February 2017

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Page A4 FEBRUARY 2017 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on A
By Nancy Weil
#TrailerLife
If you’ve learned nothing else working in this indus-
try, it is that life takes unexpected turns. How we handle
these “zigs” when we were planning to “zag” determines
our happiness. It is not the circumstance that makes us
happy, but rather how we view it that can bring us either
joy or despair. We are innately great salespeople, who can
talk ourselves in to or out of anything. Working with my
consulting clients has shown me that a simple shift in
perspective can free us from that feeling of overwhelm.
Last fall saw me moving to Florida and taking up resi-
dence in a 30’ trailer in my brother’s warehouse parking
lot. This was not my ideal living circumstance, nor what
I envisioned when thinking of Beachfront Bargain Hunt
and other shows that remind us how great it is to live
on the water. Yet it is a safe place to live until I can find
my next home. Sharing my space with my fiancé, Bob,
pug, Simone and cat, Keeley makes for tight quarters. Yet
HGTV promises me that Tiny Homes are all the rage, so
I guess I am at least trendy!
I was faced with a decision when I chose to move: I
could embrace my circumstances or bemoan my fate.
The Ego would say to whine and complain. “Trailer liv-
ing is beneath me,” the Ego would say. Yet I listen to my
heart and embrace this transition time. I see my broth-
er every day as he works at his craft. I also see raccoons
scurrying by me as I exit my warehouse office space (but
Random
Musings
WithcertificationsasaGriefServicesProviderandGriefManagement
Specialist, Funeral Celebrant, as well as Laughter Leader, Nancy Weil
is uniquely qualified to bring new perspectives into how to best meet
the needs of the families you serve. A professional speaker, Nancy
travels the country bringing effective tools to reduce stress, combat
compassion fatigue and handle grief to companies, associations and
conferences large and small. With a passionate interest in the healing
qualities of laughter, she is known for her energetic, entertaining and
content rich programs. In addition to talks geared to the general
public, she has also been brought in by funeral directors to offer
(CEU) programs to funeral staff, nurses, chaplains and social work-
ers in their communities.
Nancy has developed the most comprehensive aftercare program
of any cemetery or funeral home in the country and is currently di-
recting aftercare programs, community outreach and marketing at
Veterans Funeral Care. She consults with industry professionals in
how they can develop or grow their own grief support program in
order to maintain contact with the families they serve and develop
stronger relationships within their community.
Her book, If Stress Doesn’t Kill You, Your Family Might, is filled with
tools that work to reduce stress and find your “inner happy.” For
more information on how Nancy can help you and your business
grow, visit her website: or by email at:
.
that is a story for another day!) I enjoy the peacefulness of
the dead end street. The coziness of the small space. I am
proud of the nutritious vegan meals I can produce out of
my mini-kitchen. I am amused at the absurdity of it all. I
have had time to blog (see my website to sign up or to read
my blog), time to meditate and time to exhale.
I watch my fellow funeral professionals who wonder when
they last had time to breathe deeply, to reflect upon their
life or just enjoy a winter’s day. Those who are busy have no
time and worry about staffing, stress and sanity. Those who
are slow still have no time as they busy themselves worrying
about clients, calculations and closing their doors. These
scenarios are all real, but are they healthy? Worry does
nothing but take away our inner peace. Worry is a projec-
tion of what might occur, not what is actually happening
right now. Peace is the Soul letting you know that every-
thing is in perfect order, no matter what is occurring.
When you feel overwhelmed remind yourself that right
now, at this very moment, you are safe (unlike many around
the world), you are loved and you can make it through any
challenge. I love the meme that states, “So far I have sur-
vived 100% of my worst days.”
But what about your best days? Isn’t that the one you
are experiencing right now? Did you wake up on the right
side of the grass? Are those you love doing well? Do you
have the freedom to choose what you will do for the next
24 hours? If you could answer “yes”, then this is the most
amazing day of your life so far. All you have to do is de-
cide that it is so and look for the signs that indicate you
are right. You don’t have to live in a trailer to appreciate
your home. You don’t have to wake up in sunshine, to
miss the snow (or is it the other way around?!) You need
only to focus more on what you want in this day. Noth-
ing more. Just look and you will find your bliss.
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Tom Parmalee of Kates-Boylston and Velma Sue De Leon
AFD Selects Velma Sue De Leon 2016 Funeral
Director of the Year
WALL,NJ— American Funeral Director magazine recently
announced that Velma Sue De Leon has won its 2016
Funeral Director of the Year award.
De Leon and her husband Leon are founders and owners
of Memorial Funeral Home, which has locations in San
Juan and Edinburg, TX. She was selected because of her ef-
forts on behalf of the communities she serves, as well as her
innovative approach to running and growing her business.
De Leon is profiled in the December issue of the magazine
and was on hand to receive her award at the Eleventh An-
nual Funeral Service Business Plan Conference, which was
held in New Orleans in early December.
De Leon, 59, has been a licensed funeral director since
1991. She now operates two funeral homes, an event cen-
ter, a flower shop, a cremation facility and a pet funeral
home and crematory.
De Leon was selected from among nominations from fu-
neral directors from throughout the country, said Allison
Sullivan, publisher of Kates-Boylston Publications.
“Mrs. De Leon’s commitment to the communities she
serves embodies what the funeral profession is all about,” Sul-
livan said. “The De Leon’s
support for education and
the people of Rio Grande
Valley is impressive.”
Judging criteria for the
award included: business
successes, challenges overcome, client re-
lations and community involvement.
In addition to De Leon winning the
2016 award, American Funeral Director
announced three runners-up:
Steve Pierce, president of Muelbach Fu-
neral Home in Kansas City, MO; and Skrad-
ski Funeral Home in Kansas City, KS, com-
bines the compassion of a traditional funeral
director with forward-thinking management
to bring his business into the 21st Century.
Victor March, president and CEO of
Marcorp Ltd, operates March Funeral
Homes in Baltimore. March and his fam-
ily are founders of Roberta’s House, a non-
profit organization that helps children and
families in her city cope with the devastat-
ing aftermath of death.
Louie “Tom” Luzod, funeral director at
Holy Angels Funeral Center/Sorensen
Chapel in Hayward, CA, works to ensure
his facility is a resource and a source of
comfort for the community it serves.
A series of articles about the runners-up
was published in the November issue of
American Funeral Director.
The winner was announced with a cover
story in the December issue.
American Funeral Director is published by
Kates-Boylston Publications, which is also
the publisher of American Cemetery maga-
zine and Funeral Service Insider. The com-
pany has been helping funeral professionals
succeed and serve since 1877. To subscribe
to American Funeral Director or to learn
more, visit
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