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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INDUSTRY NEWS
What It Means to You: Republicans Gain Control of the House, Increase Numbers in Senate
 While some races are undecided as of this writing, it is clear that the Democrats have retained control of the U.S. Senate although with a smaller majority. This means that the Democrats will continue to chair all Senate committees and, thereby, set the agendas and legislative priorities for that chamber for at least the next two years. Unlike the Senate, where only 38 of the 100 seats were up for election, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives were up for grabs. The Republicans needed to gain 39 seats in the House to become the majority party. The latest count indicates a pickup of 60 seats. This means that all of the chairmanships of the House committees will be changing from Democrats to the Republicans for the next two years, including the position of Speaker of the House currently held by Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
Of particular interest to cemetery and funeral industry members are the outcomes of three House races where funeral directors were candidates. Incumbent Democrat Charlie Wilson (OH) lost, while Republican challengers Steve Southerland (FL) and Randy Hultgren (IL) won their respective races. Wilson was a two-term Congressman who voted for ObamaCare, the union "card check" legislation, and the cap and trade bill. Wilson was also a co-sponsor of H.R. 3655, the Bereaved Consumers Bill of Rights Act, which remains pending in the House. This legislation was approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee in July despite the vocal opposition of the ranking minority member Joe Barton (R-TX). Barton is now in line to chair the Energy and Commerce Committee in 2011.
The ICCFA is maintaining a close monitoring of the existing Congress that will reconvene during the week of November 15 for a "lame duck" session. Although many members will not be returning to Congress in January, they are technically still voting members and can approve new legislation during November and December. Tax legislation will be the focus of much attention during the lame duck session, but it is possible for H.R. 3655 to be called up for a vote. Stay tuned.
FTC Goes "Green" With New Regulations on "Green" Products and Services
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is accepting comments through December 10, 2010, concerning proposed revisions to its existing Green Guides first issued in 1992. According to FTC, "The proposed changes are designed to update the Guides and make them easier for companies to understand and use. The changes ... include new guidance on marketers' use of product certification and seals of approval, 'renewable energy' claims, 'renewable materials' claims, and carbon offset claims."
The proposed Green Guides "caution marketers not to make blanket, general claims that a product is 'environmentally friendly' or 'eco-friendly' because the FTC's consumer perception study confirms that such claims are likely to suggest that the product has specific and far-reaching environmental benefits. Very few products, if any, have all the attributes consumers seem to perceive from such claims, making these claims nearly impossible to substantiate." The proposed revisions also address claims that a product is degradable or "free of" a particular substance. "For example, if a marketer claims that a product that is thrown in the trash is 'degradable' it should decompose in a 'reasonably short period time'—no more than one year."
It is unclear how the revised Guides will affect providers offering "green funerals" or "green burials." Even claims that cremation is "green" may require specific substantiation under the new Guides. Procedurally, FTC Guides are enforced differently from its trade regulations such as the Funeral Rule. The purpose of the Guides is to caution businesses from engaging in questionable activities that could trigger an enforcement action under the FTC Act for alleged deceptive and misleading sales practices. This means that cemeteries, crematories, and third party sellers of funeral goods or services have always been under the jurisdiction of the FTC, regardless of who or what the Funeral Rule covers. For more information on the proposed FTC revisions to the Green Guide, go to http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/10/greenguide.shtm.
ICCFA NEWS
Wide World of Sales Hotel Rate Slashed to Just $75 Per Night
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The ICCFA has negotiated a further reduced hotel rate at Bally's Las Vegas, the host hotel for the 2011 Wide World of Sales Conference, of JUST $75 PER NIGHT (single/double occupancy) for Monday, January 10, through Thursday, January 13. This is half the price originally published and makes this already affordable conference an even better investment of your sales training dollars. If you have not yet reserved your hotel room, reserve your room now online or call 1.800.358.8777 and identify yourself as an ICCFA attendee.
For attendees who wish to stay Friday and/or Saturday night following the conference, Bally's is offering rooms at the originally discounted rate of $149 per night on those weekend nights.
If you haven't registered to attend the conference, register online today or download the registration form here. The 2011 Wide World of Sales Conference offers:
- Internationally renowned keynote speakers Noah Rickun and "The Sales Whisperer" Wes Schaeffer
- Sessions on strategic marketing, social media & online leads, branding, sales strategy, setting & meeting goals, and more!
- Two solid days of educational seminars offering practical tools and techniques for boosting sales
- ICCFA take-home binder filled with handouts and "how to" instructions
- Registration directory of all attendees to facilitate networking with more than 300 of the best industry sales counselors and managers from around the world
- Wednesday evening Welcome Reception
- Opportunity for counselors to participate in our "Speed Sales" session: 10 solid sales ideas shared in a "speed dating" format
- A special Thursday networking and motivational luncheon with Gary O'Sullivan
- A chance to win cash and prizes
- and much more!
You may now make your hotel reservation at Bally's. Bally's Las Vegas is offering attendees the discounted room rate of $149 per night for single/double occupancy (a decrease of $29 from last year's hotel rate). To make your reservation, please call 1.800.358.8777 and identify yourself as an ICCFA attendee.
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THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS!
Service Corporation International • Forethought Financial Group Inc. • Homesteaders Life Company • Matthews International • Assurant Solutions • NorthStar Memorial Group • Arbor Memorial Services Inc. • Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company • Gibraltar Remembrance Services
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Annual Convention: Cremation Coaching Center LIVE!
Focuses on Today's Customer
A cornerstone of the ICCFA's 2011 Annual Convention & Exposition, March 8-11 at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, will be the Cremation Coaching Center LIVE!, which will include a 3.5 hour presentation on "The Cremation Customer." The session will feature:
- Proven ways to profit and grow in a large cremation market
- The premier of new consumer research on cremation families
- How to make the arrangement conference more efficient and effective
- Ways to save money and prevent costly mistakes in the arrangement conference
- Changes in the modern arrangement conference
- Educating the consumer on cremation options
Presenters will include Kent Roduck, Island Funeral Services Ltd.; ICCFA Director of Cremation Services Julie Burn; Nectar Ramirez, Options by Batesville; Marty Strohofer, Aurora Casket Company; and Kara Gray and Dr. Marty Ludlum, Lawton Ritter Gray Funeral Home.
In addition, the 2011 Convention offers:
- Keynote addresses from Guy Kawasaki, Eric Haseltine, Juliet Funt and Dr. Marty Becker
- Breakout sessions on topics that most affect your business: marketing to boomers, management solutions, effective hiring, technology, embalming and more.
- More than 400 exhibit booths
- Second Annual PLPA Conference
- Networking luncheons, receptions and dinner
- Earn continuing education credits
- Free food & drinks in the Expo hall
- KIP Awards presentation
...and much, much more. MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!
The exhibitor prospectus is available online now. Registration and full program information will be available later this year.
Just a Month Left to Submit Your 2010 KIP Award Entries
 Applications for ICCFA's 2010 Keeping It Personal (KIP) Awards are available for download. The mission of the awards program is to recognize the best in personalization in the cemetery, cremation and funeral service profession. Deadline for submission is December 3.
Created by the ICCFA Personalization Committee, the KIP program honors recipients in five categories:
Winners are recognized in ICCFA Magazine and at the ICCFA Annual Convention & Expo. Winners also receive a press release for use in their local media.
2010 applications and profiles of past winners are available on the ICCFA Web site at http://www.iccfa.com/certifications-awards/kip/kip-awards.
2011 Music Licenses Now Available—Purchase Yours Online Now
The ICCFA is offering 2011 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.
You may purchase your music license ONLINE NOW or by downloading the registration form.
The 2011 price represents no increase from the 2009 & 2010 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.
ICCFA to Honor Members Who Have Died in the Past Year
During the its Annual Convention, March 8-11, 2011, at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, the ICCFA will hold its annual Memorial Service celebrating the lives of colleagues and loved ones who have passed away in the past year. A questionnaire seeking details about the decedent’s personality, hobbies, passions and more is available to download from our Web site. Photos would be greatly appreciated and may be sent to Robert Treadway at robt@iccfa.com.
- TO BUY/SELL
- POSITIONS WANTED
- POSITIONS AVAILABLE
- Senior Trainer Opportunity with Graystone Associates (U.S. and Canada)
- Managing Partner and Sales Manager Opportunities (Florida)
- Regional Management Positions (IL, OH, LA, MS, WV, AR, MO, KY, TN, NJ, MD, DE, PA)
- Sales Management Professional (Michigan)
- Top Sales Director Needed (New York)
- Bilingual Funeral Director/Embalmer (Corpus Christi, TX)
- Bilingual Funeral Director/Embalmer (San Antonio, TX)
- Executive Director—Catholic Cemeteries (Miami, FL)
- Regional Sales Manager (North & South Carolina)
- Start Immediately, Cemetery Person to Manage (Georgia)
- Cemetery Operations Manager (New Mexico)
- Cemetery Sales Professionals (Jacksonville, FL)
- Experienced Cemetery Sales Managers (Philadelphia/Delaware Co./Chester Co., PA)
- Experience Sales Professionals (National)
- Funeral Director (Terre Haute, IN)
- Funeral Director (Jacksonville, FL)
- Funeral Director (Houston, TX)
- Great Opportunity & New Approach to Sales (Kentucky)
Place your classified advertisement with ICCFA today!
member benefits
Access to Abenity Employee Discount Program
Give your staff acces to more than 100,000 discounts and more than $4,500 in savings per employee. Visit www.abenity.com/pricing. Corporate code: ICCFA.
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.
Discounts at FuneralReview.com and Dignity University
The ICCFA has partnered with FuneralReview.Com to provide online continuing education at a discount for members. Founded in 2002, FuneralReview.Com is North America's largest provider of online continuing education courses designed specifically for funeral directors, embalmers and preneed counselors. ICCFA members are being provided a code for use in obtaining a discount on the site's funeral courses.
All funeral courses at FuneralReview.com are approved by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. ICCFA members in good standing can log in using a special code to receive a discounted price on the funeral service courses. If you have not yet received your code or have misplaced it, call the ICCFA at 1.800.645.7700. For more information, visit www.funeralreview.com.
The ICCFA also offers low-cost online training on a variety of OSHA topics through a partnership with Dignity University. To access the 23 OSHA courses, visit http://online.ecampustraining.com/Dignityu/.
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 2011 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. Purchase your license online now at .
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 Lemasters Consulting in Cincinnati, Ohio. Poul is an attorney and licensed funeral director, and members in good standing may call him at 513.407.8114 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 513.407.8114.
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 2010, International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association
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