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OGR News
Attendees at OGR Annual Conference Confront Emerging Issues
OGR Installs New Board; Guy Linnemann Takes Oath as President
OGR Honors Achievements at Recent Annual Conference
OGR Meets With FTC on Proposed SCI-Alderwoods Merger
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ATTENDEES AT OGR ANNUAL CONFERENCE CONFRONT EMERGING ISSUES
ST. LOUIS — May 12, 2008 — The International Order of the Golden Rule’s (OGR) recent annual conference, held April 16-19 in Chicago, brought members face to face with a challenging array of emerging issues, trends and consumer expectations, while serving up practical takeaways to incorporate at their independent funeral homes. Attended by nearly 250 OGR members and colleagues, the conference, “Here Today. Where Tomorrow? Doorway to Success,” incorporated a number of activities celebrating OGR’s 80th anniversary, being observed this year.
“This conference was a wonderful experience for our members,” said OGR President Guy Linnemann, CFSP. “We expected a dynamic program, and we knew that Chicago would be a very favorable location. But we reached the pinnacle this year, both in spirit and substance.”
Among the conference highlights was a lively discussion on the prickly topic of Chinese caskets, bringing together a panel that featured Ken Camp, Batesville Casket Company; Max Cochran, Cochran Funeral Home; Robert Hunsaker, SinoSource International Company, Inc.; and Jerry Reichert, Aurora Casket Company, Inc. Another panel on the complexities of licensing and copyright law included Jeff Burrow, Esq., Broadcast Music, Inc.; T. Scott Gilligan, Esq., Gilligan Law Offices; and Kevin Wakefield, Memories By Design. Both panels fielded questions from the audience.
Concurrent sessions addressed such topics as running a successful funeral home, led by Quinn Eagan, CLU, Pre-Need Funeral Program; funeral packages, by T. Scott Gilligan, Esq.; and wage and hour guidelines presented by David V. Tudor, The Directions Group.
General sessions began with an energized keynote by Thomas J. Winninger, Winninger Resource Companies, on developing a service-oriented environment, price competition and branding. A general session on “green” burials was presented by William (Billy) Campbell, M.D., Memorial Ecosystems; Kimberley Campbell, Ramsey Creek Preserve; and Joe Sehee, Green Burial Council. Additionally, Ken Czillinger, VITAS Innovative Hospice Care, discussed the art of receiving, and Matthew Kelly, Floyd Consulting, introduced his “Dream Manager” concept in the conference’s closing session.
A showcase with over 24 exhibitor displays gave attendees opportunities to meet and network with Golden Services Group representatives. Award presentations, an installation of the board of directors, and an annual banquet and entertainment rounded out the 2008 conference.
OGR’s 2009 Annual Conference will be held April 22-25 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville.
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OGR INSTALLS NEW BOARD; GUY LINNEMANN TAKES OATH AS PRESIDENT
ST. LOUIS — May 12, 2008 — “We believe in the validity and the application of the Golden Rule and pledge our efforts to the pursuit of this standard in all our personal and professional relationships,” proclaimed OGR’s newly installed president, Guy Linnemann, CFSP, addressing attendees at the International Order of the Golden Rule (OGR) Board of Directors installation. The ceremony was held on April 19, 2008, at the conclusion of the association’s annual conference in Chicago. Linnemann will serve as president during 2008-2009.
Linnemann is the owner of Linnemann Funeral Homes, Erlanger, Ky., and a fifth-generation funeral director and embalmer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Northern Kentucky University and is a cum laude graduate of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, where he received his funeral director’s and embalmer’s licenses. As a hands-on leader at his funeral home, Linnemann has served on many civic and professional boards and committees, including a term as president of the Kentucky Funeral Directors Association, Northern District. His firm has received NFDA’s Pursuit of Excellence Award yearly since 2001. Linnemann Funeral Homes been a member of OGR since 1996.
“I am extremely honored to be part of OGR, renowned for its members’ business philosophy, as well as their unsurpassed care and compassion to families in their time of need,” said Linnemann. “Being president brings with it a busy travel schedule, but the association’s international scope exposes one to a multitude of approaches, disciplines and cultures. I look forward to the many challenges that lay ahead during the association’s 80th anniversary year.”
“We are fortunate to have Guy at the helm of our board,” said William A. Edmunds, OGR executive director. “The vision, passion and energy he brings will have immediate and far-reaching consequences as OGR moves forward.”
Also installed in Chicago were: President-elect Koven L. Brown, CFSP, K. L. Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Jacksonville, Ala.; Secretary/Treasurer Kevin Opsahl, Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., Yankton, S.D.; and new directors: Michael S. Lewis, Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., Milton, Fla.; J. Tyler Pray, Pray Funeral Home Inc., Charlotte, Mich.; and Catherine A. (Cathie) Tattrie, William J. Smith & Son, Inc., Warren, R.I.
Continuing on the board are directors: Donald I. Green, George Irvin Green Funeral Home, Inc., Munhall, Pa.; Norman B. Juday, Haverstock Funeral Home, LaPorte, Ind.; John M. Kreidler, Kreidler Funeral Home, Inc., McAllen, Texas; Cari Spence, Spence-Miller Funeral Home, Grove City, Ohio; Jeffrey S. Wages, Wages & Sons-Gwinnet Chapel, Lawrenceville, Ga.; and Wayne S. (Bud) Wieting, Wieting Family Funeral Homes, Chilton, Wis.
In photo: Seated on sofa (from left): Kevin Opsahl, secretary/treasurer; Guy Linnemann, CFSP, president; Koven L. Brown, CFSP, president-elect. Standing (from left): directors Catharine A. (Cathie) Tattrie, Jeffrey S. Wages, J. Tyler Pray, Donald I. Green, Norman B. Juday, Michael S. Lewis, Cari Spence. Seated in chairs: directors Wayne S. (Bud) Wieting (left), John M. Kreidler. Photo by Robert Levy Photography
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OGR Honors Achievements at Recent Annual Conference
ST. LOUIS — May 19, 2008 — Excellence was celebrated at the International Order of the Golden Rule (OGR) annual conference, held in April in Chicago, as the association singled out individuals and member firms for achievements made in 2007.
 OGR’s highest honor, the Golden Light Award, acknowledging high achievement in funeral service and contributions to OGR, was bestowed on Harold L. Lake, Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home, Arkansas City, Kan., who served on OGR’s Board from 2002 to 2005. When presented with his award, Lake was cited for outstanding leadership and service to his client families, community and OGR colleagues.
 Exemplary Service Awards were presented to three Golden Rule firms demonstrating service above and beyond usual expectations. The Gold Exemplary Service Award was won by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Lakeland, Fla. The Silver Exemplary Service Award went to Muehlebach Funeral Home, Kansas City, Mo. And Templeton Funeral Home, Paris, Ill., won the Bronze Exemplary Service Award. Selections were based on comments received through OGR’s Family Contact feedback program.
 Three students demonstrating excellence in their pursuit of a mortuary science degree received Awards of Excellence Scholarships. Tawanda Burgess, Fayetteville Tech Community College, Fayetteville, N.C., received the $2,500 Gold Award of Excellence. The $1,500 Silver Award of Excellence was won by Jennifer Bennink, Warsham College of Mortuary Science, Wheeling, Ill. And Cherelia James, Gupton-James College, Decatur, Ga., received the $500 Bronze Award of Excellence. Funding for these scholarships comes entirely from donations made by members and other contributors, often in honor of a special occasion or in memory of a friend, colleague or loved one.
And high school senior Dawn Wille from Truman, Minn., won the 2007 National Family Appreciation Month Student Writing Contest for her essay, “Love After Disagreement.” The essay was submitted by Zaharia Family Funeral & Cremation Service, Truman, Minn. The $5,000 scholarship is being funded by Aurora Casket Company.
“We applaud all of our award winners,” said OGR President Guy Linnemann, CFSP. “They bring pride and honor to funeral service through their many and varied accomplishments and dedication to service.”
In photos (from top):
Harold L. Lake, Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home, Arkansas City, Kan., is honored with the 2007 Golden Light Award, OGR’s highest honor, acknowledging high achievement in funeral service and contributions to OGR. He is shown with his wife, Mary, and OGR President Guy Linnemann, CFSP.
Pete Templeton (left), Templeton Funeral Home, Paris, Ill., and Stephen Pierce, Muehlebach Funeral Home, Kansas City, Mo., receive OGR’s 2007 Bronze and Silver Exemplary Service awards, respectively, on behalf of their firms. Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Lakeland, Fla., received the Gold Award. Selections are based on comments received through OGR’s Family Contact feedback program.
Awards of Excellence Scholarships were awarded to Tawanda Burgess (right), Fayetteville Tech Community College, Fayetteville, N.C., Gold Award winner, and Jennifer Bennink, Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Wheeling, Ill., Silver Award winner. Also noted for excellence in mortuary science was Cherelia James, Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service, Decatur, Ga., Bronze Award winner.
Holding a symbolic check is Dawn Wille, Truman, Minn., winner of OGR’s 2007 National Family Appreciation Month Student Writing Contest. She is joined by Chip Ray (standing behind), Aurora Casket Company, the scholarship sponsor. Also shown (from left): Terrell Cobb, chair of OGR’s 2007-08 communications committee; Melinda Mueller, executive director, Funeral Service Foundation Funeral Service Foundation, which helped fund NFAM in 2007; Dawn’s parents, Jerome and Laurie Wille; and Teresa and John Zaharia, Zaharia Family Funeral & Cremation Service, who submitted the winning essay.
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OGR meets With FTC on proposed SCI-Alderwoods merger
ST. LOUIS — July 17, 2006 — On July 10, 2006, the International Order of the Golden Rule (OGR) met with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in Washington, D.C., over the proposed Service Corporation International (SCI)/Alderwoods Group merger.
The meeting was attended by OGR’s president, George O. Darte; Guy Linnemann, CFSP, secretary/treasurer; and William A. Edmunds, executive director. Also in attendance were anti-trust attorneys David A. Balto and Kevin M. Magnuson from the Washington-based law firm Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, which arranged the meeting for OGR, and Juhan Mixon, legislative consultant for the Independent Funeral Directors of Florida, which is concerned over the impact the merger would have on consumers in Florida and other markets where SCI and Alderwoods are the largest competitors. Another independent group, the National Independent Jewish Funeral Directors, held a meeting with the FTC the previous month expressing concern over the merger.
Among the recommendations made during the meeting, OGR asked: 1) that the FTC review cities and areas where, with the merger, SCI would control a majority of the market share of funeral homes; 2) that SCI be required to divest funeral homes in those areas; 3) and that SCI be required to sell those divested funeral homes on a single basis, allowing individual, independent funeral homes to purchase those funeral homes or mortuaries. In the past, divestitures had been offered in large blocks, limiting purchases to other acquisition companies or conglomerates.
“We knew we could not block the merger,” Darte said. “But we did feel that by visiting with the FTC and making our case, we could slow the saturation level in specific markets and open up sales of divested properties to create a level playing field for independents.”
“It was important to clarify how independent funeral home owners feel about the squeeze SCI has put on this industry through its manipulations of the market, and the ramifications for the public,” said Linnemann.
“The meeting was a great success,” Edmunds said. “What we asked for, basically, is fairness. No shortcuts for the conglomerates. We feel that, as ‘The Voice of the Independent Funeral Home,’ OGR has an obligation to speak up when the futures of our members, and other independents, are threatened.”
Darte pointed out that when consumers seek funeral home services, they are in a particularly vulnerable state. “These services are frequently purchased at-need by consumers who often don’t have the chance or information to comparison shop. That is one of the reasons for the Funeral Rule. I fear that this merger could significantly increase SCI/Alderwood’s ability to harm consumers, either through higher prices or inferior service.”
Linnemann is concerned that the FTC will let SCI spin off all the funeral homes to another chain. “This is what they have done in the past, in funeral home and other retail mergers such as supermarkets. Such a policy is bad for small businesses because we don’t get an opportunity to bid on the divested assets. It’s bad for consumers, too, since the chains are simply looking for short-term profits and are more likely to engage in collusion and less likely to compete aggressively against one another.”
Darte says independent funeral homes are typically more service-oriented than chain operations. “After all, our reputation is our greatest asset, plus we have a long-term commitment to the community. It would be unfortunate if these funeral homes were simply divested as a matter of course to another funeral home chain.”
To prepare for the meeting, OGR surveyed its membership to identify areas where they thought conglomerates control over 32 percent of the market. A list of nearly 40 markets was presented to the FTC for review, along with a list of demographically specific markets controlled by SCI and/or Alderwoods. OGR asked that the FTC verify the data to determine how many funeral homes were owned by SCI or Alderwoods in each market, the case count of each of the funeral homes, and the number of pre-need sales of these funeral homes.
Several other points were made during the briefing, including the fact that: 1) SCI will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Alderwoods for $20 per share in cash. 2) The transaction is valued at $856 million. 3) Approximately $374 million of Alderwoods’ debt will remain outstanding or be refinanced. 4) With Alderwoods, SCI would have revenues of approximately $2.5 billion (based on 2005 financial results). 5) With Alderwoods, SCI would have an expanded geographic footprint, which would include a network of 1,712 funeral homes and 490 cemeteries (of which 243 are combination funeral homes and cemeteries) in 48 states (none in Delaware or North Dakota according to 2005 10-Ks), eight Canadian provinces and Puerto Rico.
The FTC has until Sept. 30, 2006, to conclude its investigation of the merger. If the agency seeks to go to court to enjoin the merger, it has until Oct. 30, 2006, to seek an injunction.
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Contact: Janet J. Protzel, OGR director of communications, (800) 637-8030, x108. As the “Voice of the Independent Funeral Home,” OGR is one of the world’s largest professional associations of independent funeral homes whose members are dedicated to offering reliability, fair pricing, and dignified, caring service to families. OGR is headquartered in St. Louis.
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