untitled

A42 / 76

Page A42 JUNE 2017 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on A
Bay Memorials
321 S. 15th St. • Escanaba, MI 49829 • (906) 786-2609 • Fax (906) 786-2692
Zerbel’s
PROPORTIONALLY SIZED
FOR MISCARRIED, STILLBORN & NEWBORN BABIES
BURIAL CRADLE CASKETS SM
Available in 10”, 20”, 30”
allowing you to tastefully
care for even the smallest baby
with all the compassion
every parent desires
for as low as $39.00
THE FAN MAN, INC.
Fans Calendars Urns
Register Books Dresses
Advertising Specialties
John Mannion
“WHATEVER YOU NEED”
1-800-671-8280 Cell: 803-417-2940
Visit our NEW website
G. BURNS CORPORATION
RemovableSilhouette Landau Bars
and RemovableName Plates
Call Don McClintock 1-800-465-7718
No side panels Build a van floor
NO BLIND SPOT
Bars are durable laser cut 18-gauge stainless steel.
SAVE MONEY!
The National Museum of Funeral History
Houston, Texas
Museum
Corner
Celebrate your events at the
Museum this year as it celebrates
its 25th Anniversary
The National Museum of Funeral History, located in Houston, Texas,
houses the country’s largest collection of funeral service artifacts and
features renowned exhibits on one of man’s oldest cultural customs.
It belongs to YOU and everyone in the funeral industry. Visitors can
discover the mourning rituals of ancient civilizations, see up-close au-
thentic items used in the funerals of US Presidents and Popes and ex-
plore the rich heritage of the industry which cares for the dead.
The museum is located at 415 Barren Springs Drive, Houston,
TX 77090 and is open Monday-Friday from 10am-4pm, Saturday
from 10am-5pm and Sunday from 12pm-5pm. Admission is $10
for adults and children age 12 and older, $9 for seniors and vet-
erans; $7 for children 6-11 years old; and free for children age
5 and younger. For more information, visit “like”
the museum on Facebook or call 281-876-3063.
The National Museum of Funeral History celebrates its 25th An-
niversary all year long. You can celebrate your events at the Museum
too. It offers a truly unique atmosphere for hosting events. Just imag-
ine celebrating your event in the Museum’s 30,500-square-foot ex-
hibit space and its 10,000-square-foot dining, kitchen and private
meeting space that can accommodate everything from small gather-
ings to fully-catered events for hundreds of guests.
• Recognize the Superheroes in your life or organization with
a Batman themed celebration. Whether your superhero is a
member of your family, the top sales person in your organization
or someone in your community that you admire, the Museum’s
new exhibit offers a unique opportunity. The Museum is proud
to present a new exhibit, ATribute to George Barris. George Bar-
ris, known throughout the world as the ‘original’ King of Kus-
tomizers, created iconic automobiles including the original 1966
Batmobile. The Batmobile, auctioned in 2013, two years before
his death, fetched $4.6 million. Through the end of the year, the
Museum will display a replica of the 1966 Batmobile and rep-
lica of the casket in which Barris was buried. A memorial folder
from his funeral will also be displayed along with other personal
memorabilia.
• Celebrate Birthday Parties – especially Over-The-Hill parties.
Whether it is a Batman themed birthday party or an over-the-hill
party, the Museum offers a truly unique atmosphere for hosting
events with its extensive collection of historic hearses and unique
caskets that are sure to inspire spirited conversations during a
cocktail hour. Be sure to inquire about opportunities to take self-
ies in the replica of the 1966 Batmobile.
• The Museum frequently hosts Memorial Services, Corporate
events – team building, meetings and receptions. For business
events, take advantage of the Museum’s 100-seat auditorium, pri-
vate boardroom and classrooms. On-site parking includes 150
standard spaces, seven van accessible handicapped spaces and bus
parking in our well-lit lot. There’s also a delivery garage, which
accommodates vehicles up to 20-feet-high for convenient
load-in/load-out.
• The perfect venue for Halloween parties. If you would
like to book your Halloween party at the Museum, it is
time to start planning now. The Museum is always in de-
mand for parties in October.
For Museum rental rates and policies go to
and click on Rent the Museum, call Lucy Gonzalez at 281-
876-3063 or email
You have the opportunity to leave your mark as a financial
contributor to a new exhibit. The Cremation Association of
North America (CANA) and the National Museum of Funer-
al History have teamed up to bring to the museum the first
ever History of Cremation Exhibit,” which is set to open in
Fall 2018.
Documenting the birth and growth of cremation in North
America and promoting enduring themes of memorializa-
tion, this unique exhibit will feature artifacts donated by Jason
Engler, Cremation Historian of CANA, its members, funer-
al professionals and items from the Museum’s collection. Vid-
eos and interactive components will engage visitors in learn-
ing about cremation through the ages and how the individuals
would like to be memorialized.
Plans for the new exhibit include the creation of a Donor
Niche Wall, graciously provided by Carrier Mausoleum Co.
The Museum’s Donor Niche Wall provides a visual oppor-
tunity for the industry to support the exhibit by sponsoring a
niche on the wall, which will house a uniquely designed urn
with the company’s name engraved on it in recognition as a
financial supporter of the exhibit. A company may choose to
place an urn of their own (upon approval of the museum) if
they create urns within their own company.
Niche level contributions range from $1,500 - $5,000, de-
pending on the size and location of the niche wall space, and
can be personalized with promotional items and photographs.
Smaller contributions are available. Please inquire with the
museum for additional information.
Another way for industry professionals to support the new
cremation exhibit is by donating or loaning the Museum any
artifacts, photographs, or other items that help tell the story of
the history of cremation.
If you have an item you would like to donate, please email the
museum photos along with a brief description of the item, in-
cluding any known details of the item’s history, origin and signif-
icance, such as year made, presence at historical events, materials
involved, previous owners, locations used, years in use, years in
storage, etc.
For more information, or to make a donation to the niche wall
or to donate an artifact, go to
ages/exhibits/Donor-Niche-Wall.pdf. The National Museum of
Funeral History is a 501(c)(3) and the value of your donation is
tax deductible.
Looking for a unique gift? Visit the Museum’s online gift shop
for a variety of gifts, including our limited edition 25th Anniver-
sary items and one-of-a-kind trinkets and treasures. Go to www.
To find out the latest, be sure to subscribe to the Museum’s e-
newsletter. Information to subscribe can be found on the Muse-
um’s website homepage at or follow the museum
on Facebook for the latest
news and happenings.
NEWS Educational CONTINUED
Ogeechee Technical College Receives Donation from
Thacker Caskets
Faculty member, Jack Norvell, reached out to Thacker
requesting a demo casket for the mortuary science pro-
gram. Jack, a licensed funeral director and embalmer for
over 45 years, expressed his excitement in being able to
have a casket for the students to practice with. Jack grew
up in his own family’s funeral business and began teach-
ing in the mid 2000’s.
Michele Rupar, program director of Funeral Service
Education at Ogeechee commented, “We are pleased to
build a strong relationship with Thacker Caskets. Our
students will certainly benefit from the opportunity.”
Lori Anderson-Gordon, Thacker’s South Georgia sales
consultant commented, “I was thrilled to be able to give
back to Ogeechee’s mortuary science program. Several of
my customers have not only graduated from Ogeechee
but also teach and speak to students of the program on a
regular basis. It is wonderful to be able to do what I can
to partner with my customers and give back to the future
generation of funeral directors.”
Vice president of sales and marketing for Thacker Cas-
kets, Danielle Thacker, added, “Our company has been
in business for over 75 years and has always maintained a
strong commitment to supporting mortuary science pro-
grams in areas that we service. The dedicated students en-
rolled in these programs are the future of the funeral in-
dustry!”
Thacker Caskets, Inc. was founded in 1939 in Washing-
ton, DC. Over the course of time, Thacker has grown to
become the largest family owned casket company in the
United States, and third largest casket company overall.
Thacker sales consultant Lori Anderson-Gordon (standing with
hands on casket) with Ogeechee students
CLINTON,MD— Thacker Caskets recently “paid it for-
ward” to the next generation of funeral directors by donat-
ing a casket to the mortuary science program at Ogeechee
Technical College. The casket will be used to teach and
educate Ogeechee’s mortuary science students on casket
components as well as the value features of burial caskets.
Ogeechee Technical College, accredited by the Ameri-
can Board of Funeral Service Education, affords students
the opportunity to earn their Associate’s Degree of Ap-
plied Science in Funeral Service Education. Ogeechee
aims to prepare students for the successful completion of
all necessary board examinations and prepare the student
for the rigors of daily work within the funeral industry.
Currently, Ogeechee has 103 students enrolled in various
stages of the curriculum.