Educating families on scattering alternatives

Blake Swinford,
Project Manager

For a lot of us in the funeral profession, scattering can be a taboo subject. When we hear of families scattering their loved ones' cremated remains without creating a permanent place of memorialization, it breaks our hearts. It breaks my heart in particular because I know, first hand, the consequences of scattering.

When my mom passed away, we scattered her cremated remains. Years down the road, I came to the realization that I needed a place to bring my family to honor the life of my mother. It was too late to include her cremated remains with her memorial, but I could still create a place to visit and share memories. I placed a memorial bench at Sunset Memorial Park, and now my children have a place to go to talk about grandma.

As supporters of permanent memorialization, we need to educate the families we serve about scattering alternatives. We never know what will happen to the beautiful field their loved one is scattered in. It could be a shopping center a few years from now.

If you're struggling with cremation memorialization options, check out the products that we offer. You can also call our Customer Service team at 800.798.4900 for more ideas.

This article originally appeared in Modern Memorialization, Trigard Memorials' weekly electronic newsletter featuring information for the funeral industry. Sign up for your free subscription at http://www.trigard.com/thursdays.

Ashes, cremated remains or something else?

Jeff Miller,
Vice President of Business
Development

When helping a family who has chosen cremation, how do you refer to the cremated body? Ashes? Cremains? While the industry preferred term is cremated remains, to a family it is still their mother or father, aunt or uncle or husband or wife. It is their loved one.

Families who have chosen cremation care about their loved ones just as much as families who choose traditional burial. When talking with a family, would you ever refer to a traditional burial as "casketed remains?"

Cremation and burial both involve the body of a cherished family member. When you place the same level of importance and value on both types of services, your business will grow.

We understand that part of growing is offering innovative products that appeal to families who choose cremation. We are constantly striving to create new products that will meet the needs of your families. That is why you will see our new Cremation Memorial at the upcoming ICCFA Convention and Expo in Las Vegas. It is the latest addition to our cremation memorialization product line.

For more information about our cremation products, call our Customer Service team at 800.798.4900. 


This article originally appeared in Modern Memorialization, Trigard Memorials' weekly electronic newsletter featuring information for the funeral industry. Sign up for your free subscription at http://www.trigard.com/thursdays.

Who is doing your taxes?



Beth VadeBonCoeur,
Accountant

As an accountant, I am constantly being asked tax questions and for tax professional recommendations around this time of year. I recommend you look for three qualities in a tax professional.

1. Make sure they are knowledgeable in the type of taxes you need prepared: individual, business, trust or estate.
2. They need to be trustworthy. You need to feel confident that they will complete the required work and forms accurately and timely.
3. They need to be good communicators and capable of effectively communicating to you what they need. They need to be able to explain your tax situation so that you can understand.

Remember, tax season is a busy time of year. Be sure to start early.

 

This article originally appeared in Modern Memorialization, Trigard Memorials' weekly electronic newsletter featuring information for the funeral industry. Sign up for your free subscription at http://www.trigard.com/thursdays.


Trigard Rocks. So do the pets we honor.

Our lightweight memorial rocks provide a beautiful, lasting tribute to a family pet. Place their cremated remains inside a special compartment in the rock and create a place to share memories for years to come.

Call Customer Service at 800.798.4900 for details and pricing.

This article originally appeared in Modern Memorialization, Trigard Memorials' weekly electronic newsletter featuring information for the funeral industry. Sign up for your free subscription at http://www.trigard.com/Thursdays.


Design tip of the week

Please use our current emblem library for all your emblem needs. Remember to reference the full code (i.e. T113) on your order form.

This article originally appeared in Modern Memorialization, Trigard Memorials' weekly electronic newsletter featuring information for the funeral industry. Sign up for your free subscription at http://www.trigard.com/Thursdays.