ciate, Lauren R. Pettine , as well as her longtime paralegal, Kellie Hoover , who has worked with Wie- ner for more than 16 years. In total, WRW Legal has more than 40 years of deathcare law experience. Having served the in- dustry for nearly three de- cades, WRW Legal under- stands the nature of the profession and its 24/7 re- quirements. “Our clients are on call for their families, so we feel compelled to be on call for our clients in the same way, whether it’s in the middle of the night or over week- ends,” said Wiener. The firm officially opened for business in January 2020. For more information, please visit www.WRWLegal.com. Continued on Page A6 Send Us Your News! PO Box 5159, Youngstown, OH 44514 Fax 1-800-321-9040 info@nomispublications.com FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS By Nancy Weil As I write this column, I am aware that by the time it goes to print the entire COVID-19 situation will likely be radically different than it stands today. I would like to think that we will be looking back at the pandemic grateful to be on the other side of it, but I am doubtful that this will be the reality. So I want to share some ideas on how to best handle the stress, anxiety and overwhelm that comes with trying to juggle staff, pivot quickly on how to run your business and continue to take care of the families you serve. In other words, what can you do when it seems like little is in your control? • Be flexible: The situation seems to change daily, if not hourly, so practice flexibility. Not as in a yoga position like downward dog, more like a palm tree swaying in the storm. While resistance can be a nor- mal reaction to change, these are not normal times. So flow with whatever the current reality is, because as the saying goes…what you resist persists. • Be prepared: Let the Boy Scout motto be your guide. According to one scout website, it is inter- preted as meaning that you are always ready to do what is necessary to help others. That you are ready, willing and able to do what is necessary in any situa- tion that comes along. Sounds to me like the funeral professional’s motto is identical. So, make a plan for every likely scenario you can anticipate in order to be ready when you need to shift gears quickly. • Get creative: It is said that necessity is the mother of invention. Funeral directors and cemeterians are adapting and responding to their new reality with innovative solutions. From home-made masks to har- nessing technology, from new graveside protocols to work-from-home options for support staff as the situ- ation dictates, the solutions emerge. • Rally your forces: This is a time to connect with oth- ers in order to share ideas, ask questions and look for help. Turning to your “tribe” of fellow funeral profes- sionals helps alleviate the stress of feeling like you are in this on your own. There is no one right way to pro- ceed right now, but hearing how others are running their businesses can inspire ideas within your own or- ganization. OGR has been hosting weekly round table discussions where members are sharing their best prac- tices with one another. Both leaning on and learning from one another makes everyone better equipped to move forward. • Unplug: Even in the best of times it can be difficult to step away from the funeral home or cemetery. It may seem more urgent now to remain in touch with staff and families. However, this constant connection can lead to overwhelm and burnout. Better to leave the calls to someone else for an hour or two and step back for a bit. Taking a break allows you to return re- freshed and ready for that next family that needs your attention. • Socially connect: While “social distancing” is the ad- vice we are living under, there are still ways to stay connected. Within your home, be sure to take time to be with those you love. Whether it is sharing a meal together, taking a walk or playing a game, it is impor- tant to find the balance between work and home. Use video chats, text messages and phone calls to check in on others who are in your circle. As full as your days are, reaching out to those you care about, and who care about you, will provide some much needed healing more powerful than anything you will find at the pharmacy and that is…love. Stay safe. Stay well. Stay connected. Serving as Member Resources Director at the International Order of the Golden Rule, Nancy Weil brings her years of experience work- ing in the funeral industry to funeral directors across the globe. Her professional experience includes serving as Director of Grief Support and Community Outreach at Veterans Funeral Care in Clearwater, FL and at eleven cemeteries in Western New York. Nancy travels throughout the country offering presentations on how to reduce stress, combat compassion fatigue and offer support for those who are grieving through her company, The Laugh Academy. With certifications as a Grief Services Provider and Grief Manage- ment Specialist, Funeral Celebrant, Soul Injury Ambassador and Laughter Leader, Nancy is uniquely qualified to bring new perspec- tives into how to best meet the needs of the families you serve. For more information on how Nancy can help you and your company grow, visit her website: www.TheLaughAcademy.com or e-mail Nancy@TheLaughAcademy.com. Pandemic Pointers: Strategies to Stay Balanced During Covid-19 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS www.nomispublications.com Monthly Columns online at Random Musings