The Oregon Funeral Directors Association and the Washington State Funeral Association held their first joint convention last week in Seaside, Oregon.   Funeral professionals from both states, along with various suppliers, attended the three-day “@ Your Service” themed program.

Although the weather could have cooperated a little better, everyone enjoyed the gorgeous Seaside coastal beach.   It was my first time in that part of Oregon, and I would highly recommend it for a stopover when one is touring the Oregon coast. 

ICCFA was pleased to be a part of the convention by sharing information on the association through our tabletop display.  Tim Lancaster, ICCFA member and president-elect of the OFDA, assisted in promoting the association.  In addition, Tim was instrumental in organizing and presenting the Service of Remembrance.

In an area where both states have high cremation rates (Oregon – 66.62% and Washington – 66.44%*), my presentation “We don’t want a funeral.  We want a cremation.” enabled attendees to think long and hard about mistaken assumptions that may be made by funeral professionals when serving cremation families.  In addition, attendees received marketing tools that will help them to better connect with cremation families and assist them in creating a meaningful tribute for a loved one.

*Source:  CANA 2007 Statistics

 ICCFA Representatives Julie Burn and Tim Lancaster

Miles of Sandy Beach - Seaside, Oregon  

Photo courtesy of Celestial Products, supplier at OFDA-WSFDA Convention