October ’98 Volume 1.8
Casket Retailing
The Newsletter of the National Casket Retailers Association, Inc.
www.casketstores.com1998 Officers Executive Director Maynard Cheris (847) 662-4664 Impressive Casket Inc. Gurnee, IL. Treasurer Laura Wend Affordable Casket Inc. Southgate, MI. Board Members John Iwaniec Direct Casket Inc. Washington D.C. De’Lores Arline Arline Casket Co. Longview, TX. 903-234-0511 Laura Wend Affordable Casket Inc. Southgate, MI. Robert Karlin California Casket Co. Los Angeles, CA. New Members Texas Casket Sales 921 W. Pioneer Pkwy St. P Grand Prairie, TX. 75051 972-641-1010 King Casket Company 2817 W. T.C. Jester Blvd. Alexandria, LA. 71301 318-445-7251 Family Casket Store 609 N. Hwy 127 Russell Springs, KY. 42642 502-866-7464 |
National Casket Retailers Association Election of Officers On 9-19-98 Bob Davis was appointed 1999 Election Judge by the Membership. Any member desiring to sit on the board of directors must submit their name to the election judge by October 1, 1998 in one of the following ways: U.S. Mail: Bob Davis, Election Judge C/O Budget Casket, 5430 E. Lancaster, Ft. Worth, TX. 76112 Phone: 817-654-9438 Fax: 817-496-4366 Email: davisbob@flash.netWhen you notify Bob Davis of your desire to sit on the Board he will make sure your name is added to the ballot. (He is the only one who can authorize additions) After October 1st, 1998 the Election Judge will prepare a ballot listing the candidates in alphabetical order. One ballot will be sent to each active member by U.S. Mail. All ballots must be returned to the Election judge before 10-15-98. The Election Judge will announce the results of the Election to the board of directors on October 15th. The membership will be notified by a special mailing. All newly elected Board Members will be seated immediately. Retiring Officers will continue to serve in a non-voting capacity for the remainder of November in order to properly orient the new board members. National Casket Retailers Association meets in Irving, TX.Thanks to a lot of hard work by De’Lores Arline, The National Casket Retailers Association held its first formal meeting on September 19, 1998, at the Wilson World Hotel in Irving, Texas. Twenty-three stores were represented at the meeting. De’Lores Arline opened with a presentation on advertising and media attention, Melanie Kirkland presented bylaws which the membership reviewed and adopted (Each member will be mailed a copy on 10-16-98 along with the results of the election) The main topics of discussion regarding the bylaws were Membership Eligibility, Dues, Voting Privileges, Annual meeting, Fiscal Year. After the bylaws were approved Dr. James Gadberry, Ph.D. spoke on public awareness and education regarding the funeral industry. (Dr. Gadberry made the suggestion we all combine our stories and write a book about the funeral industry) After Dr. Gadberry’s discussion, Bob Davis spoke on the review of the Funeral Rule during which the membership decided to start a legal fund as well as hire our own lobbyists. Two committees were formed, one to select and hire a Lobbyist and one to study major fund raising strategies. After lunch Maynard Cheris spoke on the funeral industry’s Phony-discounting scheme. Each member was given a copy of the "National Funeral Directors Association Pricing Guidelines". Maynard explained that some funeral homes have backdated their price lists to avoid getting caught in this scheme. He stressed the importance of collecting funeral home GPL’s on a regular basis for future use as evidence. Maynard also stressed the importance of filling complaints with the Federal Trade Commission and other governmental agencies. (The Federal Trade Commission now has an online complaint form at http://www/ftc.gov/ftc/complaint.htm) (Continued on page 2) |
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Continued from page one (National Casket Retailers Association meets in Irving, TX.)
The main topics of discussion regarding the bylaws were Membership Eligibility, Dues, Voting Privileges, Annual meeting, Fiscal Year.
A group comprised of three law firms made a presentation on the Anti-Trust lawsuit. However, we were told not to publicly discuss litigation. Mike Grimes followed the Attorneys discussion and spoke on dealing with funeral home disparagement after which the meeting was adjourned.
A special thanks goes out to De’ Lores Arline, (Event organizer) Laura Wend, (Membership registration and reporting to this newsletter article) Melanie Kirkland, (Composing and presenting the bylaws) and all others who spoke and helped at the meeting.
National Casket Retailers Association Members Volunteer
The question was raised at the September meeting in Dallas, TX. "Is anyone opposed to being placed under the funeral rule?" Everyone felt it was a good idea and thought the National Casket Retailers Association should ask the Federal Trade Commission to placed casket retailers under the rule in 1999. During the next few issues we will go over different aspects of the funeral rule and show you how you can voluntarily comply with the Funeral Rule right now:
Here are the two price list requirements that might pertain to a casket store:
A. Casket Price List
You must prepare a printed or typewritten Casket Price List (CPL.) with the following information.
The Name of your business.
2. The caption "Casket Price List"
3. The effective date for the CPL.
The retail prices of each casket and alternative container (that does not require special ordering) and enough information so that consumers can identify and understand what they are buying.
You must show the CPL. to anyone who asks in person about the caskets or alternative containers that you offer. You must offer the CPL. when you begin to discuss caskets or alternative containers-but before showing these items. Consumers must be able to look at the CPL. before discussing their options or seeing the actual caskets.
(For more details see Federal Trade Commission Business guide "Complying with the funeral rule" page 19-20)
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(Continued from page 2 "National Casket Retailers Association Members volunteer")
Outer Burial Container Price List
If you sell outer burial containers you must prepare a separate printed or typewritten Outer Burial Container Price List (OBCPL) with the following information.
The Name of your business.
2. The caption "Outer Burial Container Price List"
The effective date for the OBCPL
The retail prices of each burial container you usually offer (that does not require special ordering) and enough information so that consumers can identify and understand what they are buying.
The following disclosure: "In most areas of the country, state or local law does not require that you buy a container to surround the casket in the grave. However, many cemeteries require that you have such a container so that the grave will not sink in. Either a grave liner or a burial vault will satisfy these requirements."
You must show this price list to all persons asking about outer burial containers or their prices. You must offer this price list when you begin to discuss outer burial containers, but before showing the containers.
(For more details see Federal Trade Commission Business guide "Complying with the funeral rule" page 21-22)
In the next issue we will cover the "statement of funeral goods selected" and misrepresentations prohibited by the rule.
National Funeral Directors Association Guidelines
If you did not get a copy of the "National Funeral Directors Association’s Guidelines For Dealing With Casket Stores" during the Irving Texas Meeting, You can call the National Funeral Directors Association’s free fax back number at 800-713-0661 and request document #4013. Be sure to make these guidelines available to the media and consumers in your area.
Funeral Rule Review Update
We have learned the Federal Trade Commission will publish the proposed changes to the funeral rule for comment later this fall. (No firm date yet, But we will keep you informed as soon as they do) Maynard Cheris is currently preparing a proposed National Casket Retailers Association position on changes to the funeral rule, which will be presented to the Board soon. If you have any comments please call, write or email Maynard