Continuously improving knowledge and keeping pace with changes in the death care profession is critical to protect a firm and the clients it serves.
Attending conventions is one way to update knowledge of issues affecting the profession, but conventions can be expensive in both dollars and time away from the business. Some states require continuing education, but not all classes are useful beyond credits to meet the state’s requirements.
Thus, alternative educational options become necessary. One option is Funeral Home & Cemetery News, a publication that can help firm owners and staff stay current, keeping the firm compliant and protected.
• Harvey Lapin (legal) is a member of the Illinois Bar and Florida Bar. He is a faculty member at the John Marshall Law School in Chicago and is presently teaching the subject of Tax Exempt Organizations.
Harvey has written numerous funeral, cremation and cemetery law articles that have affected firms throughout the country. These articles provide opportunities for firm owners and staff to adjust their business practices based on others’ mistakes.
• Gary Finch (OSHA/compliance) is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Texas. He founded Compliance Plus in 1992. Today they represent over 700 funeral homes and cemeteries in 37 states. Compliance Plus also serves as an advisory consultant for the International Order of the Golden Rule.
Finch writes about changes in OSHA regulations and problems firms have had with regulatory agencies, implementing a broad application for any firm owner or staff member.
• Christopher Kuhnen (pre-need) is a 29-year veteran of funeral service.
He has spent a significant portion of his career working for a family-owned and -operated funeral home and national pre-need sales and marketing organization. He is also the architect and founder of Funeral Profit Protectors, LLC.
Pre-need can be a liability to a firm when not done in a proper and prudent way. Staying abreast of changes in the industry helps protect firms and clients that purchase pre-need.
• Sherry Williams (aftercare) is president and founder of Sherry Williams Enterprises and Hopeful Transitions. Co-founder of ACCORD Grief Management Services, she has devoted more than 30 years to the field of grief and bereavement service. Williams is a nationally-certified grief management specialist, has received advanced certification as a bereavement facilitator from the American Academy of Bereavement, and is certified by the Grief Recovery Institute as a Grief Recovery Specialist.
Understanding the grief our clients may be going though can assist staff helping clients cope during and after the time we serve them.
Additional information can be found in association publications including ICCFA Magazine, The Director, American Funeral Director, American Cemetery & Cremation, CANA Cremationist, Southern FD, and state association publications and mailings.
Placing these publications on a desk to accumulate is a mistake! They are full of information that should be shared with staff to encourage their learning of our changing industry. As professionals, it is important to stay current regarding issues that may affect your firm or your staff, the firm you work at, and the clients served.