FHCN_20_03_web

Page A26 MARCH 2020 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on A Todd W. Van Beck is associated with John A. Gupton College in Nashville, and has been an author, teacher, practitioner, and speak- er for over 40 years. On May 30, 2018 Van Beck celebrated 50 years in funeral service. You can reach Todd at 615-327-3927. www.nomispublications.com Funeral Home & Cemetery News Contributors share insights and exchange ideas. Blogs In the summer of 1826, Adams was invited to speak at the grand celebration in Boston marking the nation’s 50th birthday. He was also asked to help celebrate the occasion in Washington, Philadelphia, and New York. As July 4th approached, it was clear that he had become too weak to venture outdoors. His ill health prevented him from delivering in person what would become his valedictory. In the draft, Adams observed: “May the Declaration of Independence be to the world, what I believe it to be, the signal of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and su- perstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessings and security of self-government.” On the morning of July 4, 1826, he lapsed into a coma. Shortly after noon, he rallied just long enough to utter these words: “Thomas Jefferson still…” The last word was indistinct but was thought to be “survives.” This being the case, Adams was mistaken on that account by about five hours. He awoke again a bit later, but was unable to speak. Adams’ physician, Dr. Holbrook, predicted he would die before sunset. In one of the most remarkable coincidences in American history the only two signers of the Declaration of Indepen- dence to become president died simultaneously on the fif- tieth anniversary of the adoption of that great document. As the news of this remarkable happening made its way across the country, Americans, instead of being dumb- struck, expressed their wonder and awe aloud in outpour- ings of amazement. For many this was seen as an act of God, providential, and some felt that the stunning event signified America’s coming of age. By Todd Van Beck Following the funeral ceremonies at the First Church the citizens of Quincy met in the town hall, organized, and moved in a body and the Funeral Procession was formed. Twelve mourning coaches, with female relatives closed the Procession. The body was borne to the Hancock burial ground across the street, and deposited in the family tomb. Later both John and Abigail Adams were reinterred in a crypt in the Stone Temple in the basement of the First Church of Quincy. The epitaph of John Adams reads: “On the Fourth of July 1776, he pledged his life, fortune and sacred hon- or to the independence of his country. On the third of September 1783, he affixed his seal to the definitive treaty with Great Britain which acknowledges that in- dependence, and consummated the redemption of his pledge. On the Fourth of July 1826, he was summoned to the independence of immortality and the judgement of his God.” John Adams, second president of the U.S., died on July 4, 1826, at 6:00 p.m. His cause of death was heart failure and pneumonia. He had lived 90 years and 247 days. Adams held the designation of being the oldest living president in history, until the death of Ronald Reagan at age 93. At the beginning of 1826, Adams began to show signs of decomposition of the heart, the consequence of hard- ening of the arteries. Forced to give up his walks, he spent long afternoons sitting erect, supported by cush- ions, in an armchair near the window of his second floor study. Here he was surrounded by his papers and familiar books. Although he breathed with difficulty, he suffered no particular pain and his mind remained clear. J ohn A dams the second President of the United States of America Rest in Peace, Mr. President. That was the hope that our Presidents would rest in peace, but that has not al- ways happened. For example between 1865 and 1901 Lincoln’s remains were moved 18 times. The accounts of the funerals of the US Presidents actually mirrors the accounts of daily life in America, as all funerals are reflections of how people live life. This series offers a glimpse into the deaths and funerals of our Presidents. This series also identifies and gives overdue recogni- tion to the scores of funeral professionals who labored ceaselessly to carry out the wishes of the President’s families and in some cases the wishes of the United States government. Each account tells an interesting funeral story. Hope you enjoy this new series. —TVB Daniel Hobart , who was the sexton and undertaker for the First Church (Unitarian) in Quincy was called to care for the funeral arrangements. The funeral began at 4:00 pm with the Rev. Peter Whitney officiating. An immense body of citizens assembled. Several carriages were provided from Salem and more remote towns around Quincy. A corps of artillery, stationed on Mount Wollaston, fired minute guns, throughout the funeral services, and several similar tokens of respect could be heard in adjoining towns; the bells of which tolled. The Relatives of the deceased, the Societies and others, assembled at the late the Adams’ mansion. Rest In Peace, Mr. President Funeral Directors Research,Inc. AMRA INSTRUMENT, LLC 623 N. Tower (P.O. Box 359) Centralia, WA 98531 “the shorter the supply line the better off you are” WEB DIRECT GIFT & PRICING TM ® www.amrainstruments.com www.preproomdirect.com #6031 Continued on Page A37 Service Corporation International’s $50,000 Major Gift Service Corporation International (SCI) made its seventh consecutive $50,000 major gift in 2019. “Year after year, the FSF continues to inspire the profession to be its best, and of- fers the tools, education and grants to help funeral service professionals learn and grow,” said SCI senior vice president and CFO, and Foundation trustee, Eric Tanzberger. “SCI is honored to support the Foundation’s important work.” Barbara Mack’s $30,000 Major Gift Barbara Mack made a second major gift in memory of her husband, Steven Mack, who was widely regarded as a giant of American funeral service and is remembered for his commitment to integrity and excellence. Mack’s $30,000 gift supports the Steven Mack Memorial Scholarship, which is administered through the SCI scholarship program. “We are honored to have the continued support of the families whose loved ones have made an indelible mark on the funer- al service profession,” saidWiensch. “Mr. Mack’s trailblazing legacy will live on through the profession’s rising stars dedi- cated to serving families and communities.” The Illinois Fund’s Major Gift $27,750 In recognition of the NFDA International Convention and Expo in Chicago, firms across the state of Illinois came together to raise $27,750 in support of the Funer- al Service Foundation in 2019. Smith-Corcoran Fu- neral Homes and the Smith family led the fund with a $10,000 gift. In an appeal to Illinois donors, the Smith family wrote, “Bob Smith, Sr. served as NFDA’s presi- dent in 1991-92. Our Funeral Service Foundation sup- port honors his legacy by ensuring funding for programs such as NFDA’s Meet the Mentors, which fuel the careers of the profession’s next generation of leaders, thinkers and doers.” Chicago Jewish Funerals (in honor of Stopher Bartol), the Darby family, Haben Funeral Home and Crematory, the Illinois Funeral Directors Association, SCI Illinois Service, ShalomMemorial Chapels and Sunset Funeral Home also contributed to the Illinois Fund. Ernie Hagel’s $25,000 Major Gift Ernie Hagel donated $25,000 to Fund ’45, which is the Foundation’s first-ever major gift from a Canadian Legacy.com, for the fourth consecutive year, pledged $22,500 in matching gift support, which helped inspire nearly $50,000 in gifts made during the annual NFDA Convention & Expo in October and throughout the end of the year. The Legacy.com team proudly displayed its support on the expo floor during the Convention. Continued from Page A8 Funeral Service Foundation Donations firm owner. “This is a remarkable gift from a remark- able Canadian firm,” said Allan Cole, president and owner of McKinnon & Bowes in Toronto, and Foun- dation chair-elect. “Hagel’s gift underscores the Foun- dation’s commitment to make education and resources accessible to funeral service professionals across North America.” The Foundation has experienced an uptick in scholarship applications and resource requests from Canadian firms in response to expanded Canadian outreach efforts. Legacy.com Pledges $22,500 For the fourth year in row, Legacy.com contributed a $22,500 matching gift to the Foundation in thanks for the work funeral directors provide. In a piece shared with NFDA convention attendees, Legacy.com CEO Stopher Bartol wrote, “Your work in funeral service means something to the community, and it means something to us at Legacy. We’re honored to help you support the profession that gives so much to you, to your loved ones, and to the families you serve.” Lega-