July 2019

Page A28 JULY 2019 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on A The opportunity to choose a Keepsake Pendant presents itself only once. The comfort a Keepsake Pendant offers, lasts a lifetime. Antique Filigree Pewter Heart Antique Pewter Rose w/ Pearl Sterling Silver Feather Antique Filigree Pewter Cross TM www.madelynpedants.com e-mail orders@madelynco.com 800-788-0807 Fax 608-752-3683 call about monthly specials or visit ourwebsite Sterling Silver Flat Hummingbird w/ Flower New Additions Known for qualitymaterials and craftsmanship, MadelynCo. Keepsake Pendants are hand-made using jewelry-grademetals. Sterling Silver FishHook March '19:Layout 1 4/9/19 11:50 AM Page 1 • Family Owned and Operated • 20+ Years Industry Experience • New Product Increases Settlements • No Contracts... Free Recycling Tote Cremation Metal Recycling 800-664-8365 cremation metal recycling - responsible recycling charitable foundation cmr@metrocast.net www.cremationmetalrecycling.com OGR installs Leadership, Awards Excellence at Annual Conference The 2019 OGR Board of Directors ing of Wieting Funeral Home in Chilton, WI were sworn in as first-time elected board members and will serve two-year terms. When asked for his plan as OGR Presi- dent, Tom Hemmerle said, “My goal as president is to ensure that we continue to develop and provide the tools needed for our membership to serve families with com- passion and high professional standards. I also wish to better communicate the value of OGR membership to both our new and longstanding members. We have the tools to help you succeed.” Hemmerle is a licensed Funeral Director/ Embalmer who began his career in 1992 at Barnett-Strother as an apprentice and is now currently the owner. He earned a de- gree in Mortuary Science from Arapahoe Community College and has been a licensed funeral director since 1996 and a licensed gary, AB as Secretary-Trea- surer. Adam Martin of Martin Funeral, Crema- tion, and Tribute Services in Mt. Morris, MI was tran- sitioned to Immediate Past President. Returning to the Board are Paul Hummel, III , Hummel Funeral Home in Akron, OH along with Raffy Jose , Arling- ton Memorial Chapels, Inc ., Quezon City, Manila, Philippines. Chris Miller of Thomas Miller Mortu- ary and Crematory in Co- rona, CA and Jamie Wiet- President Tom Hemmerle presents Roger Byers with the Golden Light Award News Association ContinueD AUSTIN,TX— The Interna- tional Order of the Gold- en Rule (OGR), the world’s leading professional associ- ation dedicated to making independent funeral homes exceptional, installed its 2019-2020 Board of Direc- tors during the OGR 2019 Annual Conference and So- lution Center in Williams- burg, VA on April 26. Thomas Hemmerle of Barnett-Strother Funer- al Home , Madisonville, KY was installed as Presi- dent. The 2019-2020 Board also includes Mary Steele , Arnett & Steele Funeral Home in Pineville, KY as President-Elect and Evan Strong of Evan J. Strong Funeral Services in Cal- Continued on Page A29 Selected Announces New Tagline and Website DEERFIELD,IL— Selected Independent Fu- neral Homes is proud to unveil a new associa- tion tagline, Connecting Leaders. Transform- ing Care.™ in conjunction with the launch of a new member website. In 1917, a handful of independent funeral ser- vice leaders weren’t content with the status quo and Selected Independent Funeral Homes was born. More than a century later, when everything feels new in a world of distinguished tradition, Se- lected empowers members to achieve their goals by creating business tools, developing education and connecting members to better each other. “These are challenging and changing times and our new tagline truly represents what Se- lected was at its inception, but is even more rel- evant today,” said Rob Paterkiewicz, Selected’s executive director and CEO. “We need to fight for the future of independent funeral service. Together we can transform the future of the profession and the care we provide to families. We are Selected and together, we are stronger.” Selected’s new website, www.selectedfuneral- homes.org, launched in conjunction with the tagline is the culmination of a member task force that evaluated the functionality of the site. Based on the recommendations of this team, the new website was designed with a contem- porary look and improved functionality to pro- vide members easier access to resources and to provide opportunities for members to connect. “Though some may say the future of our profes- sion looks uncertain, I view these times as an op- portunity for us to redefine our profession and to develop creative, compassionate ways to meet the various needs of the families we serve,” said Kim- berly Farris-Luke, president and CEO of Farris Funeral Service and the first female board pres- ident. “This new tagline really encompasses the spirit and the trajectory of our association while the new website offers an enhanced platform to help members connect and access the resources to help them provide transformative care. Connect- ing Leaders. Transforming Care., that says it all.” Connecting Leaders. Transforming Care. Se- lected Independent Funeral Homes delivers in- novative and pertinent resources, solutions and ongoing support necessary for enduring excel- lence to its international network of indepen- dently owned death-care providers who aspire to be the very best in their profession. Members of Selected operate according to specific standards and best practices to provide the public with re- liable, high-quality funeral services and funeral- related information. Having celebrated its 100th anniversary year in 2017, Selected remains com- mitted to its legacy of dedication and support to the death-care profession. To experience Select- ed’s new website and to learn more about the as- sociation’s programs, meetings and member ben- efits, visit www .selectedfuneralhomes.org. Selected Announces Accounting Manager Jeremy Crystal has been hired as the ac- counting manager for Selected Independent Funeral Homes. Crystal oversees all aspects of Selected’s financial activities including payroll, dues billing, deposits, payments and financial reporting for both the asso- ciation and the Selected Educational Trust. Crystal comes to Selected with a broad skill set and more than 7 years working experience in the ac- counting field. He graduated from DeVry Univer- sity with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting and went on to graduate from John Marshall Law School with a JD in the field of law. He has worked extensive- ly with professional and trade associations and hopes to become an expert in the area of trade association management. “It is an honor to be working for Selected as accounting manager, and I hope to enhance both process improvement and member support as it relates to financial management,” said Crystal. “I am very excited to begin this role and am looking forward to working with everyone in the Selected family.” Jeremy Crystal can be contacted directly by email at jeremyc@selectedfuneralhomes.org or by calling 847-236-9429. Jeremy Crystal embalmer since 2006. Roger Beyers Honored with Association’s Highest Honor OGR is proud to announce Roger Beyers of Beyers Funeral Home and Cre- matory , Leesburg, FL as the winner of the 2019 Golden Light Award. The Golden Light Award is the associa- tion’s highest honor, and it recognizes an individual who has made specific, meritori- ous contributions to society through his or her profes- sion, community or field of voluntary service as career achievements. OGR President Tom Hemmerle announced Beyers as the award win- ner during the Confer- ence. He said, “Roger has been dedicated to our pro- fession and to th e future of the Independent funer- al home throughout his ca- reer. Twenty eight years ago after the Independent Fu- neral Directors of Florida was founded, he spent a tre- mendous amount of time at the Florida state capital fighting for both the inde- pendent funeral homes and the public. Roger served as www.nomi s publ i cat i ons . com 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