July 2018

Page A28 JULY 2018 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on A ® Free Marketing Support for Today’s Funeral Professionals The Funeral and Memorial Information Council (FAMIC) created Have the Talk of a Lifetime ® – a national campaign that encourages people to find out what matters most to their loved ones, so they can celebrate life when the time comes. We’ve prepared free marketing materials for use in your community, including: print and digital ads, PR materials, social media, and more. FAMIC members can download materials at: FAMIC.org Have questions? Email us at: HavetheTalkofaLifetime@gmail.com News Association ContinueD Thirteen Graduate from Two-Year Program Selected’s Leadership Academy class, SuperNova (2016-2018), was recognized during a special ceremony held in Savannah, GA. DEERFIELD,IL— Select- ed Independent Funer- al Homes congratulates the Leadership Academy graduat- ing class, SuperNova (2016- 2018). The thirteen mem- bers were recognized during a special ceremony held in Savannah, GA on April 25. Those who successful- ly completed the program included; Lauren Antho- ny-Henderson, Anthony Funeral & Cremation Cha- pels, Rochester, NY; Josh Blake, Wilkirson-Hatch- Bailey Funeral Home, Waco, TX; Scott Cart- er, Hanner Funeral Service, Atlanta, TX; Rob Chase, Kenneth H. Pollard Funer- al Home, Methuen, MA; Quinn Haisley- Wheeler, Haisley Funeral and Cremation Service, Fort Pierce, FL; Colby Hitch- cock, Baue Funeral Homes, Crematory and Cemetery, St. Charles, MO ; Jonathan Holloway, Horan & McConaty Funeral Service/Cremation, Aurora, CO; Ricardo Jean-Charles, Dolan Funeral Homes, Bos- ton, MA; Ashley Kepner, Kepner Funeral Homes, Wheeling, WV; Nick Larkin, Lar- kin Mortuary, Salt Lake City, UT; Laura Oliver, Needham-Jay Funeral Home, Inc., Petrolia, ON, Canada; Vince Smith, Brown Butz Diedring Funeral Services & Cre- matory, Anderson, IN; and Abby Snider Robinson, Baker-Hazel & Snider Funeral Home & Crematory, Dayton, OH. Selected’s Leadership Academy, now in its seventh year of existence, offers a unique and rewarding opportunity for members of Se- lected Independent Funeral Homes inter- ested in developing or enhancing leadership skills. The Academy promises to engage and grow participants via a structured curriculum including interactive conference calls, per- sonal coaching calls and face-to-face experi- ences facilitated over a two-year period. One of this year’s graduates, Scott Cart- er, shares his thoughts on the value of the Selected Leadership Academy. “Our class came together in Houston, TX in the spring of 2016. We formed bonds from the mo- ment that we sat down at the table and in- troduced ourselves to one another. I have made friendships with my classmates that will last a lifetime. The Leadership Acade- my has by far made a huge difference in the way I do business as well as the way I live my life,” said Carter. For more information on Selected’s pro- grams, becoming a member of Selected Inde- pendent Funeral Homes or to locate a mem- ber, visit www.selectedfuneralhomes.org or call 800-323-4219. IFDA’s third Convention at Prairie Meadows Hotel &Confer- ence Center. The 138th Convention received overwhelmingly positive reviews from funeral directors and exhibitors. The 2018 Annual IFDA Convention featured a variety of expert speakers and the Premier Midwest Funeral Service Expo attracted exhibitors from across the country. Speakers at the 138th Annual Convention presented cur- rent information on the Wounded Warrior Project, opioid crisis, assisting families after suicide loss, communicating the value of funerals - and so many others. The IFDA Convention provides funeral directors with a fo- rum to receive and exchange information so they may return home with new ideas that will allow them to better serve the families in their communities. Funeral directors arrived in nearby Pleasant Hill on Mon- day, May 14, for the 14th Annual IFDA Golf Outing at Toad Valley Golf Course. Golfers were thrilled to experience a warm, sunny day and enjoyed playing 18 holes with col- leagues and friends. IFDA and other sponsors provided door prizes for attendees and awarded cash to the top three teams. The first day, Tuesday, featured a pre-convention seminar, OSHA Training and the tremendous attendance forced the session to move to a larger room. It was presented by Dr. Jac- quie Taylor and funeral directors who attended have com- pleted their OSHA requirement for the year. Tuesday morning’s opening ceremonies featured Governor Kim Reynolds’ Iowa Funeral Directors Week proclamation. Keynote speaker Dan Miller shared his presentation, “A War- rior’s Journey,” which was a glimpse into his life after serving in the military and his work for the “Wounded Warriors Project. Another Successful Iowa FDA Convention Continued from Page A27 Continued on Page A31 www.nomi s publ i cat i ons . com Mr. Miller and all present recognized IFDA member Captain Matt Berry with the Iowa National Guard by presenting him with a Challenge Coin. Berry, who will be deployed in the next few weeks, received a standing ovation for his service. Following the keynote presentation, funeral directors attend- ed IFDA’s annual business meeting or “The Yearly Show,” pre- sented by NFDA Secretary, Bryant Hightower from Carroll- ton, GA. It was specifically designed for the Iowa audience and was written, produced, and starred Ed DeFort of NFDA. Attendees were invited to a welcome luncheon sponsored by Wilbert and IFDA past presidents gathered for a special lunch. The Premier Midwest Funeral Service Expo opened Tuesday afternoon with a ceremonial ribbon cutting. The sold-out Expo had exhibitors who featured everything Personalized Cap Panels and Cremation Posters from $99 Call: 888-626-6491 Newly Designed Showroom Samples Now Available