Abbott & Hast Publications - This Month's Issue of Mortuary Management

Cover photo by Suzanne St. John of Flags at Bay Point Marina on the Grand Lagoon in Panama City, Florida.

July/August 2010

Refrigeration and Death Care
Editorial by Ron Hast
In 1970 veteran licensed embalmer Robert Kilburn recognized a need for refrigeration in funeral homes. Taking into account regions where high temperatures were prevalent and circumstances where immediate embalming was not possible or wanted, it was a need confirmed. But at the time, embalming was standard operating procedure and there was little or no effort to challenge this practice. When Kilburn found no affordable possibilities for his purposes, he set out to design and construct his own self-contained refrigeration units that could be used in most funeral homes. His vision was eventually realized and he became well known for his unique, affordable units. Some embalmers still hesitate regarding the use of refrigeration, but there is no evidence it is a detriment to death care and it seems prudent that businesses relating to death care should own or have immediate access to it.
Colleague Wisdom:
This month’s topic: An unusual amount of attention to green burial has been flowing through death care circles. It seems that the observers and proponents of this subject are at odds with death care providers who listen to their clientele and proceed to assist and provide for their wishes. Are you experiencing trends or requests for green burial, and are families willing to pay more for this service?
Just Conversation
Ron Hast
On Ron’s mind this month: a back-and-forth that death care witness Richard Callahan recently had with a federal judge regarding “mortuary science”; Ron is not opposed to embalming, despite the opinion of some; and gypsy funerals.”
Delivery of Third-Party Caskets
By Douglas O. Meyer
The increase in sales of caskets by third parties such as Wal-Mart and Costco has raised issues connected with their delivery. Earlier this year the Universal Casket Company, which supplies Costco, asked for the FTC’s opinion on whether certain practices by funeral homes regarding third-party caskets violated the FTC Funeral Rule. Douglas relates comments from the response by Craig Tregillus, the Funeral Rule Coordinator.
Southern Spins
By Beachum McDougald
When a smoking ban was considered in North Carolina, several restaurant owners told Beachum, who lives near the South Carolina border, such a regulation would cause patrons to simply drive a few miles into SC where smoking was still permitted. However, when NC did pass a smoking ban, instead of abandoning local restaurants, customers turned out in droves proving the restauranteurs’fears unfounded.

With the continued recession and the state budget facing another series of cuts that may reach five percent, North Carolina Governor Bev Purdue is proposing abolishing some of the 400 regulatory boards now either totally or partially appointed by, funded by or regulated by the state. One of those boards is the North Carolina Board of Funeral Services. Even though no board has been slated for elimination or possibly merging with another, the rumblings have begun.

But Colorado, for instance, abolished its funeral service regulatory board years ago and there has been little change in funeral service. If the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service is considered for abolition or merging into a more focused and effective Board, will we doom funeral service and public protection, or will we be like the restaurant owners whose fears turned into jubilation?
Grab the Best Domain Names Before Your Competitor Does
By Robin Heppell
Newspapers are having a tough time. What would happen should the daily in your town become twice-a-week, or go away completely? Be proactive and start educating your families so they can come to your Web site to get the latest info on obituaries and follow you on Twitter.

Take these domain names before anyone else does: FuneralCosts[YourTown].com, [YourTown]Obits.com/ and [YourTown]Obituaries.com. You want to be the one in control while the other funeral homes are scrambling. If you take proactive measures now, your clients will know how to find you when newspapers no longer offer daily updates.
Prospecting From Social Trends
By Glenn Gould
Trends in funeral service result from megatrends in society. Traditional services reflected the nation’s abiding religious faith, and preneed came about so lower income families could afford traditional funerals. The trend toward cremation without services evolved as families became less churched and decentralized as the nation became more mobile. In all this transition, funeral directors want to know what can be done to return the industry to its past levels of relevance and profitability

The current state of the economy will have effects on the industry, both positive and negative, but the downturn, regardless of severity, is temporary. And just as the diminishing importance of religion and mobility had a long-term impact on the American landscape, so will the next megatrend, which could very well be the country’s growing sensitivity to the environment. Glenn explains how the green movement will affect you and your business.
Our Families Become Customers
A funeral director employed at a corporate firm voices his dismay at his company’s focus on more and more profits at the expense of the families it is supposed to serve. Reasonable profit is necessary, but we cannot forgot our purpose for being in this business — to serve.
Your Vital Role at Death in a Hospice Homecare Family
By Ruth Mulhern
With more families opting for the hospice modality of care, home deaths are more common and accepted. Thus, funeral directors and their associates are being summoned more and more to remove the bodies for these families. As professionals, not only do you perform your primary task of removing the body, but you also now have a hospice family that requires your care — a family whose needs are different than the other occasions you have to enter homes. Ruth details what you should expect from them and how you should expect to act towards them.

July/August Funeral Monitor
Embalming Schools vs. Contemporary Death Care

By Ron Hast
Ron shares comments and thoughts relating to his talk at the recent Annual Conference of the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE). The subject? The premise that educational standards and present-day death care trends are distantly apart. .
Statements Regarding Health Risk and Death Care
There may be health risks among persons attending a funeral or riding a bus, but not from viewing or touching the unembalmed or embalmed human body. – this is but one item of fact regarding any potential health risk associated with embalmed or unembalmed bodies. We mention numerous others, including quotes from professionals.
Slings and Arrows
By Richard Callahan
Richard shares the plusses and minuses of providing expert testimony services in court — and why he does it.
The Importance of Accuracy
By Kim Stacey
Accuracy in words and meaning is paramount. But the power of words is lessened when they are misspelled or otherwise misused — which can happen when you’re rushed and/or overwhelmed with tasks. When you see “deceased” as “deceesed,” for instance, you’ve got nonsense. So how can you be more mindful, accurate and clear? Kim got answers from Advisory Board member JoAnn Baldwin, a licensed funeral director with 20 years experience, who spells out how both you and your staff can make clear written communication a part of your professional lives.

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The Story Behind Our Cover Photos

During casual conversations with our readers, we are occasionally asked why the scenic covers of Mortuary Management have no relationship to funeral service. Publisher Ron Hast explains that our covers are purposely chosen to be supportive of the surroundings they are often found in. “I recall visiting funeral establishment lobbies over the years where trade magazines were visible. Covers often carried lines about embalming and other issues that could be disquieting to a bereaved family. We know that many receptionists and others read trade journals during visitation hours and covers are visible to others,” Ron says. Most readers concur. The picturesque scenes are also representative of the respect and enjoyment of nature by everyone at Abbott & Hast Publications and have been the compliment of many.
Our magazines are mailed with the label on a removable protective dust cover to allow viewing of the cover photograph in its entirety. Select cover photographs may be purchased by calling (800) 453-1199.