August 2020

Page A19 AUGUST 2020 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on A With more than 40 years of experience, Inman ShippingWorldwide is the nation’s largest, oldest and most reliable shipping provider. We offer: • International & domestic ship-in services • Unsurpassed attention to detail • State-of-the-art tracking software • 24/7 call center staffed by Inman employees FIRST-CLASS SHIPPING SERVICE. Unmatched Expertise. Contact us to learn about our superior shipping services. (800) 321-0566 ShipInman.com ©adfinity ® heritagememorialfunding.com (877) 463-8630 Call today to find out why our clients call Heritage Memorial Funding, “the best!” Funeral director tested. Family approved. ඁൾඋංඍൺ඀ൾ ආൾආඈඋංൺඅ ൿඎඇൽංඇ඀ Life insurance assignment funding company. A piece of cake. Is how you will look at life insurance assignment funding with Heritage by your side. BROOKFIELD,WI— The Funeral Service Foundation gratefully accepted $97,500 in major gifts and pledges for its COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund (The Fund), which provides funding for emergency assistance, per- sonal protective equipment procurement and grief sup- port initiatives and organizations. With gifts totaling $281,000, and a $200,000 funding allocation from the Funeral Service Foundation, nearly $500,000 is available to grant to worthy initiatives. “These gifts demonstrate our profession’s enduring com- mitment to ensuring families and communities receive the care and compassion they need no matter the cir- cumstances,” said Foundation chair Anthony Guerra of Guerra & Gutierrez Mortuaries in Los Angeles. “This widespread generosity allows the Foundation to support the funeral service professionals and grief organizations that work tirelessly to meet the unique needs of families grieving the death of a loved one during the pandemic.” The Memorial Classic’s $30,000 gift brings the annual outing’s cumulative giving total to $530,000. Headed by Tom Johnson and Jake Johnson of Johnson Consult- ing Group, the Memorial Classic brings together more than 130 players from across the profession for two days of play in memory of the professions finest: Bill Bischoff, Dave Hirt, Steve Mack, John Morrow, Ed Murphy, Ed Tuggle and Joe Weatherford. “The Memorial Classic may have been cancelled this year, but our long and proud history of supporting the Foundation’s work carries on,” said Tom Johnson, found- er of Johnson Consulting Group, and Foundation trust- ee emeritus. “We are honored to make a contribution in honor of the funeral service professionals who are serving their communities with strength and resiliency.” Matthews International pledged $20,000 in support of The Fund. The gift comes on the heels of its most re- cent major gift pledge of $200,000, which was complet- ed in 2019. “Matthews is proud to do anything it can to support the funeral service profession during this un- precedented time,” said Steve Gackenbach, group pres- ident of memorialization at Matthews International and Foundation trustee. “Our donation helped ensure that funeral service professionals will have the resources and Funeral Service Foundation’s COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund Reaches Nearly $500,000 Thanks to $97,500 in Major Gift Support support they need to assist families who can’t say good- bye in ways they wish, which may result in unresolved and complicated grief.” A Foundation supporter for nearly three decades, The Baue Family Charitable Fund made a $15,000 contri- bution. “I have always believed in the Foundation’s pur- pose and how it helps our profession, especially through offering scholarships, and providing resources such as the Youth & Funerals booklet and the Grieving Alone & Together grief guide,” said Lisa Baue of Baue Funeral Homes in St. Charles, MO. “Our firm is using the grief guide daily as we serve families during this difficult time. They are so grateful to have this support.” Inspired by Homesteaders’ matching gift, The Mc- Comb Family Foundation contributed $12,500 to The Fund. “Funeral service was built on a foundation of care and compassion,” said Dave McComb, president and CEO of Inman Shipping Worldwide, and Founda- tion trustee emeritus. “Now more than ever we need to answer the call to give to ensure our profession’s strong foundation keeps our communities thriving.” Terrybear Urns & Memorials gave a $10,000 gift in support of The Fund, which is the company’s first gift to the Foundation. “We’re grateful for all the Foundation does for the funeral industry and especially the funer- al directors and workers helping families through this difficult time. We are glad to participate in the Foun- dation’s effort as it aligns with our company vision – leading with greatness,” said Lavina Lau, president and CEO of Terrybear. John and Barbara Wenig contributed $10,000 in sup- port of The Fund as part of a $25,000 pledge to the Foun- dation. “Funeral directors play an integral role in helping communities navigate times of uncertainty. When it mat- ters, funeral directors are there,” said John Wenig, president of Wenig Funeral Home s in Sheboygan and Oostburg, WI and NFDA board of director’s at-large representative. “Bar- bara and I are honored to support the profession’s important work in helping communities through the pandemic.” Launched in March, the COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund began with a lead gift of $50,000 from the Na- Continued on Page A20