July 2017

B7 A1-A48 B1-B28

Page B7 JULY 2017 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on B
Cremation Systems announces a New Distributor for
Pacific Northwest
RICHMOND,IN— Starmark® Cremation Products has an-
nounced the introduction of the Sonnet, Starmark’s first
oversize metal ceremonial rental casket. The Sonnet model
is available in both half couch and full couch and is offered
with either crepe or velvet interior. The 18-gauge steel cas-
ket features a metallic automotive grade finish, a generous
27” interior width, extra abdominal room and fully adjust-
able bed as well as replaceable head panels. The Sonnet’s head
panel can also accommodate personalized, standard-size dec-
orative pop-in center panels, readily available industry-wide.
“Following our introduction of the Cadence round corner
metal ceremonial rental casket, a number of funeral directors
expressed a desire for an oversize model,” said Gerald Davis,
President of Starmark Cremation Products. “We challenged
our design team to develop an oversize metal rental casket
and the Sonnet is the end result of their creativity.”
The Sonnet is manufactured to the same high-quality
standards and attention to detail as every Starmark prod-
uct. The casket’s secure foot end door latches and spring
dampened hinge system are designed for years of use. The
patented adjustable bed system includes multiple rollers
for convenient loading and unloading. The bed features
ball bearings for endless smooth crank operation. The
rental insert designed for the Sonnet includes a foot-end
Starmark® Introduces Oversize Metal Ceremonial
Rental Caskets
The Sonnet Desert Sand is available in both half
couch and full couch and is offered with either
crepe or velvet interior. The 18-gauge steel cas-
ket features a metallic automotive grade finish, a generous 27”
interior width, extra abdominal room and fully adjustable bed as
well as replaceable head panels.
The Sonnet Blue Mist joins the growing line of
metal and hardwood ceremonial rental caskets
offered by Starmark. Funeral directors can offer
families a fully merchandised line of ceremonial rental caskets.
comfort grip handle for ease of loading and unloading.
Customers will also appreciate the exclusive head-end lid
support system available only on the Sonnet.
“Like our Cadence models, the Sonnet feature an auto-
motive paint that can be touched up or entirely repainted
by an automotive repair shop if necessary,” stated Davis.
“Nearly every part on the Sonnet can be easily and eco-
nomically replaced, repainted or repaired. All Starmark
rental casket are built-to-last and we fully expect funeral
homes to economically benefit from dozens, if not hun-
dreds, of uses before replacement is necessary.”
The Sonnet joins the growing line of metal and hard-
wood ceremonial rental caskets offered by Starmark. Fu-
neral directors can offer families a fully merchandised line
of ceremonial rental caskets, providing a tremendous val-
ue for the consumer and greatly enhanced profitability
for the funeral home.
Starmark® Cremation Products, a division of Vandor
Corporation, was founded in 2004 and manufacturers
in its 200,000 square foot space in Richmond. The com-
pany manufactures cremation products sold directly to
funeral homes and crematories nationwide and through
a growing network of distributors. For more information,
visit the website at
Chicago
1-800-443-2773
Twin Cities
1-844-219-9643
MUST
SELL
2009 Eagle Cadillac Ultimate Hearse
2013 Midwest Mercedes Sprinter Limo Bus
2011 Eagle Cadillac Coupe de Fleur Hearse
2010 Eagle Cadillac Ultimate Hearse
2010 Eagle Cadillac Elite Hearse
2006 Federal Lincoln Stratford Hearse
2008 Superior Cadillac Statesman Hearse
2009 S&S Cadillac Medalist Hearse
2010 Eagle Chrysler T&C Funeral Van
FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FOR OVER 20 YEARS!
New - Used - Leasing - Financing
Homesteaders’ Kraus Recognized by National
Alliance of Life Companies; Kelly-Whitaker
appointed to Board of Directors
SOUTH HOLLAND,IL— Cremation
Systems, a division of Armil CFS, Inc.,
is pleased to announce their newest dis-
tributor, NW Industrial Mechanics,
Inc., for the Pacific Northwest.
NWIM’s experience in serv-
ing a wide range of industries for
more than 20 years will bring Pacif-
ic Northwest customers the highest
quality services in supplying and in-
stalling the CFS 2300 cremation re-
tort, along with combustion, control
and refractory services for your cre-
matory.
All NWIM mechanics are individ-
ually licensed to work on boilers,
burners, fuel systems, controls, and
now your cremation equipment. In
addition to new equipment installa-
tion, NWIM offers complete local
crematory repairs, combustion and
control, and refractory relines.
For more information, visit www.
or .
WEST DES MOINES,IA—
Tracy Kelly-Whitaker, Di-
rector of Compliance and
Government Relations at
Homesteaders Life Com-
pany, has been appointed
to the board of directors of
the National Alliance of Life
Companies (NALC). Kelly-
Whitaker was unanimously
elected last week at the or-
ganization’s spring meeting.
“I am thrilled to join this
exemplary board of life
and health insurance pro-
fessionals,” stated Kelly-
Whitaker, who is also the
co-chair of the Small Poli-
cy/Specialty Markets com-
mittee for NALC. “I look
forward to continuing the
tradition of past Home-
steaders representatives and
working to make sure small
to mid-size companies have
a voice on important issues
in the regulatory arena.”
Kelly-Whitaker is also look-
ing forward to continuing re-
lationships with individuals
from other companies and
breaking down the competi-
tive barriers to work on issues
that affect everyone.
Homesteaders VP-Com-
pliance Gerry Kraus was
also recently honored by
NALC for more than three
decades of service to the in-
surance industry. NALC
Executive Director Jim
Hodges recognized Kraus
during the organization’s
annual conference.
“Gerry’s leadership on in-
surance issues is second-to-
none,” Hodges affirmed,
citing Kraus’s tireless advo-
cacy on behalf of small life
and health insurers. “He
is a true professional with
a strong commitment to
good customer service and
service to the community.”
Kraus has been actively in-
volved in NALC for the past
25 years, including more
than 15 years of service as
a member of the NALC
Board of Directors and
terms as Secretary, Treasur-
er, Vice President and Presi-
dent. Throughout his tenure,
Kraus offered frequent testi-
mony at legislative and reg-
ulatory hearings across the
country, spearheading many
of the NALC’s efforts to bet-
ter monitor and advocate on
behalf of its members.
“I believe very strong-
ly in the NALC mission
and its efforts to repre-
sent the interests of small
and mid-sized life and
health insurers and their
policy owners,” Kraus ex-
plained. “It’s been a privi-
lege to serve the organiza-
tion and a true honor to see
our efforts effect significant
change on many key pieces
of model legislation.”
Kraus joined Homestead-
ers in 1982 and has since
worked in several core ar-
eas of the company, includ-
ing accounting, marketing,
compliance and government
relations. He is expected to
retire later this year.
Homesteaders remains an
influentialmember ofNALC
with the recent election to
the board of Director-Com-
pliance and Government Re-
lations Tracy Kelly-Whitaker.
Her three-year termwill con-
tinue through 2020.
The NALC is a life and
health insurance trade
group with more than 50
insurance company mem-
bers and associates. Visit
to learn more.
Homesteaders Life Com-
pany, a 110-year-old mu-
tual company, is a national
leader providing life insur-
ance products and servic-
es to promote and support
the funding of advance fu-
neral planning and end-of-
life expenses. Visit www.
to
learn more.