DirectionsJuly 2019 A members-only publication of the State Funeral Directors Association, Inc.

Inside This Issue 8 10 17 Vet Funeral Survey Wedding vs. Crosses Borders Says . . . Funeral The funeral for the last See findings obtained from Which is more expensive? surviving “,” NYSFDA members as part Often the charge is made was the proud culmination the first regional survey by consumer groups of a busy few days for of the Northeast Funeral that funerals are too Chad Green, LFD, from the Service Partnership about expensive. Donaldson Funeral Home in firms, staffing, pricing and Massena. positioning for tomorrow. NYSFDA Officers

Jeffrey A. Jennings, CFSP President 2019 Convention Penfield | 585-381-3900 Saratoga Springs | August 18 -21 Richard J. Sullivan President-Elect Cornwall-On-Hudson | 845-534-9424 LEARN MORE: William J. Villanova my.nysfda.org/convention Secretary / Treasurer New York | 212-288-3500 FREE early registration (before August 12) Wesley A. “Andy” Powell, CFSP for NYSFDA members. Earn up to 12 CEUs! Immediate Past President Amityville | 631-691-0172 Please make your room reservations directly with The Saratoga Hilton (518-584-4000). The Walter J. Kent Continuing Past President reservation deadline is July 15 for NYSFDA rates. Elmira | 607-734-5368

Michael A. Lanotte Executive Director 800-291–2629 Randy L. McCullough, CAE In Remembrance Deputy Executive Director 800-291–2629 Robert John Arndt, 49, passed away April 23, 2019. Robert served his community as a Funeral Director for 25 years at the Arndt Funeral Home of Rochester. Bureau of Funeral Directing 518-402-0785 Robert W. Barber, 99, of Johnson City, passed away on June 20, 2019. Bob was DIRECTIONS is published by the second generation owner of the Barber Memorial Home, Inc., in Johnson City, the New York State Funeral where he took great pride in helping many families for over 40 years. Directors Association, Inc. Jeanne Evans Battle, 77, passed away on June 10, 2019. Jeanne was the beloved © 2019 all rights reserved sister of Mrs. Ayris B. Granby and sister-in-law of Samuel Granby Jr. of Granby’s Funeral Service, Inc., in the Bronx. 1 South Family Drive Albany, New York 12205 Millie R. Bruno, mother of Joe Bruno from Matthew Aurora Funeral Solutions, p: 800-291-2629 passed away in June 2019. f: 518-452–8667 www.nysfda.org Mary E. Dalton, 90, of Islip (formerly of Oyster Bay), passed away on June 13, email: [email protected] 2019. Mary was the mother of Beth Dalton-Costello, LFD, and widow of Thomas F. Dalton of Thomas F. Dalton Funeral Home in Hicksville.

Please send all contributing articles, Joan P. D’Arienzo, 83, passed away April 2, 2019. Joan was the mother of funeral photos and story ideas to directors John D’Arienzo of D’Arienzo Funeral Home and Peter D’Arienzo. [email protected]. A. Andrew Gigliotti, age 79, of Loudonville, entered into eternal life on June 20, DIRECTIONS Magazine Schedule: 2019. Andy was a well-known and respected funeral director in the City of Albany The September 2019 print publication for over forty years, owning Lasak & Gigliotti, Inc. deadline is August 15th. If copy is not received by that date it will be saved William “Bill” Guy Olmsted, 77, passed away in May 2019. Bill was a licensed for an upcoming DIRECTIONS issue. funeral director in the state of Wisconsin and worked as a sales representative for Embalmer’s Supply Company, Bass-Mollett Industries, Schuylkill Haven Casket Company and Columbia Casket Company. He was a friend of funeral service and was well-known by many. Follow NYSFDA on Richard D. “Dick” Williams, 83, of Cicero, passed away on April 28, 2019. Dick was a graduate of Simmons Institute of Funeral Service. As proprietor of Williams Funeral Home, he served his community as a funeral director for over 55 years. NYSFDA DIRECTIONS | JULY 2019 PAGE 3 Presidential Directions is awaiting the Governor’s signature wonderful friends. [see PAGE 7 of this publication for more details]. I sometimes feel that we get more done during these small group During these four days, the discussions than we do in large NYSFDA and FDSS Boards also met. meetings. It is a much more casual This quarterly meeting was my last conversation and a lot of information as State President and we were able is shared this way. I know that the to address several issues facing our friendships established during these association and our profession. times will last all of us a lifetime.

I am also pleased to report In closing, I want to thank all of that our NYSFDA Board has you for your support during my term approved moving forward with the as President and for all you do for recommendations set forth by the Funeral Service and for the families 20/20 Task Force. We will continue to that call on us. explore the recommendations of the My time as NYSFDA President Task Force and this information will is quickly winding down, but that be given out to all of our members for doesn’t mean that the work of our their feedback in the spring of 2020 Association is in any way slowing when we reconvene regional meetings down. This point was made quite around the state. Please stay tuned evident in mid-June when I spent for more information on this subject Jeffrey A. Jennings, CFSP four days in Albany working with so you, our members, can give us your our Boards and state lawmakers to feedback at these meetings. P. S. As a postscript, only a few of you promote our legislative agenda. As busy and productive as will understand this, but for those of I am pleased to report that as of these four days in Albany were, it also you who will, I add this . . . the writing of this article our preneed involved some down time and some legislation has passed both houses and impromptu meetings with some

NYS Tribute Foundation Annual Cash Raffle WINNER

$100/ticket To purchase tickets, please call Kelly at 800-291-2629 or contact a member of the NYS Tribute Foundation Board of Directors. Drawing will be on August 20 during the 2019 NYSFDA Annual Convention. Prizes based on sale of 200 tickets. st nd rd 1 Prize $10,000 2 Prize $2,500 3 Prize $1,000 Need not be present to win. ONLY YOUR ACCOUNTANT CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE.

Sich Morion - HJ16 AT NIGHT, IT DREAMS IT’S A FER RI.

Stunning and sleek like an exotic The product of exhaustive attention sports car, the midnight black Sich to detail and quality, it’s Sich at its Morion, with its gleaming chrome fi nest. Yet priced as low as it is, it’s accents, demands attention. It well within the reach of nearly any blurs the line between formal and family. That’ssomething both you formidable and says of its occupant, and your accountant can dream “You are worthy.” about for a while.

For your nearest Sich distributor, call 888-794-1744 or visit www.sichcasket.com

Bleed: 8.625” x 11.125” Live: 7.25” x 9.625” Trim: 8.375” x 10.875”

Prepared by: NYSFDA DIRECTIONS | JULY 2019 PAGE 5 Executive Directions you are not. So, you may, if you references credit card brands and/ choose, impose credit card surcharges or on the purchase order or receipt ONLY YOUR ACCOUNTANT CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE. on your consumers. that is given to the consumer at Since this is now a permissible the sale. practice, it is important to remember Caps on Surcharge that in addition to complying with the • Some processing companies law, you must also comply with the prohibit a merchant from various requirements imposed by the charging more than the merchant credit card processing companies (i.e. pays to have the credit card VISA, Mastercard, Discover, American processed. There are generally Express). Each has established two types of surcharges – Brand extensive requirements that and Product. With a Brand persuade many merchants, including surcharge, the merchant applies funeral homes, to forgo credit card Earlier this year, after several the same surcharge for all credit surcharges. court challenges, including one at cards under a certain brand. For the U.S. Supreme Court, New York’s According to T. Scott Gilligan, example, even though VISA ban on credit card surcharging was NFDA General Counsel, those has awards cards that may cost deemed a violation of freedom of surcharging requirements include the more to process, a merchant speech under the First Amendment. following: who imposes a Brand surcharge As a result, while the law is still will impose the same percentage Advanced Notification officially in place, merchants are now surcharge on all VISA credit cards. allowed to assess an additional charge • Merchants must provide the The other alternative is to impose on consumers who make credit card processing companies with Product surcharges. This requires purchases. prior notice that they will start the merchant to track the cost of surcharging. How far in advance processing each particular credit The New York Court of Appeals the notice must be varies by card. So, unlike a Brand surcharge Sich Morion - HJ16 stated in its decision that so long company. where a funeral home would as the total dollars-and-cents price impose the same surcharge for charged for credit card purchases Notifications to Consumer all VISA cards, with a Product is posted, merchants are free to • Merchants must provide written surcharge, each type of VISA card charge a price differential and call it notification to consumers that it is would have its own maximum a ‘surcharge’, ‘additional fee’ or ‘extra imposing a credit card surcharge. AT NIGHT, IT DREAMS surcharge. cost’. The number, timing and location With this new ruling in place, of notices will vary as will the Therefore, if your funeral IT’S A FER RI. merchants in New York have already content that must be included. home decides to impose a surcharge begun to assess these fees in order to For example, a disclosure may make sure you contact your credit recoup some or all of the typical 2% need to include a statement that card processor to ensure you Stunning and sleek like an exotic The product of exhaustive attention to 4% cost of credit card acceptance the surcharge that the funeral are complying with the various sports car, the midnight black Sich to detail and quality, it’s Sich at its charged by the credit card processing home imposes is not greater requirements. Morion, with its gleaming chrome fi nest. Yet priced as low as it is, it’s company. than the merchant’s discount accents, demands attention. It well within the reach of nearly any rate for credit card transactions. NYSFDA has spoken with the blurs the line between formal and family. That’ssomething both you You may be required to post a Bureau of Funeral Directing as part formidable and says of its occupant, and your accountant can dream written notification at the point “You are worthy.” about for a while. of the due diligence conducted to of entry to the merchant’s place confirm that funeral homes are not of business, on the first page of Michael A. Lanotte prohibited from this practice. And, For your nearest Sich distributor, call 888-794-1744 or visit www.sichcasket.com the funeral home’s website that

Bleed: 8.625” x 11.125” Live: 7.25” x 9.625” Trim: 8.375” x 10.875”

Prepared by: NYS Division of Cemeteries: Notary Required for Out-of-State Cremation Authorization Forms

as part of the irreversible cremation process.

While this policy is aimed at providing legal cover to crematories, it will also work to provide the same protection to funeral directors.

It appears that this notary stipulation has not been broadly communicated to crematories, but since it is a policy of the Division, you should be aware that you may be asked by a crematory By Randy L. McCullough, CAE. NYSFDA Deputy Executive Director to secure notarization on any authorization form executed outside of New York State. It has been brought to our attention by a member in the Southern Tier that some crematories Indeed, I have been informed by the Division are telling funeral directors to ensure that any that they are contemplating the issuance of a formal, Cremation Authorization Form (CAF) that is written guidance to all of the State’s crematories completed out-of-state is notarized. This is due about this policy requirement. to the fact that the funeral director is not actually witnessing completion of the Form. The Division has also relayed that they will be moving to revise and update the CAF in the near Although no formal notice ever occurred, my future, and NYSFDA, of course, will be fully involved subsequent communication with the NYS Division in that process. of Cemeteries confirmed that notarization has been recommended to crematories by the Division as a In the interim, I wanted you to be aware of this way to provide more certainty and liability protection development, and I hope this is informative.

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On Tuesday, June 4, 2019 more than 20 of our members representing the Board of Directors, Government Affairs Committee and Bridge Commission came to Albany to round up support for the Preneed Trust Accountability Act.

By Randy L. McCullough, CAE

I am very pleased to inform you that our #1 Legislative Priority - the “Preneed Trust Accountability Act” - was passed UNANIMOUSLY (106-00) by the NYS Assembly on June 18! Sponsored by NYS Assembly Health Committee Chair Richard Gottfried (D-Manhattan), this bill (A.7777) would require any entity holding preneed funds - such as banks, credit unions and funeral trusts - to undergo an annual audit and thereby make available more information to the consumers (families) who have pre-paid their funeral/burial expenses. At the same time, this bill imposes NO new additional requirements on funeral homes. This follows unanimous passage by the State Senate on June 6 of Senator Leroy Comrie’s companion bill (S.5677-A). With passage by both houses of the NYS Legislature, the bill will soon be transmitted to Governor Andrew Cuomo for consideration on a date yet to be determined. If he signs the bill into law - as expected - our best-in-the-nation preneed laws would be further strengthened for the benefit of both funeral directors and the families you serve.

A big THANK YOU goes to all of our members who contacted their State legislators to urge their support of this bill. Please be assured that I will keep you posted when our bill is sent to the Governor for executive action. World War II Veteran Funeral Crosses Borders Louis Levi Oakes, the last of the Mohawk Code Talkers of WWII, passed away on May 28th in Canada, he was 94 years old. Chad W. Green, LFD (pictured right) of Donaldson Funeral Home in Massena was honored to direct his funeral.

By Edward Munger Jr. | U.S. Army photos by Sgt. Keegan Costello

Two Native Americans sang Situated in Northern New translate what they were saying. Mohawk farewell songs while York not far from the In a prepared statement, Lt. drumming, as the roar of U.S. Mohawk Nation that straddles the Col. John P. Miller III, commander of Military helicopters split the air U.S. and Canada border, the funeral the 3rd Battalion, 10th Aviation overhead. home serves members of the Native Regiment, said Oakes’ “contribution Unique as the man it American community often, Green to the success of our allied forces remembered, the funeral for Louis said. during World War II is immeasurable.” Levi Oakes in early June was a multi- But the funeral for this man, “He saved lives and secured a faceted project and an honor for whose language was used as a code safer world for all of us,” Miller said. Funeral Director Chad W. Green. that couldn’t be cracked by the enemy, was anything but typical. The work of the Code Talkers More than one language, was kept secret for decades and multiple religions and discussion Oakes, 94, enlisted in the U.S. many died before the U.S. with a foreign government and its Army at age 18. He served as a government made a formal effort to military may sound like a lot of work Technician Fifth Grade with recognize them. to organize a celebration of Company B of the 442nd Signal someone’s life. Battalion. He served in the South Two dozen Mohawks from Pacific, the Philippines and New Akwesasne were recognized with Unless it’s for a World War II congressional medals in 2016. For veteran who represented the last of Guinea before his honorable discharge in February of 1946. most of them, family members a special group in his generation. stood in to receive the awards. The funeral for famed Oakes and members of 33 Native American tribes were But Oakes survived to receive Mohawk Louis Levi Oakes, a WWII those honors. veteran and the last surviving welcomed by the U.S. military for “Mohawk Code Talker,” was the their ability to speak language “He was one of the few that proud culmination of a busy few unheard anywhere else. were honored in life and then again days for Green and his staff from the They were able to in death,” said Green, who has Donaldson Funeral Home in communicate back and forth served members of the Mohawk Massena. without the enemy being able to Native American community in NYSFDA DIRECTIONS | JULY 2019 PAGE 9

Northern New York for 20 years. Akwesasne is situated, geographically, in , Green is accustomed to witnessing unique , and in New York, making activity there an Mohawk funeral practices. international affair. Often, the Mohawks will handcraft a casket or The Canadian Defense Ministry allowed the cradle boards for a loved one. They dress the deceased helicopter flyover – pilots flew along the St. Lawrence following the embalming process, he said. River valley to make their fly-over at the cemetery, Green said. Oakes, who was Catholic, is expected to receive a headstone, along with his government issued According to an account by Leslie Logan in the headstone. Indian Country Today newspaper, others involved in honoring Oakes included hundreds of motorcyclists in a Other Native Americans are buried without a funeral procession. headstone at all – there is the belief that these hinder the spirit’s course of departure, Green said. They included the American Legion Legacy Riders, the Patriot Guard Riders, the Christian Motorcyclist Viewings are frequently held at the deceased or Association and the Freedom Riders Motorcycle Club. family member’s home on the Akwesasne Territory. “It was a very, very emotional graveside service,” For Oakes, there was a 2-day wake held in a Green said. “I have been the director for many military community meeting house on the Akwesasne territory. services in my 20 years, all of which are an honor, but On the third day he and his family were escorted this one stands out a bit more.” to the small Catholic Church by over 50 motorcycles through a Fire and EMS Honor Parade, with a massive United States Flag flown on the main highway on the New York side of the community. Community members stood along the route holding flags or saluting their fallen hero. Hundreds attended the interment and funeral ceremony, Green said, which involved military personnel from the U.S. and Canada and included funerary rituals of both Native Americans and the U.S. military. The Native American song and drumming is a tradition believed to help “set the spirit free,” Green said. In addition to a 21-gun salute, the U.S. Army conducted a military helicopter flyover at St. Lawrence Cemetery – three Blackhawk and two Chinook helicopters thundered across the sky. Getting permission from the Canadian military entailed contacting officials in Canada then the Canadian military, Green said. Though it’s considered its own nation, the Mohawk community of Survey Says . . .

How often does the average New York State resident attend a funeral? What percent of New Yorkers believe a funeral service is important? The answers to these and other questions can help funeral directors focus their business models to make sure they’re providing the services sought in their communities.

The following information is a summary of data obtained from NYSFDA members as part the first regional survey of theNortheast Funeral Service Partnership (NFSP) during the month of February 2019. The results are meant to inform NYSFDA leadership, staff and members about funeral service in New York State. We are grateful to the 139 NYSFDA member funeral homes that participated.

NFSP members:

This month we are featuring findings about firms, staffing, pricing and positioning for tomorrow. In coming issues of DIRECTIONS, we will present salaries and benefits, receivables, prearrangements, cremation, personalization and trends, technology and more. NYSFDA DIRECTIONS | JULY 2019 PAGE 11 FIRM PROFILE TOTAL RESPONDENTS: 90% INDEPENDENTLY OWNED

NUMBER OF LOCATIONS AVERAGE NUMBER OF CALLS PER YEAR

1-99 39% 1 65% 100-199 31% 2 22% 200-299 17% 3 9% 300-399 5% 4 0% 400-499 1%

5+ 4% 500+ 7%

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

FUNERAL FIRM ACQUISITION

PURCHASED EXISTING 15% 9% 33% JOINED FAMILY-OWNED

STARTED NEW

OTHER

43% STAFF PROFILE

NUMBER OF FULL-TIME, LICENSED FUNERAL DIRECTORS EMPLOYED 6% 24% 55% 14% 1%

NUMBER OF PART-TIME, LICENSED FUNERAL DIRECTORS EMPLOYED 60% 22% 14% 2% 2%

NUMBER OF FULL-TIME, NON-LICENSED STAFF EMPLOYED 55% 20% 16% 8% 1%

NUMBER OF PART-TIME, NON-LICENSED STAFF EMPLOYED 20% 8% 43% 18% 11%

NONE 1 2–4 5–9 10+ STAFF PROFILE

NUMBER OF MALES/FEMALES

MALE 80% 25% FEMALE FUNERAL DIRECTING IS MY FIRST CAREER 75%

NEXT YEAR... 29% 19% PLAN TO HIRE PLAN TO HIRE LICENSED NON-LICENSED STAFF STAFF

PRICING

COMPARED TO COMPETITORS LAST PRICE INCREASE

2% LESS THAN 6 MONTHS 10% 25% HIGHER BETWEEN 6 MONTHS AND 1 YEAR 30% 58% LOWER 40% BETWEEN 1 YEAR AND 3 YEARS 17% ABOUT THE SAME OVER 3 YEARS 18% OTHER

AVERAGE PRICE OF A FUNERAL (excluding cash advances) NUMBER OF CALLS NEEDED TRADITIONAL ANNUALLY TO BREAK EVEN FUNERAL $9,314 120 CREMATION W/ VIEWING $6,313 DIRECT CREMATION* $2,633 TAKE AWAY: DATA SUGGESTS THAT RESPONDENTS REQUIRE ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INCOME ABOVE AND BEYOND ANNUAL PRICE INCREASES TO REMAIN PROFITABLE. 0 1k 2k 3k 4k 5k 6k 7k 8k 9k 10k * Excluding Crematory Fee NYSFDA DIRECTIONS | JULY 2019 PAGE 13 POSITIONING FOR TOMORROW

NEXT YEAR, FIRMS ARE PLANNING TO:

DOWNSIZE BUY OR OPEN OR CLOSE SELL ANOTHER LOCATION 3% 4% 5%

OBTAIN A FORMAL VALUATION REMODEL OF BUSINESS 30% 13%

HAVE NO SUCCESSION PLAN HAVE NEVER BEEN APPRAISED LAST PRICE INCREASE 59% 15% 45% WERE APPRAISED OVER 2 YEARS AG0

THREE MOST COSTLY OPERATIONAL EXPENSES OUTSIDE OF SALARIES AND BENEFITS:

45% 72% 55% BUILDING AND TAXES INSURANCE PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

DUES 1%, OFFICE SUPPLIES 2%, TECHNOLOGY 2% ARE THE LEAST COSTLY EXPENSES.

We’ll be featuring SALARY results in the September 2019 issue of DIRECTIONS. For more survey findings, please visit: my.nysfda.org/survey It’s Good to be the King and Queen

Brian is a Past President of the Civic Club and the Dolgeville Business Association, a life member of the VFW, a current member of the Sprite Club, and a 45-year member of the Dolgeville Masonic Lodge #796.

For 25 years, Brian played Santa for countless children at the Masonic Lodge annual children’s Christmas party.

For five years during the Violet Festival’s “Alfred Dolge” street play, Brian and Diane portrayed Mr. and Mrs. Philip Helmer, in whose historic 1830 house they live in.

His other professional organizations include Past President of the Tri-County Funeral Directors Association and Senior Herkimer County Coroner Congratulations to NYSFDA Past President, Brian for District 2, a position he’s held since 1975. He has Roberts and his wife Diane for being selected as had the honor and privilege of serving many families King and Queen for the 21st Annual Dolgeville throughout the Dolgeville, Salisbury, Stratford, Violet Festival in Dolgeville, NY, June 7-9, 2019. Oppenheim and surrounding area as a funeral director.

Throughout the years, Diane has served on various committees, including President of the Catholic Women’s Club, Boy Scout Troop 18, the Girl Scouts Executive Board, the Mohawk Valley Arts Center “Special Events” committee, and the Little Falls Hospital Guild. She also spent many years as a teacher and substitute teacher in the Dolgeville School System. Diane also enjoyed volunteering for many activities The Roberts’ came to Dolgeville in May of 1971, while their children were in school. when Brian bought the former Moore Funeral Home on Faville Avenue. At the same time Diane was hired Brian and Diane have three sons, Brian Jr. and as the first female physical education teacher in the his wife Erika, and their children Brynn and Brian III Stratford School System. of Park City, Uri Brent and his wife Kathy, and their children John, Colin, Emma and Alex, of Raleigh, NC; Brian is a Vietnam Marine Corps veteran, who has and Bradford and his wife Molly of Mohawk, NY. served in various Dolgeville organizations including the Rotary Club, the Dolgeville Central School Board They feel fortunate to have had the opportunity for 12 years, Boy Scout Troop 18 as a committee to raise their family and reside in Dolgeville for 48 member and the AYSO youth soccer program. years and enjoy the many lasting friendships they’ve made. (Submitted by Barbara Schwartz) He is active in St. Joseph’s Church, currently serving as the finance chairman and a member of the Do you have a story you’d like to share? Dolgeville ministerium. Email: [email protected] NYSFDA DIRECTIONS | JULY 2019 PAGE 15 Funeral Director Creating Improvements

By Edward Munger Jr. Many of his inventions are aimed at making the embalming process easier, such as a Universal Denture Drivers kept having trouble staying with funeral Plate or a non-clogging Hulk Aspirator Adapter with processions, so Joseph Mario Bernaudo created a optional, reversible flow. mobile phone application that keeps track of the lead He’s produced a “Director’s Cannula” – a flexible, vehicle. That was back in 2016. vinyl injection tube that helps embalmers direct the Since then, the Long Island funeral director has distribution of fluid from a single injection point. gone on an invention spree, focusing on challenges And then there’s the pressure pump injector for funeral homes and embalmers face. cavity work, hypodermic application, arterial work and He’s heard continual discussion about funeral a multi-point injection fitting called the “Postmaster’s home pricing inquiries – so he created The Funeral Squid” that’s used for autopsy cases. It allows for Price Tool funeral directors can use that makes the the uniform or controlled injection of six vessels whole process simple. simultaneously. He turned to embalming – work that allows In roughly three years, Bernaudo has populated families to view their beloved one last time as opposed his website, MortuaryMagic.com, with numerous to looking at a closed casket. funeral director assistance products. “The stakes couldn’t be higher than the He isn’t looking to move out of funeral directing. appearance of somebody’s loved one,” said Bernaudo, He’s trying to improve the work that funeral directors 32, a funeral director at Frederick J. Chapey & Sons do. Funeral Home. His new embalming machine – called “Frank- embalm,” may end up changing the way embalming “how much is it,” Bernaudo said. equipment is made. He designed it with inspiration He got one into the hands of a contract from one of the first muscles to form in the human embalmer who was using the existing equipment at body – the heart – which, as everyone knows, is funeral homes. responsible for pumping fluid throughout the body. Some of these operations don’t really have the Typically, embalmers gauge the effectiveness of money to get repairs done to their machines – or buy the job by feel. Now, Bernaudo can simply look at the new ones. gauge on the machine. PAYING ATTENTION The pulsating embalming machine does the job without swelling. It weighs under five pounds and Bernaudo doesn’t consider himself a genius – comes with a handle. The final result is full saturation just someone who pays attention. His inventions are of tissue without swelling. By late April of 2019, a tribute to his father, an environmental engineer who Bernaudo estimated these machines of his had been had the ability to fix anything. He recalls most fondly used roughly 500 times. working on muscle cars with him. He’s not expecting to break any sales records Ultimately, Bernaudo said his career-specific – considering his sales techniques. He doesn’t really ingenuity stems from being true to his calling. have a marketing budget and doesn’t plan to take out “I love what I do. I love to try to give somebody advertisements like big companies can. some sort of healing and show them their mom in a He’s simply sending one to those who ask about better way,” Bernaudo said. it and telling them to give it a try and send it back in For more stories like this one, two weeks. visit NYSFDA’s blog, Instead of sending them back, users are asking my.nysfda.org/sympathynotes

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Often the charge is made by Top 2018 Study Findings consumer groups that funerals are too expensive. • Average Wedding Cost: $33,931 (down from $35,329 in 2016) According to NFDA, the national • Least Expensive Place to median cost of a funeral with viewing Get Married: Idaho - $16,366 and burial (without a vault) for calendar • Average Spent on a year 2016 was $7,360. Interestingly, that Wedding Dress: $1,631 isn’t an impressive number compared to the national average cost of a wedding - • Average Spent on a $33,931 (excluding honeymoon). Wedding/Event Planner: $2,022 • Average Spent on a A recent survey by TheKnot.com Photographer: $2,679 reveals that Manhattan, Long Island and the Northeast were among the top places • Average Spent on a when it comes to the most expensive Videographer: $2,021 places to wed in 2018: • Average Spent on Florist/Decor: $2,411 1. NY - Manhattan $96,910 • Average Reception Band: $4,247 2. NY - Long Island $66,409 • Average Marrying Age: 3. IL - Chicago $60,294 Women, 29.1; Men, 30.5 4. Rhode Island $59,201 • Average Number of Guests: 136 5. MA - Cape Cod $58,425 6. NJ - North/Central $58,107 The 2018 Real Weddings Survey captured responses from nearly 14,000 7. NY - Westchester/Hudson Valley US couples married between January 1 $57,678 and December 31, 2018. 8. NY - NYC Outer Boroughs $56,967 9. NJ - South $47,148 10. Philadelphia/Delaware $46,640 Keeping Tradition Alive: How Technology is Reviving Endangered Rituals

By Bruce M. Likly

“How do we keep our balance? That use technology to put tradition back where it belongs: I can tell you in one word: Tradition!” front and center, where it can help keep us balanced during our most challenging times. ~ Tevye the dairyman, Fiddler on the Roof Nothing can derail us more – or make us feel more off balance – than the death of a loved one. That’s why death is so strongly associated with tradition and Balance. It’s a word we like to use – a lot: Work- with rituals. life balance. Balanced diet. Balancing act. Unlike Although the specifics may vary greatly from Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, however, our culture culture to culture, these rituals serve the same seems to have forgotten one of the most important purpose: aspects of maintaining this equilibrium: tradition. Because tradition is what sustains us during the most • To acknowledge that a death has occurred. challenging times in our lives. • To process that knowledge and the grief that At first glance, I might seem like an unlikely accompanies it. spokesperson for tradition. The company we founded, • To come together, as a family and as a community, TribuCast™, is dedicated to bringing a cutting-edge to begin the work of healing, and remote attendance system to the funeral home industry. Yet nobody values tradition more than the • To move forward to a new normal. team at TribuCast™, including me. Far from being For thousands of years, people have marked disruptors that dilute tradition, we are innovators who the departure of loved ones with rituals. Whether NYSFDA DIRECTIONS | JULY 2019 PAGE 19 we speak of the Irish “bog people” buried in peat, the Evidence from public life established proof pharaohs interred in the Valley of the Kings or the of concept long ago – and TribuCast’s work on the Terrra Cotta army of the Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi, ground bears the concept out today. Consider first we see evidence everywhere of the importance of this example from history: ritual and funeral as a way to mark loss personally, When Martin Luther King was assassinated in communally, even nationally. 1968, our nation was in desperate need of a way to We see this need in the wider public realm as cope, grieve and heal from the loss. 150,000 people well. The D-Day 75th anniversary ceremonies. The began this process by attending King’s memorial Auschwitz-Berkenau Museum. The September 11th service in Atlanta. But 120 million MORE of them Memorial. The changing of the guard at the Tomb of sought solace by watching it on television. By viewing the Unknown Soldier. All of these places – and the King’s televised memorial, mourners across the nation rituals they either enact or evoke – remind us that witnessed the devastation of his widow and family something significant happened. They mark a loss as they entered Ebeneezer Baptist Church. From so momentous that it must be made visible – and thousands of miles away, they listened as the church comprehensible. As we remember those to whom we bells rang out and the organ played. When the service owe a debt of memory, we see more clearly the legacy ended, those who were watching from home felt like they left behind – to honor freedom, decry tyranny or they were walking alongside the funeral procession. to never forget. Some may even have raised their voices in solidarity We can also see the importance of ritual in the as the crowd began to sing, “We Shall Overcome.” deeply personal and the every day, like having dinner Today, TribuCast™ has made it possible for the together, celebrating a birthday or just tossing around ordinary heroes of our everyday lives to be mourned a baseball. Whether it’s lighting the menorrhah, eating in a way that once was reserved for significant dinner under the stars, or renting a beach house every public figures, such as King. Today, simple, off the year with our extended family, traditions remind us of shelf technology enables American families – your who we are, how we should behave, why we matter and clients – to use a mourning tradition once reserved for what we must carry forward to the next generation. celebrities and heads of state. Today, technology has That’s why tradition is so important at the time turned traditional ways of attending funerals upside of a loved one’s death. There is nothing more soul- down, but in the process we have increased funeral baring and potentially soul-crushing then the death of attendance (often doubling it), and thus brought new a loved one. Wakes, funerals and memorials, complete life to ancient and powerful funerary traditions. with established or improvised services, music, Because we truly do still need our traditions, pictures, awards and memorabilia, help us make sense especially when a loved one dies. That’s the time when of the incomprehensible in our own lives. we should cling hardest to the rituals and acts that Yet 90% of families report that somebody who have sustained bereaved families and communities for wants to was unable to attend due to distance, illness, centuries. We need to hold tight to the rituals of our work or family responsibilities. Let me repeat that. parents and grandparents and great grandparents. More than 90% of funerals involve people who want Even when they are delivered to us in our living room to attend, but simply can’t. via livestream.

The funeral home industry often laments that people don’t value traditional funerals the way they once did. And to some extent that may be true. But what if, for a large number of people, that isn’t the case? What if, as the statistics suggest, many people want to hold onto their traditions, but the craziness of living in the 21st century American diaspora makes the TribuCast™ offers special NYSFDA member pricing for traditional ways difficult if not impossible? What if we a simple, cost-effective, state-of-the-art service that reinvented, not the funeral ritual itself, but the way it allows people to attend a memorial service remotely, in is delivered? real time! LEARN MORE: my.nysfda.org/advantage.

NYSFDA DIRECTIONS | JULY 2019 PAGE 21

Classifieds Visit my.nysfda.org/classifieds for daily updated listings If you have a listing, please email [email protected], or call 800-291-2629 and an ad will be placed in Directions and on www.nysfda.org. Please contact the office immediately when the posting is no longer needed. Ads will be listed as space permits or for a maximum of three months unless otherwise notified. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of any listing; it is the responsibility of the candidate, potential buyer or seller to verify authenticity of the other party. We reserve the right to censor, revise, edit or reject any advertisement.

Staff Wanted Seeking Employment Resident - Long Island Seeking Residency - Downstate Email resume to: [email protected] Contact: [email protected] Resident/Funeral Director - Corning Attendant Position Sought Pending Residency Email resume to: [email protected] Contact: [email protected] Diener (Morgue Attendant) - Albany Email resume and three references to: For Sale or Rent [email protected] First Call Van - 2015 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD - 39K Miles Funeral Director/Preneed Sales - Long Island Email: [email protected] Email resume to: [email protected] 2001 Lincoln Limousine - 43K Miles Funeral Director/Embalmer - White Plains Contact: M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home at 518-747-9266 Email resume to: [email protected] 2005 Cadillac Limousine - 45K miles Funeral Director/Embalmer - Rochester Contact M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home at 518-747-9266 Email resume to: [email protected] LoadAlone Mortuary Transport Equipment - Funeral Director - Erie County Contact David Murphy: 585-330-5772 or Loadalonem@ Contact: [email protected] gmail.com Funeral Director - Capital District Non-Centrifugal Embalming Machines Contact: [email protected] Call: 631-328-5231 Funeral Director - Rockland County Email resume to: [email protected] More details Location Manager - Long Island *for each of Email cover letter and resume to: [email protected] these listings is available at Funeral Director/Embalmer Contact: [email protected] my.nysfda.org/classifieds Donations and Tributes Recap Thank you to our contributors who have made donations to the Tribute Foundation in 2019. The levels at which they are listed are “cumulative” from the Foundation’s beginning. Gifts of Remembrance and Gifts in Honor and Memory of are also cumulative and count toward the levels of giving. For the most recent listings visit: my.nysfda.org/donors.

TRIBUTE LEGACY SOCIETY $10,000 OR MORE TRIBUTE PIONEER $500 – $999 • Wayne and Sally Baxter (Fox Funeral Home, Forest Hills) • Beth Burlingame (Altamont) • Douglas and Lillian Brueggemann (Brueggemann Funeral Home of E. North- • Billings Memorial, Inc. (Pine Bush) port, Inc., East Northport) • Colonial Memorial Funeral Home (Woodbourne) • James P. Dean (Campbell-Dean Funeral Home, Inc., Oneida) • Donna DeMarse (Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ltd., Cohoes) • Timothy P. Doyle, CFSP (Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home, Poughkeepsie) • Lester R. Grummons (Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta) • Dutchess Putnam Ulster Funeral Directors Association • Michael A. Heredia (Conway Funeral Home, Jackson Heights) • William F. Flooks, Jr. (Beecher Flooks Funeral Home, Inc., Pleasantville) • Iowa Funeral Directors Association • Jeffrey A. and Robin Jennings (Jennings, Nulton & Mattle Funeral Home, Inc., • Bruce Ironside (Ironside Funeral Home, Inc., Oneida) Penfield) • Joseph Neufeld (Gerard J. Neufeld, Inc., Elmhurst) • Leatherstocking Funeral Directors Association • Patriot Guard Riders • Peter J. Nolan, Mark Nolan and James P. Nolan, Jr. (Nolan & Taylor-Howe • John C. Patterson (Edward C. Finn Funeral Home, Inc., Stony Point) Funeral Home, Inc., Northport) • Ontario-Wayne-Yates County Funeral Directors Association • Richard J. and JoAnne Sullivan (Quigley-Sullivan Funeral Home, Inc., FOUNDATION FELLOW $100 – $249 Cornwall-On-Hudson) • Peter Cassidy (McHoul Funeral Home, Hopwell Junction) • Jean B. Davis (Theresa) CORNERSTONE BENEFACTOR $5,000 – $9,999 • Homer Dick, Jr. (Vandercher & Dick Funeral Home, Buffalo) • Don E. Falardeau (Falardeau Funeral Home, Inc., Baldwinsville) • Scott B. Anthony, CFSP (Anthony Funeral & Cremation Chapels, Webster) • John Gawronski (Wilson Funeral Home, Norwich) • Erie-Niagara Funeral Directors Association • Deborah Halgas (Robert M. Halgas Funeral Home, Inc., Johnstown) • John Fraser (Holy Rosary Church, Hawthorne) • Patrick Halvey (Riverview Funeral Home by Halvey, LLC., Beacon) • Henry Gutterman (New York) • Charles and Mary King (Robert N. King Funeral Home, Granville) • Scott and Eben Miller (Miller Printing & Litho, Inc., Amsterdam) • Michelle Ironside Kinville (Ironside Funeral Home, Inc., Oneida) • Joseph B. Papavero (Papavero Funeral Home, Maspeth) • Patricia Maure-Troise (Marinello Funeral Home, LLC., Coram) • Sal Stratis (Abigal Press) • John and Kathleen Pietrobono (Heller & Skinner Funeral Home, Worcester) • Carl W. Trainor (Trainor Funeral Home, Inc., Boonville) • Mark LaRobardiere (LaRobardiere Funeral Home, Inc., Camden) • Dorothy C. Pacimeo-Comodore (McManus-Lorey Funeral Home, Medford) MEDALLION CIRCLE $2,500 – $4,999 • Peter J. Rose (Betz, Rossi, Bellinger & Stewart Family Funeral Homes, • Capital District Funeral Directors Association Amsterdam) • Joseph Dietrich (Dietrich Funeral Homse, Inc., Amherst) • Joseph J. Smith (Joseph J. Smith Funeral Home Inc., Mahopac) • Nancy Eannace (Eannace Funeral Home Inc., Utica) • Bruce and Eleanor Troy (Burnett & White Funeral Homes, Red Hook) • Robert and Mimi Enos (Hoy Funeral Home, West Seneca) • Ayris Granby (Granby’s Funeral Service, Inc.) FRIEND OF THE FOUNDATION $100 – $249 • John and Susan Kelly (Edward L. Kelly Funeral Home, Schroon Lake) • John D. Badman (Butler-Badman Funeral Home, Syracuse) • Leslie J. Morris (East Otis, MA) • Joseph E. Camolli (Krauss Funeral Home Inc., Franklin Square) • G. Robert Sweet (Sweet’s Funeral Home, Inc., Hyde Park) • R. Dennis Casey (Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, Olean) • Gordon and Joan Terry (Edmeston) • Shawn A. Fahey (Estey, Munroe & Fahey Funeral Home, Owego) • Doug and Sharon Wilson (Norwich) • Joseph Fritsch (Ernest H. Parsons Funeral Home, Binghamton) • James R. Gray (James R. Gray Funeral Home, Rochester) KEYSTONE CONTRIBUTOR $1,000 – $2,499 • Anthony J. Ingrassia (Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc., Middletown) • American Funeral Consultants (New Paltz) • Michael Kelly (Doran Funeral Home, Seneca Falls) • Fred Bryant (Bryant Funeral Home, Inc., East Setauket) • Richard Lalli (William M. Gagan Funeral Home Inc., Pine Bush) • Sharon D’Ambrosio (Babcock Funeral Home, Ravena) • Gary J. Lasher (Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home, Monticello) • Peter C. DeLuca and Gregory Zannitto (Greenwich Village Funeral Home, Inc, New York) • Jennifer A. Lee (Lee’s Funeral Home, LLC., White Plains) • Jeff and Peggy Gaines (Glen Rock, NJ) • Mark and Jane Levine (Levine Memorial Chapel Inc., Albany) • Chad W. Green (Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena) • Tyler Murtie (Zygmunt-Murtie Funeral and Cremation Service, Warwick) • Dick and Donna Hazzard (Patterson) • Douglas G. Tappan (Allanson-Glanville-Tappan Funeral Homes, Inc., Phoenix) • The McVeigh and Parente Families (McVeigh Funeral Home, Inc., Albany) • William L. Trudden (McCourt & Trudden Funeral Home Inc., Farmingdale) • Bruce K. Mason (Mason Funeral Home, Fort Ann) • Harry VanVliet (Gilpatric-VanVliet Funeral Home, Ulster Park) • Mark T. Phillips (William J. Burke & Sons, Saratoga Springs) • Wesley A. and Wesley C. Powell (Powell Funeral Home, Inc., Amityville) • Melissa A. Sorce-DeNicola (Joseph W. Sorce Funeral Home, Inc.) Thank you to our generous donors! NYSFDA DIRECTIONS | JULY 2019 PAGE 23 Tributes in Memory/Honor of Please consider a contribution to the Foundation.

In Memory of Ambrose Babella In Memory of Sharon Grummons In Memory of Joel F. Morris • Doug and Martha Brueggemann • Lester Grummons • Leslie Morris • Henry Gutterman • Dick and Donna Hazzard In Memory of Judith Ann Hughes In Memory of J. Gerard Quigley • Gordon and Joan Terry • Timothy P. Doyle • Richard and JoAnne Sullivan • Richard and JoAnne Sullivan • Mary King • G. Robert Sweet In Memory of Albert “Al” Baris • Michelle Ironside Kinville In Memory of Giovanna Palmeri • Ontario-Wayne-Yates FDA • Heather Rauch • Henry Gutterman • Peter J. Rose In Memory of Ken Peterson In Memory of Mark R. Burlingame • Richard and JoAnne Sullivan • Beth Burlingame • Dutchess Putnam Ulster FDA In Memory of Yevgeniy Itin • G. Robert Sweet In Memory of Douglas M. Coleman • Michael A. Heredia • Doug and Martha Brueggemann In Memory of Dr. Edward Pizzo In Memory of Patricia Kaiser • Henry Gutterman In Memory of Ronald Coolican • Timothy P. Doyle • Dick and Donna Hazzard In Memory of Relatives and Friends In Memory of Grace Kent • Jeff and Peggy Gaines In Memory of Joan D’Arienzo • Wayne and Sally Baxter • Peter C. DeLuca In Memory of Joseph M. Riley III • Doug and Martha Brueggemann • Peter J. Rose • The Farenga’s • Timothy P. Doyle • Henry Gutterman • The McVeigh and Parente Families In Memory of Frederick H. Stahl In Memory of Steven R. Davis • Richard and JoAnne Sullivan • Dorothy Pacimeo-Comdore • Jean Davis • Gordon and Joan Terry In Memory of Franklin O.L. Steinberg In Memory of Directors and Staff of Betz, Rossi, In Memory of Donald Knight • Henry Gutterman • Dick and Donna Hazzard Bellinger & Stewart Family Funeral Homes • Timothy P. Doyle • Richard and JoAnne Sullivan • Richard and JoAnne Sullivan • Dick and Donna Hazzard • Gordon and Joan Terry In Memory of Bernard Dowd • The McVeigh and Parente Families In Memory of Arthur T. Sullivan • Henry Gutterman • Richard and JoAnne Sullivan • Doug and Martha Brueggemann In Memory of Marian Dreis • Doug and Sharon Wilson • Robert Enos • Alice Cantwell In Memory of Martha Knowles • Dick and Donna Hazzard • Mark and Jane Levine • The McVeigh and Parente Families • Joe and Rana Huber • Richard and JoAnne Sullivan In Memory of Mabel Ellen Eagan In Memory of Kevin A. Magnanti • G. Robert Sweet • Michael Heredia • Wayne and Sally Baxter • Gordon and Joan Terry In Memory of Irene Farenga • Timothy P. Doyle In Memory of Raymond J. Sullivan • Henry Gutterman • The McVeigh and Parente Families (13th Anniversary) • Richard and JoAnne Sullivan • Peter J. Rose • Richard and JoAnne Sullivan In Memory of Warren Fitzgerald Sr. In Memory of Edward Mahar In Memory of Emma Stiles Walkup • Donna DeMarse • Richard and JoAnne Sullivan • Doug and Martha Brueggemann In Memory of Sylvia R. Mauriello • Robert and Mimi Enos In Memory of Ralph Francisco • The McVeigh and Parente Families • Wayne and Sally Baxter • Mark LaRobadiere • Richard and JoAnne Sullivan • Henry Gutterman In Memory of Daniel Mongelluzzo In Memory of Elizabeth Westcott In Memory of John Friedel Jr. • Michael Heredia • Leatherstocking FDA • Nancy Eannace Member Directions LOCAL NEWSPAPER BESTOWS HONOR

On May 30, 2019 Ironside Funeral Home in Oneida was selected as a first place award winner in the Oneida Dispatch’s Best of the Best Reader’s Choice for the category of “Best Funeral Home”.

Congratulations to Bruce M. Ironside, LFD and his daughter, Michelle Ironside Kinville, LFD for their achievement!

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Thank you to our generous donors! Email: [email protected] New York Credits Available including NY Law FUNERAL DIRECTORS Convention & Expo 2019

Tuesday, September 17 to Thursday, September 19, 2019

Harrah’s Waterfront Conference Center Atlantic City, NJ

Hosted by New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association, Inc. www.njsfda.org/convention NYSFDA DIRECTIONS | JULY 2019 PAGE 25

A Missouri State bill has passed Senator Jason Holsman (D-Kansas Missouri both chambers of their General City) said he sponsored the bill because Assembly. The measure would allow a Missourians “should be able to dispose Considers new type of cremation process; burning of our remains how you see fit.” the body outside. It has been nicknamed “Jedi Bill” as the “Jedi Bill,” after the scene where Accoring to Fox4KC, “funeral Luke Skywalker ceremonially cremates directors initially resisted the proposal Darth Vader outside. out of fear people would host bonfires of deceased loved ones in their backyards, Under this act, a licensed funeral said Don Otto, executive director of establishment shall also include an the Missouri Funeral Directors and outdoor cremation facility established Embalmers Association. They dropped by the State Board of Embalmers their opposition when health and safety and Funeral Directors. Any cremation requirements were added to the bill.” performed at an outdoor cremation facility may only be performed by a If it is signed by the Missouri licensed funeral director. governor, the law will go into effect in August.

Burial at Sea Reporting Changes

By Edward Munger Jr. For those with multiple Burials The reporting form has a map at Sea to report, the new system function which can pinpoint the A new method for reporting includes a bulk upload option. Users location’s coordinates – longitude burials at sea to the federal can download the spreadsheet, add and latitude – which are used on the government is now online, the details and then upload the reporting form. eliminating the prior system that completed spreadsheet into the made use of PDF forms. system. In addition to this information, the reporting spreadsheet, which Federal law requires that all The report form itself can be downloaded from the site, burials at sea be reported to the requests basic details including the also asks for the type of remains U.S. Environmental Protection name of the person responsible and – cremated or non-cremated; the Agency (EPA) within 30 days of the their contact information including depth of the water if non-cremated ceremony. an e-mail address that’s used to and whether or not the remains Located at https:// confirm receipt of the report. sank rapidly. burialatsea.epa.gov, the new Contact information for Learn more about Ocean Online Reporting Tool went live the vessel being used to bring Burials on the website of the EPA at in May, according to a letter from the deceased out to sea is also www.epa.gov. Patricia Pechko from U.S. EPA requested. Region II’s Water Division. For other inquiries about In terms of the burial itself, the burial at sea, please contact: The new system allows reporting form asks for the name of frequent users, such as funeral the deceased, the date of burial, the Patricia Pechko directors, to register with the location the vessel departed from EPA, Region 2, Water Division program and avoid having to enter and the distance from the shore 290 Broadway basic information more than once. where the burial took place. Registration isn’t necessary, those New York, NY 10007 who don’t wish to sign up can report Burials at sea have to be 212-637-3796 their information as a “Guest” user. performed at least three nautical miles from the shore. Interest Rate Adam B. Schrom, CAE Forecast Director, Preneed Trust Services

Domestic economic growth remains healthy, but, more recently, it has slowed. The Federal Reserve has signaled its intension to support the economy reductions in its benchmark Fed Funds rate. As a result, the market has shifted from expecting interest rate increases this year to reductions.

Hugh Johnson Advisors (HJA) believes that economic growth will remain healthy for the near future but has grown increasingly cautious about the economy looking out a year or more.

The question is how much further can the longest economic recovery in post-WWII go in the presence of the following headwinds? International economic growth is weak. The yield curve (difference between short and long-term interest rates) is now inverted with short rates marginally higher than long rates. This configuration has been a fairly good leading indicator of the economy 12 months out. Based on this model, the odds of a recession beginning in the next 12 months are uncomfortably high. Lastly, the use of trade tariffs as an economic weapon has the potential to damage the economy. So far, the markets appear to expect a resolution before too much damage is done. We can only hope!

Interest rates have fallen meaningfully this year, and may be ahead of the economic reality and monetary policy. For this reason, rates are likely to not go down further until the Fed actually begins to reduce its Fed Funds rate. HJA thinks interest rates have overshot their mark and rates are most likely to bounce back up modestly.

During the 2018 period when rates were rising, PrePlan’s relatively short average maturity has allowed it to benefit more quickly from the reinvestment of recent maturating holdings at higher interest rates sooner than would have been the case with a portfolio with a longer average maturity. It is also worth noting that maturing holdings over the next year have a relatively low interest rate, so even if rates stay the same, we anticipate a rising return from the Fund in the months ahead.

We value your confidence and look forward to continuing to provide a competitive yield in a low-risk responsibly managed portfolio of Government guaranteed holdings.

Does Your Firm Participate in PrePlan’s E-Pay Program?

The E-Pay program allows your firm to receive payments from PrePlan via direct deposit into your firm’s checking account. To provide new banking information for your firm, simply complete a new E-Pay authorization form and send it along with a copy of a canceled check to PrePlan. It will take 5 business days from the date PrePlan receives this authorization for direct deposit to be initiated; checks will be sent for account disbursements during that period. Should you have any questions, just give us a call 800-577-3752. We’re here to help! NYSFDA DIRECTIONS | JULY 2019 PAGE 27 Get Your

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Ready to learn more? Give us a call at 800-593-5920 or send an e-mail to: [email protected]. Upcoming Events

Visit my.nysfda.org/calendar July 2019 for more details and events

NYSFDA Offices Closed 04 Independence Day holiday observed

NFDA Leadership Conference 13 July 13 - 16, 2019, Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, CA August 2019

NSFDA | Vincent & Toni Romeo Memorial Golf Outing 05 The Bellport Country Club, 10:30 a.m. Learn more: www.nsfda.org

NYSFDA Annual Convention - Earn Up to 12 CEUs 18 August 18 - 21, 2019, Saratoga Springs City Center | The Saratoga Hilton Learn more: my.nysfda.org/convention

Get the NYSFDA App for the Latest Convention Updates! my.nysfda.org/app

NYSFDA Leadership Academy!

We’re currently accepting applications for the 2019/2020 Leadership Academy class.

Goals of the Academy: • To identify, inspire and mentor emerging leaders in funeral service • To provide leadership development training programs tailored specifically to funeral directors

The One-Year Program Involves:

• A competitive application process • A two-day leadership development workshop • Monthly web-based training programs • A group capstone project • A graduation ceremony at the NYSFDA Annual Convention To apply, visit: my.nysfda.org/LA2019