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Wireless - October 13, 2009

      
Date Published: 
October 13, 2009
Original Publication: 
ICCFA Wireless





ICCFA Wireless: News You Can Use

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ICCFA Wireless ... News You Can Use

October 13, 2009 Edition - Volume 10 - No. 23

Welcome to the ICCFA Wireless newsletter!

If you experience any problems with this HTML version, please let us know. E-mail lindab@iccfa.com.

ICCFA Wireless is a bi-weekly electronic newsletter bringing members of the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association the latest government and legal, industry and association news. It is available to all ICCFA members current on their dues. Comments, questions and "hot news tips" are welcome. Write to: hq@iccfa.com.


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Have you visited www.iccfa.com lately? See today's HOT TOPICS:

Fall Management Conference Highlights

  • See video footage from the Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the
    Tomb of the Unkowns by clicking here
  • See photos by clicking here (you must be a fan of ICCFA on Facebook to access the photo gallery)

IN THIS EDITION

Industry News
The ICCFA Capitol Hill Team Returns—Meets with 20 House Reps and Senators
Reminder: ICCFA U.S. Supreme Court Brief Available

ICCFA News
Early, Early Registration Special: SAVE UP TO $140!; Keynote Speakers Announced
Learn From Industry Legends and Everyday Sales Heroes at Wide World of Sales Conference
2010 Music Licenses Now Available: Just $248 Per Property
Visit PLPA Web site at www.myplpa.com

ICCFA Classifieds
Family Owned Company Seeks Sales/Service Leaders
Jump Start Your Sales Management Career
Wanted: Manufacturer Representatives for Bronze Marker Company
Sales Manager
Combination Locations: Funeral Home/Cemetery; Sales Managers
General Manager; Licensed Funeral Director
Memorial Garden Cemeteries For Sale
Advanced Planning Funeral Director
Cemetery Sales—Advanced Planning Funeral Director

Check Out These Member Benefits
ICCFA Supply Link Allows Easy Buyer's Guide Searching

ICCFA News Page
Music Licensing
ICCFA Insurance Program
HR Law Benefit
ICCFA Introduces New Sales Training Programs
ICCFA Internet Expo
Fraud Prevention & Detection Consultation Service
ICCFA Offers Legal Advice on Cremation Concerns
FTC 'Red Flag' Compliance Program
GPL Compliance Check


PAID ADVERTISEMENT
INDUSTRY NEWS

The ICCFA Capitol Hill Team Returns—Meets with 20 House Reps and Senators

eye on congressLast week, the ICCFA Capitol Hill teamed returned to our Nation's Capital for the third year with a record number of appointments to meet with key members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. The meetings were held in conjunction with the ICCFA Fall Management Conference and appointments on Capitol Hill continued through the entire week. Two issues dominated all the meetings: the recently introduced H.R. 3655 to regulate all funeral sellers (see the previous issue of ICCFA Wireless for details on the proposed legislation), and reintroducing our bill to restore veterans plot and marker allowances as burial benefits. This bill is expected to be introduced on or about Veterans Day by Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-NV).

The hectic pace of hearings and floor votes required the ICCFA team members to meet with legislators wherever possible and included locations ranging from the Senate Gallery to cloak rooms behind hearings chambers. Among the key legislators, ICCFA members met with Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Roland Burris (D-IL), and Reps. Jane Harman (D-CA), Kenny Marchant (R-TX), Joe Crowley (D-NY), John Shaddeg (R-AZ), Joe Barton (D-TX), John Hall (D-NY), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Charlie Dent (R-PA), Ron Klein (D-FL), Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Shelley Berkley (D-NV), among many others.

Thanks to the ICCFA Political Action Committee (PAC), the association has increased its presence on Capitol Hill in recent years, coinciding with a time in which the funeral and cemetery industry is coming under increased federal scrutiny. Since the issues that generate Congressional interest are usually bipartisan in nature, the ICCFA has reached out to Democrats and Republicans alike. All members of the ICCFA Capitol Hill team made appointments with legislators and effectively discussed the views of our Association. For more information or to add your Representative or Senators to the ICCFA contact list, call general counsel Bob Fells toll-free at 1.800.645.7700 or e-mail at rfells@iccfa.com.

For a first-hand report by a member of the ICCFA Capitol Hill team, check Ed Horn's blog at www.iccfa.com.

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Reminder: ICCFA U.S. Supreme Court Brief Available

On September 24, the ICCFA filed an Amicus Curiae or "friend of the court" brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Brown v. Hovatter. This litigation seeks to have the Maryland State Morticians' Act declared unconstitutional because it prohibits corporations from owning funeral homes. The Institute for Justice represented the plaintiffs, individuals who are seeking ownership of Maryland funeral homes through the corporate structure, which is routine in about 48 states. The ICCFA had filed an Amicus brief two years ago with the lower U.S. District Court and the court referred to portions of the association's brief in determining that the state law did violate the dormant Commerce Clause of the Constitution by adversely affecting the flow of interstate commerce.

However, on appeal, the U.S. Court for the Fourth Circuit reversed the district court in March of this year by holding that funeral homes provide basically local services and neither those services nor the state law prohibiting corporate ownership affect interstate commerce and, therefore, do not violate the Commerce Clause.

The ICCFA is concerned that the holding of the Fourth Circuit is so seriously flawed as applied to the issues in Brown, that it could be applied to federal law that relies on the existence of interstate commerce to have jurisdiction over funeral homes. In particular, the Court's ruling could render the FTC Funeral Rule unenforceable in the states making up the Fourth Circuit (Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia). The ICCFA explained to the Supreme Court that although Congress "has long recognized its right under the Commerce Clause to regulate the funeral industry" through a variety of statutes and regulations, following the Fourth Circuit's flawed analysis, the areas of funeral services regulated by the Funeral Rule "could be interpreted as local and not interstate in nature." The ICCFA respectfully urged the Supreme Court to review and reverse the Brown decision.

As a practical matter, the Supreme Court accepts only about five percent of the cases submitted to it under these circumstances (technically called a petition for a writ of certiorari). The ICCFA in adhering to its mission to promote consumer choices, prearrangement, and open competition finds itself in the unique position of defending the constitutionality of the Funeral Rule. Questions or comments should be directed to general counsel Bob Fells at rfells@iccfa.com or call 1.800.645.7700. The ICCFA Amicus brief can be viewed here.

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ICCFA NEWS

Early, Early Registration Special: SAVE UP TO $140!
Keynote Speakers Announced; Rob Heppell to Chair Technology Track
2010 Annual Convention & Expo

Early, Early Registration Special
Here is your chance to attend the fastest-growing and most-talked-about convention in our industry at a drastically reduced rate. Register now to attend the ICCFA 2010 Convention & Exposition, March 10-13 at the San Antonio Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, and receive up to $140 OFF your registration fee. Registration brochures have been mailed to all members and should arrive in mailboxes early next week. You may also download a registration form from our Web site to register now.

Keynote Speakers Announced
All conventions are not created equal. The ICCFA 2010 Annual Convention will provide a series of educational programs organized around a simple yet important theme: What is the next step for my business? Our keynote speakers have been chosen to bring the most relevant and extensive array of outside expertise on the topics that should guide your next step.

General Session Keynote Speakers

bosGenevieve Bos, "Secrets of Marketing to Women"
Women control the vast majority of consumer purchasing power. Therefore, increasing your company's financial, emotional and intellectual share of this key demographic group is prerequisite to positioning for future success. To that end, the first morning of educational programming will feature a keynote address by Genevieve Bos, one of the foremost authorities on the preferences and behavior of female consumers. Co-founder and publisher of PINK, the nation's only magazine, Web site and events firm designed exclusively for professional women, Genevieve is uniquely qualified to explain how to develop businesses practices, marketing messages and outreach efforts that truly connect with women. www.pinkmagazine.com

grobachKen Gronbach, "How To Profit From The Demographic Storm"
Why did motorcycle sales plummet in the 1990s, why was the iPod a home run and why will retirement communities as we know them fade away? Following decades of observation of the shifting fortunes of various industries, Ken Gronbach has discovered a measurable phenomenon that is barely understood yet integral to the changing business landscape—and which every manager or business owner ignores at their peril. Generational marketing, based on the rise and fall of populations, is relevant to no industry more than ours. Applying his model to our products and services, Ken will analyze our present and future through the lens of shifting demographics. His findings will inform not only what you need to do next in your market, but how your business needs to evolve if it is going to survive. www.kgcdirect.com

harperRhonda Harper, "The Customer of Tomorrow"
Kicking off our Convention, strategic marketing virtuoso Rhonda Harper will discuss the results of her original research on the cemetery, cremation and funeral service profession, and reveal how companies must position themselves today to reach the customer of tomorrow. Former vice president of marketing and strategy for Walmart Stores, Inc./Sam's Club, Rhonda earned her stripes in brand management, marketing and promotion with Warner-Lambert and Nabisco. Today she is CEO of Real Truth Marketing & Joy, a strategic marketing and management consulting firm. www.rtmj.com

morganNick Morgan, "Authentic Communication: Finding Your Voice and Getting the World to Pay Attention to It"
Public speaking is one of the most difficult yet important skills for anyone in business. Customers, employees, shareholders—all take their measure of the leaders of an organization by how well they communicate. One of the most renowned public speaking coaches in America, Dr. Nick Morgan reveals the power of combining non-verbal communication with content to build trust and credibility. He de-mystifies this essential quality for leadership with humor and clarity. An author of several books and former editor of the Harvard Management Communication Letter, Nick has worked with Fortune 50 companies and coached leaders to give Congressional testimony, to appear on The Today Show, and to take on the investment community. He has led conferences and moderated panels at venues around the world. www.publicwords.com

Technology Keynote Speakers

frankZe Frank, "Facebook May Not Be the Answer"
Finding the most productive and appropriate form of Web presence for a business can be a dizzying prospect. We all know that something profound is occurring in the many-faceted world of technology, but how should a company in our industry project itself online without wasting a lot of time and money? While researching experts for the Convention program, ICCFA Internal Chief Operating Officer Joe Budzinski said, "In a 10-minute conversation with Ze Frank, I heard more incisive observations regarding the funeral profession and the Web than I've heard in the past 10 years." A true renaissance man of the Web, Ze Frank is a writer, programmer, designer, strategist, comic, professor, and performance artist. Currently, among other projects, he performs a weekly video blog at www.time.com. www.zefrank.com

huntTara Hunt, "Building Your Social Network
with Social Capital"

Community marketing guru Tara Hunt says she has "never believed in mass anything, because people are individuals and not 'targets.' People don't buy brands, they buy hope, stories, memories, necessities, etc." This perspective is central to Tara's groundbreaking book, "The Whuffie Factor," where she explains how the future of business success will depend on a power that most companies have barely begun to tap: social capital. One of the brightest young minds in the Web marketing arena, Tara will explain how to build your capital both online and off. www.horsepigcow.com

 

Robin Heppell Spearheading the Technology Track
at 2010 Annual Convention

"Funeral Futurist" and tech guru Robin Heppell is chairing the technology track at the 2010 ICCFA Annual Convention. Sessions will focus on how to implement social media techonology (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or even something right on the cusp of becoming big!) into your marketing plan. View a video of Heppell describing the workshops in depth. To find out more about Heppell, visit www.funeralfuturist.com.

For even more information or to register, visit www.iccfaconvention.com.

2010 Annual Convention & Expo


Learn From Industry Legends and Everyday Sales Heroes at Wide World of Sales Conference
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The ICCFA 2010 Wide World of Sales Conference, January 13-15, 2010, at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside will present the premier training event for cemetery, funeral home and insurance preneed sales managers across the United States and abroad. This rapidly growing two-day conference is highlighted by keynote addresses from top national sales and marketing experts, complemented by dozens of brief, highly practical presentations by individuals working in the profession. Register now.

  • Learn from industry legends as well as everyday heroes like you who are doing extraordinary things.
  • OWNERS & MANAGERS: Be a hero! Invest in your people by sending them to Wide World of Sales 2010!
  • Having trouble in today's economy? Sales slow? Solve your problems with one conference!
  • Wide World of Sales showcases the best practices from the industry's top sales pros.
  • Learn about prospecting, lead generation, "Power Presenting," cremation sales and closing the deal.
  • Share ideas on what works, learn from each other and take home tools and techniques you can use immediately to become more successful.
  • Leave with the tools and know-how you need to become a hero to your company, your family and to the families you serve.
  • Reward your top sellers with a trip to New Orleans—a perfect year-end incentive!
  • Accountability: Expect our call after the conference!
    • As part of our "Speed Sales" counselor breakout session, each counselor will be assigned to a member of the ICCFA Sales & Marketing Committee, who will make two phone calls to them—about four weeks and eights weeks after the conference—to find out what new techniques and skills they've put into practice and how it's helped their performance.

Featuring two of the premier sales trainers of our time:

Don Cooper, "Five Keys to Selling in Tough Times"
iSelling in a good economy is easy. Selling in a bad economy can be a lot more challenging. But there are still sales to be made. The only question is, will they be made by you or your competitors? In this practical, no-holds-barred presentation, "Sales Heretic" Don Cooper will share with you:

  • How to deal with diminished budgets
  • What matters most in a bad economy
  • Why your price isn't your real problem
  • Where and how to find new clients now
  • How to get a huge edge over your competition
  • What you should be doing less of and more of
  • How to uncover new sales opportunities
  • Why a positive attitude can actually work against you
  • How to get people to stop delaying and make a decision
  • Where to invest your time, money and energy for maximum returns

Learn more about Cooper and his sales techniques at www.doncooper.com.

Victor Antonio, "Sell More Through Response Block Selling"
iSales counselors are forever practicing how to overcome objections to close the sale. The reality is, the sale will almost close itself if you can remove, or better yet, block, those objections up front.

In this session, Victor Antonio will show you a new method of presenting that will reduce your clients' sales resistance to your product and at the same time increase their acceptance of what you're selling. Antonio will present examples of common objections and then show you how to use the Response Blocking system to minimize and discard each of them, thereby reducing the buyer's resistance. Forget overcoming objections; learn how to prevent them from occurring in the first place! Find out more about Antonio at www.salesinfluence.com.

Complete conference program, hotel reservation and registration materials are available at www.iccfa.com.

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2010 Music Licenses Now Available: Just $248 Per Property

The ICCFA is offering 2010 music licensing with ASCAP, BMI and SESAC for only $248 per property. With no additional fees or membership requirements, this is the LOWEST PRICE available in the industry!

Companies that currently hold their licenses through the ICCFA have been invoiced.

All companies that did not have a music license in 2009 and wish to purchase the 2010 license can do so by downloading the form or by calling the ICCFA at 1.800.645.7700.

The 2010 price represents no increase from the 2009 rate and is a direct pass-through of the combined annual price increases from ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Licensing directly with the agencies this year would cost nearly $600 per location.

Music licensing is the law, and failure to obtain a license where one is required can be costly: Copyright law provides for damages similar to fines of up to $30,000 for each song that is infringed. If your company, regardless of size, hosts performances of copyrighted music—whether the music is performed live or played from recordings—music copyright owners say you are legally required to pay an annual licensing fee.

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Visit PLPA Web site at www.myplpa.com

The Pet Loss Professionals Alliance (PLPA) section of the ICCFA Web site is now up and running.

The PLPA site currently includes a draft mission statement that is open to comment by PLPA members; a discussion forum open to discussion on any topic related to the PLPA and to the concerns of pet death care professionals; and a blog, where any member of the group can post thoughts or announcements. Please note that you must be logged in to access certain site features.

Learn more about the communications capabilities of the PLPA site here.

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CLASSIFIED ADS
Reach Thousands with an ICCFA Classifieds Ad

Family Owned Company Seeks Sales/Service Leaders
We seek polished, focused service and sales leaders who want to retire with our company. Our outstanding locations are in Texas, Colorado and Mississippi. You might be the person we demand if:

  • You can explain to me and teach others what it means to be an advocate for a family within the service and sales cycle? When was the last time you gave a group presentation with an elder care attorney, a nurse or a senior living administrator without asking for the names at the end, and still wrote business from it? How would you do that?

We're looking to the future that is now in how we prospect, present and promote as the key to profitable revenues. We acknowledge our economy and work within the realities of the day. What do these statements mean to you?

Salary, commissions, overrides, fuel allowance, health care insurance and other benefit opportunities available. Send resume to Mark Sadowski, I.amunknown@live.com

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Jump Start Your Sales Management Career
Is NOW the time to JUMP START your sales management career or take it to the next level?

NorthStar Memorial Group is a DYNAMIC and growing company with locations throughout the U.S. Take charge of your future by joining our team at Floral Haven, a premier property in Oklahoma, where you will build and supervise your own sales force. We are looking for TOP SALES PRODUCERS and CURRENT SALES MANAGERS who want to increase their earning potential!

Great benefits including health, 401k and life!

Position yourself for success! Send your resume today to gdaniel@fhaven.com or, for more information, contact Donna Wagner @ (918) 894-8808. We respect your need for confidentiality.

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Wanted: Manufacturer Representatives for Bronze Marker Company
Family Bronze, a rapidly growing bronze marker company in Cleveland, Ohio seeks experienced manufacturer's representatives to sell its bronze products. Several territories available. Please e-mail resume to: josh@familybronze.com or call 216-341-7800 x15.

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Sales Manager
We are looking for a selling sales manager who has a pro-active approach for pre-need mausoleum sales, is capable of establishing community awareness in the surrounding communities of the cemetery, as well as establish mutual business relationships with area professionals to service residents on a broader spectrum of needs. Daily and weekly responsibilities require the sales manager to meet and counsel area families regarding the advantages of preplanning, in addition to assisting with the on-site training and motivation of sales counselors in order to grow the number of pre-need sales for their cemetery.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Hands on sales approach
  • Motivate and encourage a healthy competitive spirit
  • Earn a six figure + income

REQUIREMENTS:

  • 2 years successful cemetery sales management experience
  • High energy, results oriented

Visit our Web site to see the country's most beautiful and sought-after mausoleums!All responses are kept confidential
Contact Jill Baum, Memorial Properties, 1.888.662.9600
E-mail your resume to
Memprop@aol.com
www.MemorialProperties.com
Opportunities available in Savannah, GA and NJ

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Combination Locations: Funeral Home/Cemetery; Sales Managers
Our top Sales Director/Managers easily earn six figures annually. We are looking for a highly motivated individual who can lead and manage a team of trained professionals.We currently have Sales Director positions available in the Midwest Region If you are seeking a career with a future, we offer the following:

  • Outstanding Compensation Package including a base salary
  • 401K / Profit Sharing
  • Complete Health Package including Medical, Dental & Vision care
  • Limited travel

Interested persons should e-mail dfarrow@stei.com or call Doug Farrow @ 816.353.5091.

Responsibilities include the following:

  • Implement and supervise the sales program in such a manner as to achieve and exceed sales plans with established budgets.
  • Recruit, hire and field train new sales counselors.
  • Supervise activities of established and new sales counselors and managers to secure sales goals, maximize individual performance and maintain established minimum achievement levels.
  • Conduct sales meetings daily with full staff with the objectives of educating, informing and inspiring through participative involvement.
  • Control distribution and follow-up of company generated sales opportunities (leads) (call-ins, walk-ins, reply cards from mailings, reload card assignments, etc.) and prepare reports showing results achieved on any and all such leads on a weekly/monthly basis.
  • Audit sales proficiency and quality by periodic review of each counselor and manages complete sales presentation. Such review should also assure that the company "story" is being told in an honest and accurate manner consistent with the company's service philosophy.
  • Assist sales personnel to learn and maintain an acceptable level of In-field activity by periodic review of such activity.
  • Maintain a level of personal sales activity necessary to achieve established personal production goals.
  • Perform related duties as required.

Job Requirements

  • Minimum High School Diploma or equivalent -- Some College Preferred!
  • Valid Driver's License
  • 2 yr Previous Cemetery Sales Management experience a must
  • Above average communication skills
  • High level of compassion and integrity
  • Problem solving skills
  • Ability to multi-task and set priorities
  • Must be able to manage his/her own time and organize each day's activities without constant supervision

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General Manager; Licensed Funeral Director
If you are seeking an outstanding opportunity to take charge of a premier multiple location funeral business that offers a great opportunity to personally grow and develop a strong employee staff, then this is the opportunity you've been searching for.

We are looking for an experienced manager with at least 5 to 7 years experience managing multiple locations with a minimum annual call volume of 1500 call to manage this multiple funeral home operation in Riverside County, CA. Candidate should possess strong leadership qualities and a focus on customer satisfaction.

We offer a competitive salary, healthcare benefits, 401K, paid vacation and Life Insurance. Compensation also includes an incentive plan tied to customer satisfaction and business results.

Please send your resume along with salary history to Lisa at Ldstreiff@comcast.net.

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Memorial Garden Cemeteries for Sale
My name is Milton Marshall, and I am the sole owner of two Memorial Garden cemeteries for over 36 years. I am 75 years old and I am ready to retire! The properties are conveniently located only 35 minutes apart, one in Hopkinsville, Kentucky and the other in Clarksville, Tennessee. I am presenting these cemeteries for sale to professional individuals or companies that will continue to serve these communities while achieving their own business goals.

Thank you for visiting this site: www.cemeteryforsale.com

You are welcome to contact me by e-mail or phone:
Milton Marshall
milton@cemeteryforsale.com

270-887-3549

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Advanced Planning Funeral Director
Earn up to a $25,000+ sign on bonus if you are a top notch Advanced Planning Funeral Director! We will be hiring someone with a proven track record in advanced planning funeral sales. Are you that person? Woodlawn Memorial Gardens located in beautiful Norfolk, VA is a Funeral Home/Cemetery Combo facility. We are expanding our business and looking for a top notch Advance Planning Funeral Director who will be responsible for our advanced planning funeral services. Must have Life & Annuities Insurance Licensure (or the ability to obtain with in a short period of time) and currently be licensed as a Virginia Funeral Director (or the ability to be licensed as one). Must be proficient w/computer and be willing to learn new software. Must be comfortable speaking in front of groups. This is a full-time position that offers competitive pay, excellent benefits including 401k, profit sharing and vacation. For consideration, please e-mail your resume with salary history to debbiebatliner@woodlawngroup.com. (Confidential Inquiries). EOE.

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Cemetery Sales—Advanced Planning Professional
Earn up to a $25,000 sign on bonus if you are a top notch salesperson with proven pre-need cemetery sales experience.
Have you always wanted to live and work close to the beach? Well, it's time to make that dream a reality. Woodlawn Memorial Gardens has 75 acres of beautifully landscaped and maintained property and is located in Norfolk, Virginia, just minutes from the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Woodlawn is a combo facility and is in the process of expanding our Advanced Planning sales team by adding more top notch talent. Sales experience must be proven and demonstrated. This is a full-time commissioned opportunity with benefits and high earnings potential. Must have a valid driver's license, be able to obtain a Virginia cemetery sales license, have excellent computer skills, closing skills and the desire to write your own paycheck. For further consideration, please email your resume, with salary history included to debbiebatliner@woodlawngroup.com. (Confidential Inquiries). EOE.

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Place your classified advertisement with ICCFA today!

  • ICCFA Wireless classified ads cost $80 and must be prepaid.
  • Ads run in two consecutive issues, and include free placement on the ICCFA Web site for four weeks.
  • Ads include a link to the company Web site and/or e-mail at no charge.
  • Ads with a box number for confidential reply are available for an additional $15.
  • Ads must be no longer than 250 words.
  • ICCFA reserves the right to limit the number of ads per issue on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • All advertising is subject to the publisher's approval; advertisers assume liability for all content of advertisements printed and for any claims arising therefrom against the publisher.

    For more information or to place an ad, contact Rick Platter at rickp@iccfa.com or call 800.645.7700. See more classified ads at www.iccfa.com/classifieds.

member benefits

ICCFA Supply Link Allows Easy Buyer's Guide Searching
The ICCFA Supply Link, an online buyer's guide members can use to easily search for products and services from the convenience of their computers, can be accessed directly from the ICCFA home page. The Supply Link offers a "Search" function whereby members can search according to product type or company name and can be limited to a state or to a certain radius distance from a specified city or ZIP code. Users also can narrow their search to include only ICCFA-member companies. Suppliers that are ICCFA members and exhibitors are identified as such in their listings.

ICCFA News Page
The ICCFA News Page takes you to sources throughout the world for industry news and updates. It brings you the most comprehensive selection of funeral service and cemetery news available anywhere, along with frequently updated general news items related to national and world events. The News Page reports the news before anyone else and is one of the most visited page on the ICCFA Web site. Stop in each day and you'll see why.

Music Licensing
The 2009 Music Licenses are available for just $248 per property, no additional fees. Covers ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Any U.S. funeral home, cemetery or related business is eligible for membership as a Music License Member. Licensing directly with the agencies this year would cost nearly $600 per location, so this price—which requires no additional membership fee—is still the lowest available to the industry.

Tax-Related Questions
ICCFA members now also have access to an attorney for tax-related questions regarding trust earnings, care fund allocations, capital gains, investments and more. The ICCFA has retained Leslie Schneider, CPA, a tax attorney with Ivins, Phillips & Barker in Washington, DC, for telephone consultations for up to 20 minutes with no obligation. To take advantage of this member benefit, call Schneider at 202.393.7600.

ICCFA Insurance Program

Administered by Alliant Insurance Services, this program allows members to purchase commercial property and casualty insurance -- including general liability, commercial property, automobile liability and physical damage, umbrella liability, professional liability, workers compensation, employee benefits and more—at rates they probably would not be able to afford on
their own. For details, call 800.390.9099.

HR Law Benefit
Through an unprecedented new benefit program, ICCFA members can now access free legal consultations regarding labor relations, human resource management and employment law. Attorney Michael Pepperman of the Labor Relations and Employment Law department at Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP (ORM&H), is available to address questions on topics ranging from hiring and firing, to employee privacy and workplace violence, to wages and hours, to equal employment opportunity and wrongful discharge issues. Michael Pepperman, Esq., has spoken on labor and employment issues at several ICCFA conferences and regional industry meetings. To take advantage of this benefit, please call 215.665.3032.

ICCFA Introduces New Sales Training Programs
ICCFA introduces new sales training programs by sales trainer and professional speaker Gary O'Sullivan, CCE. O'Sullivan's two latest products include a 10 DVD Series—The Power to Sell Preneed, and a training support system called the GoSell System. Both products provide sales managers with tools and training strategies that will help them to strengthen and motivate their teams. For more details or to place an order, call the ICCFA at 800.645.7700.

ICCFA Internet Expo
The ICCFA Internet Expo is the largest online exposition in the cemetery and funeral service industry. Cemetery and funeral home owners and operators will find 300+ providers in more than 100 product and service categories. Exhibit space is provided as a free, exclusive benefit to all ICCFA supplier and professional members. Check it out today!

Fraud Prevention & Detection Consultation Service
ICCFA has retained the services of veteran fraud investigator Robert A. Garvey Jr., CPA, CFE, CrFA, CVA, to serve as a consultative resource for members' employee theft and fraud concerns. The new member benefit, the "Fraud Investigation and Deterrence Consultation Service" or FIDCS, will allow members to discuss by telephone any issues or concerns related to suspected fraudulent activity or a desire to put systems and controls in place at their locations to deter such activity. There is no cost to ICCFA members in good standing to utilize this benefit. The number to call is 866.649.1902.

Legal Advice on Cremation Concerns
Courtesy of the ICCFA Government and Legal Fund, ICCFA members now have access to pre-paid legal advice on cremation-related issues. Through this exclusive member benefit, the association has retained Poul H. Lemasters, Esq., of Rosenacker & Associates, Ltd., Cincinnati, Ohio. Poul is an attorney and licensed funeral director, and members in good standing may call him at 800.221.2889 to discuss cremation concerns for up to 20 minutes at no charge.

FTC 'Red Flag' Compliance Program
ICCFA now offers members a sample compliance program concerning new Federal Trade Commission rules to fight identity theft. To have the program template sent to you, please contact us at 800.645.7700 or rfells@iccfa.com.

GPL Compliance Check
Members whose businesses must follow the FTC Funeral Rule's General Price List (GPL) requirements can have their lists reviewed for compliance by attorney Poul H. Lemasters, Esq., without charge. Contact Lemasters at 800.221.2889.

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CONTACT US

International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association
107 Carpenter Drive, Suite 100
Sterling, VA 20164
1.800.645.7700
703.391.8400
Fax: 703.391.8416
www.iccfa.com

Copyright 2009, International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association

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