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Page A20 JUNE 2017 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on A
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
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Triple H Company
ESTABLISHED 1950
1-800-252-3444 Fax 805-650-6444
FAM I LY
OWNED
American Made
 Tongue and groove
lid-to-base connection
for maximum strength.
 Green Velour Lining in
Gold and White PYRAMIDS
We are a cemetery, crematory and mausoleum product supplier.
®
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Authentic
feature the exclusive green and gold Triple H Company logo
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 Two sizes – Original 9”x9”x14 ½”
Over 900 cubic inches
Accommodates most urns,
three per carton.
Oversized – 9”x13”x14 ½”
Double urn burials and larger urns,
over 1300 cubic inches, one per carton
 Oversized lid manufactured
with top connected to 4”
extension. Gives operator
one solid one piece sealed
connection.
 Excellent for
Committal Services.
 Solid Gray Granite Texture
Inside and Outside for
Consistent Appearance.
 Three colors – Gray Granite, Antique
Metallic Gold or Permanent Peace White.
 Lightweight, high-impact polystyrene.
 Lids interchangeable with common
vault base bottom.
 Sealer included with each vault.
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By MaryAnne Scheuble
Designing
Woman
Super-size Me?
Fact: A pound of potato chips costs 200 times more than
a pound of potatoes.
Fact: Americans consume 1.2 billion pounds of potato
chips a year.
Legend has it that the potato chips’ origin in Saratoga
Springs, New York in 1853 was a response to a dissatisfied
customer’s request for extra thin, crispy French Fries. It is
an incidental fact that my home state of Pennsylvania is
known as the Potato Chip Capital of the World. Ten local
companies make it the leading producer of this tasty treat.
Seemingly, potato chips have nothing to do with design,
right? Wrong. Potato chips, soft drinks, fast food and an
easy abundance of all types of edibles impact our lifestyles.
Generous portions along with “fun foods” have created a
more generously-size population. Medical conditions may
add to the weight problem. And (fact) that’s where the de-
sign challenge presents itself.
Today it’s not uncommon to hear of chair backs breaking
off or legs cracking – occurrences which were rare 50 years
ago. Funeral directors acknowledge that their furniture is
over-stressed by the increased size of their guests.
Seating FACTS:
• Seating is generally designed to accommodate a 5’ 10”,
275 pound adult.
• Inexpensive seating found in discount stores or on-line
may only hold 200 pounds.
• There may be disclaimers on furniture regarding weight
allowances.
• Arms on chairs provide support to assist with sitting
and standing.
• Bariatric seating widths vary from 24” to 30”.
• Bariatric chairs are suggested for weights over 350 pounds.
• Benches or small settees may fail under higher weight
loads.
Just as overloading a car with cement blocks can result in
a broken suspension, too much weight on chairs or sofas
will break the frames and damage the spring system. Excess
weight causes furniture “failures” – an unwanted result of not
making the best purchases.
Good design and thoughtful seating selections accommo-
date all visitors. Generously-sized people struggle to maintain
a sense of independence and dignity. Welcome them to use a
“grandmother chair” – so named because a grandmother might
sit comfortably in the wider seat with a “little one” beside her.
Always select chair styles based on design, balance, comfort
and safety. Arm chairs with casters, counter-height chairs,
specialty bariatric chairs – what’s comfortable and what’s safe?
• Traditional upholstered arm chairs come in standard seat
widths of 19 – 24”. These can come in a variety of firm-
ness. Choose most firm for comfort and durability.
• Chairs with two casters move easily. Caution is need-
ed when selecting ones with four casters. They might
“skitter” away – resulting in a fall. (Senior living cen-
ters choose two caster models for that reason.)
• The very popular counter-height chairs are easy to slide
into but may alter the center of gravity. Counter-height
chairs should be “weighted” or heavy enough to pre-
vent balance issues and tip-overs especially for those with
weight concerns.
• The safest choice to accommodate fuller figures is a Bariatric
chair. The wider seat and extra-sturdy base provide comfort
MaryAnne Scheuble, graduate of Wheeling Jesuit University, is
the Hekman furniture specialist to the memorial industry. Her de-
sign experience began in the fabric industry which served as a great
basis for the transition to Interior Decorator with Ethan Allen in
Pittsburgh, PA. After 5 years in the education field, she began her
career with Cressy Memorial Group. For more than 10 years she
has worked with funeral and cemetery business owners, managers
and marketing directors as well as interior decorators. Her credits in-
clude presenter at ICCFA, two-time speaker at OFDA, author of ar-
ticles for The Independent, ICCFA Magazine, and regular columnist
for Funeral Home & Cemetery News. A proud mother of two sons
who are best friends, she currently resides Mishawaka, IN. Contact
MaryAnne by email at or call 866-
763-0485.
will generate in-
creased business
but most espe-
cially, increased
good will.
TRUE STORY:
A few years ago
a friend’s family
selected a funer-
al home based –
not on funeral
director exper-
tise, not on fu-
neral cost and
not on location,
but on comfort
of seating. Her
large family de-
cided against us-
ing the same
and ample support for an
active weight load.
Getting back to the facts
on potato chips – you like-
ly noticed the cost disparity.
Isn’t it interesting
that consumers
find greater val-
ue and will pay
the increased cost
of this enhanced
product?
The correlation
is that chang-
es made to ac-
commodate all
of your guests
Paul Simms, Manager, Butler County
Memorial Park, has room to spare in
Bariatric Seating.
Photo Courtesy Butler County Memorial
Park Cemetery, Butler, PA
funeral home because they had sunk into the same un-
comfortable furniture for 15 years. Despite the increased
cost and long-standing business relationship, they made
a change. They found an enhanced product and were
willing to pay for it.
No matter the culprit – potato chips or something else,
Americans are getting bigger and public facilities must
be able to accommodate them or lose the business. If
the question is “How do we make them feel welcomed?”
The answer is “Sturdy and comfortable seating.”
Now excuse me while I grab a bag of Fritos.
Over 150 Years at Ruland Funeral Home
the records keeping processes at the funeral home and,
seeing the desire for on-line information, launched their
first website in the late 1990’s.
In 2001, David Romeo, proudly joined the firm as a di-
rector working alongside his mom until her passing in
2011. David received a degree in mortuary science from
Nassau County Community College and obtained his fu-
neral director’s license in 2002. David is a member of the
National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), New York
State Funeral Director Association (NYSFDA), and the Nas-
sau-Suffolk Funeral Directors Association (NSFDA). An-
nually, he underwrites a scholarship in his parents name
for the benefit of local P-M High School students.
David is assisted by a veteran staff. A retired policeman,
Daniel G. Prunty began his second career earning a mor-
tuary science degree from Nassau Community College in
2007. He joined The Ruland Funeral Home as a resident
funeral director, staying on when he received his license in
2008. Dan became the president of Cedar Grove Cem-
etery in Patchogue in 2013. He is a member of the NSF-
DA, NYSFDA and NFDA.
In 1996, Richard J. O’Shea Jr. was asked to join the Ru-
land Funeral Home. He was promoted to managing direc-
tor in 2000. Richard is a fourth generation licensed funeral
director with over 35 years of experience. After obtaining
his B.A. in English Literature at the age of 20, Richard en-
rolled in the American Academy McAllister School of Em-
balming (AAMI) in Manhattan. A Certified Funeral Cel-
ebrant, Richard is a board member and vice-president of
the NSFDA, and is a member of NFDA and NYSFDA.
Vanessa Zenz received her degree in mortuary science
from Nassau County Community College in 2010. It was
during her time in college, that she first came to Ruland
Funeral Home to complete an educational introduction
into funeral home operations. After her graduation, she
completed her residency in funeral services and was asked
to stay on as a licensed director. Vanessa is exceptionally
skilled in the restorative arts, desairology and cosmetology.
She is a member of NFDA, NYSFDA, and NSFDA.
Today, David Romeo and his staff continue the legacy
started by C. W. Ruland, and handed down from his own
parents, by providing dignified and affordable funeral and
cremation services to the greater Patchogue-Medford area.