THE

BULLETIN Vol. 14 _I No. 4

_J August 1999

c 0 N

QUALITY l'(k■

vtli it um V/ MI I I III II O I VII

I 11 I= I'M III 11 • III I BM U •

■ ••'/ • •11 NMI 0 SERVICE /0 S S V

In this issue New President's Message 3

New Members 6

Creating Meaningful Experiences 7

Certified Plants 13

News and Notes 16

More Convention Photos on pages 8-9

As Funerals Trends Change All Industries Must Adapt BY ROB & LORI HARDY

At our 1999 convention in June in Cin-cinnati we were honored to have Robert Harden, Executive Director of the National Funeral Directors Association speak to the membership regarding changes and trends in the funeral industry. He spoke about the changes in adapting to the needs of the fami-lies. Funeral services are emphasizing the celebration of the life of the deceased rather than the grieving of the loss.

As burial vault manufacturers, we adapt to this change by offering a variety of exte-rior colors to match caskets as well as vari-ous colored liners. Emblems representing various religions, organizations, vocations, hobbies and anything else you can think of are available and this is a great way to per-sonalize each vault. (We make color charts available to our funeral directors so the fami-

lies can choose custom colors.) Harden touched on a wide range of top-

ics affecting the funeral industry, including consolidation, competition, pre-need, pric-ing formulas and funeral home operations in general. He spoke in detail about cremation and how this does not have to change the actual funeral service, that is to say, the fam-ily may choose to have visitation and graveside services. The vault manufactur-ers must adapt to this by offering urn vaults with graveside set-up that includes a lower-ing device for the urn vault along with tent and chairs, if desired. Times are changing and the only way to keep up is to learn—and the only way to learn about the changes is to attend NCBVA conventions.

We would like to thank Mr. Harden for his time and information---and through him,

Robert Harden, CAE

we thank the NFDA for help given to NCBVA on implementing the reimbursement program.

R. L. Kannady (at microphone) conducted installation ceremonies at annual conven-tion in Cincinnati. (Standing from left) Graham MacLeod, Director, Tim Brutsche, President-Elect, Warren Chandler, President and Jack Swihart, Secretary/Treasurer.

Etter-Tek with A/du-twit/et

2 NCBVA BULLETIN August 1999

IEE MAY BE THE WORLD'S LEADING MANUFACTURER OF

CREMATION EQUIPMENT... BUT WE'LL NEVER BE FIRST — Ken Robinson

Paul Rabin.

The Reason We'll Never Be First Is Because, We Pride Ourselves In Putting Our Clients First by focusing On our clients needs, we've built an organization based on customer satisfaction. From an exten-sive array of services to manufacturing the most durable, cost-efficient equip-ment on the market, we pia our clients first.

Client First Dedication With all the technologically advanced products we offer, we wouldn't con-sider a sale successful without total service to our clients, That's why we believe our responsibilities begin by supplying potential clients complete 'information prior to their making a decision, and con-tinue far beyond the sale of our cremation equ ipment.

In Mexico Contact Lucas DePalacio Mexico, D.F.

Phone 598-9111 • FAX %3-1493

Imiestment Analysis This free analysis will indicate if a crematory is a profitable venture for you. We consider your indi-vidual circumstances and evaluate vital information on ci)sts, depre-ciation, tax savings and estimated profits. We also offer a space and placement evaluation for the pos-sible installation of a cremator within your new or existing facility.

Environmental Permits And Zoning Made Easy We guarantee that our equipment will comply with your state environmental regulations. We'll even assist with local zoning approvals and complete the pa-

perwork for you If your existing C remators aren't in com-pliance, we can help there too. We'll de-sign and pro-pose upgrades to modernize them to meet compliance standards.

Complete Follow Thmugb

After your crematory is installed, we'll send a

In Canada Contact Bill Bowes The Eckels Company • Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Phone 519-824-8020 • FAX 519-824-7161

IWar-Pak 313ody Cbokr

technician to inspect each unit and train your personnel how to operate and care for it. You'll receive a com-plete owner's manual, and we'll assign you a customer service representative who will remain your personal link to ME. We also offer a toll-free service hotline, should you need assistance with problems on our cremation equip-ment or any other make or model.

Quality equipment, unsurpassed ser-vice before and after the sale, and our "client first" policy— IEE keeps work-ing kir you.

INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT & ENGINEERING CO.

r.o. Nix 517796 • Orlando. Ft„328 , In Florida I .407) 886-5533 • FAX (407> 886-5990

Toll Free 1-800-327-2831

August 1999 NCBVA BULLETIN

3

President's Message

"New Kid" Outlines His Goals For NCI3VA in Coming Year

BY WARREN CHANbLER

NCBVA President

I am very honored to have been elected president of the NCBVA. This organization is the voice of all of us involved in the production of concrete burial vaults throughout the US. I take this honor you have given me very seriously and thank you for your confidence. I'd like to thank R. L. Kannady, Jr. for taking part in the installation ceremony. It meant so much to have him and his mother, Ana present and we wish them well.

During the meetings, Hugh McQuestion assumed the office of past president and Jim Wiens retired after several years devoted to service as an officer and director. Paul Cooper, Tim Brutsche and Richard Cooper also complete their service on the board as district directors. I'd like to thank them for their ef-forts on behalf of the entire membership. Beginning service as district directors are Jeff Grayson, District 4, Graham MacLeod, District 5 and Kelly Pellicano, District I. Welcome aboard to each of you. We look forward to a successful year.

The new kid on the block has a bag full of things to accomplish, and I guess I'm no different. I'd like to form an advisory committee with members from Wilbert, Trigard, Eagle, Doric and a supplier repre-sentative. These organizations have the power to reach hundreds of concrete burial vault manufacturers. They know their problems and their needs. They have at their disposal a well-developed chain of communication, which will help get our message out. These groups have a history of tremendous support for the NCBVA in both attendance and finances. I would ask that support be continued. I would also encourage the support of any and indeed all independent manufacturers. The NCBVA can be your lifeblood of support, information and education.

My second goal has to do with our plant certification program. I want to encourage all concrete burial vault producers to sign up for this program. An independent plant inspec-tion done through NCBVA will add credibility to your business. Certification will give you an edge in marketing and in continued production of quality, strength-tested concrete burial vaults.

My third and perhaps most important goal is to encourage and accomplish a clean-up, fix-up and refurbishing of our manufacturing facilities. This can be done without a lot of expense. We open our plants to funeral directors, cemeterians, friends and the public. We should be proud of what we do and where we do it. Our restrooms, offices, and other public areas should have as much eye-appeal as possible. After all, it's been said that cleanliness is next to Godliness.

On a final note, I'd like to thank the Baxters for their support and hospitality in Cincin-nati. It was a wonderful convention and the Baxter plants sure make you proud to be in our business.

Thank you again for this new opportunity to serve. Make your plans now to be part of the NCBVA millennium convention cruise aboard the Majesty of the Seas. Continue to spread the news about NCBVA and keep reminding your customers they are buying the very best burial vaults made.

National Concrete Burial Vault Association, Inc.

900 Fox Valley Drive, Suite 204 Longwood, Florida 32779-2552

http://www.ncbva.org (800) 538-1423 Fax: (407) 774-6751

President Warren Chandler

Master Grave Services, Inc. Bogart, GA

President-Elect Timothy Brutsche

Brutsche Concrete Products Battle Creek, MI

Secretary/Treasurer Jack Swihart

Saginaw Wilbert Vault Corp Siginaw, MI

Immediate Past President Hugh McQuestion

Lakeshore Burial Vault Co., Inc. Brookfield, WI

Directors, District 1 Robert Hardy

Hardy Doric, Inc. Chelmsford, MA

Kelly Pellicano Graffius Burial Vault Co.

Reading, PA

Directors, District 2 Warren Chandler

Master Grave Services, Inc. Bogart, GA

Dan Hicks Hicks Industries

Mulberry, FL

Directors, District 3 Bob Donatelli

Baumgardner Products Co. Akron, OH

Holly Baxter Bridgers Baxter Burial Vault Service

Cincinnati, OH

Directors, District 4 Jeff Grayson

Superior Vault Co. Charlestown, IN

Jack Swihart Saginaw Wilbert Vault Corp

Siginaw, MI

Director, District 5 J.C. Clifton

Quality Burial Vault Co. Houston, TX

Graham MacLeod Detroit Wilbert Vault Corp.

Detroit, MI

Executive Director Thomas A. Monahan, CAE

Certified Association Management Company Longwood, FL

Legal Counsel J. Scott Calkins Harrisburg, PA

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Your Source For Concrete Reinforcements

NCBVA BULLETIN

August 1999

Researches See Link Between Govt. Checks and Rise in Deaths

(Associated Press) —Addicts spending their first-of-the-month government checks on drugs and drink probably explain why the number of deaths in the United States rises at the start of every month and drops at the end, according to a new research report.

University of California-San Diego sociologist David P. Phillips and colleagues reached that conclusion after analyzing nearly 32 million electronic death certificates over 15 years.

Phillips found that, during an average year, there were 4,320 more deaths in the first week of every month than in the last week of the preceding month.

That's about a one percent difference. But the gap widened when the researchers looked at killings, suicides or accidents in which drugs or drink played a part.

For every 100 such deaths at the end of a month, there were 106 or 107 at the start. And the difference doubled, to about 14, when the death certificates listed both drugs and alcohol as a cause.

There were 106.5 homicides at the start of the month for every 100 at the end, according to the study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The researchers also did a breakdown by race and found that during the first week of the month vs. the last week, there were nearly 29 extra homicides, suicides and accidents involving sub-stance abuse among minorities, compared with 10 extra such deaths among whites.

Welfare, Social Security and veterans benefit checks are sent out at the start of the month.

FTC Closes Deadline For Comments on Funeral Rule

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requested written com-ments on the Trade Regulations Rule on Funeral Industry Practices. The FTC highlighted three issues of concern in its announcements requesting comments on:

Broadening the scope of the rule to include non-traditional providers of funeral goods or services; Revising or clarifying the prohibition on casket handling fees; or Prohibiting non-declinable funeral fees.

The commission, in effect, asked the public and interested par-ties to say if third party sellers, cemeteries or casket stores (other providers of funeral goods or services) should be covered by rule requirements. The current rule mandates that only those who pro-vide funeral goods and services are covered by rule requirements. A small change in terminology, substituting the word "or" for the word "and" would permit application of the rule to non-funeral di-rectors casket stores, cemeteries, third party sellers, etc.

Casket handling fees were discussed at length in the request for comments. The FTC added a substantial number of questions to which it requested public and industry responses to its announce-ment.

The announcement was posted on the FTC web site at www.ftc.gov and was published in the May 5 edition of the Federal Register. The filing deadline was July 12.

MACHINE ONG co.

Lease-Purchase Plan Now Available

The VAULT-MASTER has variable speed hydraulic drive, hydraulicly raised and lowered front steering axle, roll-back Crane-Way beam with adjustable support legs, and an 9,000 lb. hydraulic vault lifting hoist. Will,handle straight or cross grave settings.

The Crane-Way beam is a51-Beam and is 14' long with heavy-duty, adjustable support legs. The beam is carried on large flat rollers with heavy duty bearings. There is a hand crank system to roll beam back and forth.

The vault lifting winch is swivel-mounted to the beam trolley. This prevents trolley wheel binding due to sideways shifts of the load. Hand operated back winch at the rear of the Crane-Way beam allows safe loading of a vault from a truck or trailer bed onto the Vault Handling Trailer.

Rear hydraulic leveling jacks enable easy leveling of the whole machine on almost any terrain They make off-loading a vault from a truck bed easier and safer.

We have a long list of options and will do custom options. For more information contact: Don Long Long Machine Co. 519 N. Main Ave. Maiden, NC 28650 (Ph) 704-428-2648 (Fax) 704-428-8606

August 1999 NCBVA BULLETIN 5

Critics Say Cemetery's No Place for Party ROME (AP) - An icy blast of bad public-

ity and indignation put the chill on an art gala that was going to be held in the Rome cemetery where English poets John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley are buried, along with hundreds of other foreigners.

For more than two centuries, the secluded Protestant Cemetery, set among cypress trees and ancient Roman ruins, has enchanted those who visit it.

News that the cemetery's gentle spell would be shattered by an exhibition of con-temporary sculpture opening with a party for 500 people featuring dance, music, and poetry readings stunned Rome's foreign community.

Cemetery director Gianfranco Marcantoni didn't see it that way. The theme of the exhi-bition, "The Life Beyond,' was death and what, he asked, could possibly offend?

A lot, as it turned out. The cemetery, formally known as the

Non-Catholic Cemetery for Foreigners, is more than a historical site; it is still a work-ing graveyard and one beloved by many in

Rome's expatriate community. Among the foreigners buried there is Brit-

ish novelist Richard Mason, author of the bestseller "The World of Suzie Wong." His

widow, Maggie, was outraged at the exhibi-tion. Since Mason's death in 1997, the lovely old cemetery behind its high stone walls has been her refuge.

Maggie Mason and others launched a campaign against the exhibition, stirring dip-lomats and religious figures to complain about the party and provoking a rash of criti-

cal news stories. Some questioned whether such an event would be allowed in a Roman Catholic cemetery for Italians.

The organizers insisted they meant no disrespect and said the party should go on. Then, at the 11th hour, the city of Rome, one of several patrons of the exhibit, weighed in with a sharply worded letter.

The cemetery director caved. Just hours before the opening party, he canceled the gala.

One of the organizers professed indig-nation and threatened to take legal action. "It's done huge damage to our image," he said. "People think I was doing something blasphemous. If it were a fashion show or a Miss Universe contest, I could understand." The cemetery director, too, struggled to de-fend his decision to permit the exhibition saying there was nothing that could dis-honor the dead.

The English-language paper Italy Daily saw it differently. "Bacchanalia in cemetery canceled," it said.

What put the big smiles on these faces? They won free cabins for NCBVA's Millenniunz Cruise Convention aboard the Majesty of the Seas next year. They qualified for a draw-ing by visiting with each exhibitor in our Partnership Plaza during the 1999 convention. One cabin was donated by Wilbert Funeral Services, Inc. and the other by DORIC, Inc. Tim Brutsche congratulates Jeanette Chandler (right) and Jeffrey Bell (left).

Welcome New Members Scott B. Bodell President Superior Burial Vaults, Inc. P.O. Box 25833 Salt Lake City, UT 84125-0833 (801)972-4097 Fax: (801)972-4507

Joseph Katich Manager Colorado Wilbert Vault 4985 Locust St. Commerce City, CO 80022 (303)289-2771 Fax: (303)2897103

Kennedy Funeral Puts Focus on Cremation But Church Still Prefers Ground Burial

6

NCBVA BULLETIN

August 1999

Industry Calendar

August July-Aug. 7 NFDMA Annual Convention

Town and Country Resort San Diego, California

CANA Convention Renaissance Harborplace Baltimore, Maryland

September CF SA Convention Harrah's Lake Tahoe Lake Tahoe, Nevada

Doric Annual Meeting Shangri-La Resort Afton, OK

October NSM Annual Meeting New Orleans Hilton Riverside New Orleans, Louisiana

24-26 Intl. Order of the Golden Rule Education Conference St. Regis Hotel Aspen, Colorado

November 31-Nov. 3 NFDA Annual Convention

Kansas City, Missouri

February, 2000 21-24

World of Concrete Expo Orange County Convention Center Orlando, FL

June, 2000

11-16 NCBVA Millennium Cruise Departs Miami, FL To Bahamas & Key West, FL

Fax calendar items to Jan Monahan,

Production Coordinator The Bulletin

(407) 774-6751

Cremation of a body has been permitted by the Roman Catholic Church since 1963, but burial of the body in the ground is still the preferred practice, according to a recent article by The Associated Press.

The remains of John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, and her sis-ter Lauren Bessette were cremated and taken aboard a Navy destroyer to be cast into the sea.

Cremation has been an option for Ro-man Catholic burials only since 1963, when the Vatican ended a ban on condition that the practice not deny the Christian teaching

that believers' bodies will be resurrected. However, Rome specified that burial of

bodies is still the preferred method. The U.S. bishops forbid the scattering

of ashes at sea, but permit a "rite of commit-tal," in which an urn containing the com-plete set of remains is placed into the sea.

The USS Briscoe carried family members out to sea with the cremated remains for a ceremony off Martha's Vineyard, about three miles from where the bodies were recovered.

Kennedy was raised a Roman Catholic; the Bessette family of Greenwich, Conn., were Episcopalean.

25-28

22-26

23-25

August 1999

NCBVA BULLETIN

7

Three Generations Of Consumers Influence Industry

The following is an excerpt from the pre-sentation titled, "Creating Meaningful Experiences" presented by Jeffrey Seeley, Vice President of Sales & Marketing of Batesville Casket Company at the 1999 annual convention in Cincinnati.

BY HOLLY BRIDGERS

Batesville Casket Company conducted generational research from a funeral perspec-tive, and found that there are three "genera-tions" that are planning funerals. The GI Generation (age 74-97) consists of WWII vets, and they are conservative and patri-otic. The Silent Generation (age 56-73) grew up during the Depression, and they are cau-tious, reserved and neutral in attitudes. The Baby Boomer Generation (age 38-55) repre-sents the surge in births after WWII. Boomers are used to having it "their way" and expect the same with funerals. They are significantly less satisfied with the funeral arrangement process than both the GI and Silent Generation consumers. Boomers want the funeral to fit the personality and lifestyle of the deceased. The material in which the product is made is secondary. -Over the years, the benefit of the products we sell has stayed relatively the same, but the cost has gone up. This delivers less value because value equals benefit/cost. We as an industry have to figure out how to deliver more value.

Batesville Casket Company feels that we can deliver more value to our consumers by creating a funeral experience. To create an experience, we need to understand the con-sumer — the Boomer mindset. We need to help them plan a celebration of the person's life. We need to make it meaningful, which will help the family encounter their grief. Fi-nally, we need to personalize the funeral and

Jeffrey Seeley

the products. People will spend from $5,000 to $30,000 for a wedding which is simply a one hour service and a four hour party with food and drink. People will pay for a cel-ebration. The same could come from a fu-neral if the family sees value in the experi-ence.

We have a group of current and future consumers who have changed every indus-try that they have touched, and they bring the other generations along with them. We as an industry must change to meet their needs! Suppliers need to know how to help their customers (funeral homes) do this. Families will see more value in the funeral if they are given a great experience. It is our responsibility to educate, celebrate and memorialize! We educate funeral directors about their consumers, so they can educate their families on how to create a personal-ized celebration experience with products and services that memorialize the loved one who has passed away. This benefits not only our businesses, but ultimately the con-sumer family!

Thank You! Special thanks to all our sponsors and exhibitors who helped make the I 999 annual convention a huge success with their generous support.

Acromix Systems/Elk River Machine Co.

ADCO Division of Allied Signal

American Cemetery Supplies

Axis Corporation

B & L Cremation Systems, Inc.

Concrete Sealants, Inc

Crescent Bronze Powder Co,

D & C Supply Co, Inc.

Doric, Inc.

Edgmont Metallic Pigment, Inc.

Forta Corporation

H.D. Williams Co.

Hydraulic Dolly

Industrial Equipment and Engineering Co.

Long Machine Co.

M & M Equipment Co.

Master Builders, Inc.-Preco Line

Mixer Systems, Inc.

PA Insert Corp.

Plastic Plaque Products, Inc.

Pure Asphalt Co.

Russell Insurance Group, Inc. - North American Risk Management

T & J Manufacturing Corp.

Trigard Vaults/Greenwood Plastics

Wilbert Funeral Services, Inc.

For information about advertising rates and deadlines for The Bulletin contact Jan Monahan, Production Coordinator,

at (407) 788-1996.

1-111 il\ITnni !Iv -11-11-11-1 1-1- 1- 1 1 11 11 I I i 11 no I 1 I il 11 1-___ll 1

1999 ANNUAL CONVI CINCIW

TI II- Cl IT/ inn r-nnm 1 urn- I 1 IL 1 L/ I LINI_ 1 /KU/ / / IL /\L

NTION & EXPOSITION ATI, OHIO

10 NCBVA BULLETIN August 1999

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Quality Glitters Antique Metallic Pigments Bronzing Vehicles: SB, WB

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August 1999

NCBVA BULLETIN

II

Inspection equipment demonstrated during Baxter plant tour

Plant Inspection Program Update BY EARL J. BRUTSCHE

The NCBVA Plant Inspection program continues to move for-ward with 88 inspections during the past 13 months and at least 50 more scheduled during the next six months.

Members of NCBVA were able to see the equipment used during an inspection while tour-ing the Baxter Plant during the convention in June in Cincinnati.

The interest in the program continues to in-crease as more and more manufacturers see the program as a most necessary part of producing a quality burial vault.

We continue to see a problem with some manufacturers still not using rebar in their covers and once in awhile we have a manufacturer who still believes that you don't need at least 700 pounds of cement per yard.

Most inspections continue to see improvement in the concrete part of the burial vault industry.

(See pages 12-13 for an application form and listing of currently certified plants.)

In Memoriam Lois .1. Lazarus

NCBVA extends its sincerest condolences to Monte J. Lazarus whose wife Lois J. Lazarus died May 1 of cancer. Lois was vice president of Crescent Bronze Powder Co., and for the last 19 years worked along-side her husband, who is president of the company. Crescent Bronze supplies metallic paints for decora-tive finishes from its site in Chicago, IL. In addition to her husband, survivors include two sons, Jay and Jef-frey and three grandchildren.

Vault manufacturer members: reserve your "Business Card" ad today! Call NCBVA - 1-800-538-1423 X 102

12

NCBVA BULLETIN August 1999

National Concrete Burial Vault Association, Inc. Member Application for Plant Inspection

Name of Plant

Plant Mailing Address

Plant Street Address

Plant Telephone

Fax Phone Number

Owner's Name

Evening Telephone

Plant Manager/Contact Person

Evening Phone

Types of Outer Burial Receptacles Produced 0 Top Seals 0 Air Domes 0 Sectionals Other

Please return this application with full payment to:

The National Concrete Burial Vault Association, Inc. 900 Fox Valley Drive, Suite #204 Longwood, FL 32779-2552 (800) 538-1423 Fax (407) 774-6751

As an NCBVA member in good standing, the total of your Plant Certification Inspection will be $750. Full payment should be enclosed with your application.

NCBVA PROUDLY RECOGNIZES THE FOLLOWING

COMPANIES WHICH HAVE A CURRENT

tp: STANDING IN THE

PLANT CERTIFICATION

PROGRAM t„) American Concrete Industries

Bangor, ME

American Vault &

Concrete Prod.

Detroit, MI

American Wilbert Vault Corp.

Forest Park, IL

Arnold Wilbert Corp.

Goldsboro, NC

Atlas Concrete Products, Inc.

Orlando, FL

Automatic Wilbert Vault

Tacoma, WA

Babylon Vault Co., Inc.

New Windsor, MD

Baumgardner Products Co.

Akron, OH

Baxter Burial Vault

Cincinnati, OH

Binghamton Burial Vault

Binghamton, NY

Brown — Wilbert, Inc.

Fargo, ND

Brown Wilbert Vault, Inc.

St. Paul, MN

Bruns Norwalk Vault Co.

Saint Louis, MO

Brutsche Concrete Products

Battle Creek, MI

C & M Precast

Kerrville, TX

Carolina-Doric, Inc.

Florence, SC

Central Burial Vaults, Inc.

Oklahoma City, OK

Central Burial Vaults, Inc.

Tulsa, OK

Chandler Wilbert Vault, Inc.

LaCrosse, WI

Childs Eagle Vault Co.

Anderson, SC

Clinton Wilbert Vaults, Inc.

Clinton, IA

Cooper Wilbert Vault Co.

Barrington, NJ

Crummitt & Son Vault Corp.

Martins Ferry, OH

Detroit Wilbert Vault Corp.

Detroit, MI

Doody Burial Vaults, Inc.

Winchendon, MA

Doric of Northeast Arkansas

Jonesboro, AR

Doric of Texas, Inc.

Houston, TX

Doric Concrete Vaults, Inc.

Newton, KS

Doric Manufacturing Co.

Boaz, AL

Doric Mississippi, Inc.

Jackson, MS

Doric-South, Inc.

Demopolis, AL

Eagle Burial Vaults

Perry, GA

Esterly Burial Vault Co.

West Reading, PA

Florida Wilbert, Inc.

Jacksonville, FL

Fond Du Lac Wilbert Vault

Fond Du Lac, WI

Forsyth Bros. Concrete Prod.

Terre Haute, IN

Hairfield Vault Co.

Hickory, NC

Hardy Doric, Inc.

Chelmsford, MA

Harris Precast, Inc.

La Porte, IN

Heilman — Wirtz, Inc.

Cedar Hill, TX

Hicks Industries, Inc.

Mulberry, FL

Jacson, Inc.

Henderson, TX

Jefferson Concrete Corp.

Watertown, NY

L-D Vault Service

Chattanooga, TN

Lakeshore Burial Vault Co.

Brookfield, WI

Marion Vault Works

Marion, IN

Master Grave Service

Athens, GA

Milan Burial Vault, Inc.

Milan, MI

Milwaukee Wilbert Vault Co.

Milwaukee, WI

Odon Vault Company, Inc.

Odon, IN

Omaha Wilbert Vault, Inc.

Omaha, NE

Ostwalt Vault Co.

Concord, NC

Palm Vault Co.

Ada, OK

Peoria Vault Co.

Peoria, IL

Phenix Vault

Phenix City, AL

Pioneer Vault, Inc.

Doylestown, PA

Quality Burial Vault Co.

Houston, TX

Rex Vault & Mausoleum Svc.

Newton, IL

Riefler Concrete Products

Hamburg, NY

Ringtown Wilbert Vault Works

Ringtown, PA

Roland — Wilbert Vault Co.

Marion, IA

Saginaw Wilbert Vault Corp.

Saginaw, MI

Santeiu Vaults, Inc.

Detroit, MI

Scranton Wilbert Vault

Jessup, PA

Simerly Concrete Products, Inc.

Bristol, TN

Simerly Vaults, Inc.

Knoxville, TN

Sterling Unlimited Inc.

Woodsboro, MD

Suhor Industries, Inc.

Oklahoma City, OK

Superior Burial Vaults, Inc. Salt Lake City, UT

Swan's Concrete Products

Westbrook, ME

Turner Vault Company

Toledo, OH

Wayne Burial Vault Co., Inc.

Indianapolis, IN

West Plains Vault & Mfg. Co.

Pomona, MO

Wieser Precast/Doric Vault Co.

La Crescent, MN

Wilbert Burial Vault Co.

Atlanta, GA

Winchester Building Supply

Winchester, VA

Zeiser Wilbert Vault

Elmira, NY

For information on NCB VA exclusive Plant Inspection and Certification Program, please contact NCB VA Headquarters at 1-800-538-1423 or see applica-tion form on the adjacent page.

August 1999

NCBVA BULLETIN

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14 NCBVA BULLETIN August 1999

THE LOGAN VAULT HANDLER By Axis Corporation

PROVIDING SERVICE AND REALIBILTY FOR OVER 40 YEARS

THE LOGAN VAULT HANDLERS ARE MANUFACTURED WITH ONLY NEW BRAND NAME PARTS—NOT USED OR RE-MANUFACTURED. This gives you better dependability and longer life of your Handler. Our new 3/4 ton axle is manufactured

narrower than the standard 3/4 ton truck axle to allow for more maneuverability in the Cemetery. The Logan Vault Handler can handle both straight and cross grave settings. The Logan is equipped with hydraulic variable speed Forward and Reverse, also a High and Low range

gearbox STANDARD.

STRENGTH IS NOT IN THE STEEL ALONE IN A VAULT HANDLER; IT IS IN THE DESIGN The Logan was designed to withstand the stress of a heavy load and yet light enough not to tear up turf in the

Cemetery. The Logan was designed over 40 years ago and has seen many improvements in maneuverability and efficiency. The Logan Vault Handler is designed to give you optimum power using reliable parts and

durable construction. It has been tested, beaten, used and abused for over 40 years. The Logan always was and still is the benchmark of Vault Handling equipment, And that is why we are the

Standard of the Industry AXIS CORPORATION P.O Box 668 BELLEFONTAINE OHIO 43311 1-800-422-AXIS(2947)

FAX 1-937-592-5230 axisObright net www.briaht netAvaxis CALL FOR INFORMATION ON OUR NEW OPTIONS LIST AND OUR

DISINTERMINT MODEL

August 1999

NCBVA BULLETIN 15

Plan now for the Year 2000 Convention Cruise

JUNE 11-16, 2000

Join the National Concrete Burial Vault Association for its Millennium Year cruise

aboard the "Majesty of the Seas"

The Majesty of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's premier megaships with luxurious staterooms,

fabulous food and entertainment, and activities for the whole family. Sail away with your NCBVA friends to

ports of call in Nassau and Coco Cay, Bahamas, and Key West, Florida. Cabins are limited so

make your reservation early!

The registration fee includes your choice of cabins, all the food you can eat and all NCBVA educational programs.

Call NCBVA at

1-800-538-1423 and request an information packet

MIX EDUCATION WITH PLEASURE ---JUST ADD WATER!

WW1

0

°CTesi-1.4‘

National Concrete Burial Vault Association, Inc. 900 Fox Valley Drive, Suite 204, Longwood, FL 32779-2552

FIRST CLASS Address Correction Requested

Industry News and Notes Doric products president Warren Chandler recently announced the appointment of Alton (Al) R. Hale to the position of General Manager. Hale will oversee the daily opera-tion of the Doric central manufacturing facil-ity located in Marshall, IL. Hale comes to Doric with more than 25 years experience in manufacturing and a strong background in casket production.

* * *

The Loewen Group Inc. filed a petition to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bank-ruptcy Code and applied for creditor protec-tion under the Companies' Creditors Ar-rangement Act in Canada. Loewen Chair-man John Lacey said Loewen will return to its original focus as a funeral service com-pany. He said the company had experienced increasingly intensive working capital needs primarily as a result of its aggressive pursuit of cemetery acquisitions vs. its historical em-phasis on funeral home operations. In March, Loewen sold 124 cemeteries.

* * *

Doric Vaults of Marshall, IL has created a

new coloring book to help children mourn. "Something to Help You Say Goodbye," a 16-page coloring and activity book was writ-ten and illustrated by a funeral director and mother. It also features a guide that will help adults introduce this memorialization tool to children. Children may write a message to their deceased loved one to be placed in the casket.

* * *

If you haven't reserved exhibit space for the 118th Annual NFDA Convention and Inter-national Exposition, it's time to do so. The NFDA reports brisk exhibit space sale for its 1999 convention; more than a third of its 100,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space has already been sold. The event will be held October 31-Nov. 3 at the H. Roe Bartle Hall in Kansas City, MO.

* * *

Gerald L. Hardy was recently named one of nine inductees to his high school's Hall of Fame. The nine alumni of Chelmsford (MA) High School represent 40 years in the school's history from the class of 1937 to 1977. Hardy, class of 1954, was featured along with the other inductees in an article in The Sun news-

paper (Lowell, MA). It noted that at age 24, Hardy inherited the family burial vault busi-ness now called Doric Inc., when his father became ill; that he is an elected cemetery commissioner and was instrumental in es-tablishing the Massachusetts Burial Vault Association. George Simonian, executive director of the alumni association said in-ductees should be considered excellent role models.

* * *

Hillenbrand Industries announced revenues up 3% from the same period last year, and net income down about 10% for the second quarter ended May 29, 1999. Hillenbrand, headquartered in Batevsille, IN, is the pub-licly traded holding company for three major wholly owned subsidiaries serving the fu-neral services and health care industries. The funeral services group consists of Batesville Casket Company and Forethought Financial Services, provider of insurance and trust-based financial products and services for pre-planning funeral services. Batesville had a record quarter with sales up 17%, according to the report.