Odds, Ends, and New Ideas

One last trip though the Expo and here we find some very utilitarian products that can assist you.  Some that save and make additional dollars for your organization, some educational opportunities, some gift items, some new green burial products, and one item I'm not sure how I would classify. 

So let us start with securigene.com.  I guess if you truly want to live in some form for generations to come this is an option in that they will DNA Bank your DNA.

 

You get a keepsake of your DNA back from the lab in a stainless steel capsule with a screw cap to revel a shock resistant glass chamber containing a tripled sealed sample of your preserved DNA.  The container itself is interesting looking.  I'm not sure if they offer engraving, but that can be done by a local jeweler. 

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The next item I believe would be a good fit for Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery.  While it is modern in design it fits the needs for safety and security of the property and that product is Light of Hope.  The light of hope is a solar powered, LED lit, 98% efficient green electronics, capacitor energy storage, no need for battery replacement, includes QR coded symbol, aluminum housing that allows for flush burial, will withstand vehicle traffic, factory sealed, made in USA.

 

How much discount if we buy 100 the first time?

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How many of us love to use and spread rose petals?  Well, flyboynaturals has a eco-friendly rose petal business.  This Oregon firm sells in bulk, scattering tubes, or boxes these freeze dried rose petals that can last for months till ready for use. A nice touch for the burial mound?

 

Speaking of a nice touch, funeralhomegifts.com is offering  $79 delivered overnight Tribute Blanket.   Looks even better in person.  And on April 30 at 5pm eastern time the Pet Loss Professional Alliance will hold a webinar and learn about pet tribute blankets.  Register at www.myplpa.com under PLPA Events and Webinars.

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Speaking of education the ICCFA runs a very professional university that has many courses of study. 

But I also discovered a company called Arrangers Academy.  Karl Jennings approach is to ask the right engaging questions that will allow you to recognize the family dynamics and teach you how to help families work together to begin healing after a loss.  Jennings approach is highly praised by customers and arrangers as it helps both parties through the acute loss period.

Arrangers Academy offers a two day seminar on-site or at their location.  This could prove very useful for any volunteer wanting to take the lead in working with the families that choose PCCC.

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Talking about helpful products.  Passages International offers Green Burial Council Approved Eco-Friendly caskets, biodegradable urns, and other items.

They also have an educational web site called aGreenerFuneral.org that has a clear view on various choices for a greener funeral, very valuable information.


Another Green Burial Council approved casket from Hainsworth USA was represented at the Expo and they were showing off the natural lambs wool caskets.  I told Stephen Pfleger who represented Hainsworth that we have a sample in our office that was left by our friends at forlora designs.

To see a list of other approved GBC providers got to this GBC Link. 

 

Speaking of caskets that are price friendly there are several cardboard caskets or as many of the suppliers call them cremation containers that are sold in units of 10 that could be used for those that don't want a shroud burial or the cost of a wood casket.  Some of the products should be checked for lacquers and glues. 

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If you are not interested in Finances skip down, but if you want to save your organization money, capture timely payments, and offer your customers convenience of payment options then pay attention.

Companies such as JefferonFinancial LLC or American Funeral Finance offer lower rates on credit card fees, insurance payments on-time at no cost to you, check verification and payment plans for your customers.

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Last up is a vendor I will be calling this week.  Dataman Group offers us a proven old fashioned method, coupled with digital data mining to produce a very targeted direct mail list.  I see us launching this media campaign this summer in and around Gainesville, FL.

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TAKE AWAY:

• The expo and convention was a learning experience and depending on the workshops and the research that will be presented at next years Expo will determine our participation.
• Now the process begins of determining how we can utilize these various products and services to make the experience and long term relationship with our family and friends as meaningful and true to our mission of promoting natural burial practices in cemeteries that conserve land and reunite people with the environment.
• I will provide posts on our progress, but please join in the discussion.