Aug. ‘00                       Volume 2.1
Casket Retailing 

The Newsletter of the National Casket Retailers Association, Inc. http://www.casketstores.com

A Note from our new secretary: Welcome to my first attempt at the NCRA newsletter.       My name is Thelma Jaco and I am one of the founders of Peachtree Caskets Direct in Atlanta Georgia. We successfully challenged the law in 1998 that prohibited sales of casket by anyone other than funeral directors. To the chagrin of the funeral directors we have flourished here.       I would appreciate any news that could be used for future issues. You can e-mail me at Peachtree Casket.com. TMOflash@aol.com NEW GEORGIA LAW The state of Georgia passed a law on March 22nd of this year called The Cemetery & Funeral Service Act - 2000 (SB 462).  It basically states that all sellers of funeral merchandise must be registered by the state, and undergo a back- ground check. Peachtree Caskets is staying in close contact with the Secretary  of State’s office to  monitor the situation.  NEW NCRA TREASURER Because of other commitments Laura Wend is stepping  aside as Treasurer of  the NCRA and George Silva of Competitive Caskets  of N.J. is  the new  NCRA Treasurer. The current balance in our account is $7,368.85 . If  anyone wants a statement of account please request.  We thank Laura for all her  time and effort for the NCRA  and wish George good luck on his new endeavor. NEW MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN Pat White, of The Casket Store  in Georgia has accepted the new position of membership chairman. As such her duties  will be to send info to  prospective new members, a welcoming letter and the by-laws to all of the NCRA  newest members.  If you know anyone who needs information,  or would  like to help Pat call her at 912-788-6292.    Webmaster of www.casketstores.com  Rob Brown, of  Unique Networth in Ashtabula, Oh.  Assistant webmaster Betty Brown, Of  A Team Master's Casket  store, in Eastlake,Ohio (related as Mother & Son both doing a wonderful job - Thank you)

CALIFORNIA CASKET RETAILERS  FIGHT BACK The California Casket Retailers Association attempted to have a  bill put through congress that would prevent funeral directors from using package discounts as reverse handling fees.  The CCRA’s stance is / was that bundling (putting all services and merchandise into a package) and giving a discount to only those who take the bundle is discrimination against those families who would  choose to buy their merchandise outside the funeral home.  Although this fight is limited to California at this time, it affects us all.  This bill has failed the first time, however it is not dead yet.  Funeral directors across the country are using this tactic.  Unfortunately, the public doesn't realize that they would still be saving  money if they unbundled and picked only the services they wanted and purchased their merchandise outside the funeral home. We as  retailers must somehow get this message across. And we need to support each  other in these kinds of fights. To name just a few, Texas, Ca.,  W. Virginia , & Tenn. all have happenings concerning casket store  sales & funeral law. Keep us informed whenever you hear of others and  what it is all about, and we will pass the information on. CASKET  Referral co-op A suggestion has been made by Barry Rubin, The Casket Store, of Norristown, PA for a co-operative casket referral program. The  program would work like this: If a customer contacts you in an area In which you are not located, but there is another NCRA member who has  an outlet in that area,  you would refer that customer to the NCRA  member in their area and if the sale was made, you could receive a commission, or trade back. Let’s hear some feed-back on this.  Please email  casketstores@email.com or fax me at 770-457-5597.   FUNERAL  FLOWERS Betty Brown at A Team Masters has worked out an arrangement with an on-line florist that would sell you the funeral arrangements  at a 20% discount. To participate you must be an NCRA member in good standing, and you must sign-up with the florist. For more information contact Betty at her store or contact her by e-mail at casketstores@email.com. NCRA ANNUAL  MEETING According to the by-laws of the NCRA the annual meeting in 2000 will cover NCRA business and new positions by vote. Our Election judge is Mr. Bob White The Casket Store fax: (912) 788-5952        3222 Pio Nono Ave Macon, GA 31206 . please send by mail, fax or  email PPIE7@aol.com  your name & information  to be placed on the Ballot.( see below for positions open) Act today! (nominations must be in at least 45 days prior) By now each of you  should have received a post card with full  information. If you did not get yours, please email ASAP! . Please plan to attend if at all any way possible, (see below) have a say in any decisions made, voting in new chair seats and  new business for the NCRA membership. For those unable to attend, mailed ballots & votes are accepted & will  be counted, also as other agendas and all other ideas submitted will be considered. .

NCRA Benefits Corner There are more benefits in the works for the NCRA members also.  1) The NARDA Credit Union has accepted the NCRA membership. They will be doing a mailing shortly to outline all of the benefits. 2) Cheetah Freight Solutions Inc.  800-694-9911 contact Joseph Mulinaro - a specialized freight, both ground and air, another benefit,  for members 3) pager, toll free number service, etc.  4) Did you get your atty. survey form filled in and returned? Please email webmaster  if you  need this form.  5)The store listing and all related information displayed on the NCRA store directory webpage. With a hot link to your web page, if you have one.  6) We are working with a lending institution for retailers to offer fast approval with this firm, for purchases of funeral product. Loans from this firm,  directly to families in need of a money source. 7) Proceeds from sale of Memorial pin  Charity or National "saving graves" origination. 8) All members receive NCRA email news & newsletters and other benefits. 9) The very BEST merchant account rates, from two choices of firms offering great options to our membership.     The NCRA logo on the web site can be copied and used on members (only) of the NCRA website, letterheads and business cards, etc. There are a few choices, to go with the color of your web page, etc.  There is also a FAQ web page that you as members can link to - that will offer your visitors more information on arrangements and items covered when visiting a funeral home, or buying from retailers. It is a stand alone web site, and opens into a new page from your site. http://meltingpot.fortunecity.com//peacock/11/faq.htm   New Applicants for National Casket Retailers Association Membership, & Newest members; And other membership news;  At the start of 1999 only 17 of the NCRA members had an email address. There are now nearly 50 (two thirds) that have email address' and now over one third have web sites, and 1/3 rd do have an 800 (or toll free) number so customers can reach them easily.  There is no firm number or tally of all of the casket retailers in the USA and Canada, however, given what reports we have from our suppliers, there are over 700-800 and up already.  And we welcome AL, Ky, Co, Fl, & NJ. as the NCRA newest members (repeat from bb news) Now that we have a membership chairperson (Pat White) we will be able to welcome the newest members in a more formal manner, and see that they get the newsletter, bylaws and benefits update. There are several polls through out the NCRA website. Please note their location and keep track of the results. Vote too, this can help everyone quite a bit, to see any pattern or trends. There are other casket retail associations, in various states, and in Canada. Please tell everyone about the National one, so they can become a member too.

National Casket Retailers Association Bulletin Board The National Casket Retailers Association  has it's own online Bulletin Board on the world wide web at http://www.casketstores.com/ceilidh/ceilidh.html The purpose of this online Bulletin Board is for Consumers, Casket Stores, and Funeral Directors to post messages, ask questions, voice opinions and receive feedback from others. Register with a valid email address.  From The Board The FTC is still working on the updated funeral rules. No new information just yet.  Maybe next month you all can submit some more / new INFO to include in our newsletter. .  The National Casket Retailers Association is looking for newsworthy items here. (in part, copy of Fame's letter) The FEA's FTC testimony purported to represent the opinions of the FEA and its members. However, the views of members were not sought in any organized or systematic way. Certainly, most of the testimony did not represent the views of FAMSA, nor were our views sought. This serves to highlight the undemocratic way in which the FEA has operated. Members have no say in selecting the FEA's board; the board has little geographic, cultural, or vocational diversity; there is no system in place to mediate or respond to complaints; there are no financial records; its membership is kept secret. In fact, it seems to have operated as the alter ego of its Executive Director Robert Ninker, rather than as a legitimate membership organization. A recent survey of FEA members indicated a majority believe that FEA should diversify its board based on geographical representation and expertise, but FEA has chosen to ignore these opinions and continue with a board made up mostly of Illinois funeral directors.  At the direction of the board of FAMSA~FCA, I am providing this notice that FAMSA~FCA no longer wishes to be associated with the FEA. Please remove our name from your membership rolls. When conscientious members of the deathcare industry decide to create a real public interest Complaints Matter!  Be sure to send us a copy of your complaint (that you have filed with the FTC or BBB or others)so that we may post it on our WebPages for all to see. http://www.casketstores.com/complaints.html Agenda:At the NCRA annual meeting Where & Cost: Casey's -Near Green Castle Pa. $20.00 (lunch included) When: Oct.(which Sat. send in your choice) , 2000 Time: 1:00 pm lunch, then meeting, then tour  Call to confirm; Shelly Rubin, of The Casket Store, 610-270-9530 attendance and also  send non-refundable $20.00 made out to Casey's to: The Casket Store, 217 W. Germantown Pike, Norristown, Pa. 19401 Directions:  or email Brubin@Philly.Infi.Net for directions & questions. To Do: NCRA business, budgets,  legal options, vote ya or nay on membership fee & advertising rate increase, committee positions added to by laws- membership, media & benefit chairpersons, Prior  Nominations and vote for; Chairman of the Board, Vice Chair, Sec. Tres. And 9 board supervisor chairs. Also a new  category, Casket Retailer of the year honor, based on past efforts in  volunteer work for the NCRA group, other  new business and ideas. Thank Election Judge, Mr. Bob White, all volunteers and contributors.  Adjourn & network  Tour to: Freeman's Casket Store of Green Castle Pa. And Monuments MEETING DETAILS HAVE BEEN CHANGED! SEE WEBMASTER OR SEPT. NEWSLETTER

National Casket Retailers Association Membership Application - also need 2 forms of I.D. from list on our website. Company Name:____________________________ Contact Name:____________________________  Address:____________________________ City, State, Zip:____________________________ Phone:____________________________  Fax/Email:_____________________________ q $95 enclosed for 2000 Dues  Mail to: National Casket Retailers Association  C/O George Silva , Competitive Caskets, Botany Square, 221 Dayton Ave. Clifton, N.J. 07011

Casket Retailer Subscription Form Company Name:____________________________ Contact Name:____________________________ Address:____________________________ City, State, Zip:____________________________ Phone:____________________________ Fax/Email:____________________________ q $65 enclosed for one year subscription Mail to: National Casket Retailers Association  (address to left)  If you are not a member of the NCRA and wish to advertise on the site, please contact the webmaster for further information. All membership funds are used as our mission statement outlines. Please visit our web site at http://www.casketstores.com