Cremation At A Glance
Cremation services, when a new event is launched, organizers hold their collective breath that the event will go off with a hitch and that all those who said they would turn up, indeed show up. With more than 225 attendees traveling to Sarasota for the first Cremation Expo of the Americas, the organizers, FCS Worldwide, could breathe a sigh of relief and call the event a success. In addition to the several hours devoted to tour the nearly 40 exhibit booths, attendees took advantage of the strong schedule of speakers, filling the room for every session. When putting together the speakers’ list, two significant events were taking place in the profession. One was the predicted growth of the cremation segment of the market place, which is at over 25 percent nationally and is expected to continue a steady increase. The second was a developing story involving a crematory in Seabrook, N.H. which once again caused an erosion in consumer confidence in the cremation process. The agenda was designed to address these two current situations. Attorneys Andy Davis who defended funeral homes in the Tri-State Crematory law suit, and Harvey Lapin, who penned the model cremation law that serves as the template for 33 states were added to discuss the need for the diligence in the operation of funeral homes, cemeteries and cremation facilities. “Cremation is not reversible,” Lapin warned. Sessions by Dr. William M. Lamers. The Lamers Medical Group, one of the first physicians to develop a hospice program in the United States; Mike Kubasak , of Kubasak Associates, whose name is becoming synonymous with cremation education, and Bill Bates, Life Appreciation Training Seminars, spoke toward the ceremonial aspect of the cremation process. Steve Schaal, division manager of sales and marketing , Matthews Cremation Divisions, offered insight into his company’s detailed research into the mind set of today’s cremation customers. Chris Lowery, cremation product marketing , Batesville Casket Company, and former CANA president Thomas H. Snyder, offered insight into the product and merchandising aspect of cremation. The feedback from attendees was very positive, reported Jeffrey I. Kraft, managing director of FCS Worldwide. Attendees reported that they felt the program was well focused and attracted a good percentage of the decision makers for the funeral homes and cemeteries, as well as a number of operators who have not regularly attended industry events. Buoyed by the success of the event, FCS Worldwide has scheduled Cremation Expo of the Americas 2006 for March 1-2 in San Diego, CA. Cremation Expo of the Americas is the first independent professional event designed purely for the cremation marketplace and for professionals from the United States. Central America, South America and the Caribbean to network, share ideas and see the newest products.
If you or a family member have any further questions or concerns with respect to cremation, cremation services, cremation costs or a direct cremation please feel free to contact Cremation Options toll free 24 hours daily at 1-877-989-9090.