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SERVICE

October 1999

coNc,s,,c, QUALITY -̀i•t,t■

In this issue • President's Message 3

• When to Retire Vehicles 4

• Cost of Funerals 5

• Certified Plants 8

• Complying With OSHA 10

Reimbursement Program Leaps the Legal Hurdle

BY ROBERT HARDY

District One Director

RE: House Rule #14321 The National Cemetery System reimbursement program passed legal counsel. It will now go into the Federal Register to be implemented by federal year 2000.

A reimbursement of one hundred and fifty dollars ($150.00) will be made to families of veterans who choose a burial vault in lieu of a government liner. This reimbursement will be retroactive to October 1, 1996.

When an interment order is received by a national cemetery, the funeral director will inform that cemetery that the family has purchased a non-government container. This information will be forwarded by the cemetery to the office in Austin, Texas. A check, in the amount of $150.00 will be sent directly to the family (or next of kin).

It is important that vault manufacturers alert their funeral director customers of this reimbursement program.

In a "nutshell," the funeral director will sell a vault at the regular price, the vault company will charge it's regular price, and the families who choose a non-government container will receive a check for $150.00. This reimbursement will not apply when the government supplies the liner/box.

This program only applies in national cemeteries.

AHOY, Vaultmen Don't Miss the Boat! It won't be long now until the BIG event of the 21st Century. No, it's not the New Year's celebration. It's NCBVA's Millennium Year Cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas, June 11-16, 2000.

This unique conference/cruise format is a first for NCBVA and is receiving rave response. About a year ago NCBVA reserved a block of 100 cabins on this megaship for its Year 2000 conference. After early promotions, more than half of the cabins have been sold.

The conference begins with the annual meeting and exhibitors' showcase on dry land in Miami and then continues after the ship sails for ports of call in Nassau, CocoCay Bahamas, and Key West. You won't get a chance like this again to meet with your fellow vault manufacturers and industry friends in such a unique setting. See "Sail Away," Page 12, and reserve your cabin today!

The small tropical island of CocoCay has gorgeous beaches

Frier-re* with .4 beto-tofsder

2 NCBVA BULLETIN October 1999

IEE MAY BE THE WORLD'S LEADING MANUFACTURER OF

CREMATION EQUIPMENT... BUT WE'LL NEVER BE FIRST tIntiNison

The Reason Well Never Be First Is Because, We Pride Ourselves In Putting Our Clients First by focusing on our clients needs, we've built an organizatkm based on customer Satisfaction. From an exten-sive array of services le) manufacturing the most durable, .cost-efficient equip-ment (wi the market, we put 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 , inf(mnation pro ir to their making a decisk in, and con-tinue far beyond the sale of our cremation equipment.

In Mexico Contact Lucas DePalacio Mexico, D.F.

Phone 598-9111 • FAX 563-1493

Investment Analysis This free analysis will indicate it crematory is a profitable venture for you. We consider your inch, vidual circumstances and evaluate vital information on costs, depre-ciation, tax savings and estimaieO profits. We also offer a space ail(' placement evaluation for the pos sible installation of a cremate)l within your new or existing facility

Environmental Permits Ana 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 COM pli a n ce standards,

Complete Follow Through

Mier your crematory is installed, well send a

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

Phone 519-824-8020 • FAX 519-824-7161

Polar-Pak Mqh. Cimplet

technician to inspect cm:1) unit and train your personnel hc.)w to operate and care for it. You'll receive a com-plete owner's manual, and well assign you a customer service representative wit() will remain your personal link to I F. I. 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-L- WE keeps work-ing 1()Ir von.

INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT & ENGINEERING CO.

P.O. Box 547796 • Orlando, FL 32854-7796 In Florida (407) 886-5533 • (407) 886-5990

Toll Free 1-800-327-2831

October 1999 NCBVA BULLETIN

3

President's Message BY WARREN CHANDLER

If We Don't Sell Ourselves Who's Going to Do It?

/ t's hard to believe that it's been three months since our annual convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. But it's true. Since the annual meeting I have had numerous calls about my challenge for all of us to change our image a little by cleaning up, fixing up, etc. All the

calls were affirmative. Let's all work to maintain those goals by improving a little each day. After attending the

CANA meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, I came away with some other ideas we should think about. CANA had a great representation from their members and all other groups were out in force. I congratulate CANA and their members for making it, in my opinion, the fastest growing group in the funeral service today. They are really selling cremation and answering all questions concerning its appeal. We've learned from the past, if you say it enough, soon someone will believe in it.

After seeing this growth in cremation, I think we as concrete burial vault manufacturers and suppliers also have a story to tell and if we say it enough, someone will listen. There is always room for choices. Nothing against cremation, but a lot of people still prefer traditional funeral services and ground burial. We need to constantly improve our image and tell the world about us. Some people in the burial vault business have stopped having anything good to say about our side of the business. Let's not jump ship yet. Tell our story about the quality concrete burial vaults and the service we offer.

Another means of helping our business is the cooperation that is in place to help each other. We want to encourage people to join and be on the inside learning, helping, and being a part of the concrete burial vault business. I know in my heart that Wilbert, Trigard, Eagle, and Doric are promising their help and cooperation in selling people on concrete burial vaults.

I remember former President Ronald Regan telling fellow Republicans to say only good about fellow Republicans. If I may, I would like to use this theory of the Eleventh Commandment. Let's only say good and constructive things about our fellow concrete burial vault companies. Making a constructive noise may be the "shot in the arm" we need. Keep telling your most valuable customers that they are using the finest concrete burial vaults available. Keep calling the home office about the plant certification program. Also, make plans to attend our year 2000 cruise!

National Concrete Burial Vault Association, Inc.

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

htt p://w w wmcbva.org (800) 538-1423 Fax: (407) 774-6751

President Warren Chandler

Master Grave Services. Inc. I3ogart, GA

President. Elect Timothy Brutsche

Brutsche Concrete Products Battle Creek. MI

Secretary/Treasurer Jack Swihart

Saginaw Wilbert Vault Corp Siginav.. MI

Immediate Past President Hugh McQuestion

Lakeshore Burial Vault Co Inc. Brookfield, WI

Directors, District Robert Hardy

Hardy Doric. Inc. Chelmsford, MA

Kelly Pe!Beano : 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 Donald Ii

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 Macl.eod Detroit Wilbert Vault Corp.

Detroit, MI

Executive Director Thomas A. Monahan, CAL

Certified Association Management Company Longwood, FL

Legal Counsel J. Scott Calkins Harrisburg, PA

12780W. Lisbon Rd. Brookfield, WI 53005 414/781-6262 Fax: 414/781-6280

DORIC mimi.

NCBVA MEMBER SINCE 1929

Mob.R. DORIC III lull®

THE LARGEST SELECTION OF BURIAL VAULTS IN NEBRASKA!

(402) 768-7251 Fax: 768-6180

WWW.BOBREINKE.COM

4 NCBVA BULLETIN October 1999

Is it Time to Retire That Truck? BY TIM BRUTSCHE

NCBVA President-Elect

Wen you buy a "new" truck you must bear in

mind that eventually you will have a "used" truck to trade or sell.

It is very important to re-alize that no matter what your operating expenses (fuel and maintenance) are for your ve-hicles, the largest expense you have is depreciation. The more money, or trade value, you can get for your used vehicles goes directly to your bottom line.

If you could accurately predict the exact time to get rid of your vehicles you wouldn't be in the vault business. However, we know that based on how you maintain them, and how your drivers oper-ate them, your vehicles have a finite amount of time before they begin to accumulate excessive wear and tear. They break down and the amount of money necessary to keep them operating exceeds their value.

LAKESHORE BURIAL VAULT CO., INC

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

When the reliability of the vehicle is in question, and the cost to keep it running becomes prohibitive, it is time to replace it. All you need to do is miss a funeral be-

cause of a breakdown and lose a cus-tomer. What is the real cost

there? The ideal time to re-

place the vehicle is be- fore the "big" mainte-

nance hits, i.e., trans-mission, etc. A decision

needs to be based on past experience with your fleet, and the experience of others in the indus-trY.

Basic depreciation figures can also be used to determine when it is economically correct to replace a truck. A good rule of thumb is that repairs in any one year should not exceed 25 percent of the vehicle's value.

There is not an easy answer as to when a vehicle should be eliminated. A lot depends on how many vehicles are in your fleet. A vault company with two trucks probably replaces them more often than a plant with 10 because they cannot afford a breakdown. There can be no down time; vehicle reliability is essential in this industry.

You may also want to consider diesel engines. A gas-powered vehicle with 150,000 miles is prime for replacement, while a diesel powered unit is only approximately half way through its service life.

Also consider your vehicles as advertising. They are a direct reflection on the type of operation you run. Are your vehicles clean, well-maintained units, or dirty rust buckets with bald tires?"

People, as well as customers, see your vehicles not only at the cemetery, but also on the way there and back. Maintaining an up-to-date, reliable fleet with eye appeal is the key to long-term survival and growth in this industry.

Child Mortality Rates Fall NEW YORK, (Reuters Health) — Overall childhood mortality in the US has declined, dropping most sharply among black children aged 1 to 4, according to a federal report on the health status of the nation's children.

"The findings on mortality represent a true success story," said Dr. Edward Sondik, director of the National Center for Health Statistics, in a statement. Infant mortality has dropped from 10.9 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1983 to 7.2 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1997.

The mortality rates for black children aged 1 to 4 fell from 67.6 deaths to 59.2 deaths per 100,000 between 1996 and 1997. However, the 31.6 per 100,000 rate was still almost twice that of white children the same age, according to the report.

Death rates among adolescents dropped between 1991 and 1996.

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Fax: 412-221-9206

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3400 N. Avondale Chicago, IL 60618-5432 Fax: (773) 539-1131

October 1999

NCBVA BULLETIN 5

NFDA Reviews Formula For Estimating Cost Of the Average Funeral Brookfield, WI—The formula for establishing the average cost of a funeral, a statistic often quoted by the news media, consumer orga-nizations, and funeral directors, is being reviewed by a National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) task force.

"It has been nearly 15 years since we have reviewed our formula for establishing the average cost of a funeral. This is an extremely important statistic and we want to make sure that it accurately re-flects changes in funeral service, consumer choices and pricing structure that have taken place during the past decade," said Robert Harden, NFDA executive director.

The present estimated average cost of a funeral is about $4,800 to about $5,600 depending upon whether the cost of a burial vault is included in the estimate. The estimate is established by adding the average cost of each of nine service items and an 18-guage steel, protective casket with velvet interior.

The casket and the nine selected service items were chosen by at least 50 percent of the consumers served by 564 funeral directors who responded to the NFDA's General Price List Survey. The esti-mate does not include costs associated with purchasing burial plots, the cost of grave openings, monuments, cremations or urns.

Dealers Go To School At Trigard University Trigard, a division of Greenwood Plastics Co., has established a new continuing education facility where Trigard dealers can come together, learn from each other, swap ideas, bounce back thoughts and relax at the same time.

Home of Trigard University will be "The Dome" in Danville, IL, a complete campus with fully furnished bedrooms, meeting rooms, dining accommodations, and outdoor activities.

"When Trigard dealers stay at the university, there is no cost. We believe that by learning from each other we both benefit and consider this an investment in the dealers," said Linda Darby-Semprsott, director of marketing.

Blake Swinford, education coordinator, will be managing Trigard University and will be responsible for the coordination of training seminars. Swinford brings 14 years of experience in the safety industry in areas of design, manufacturing, and marketing.

"Trigard University is dedicated to assisting dealers and funeral directors to get the tools to make their business succeed in today's business environment, and to be continually one step ahead. We are in the business together and by working with each other, and constantly learning, our minds will remain sharp," said Jim Darby, president of Greenwood Plastics Company.

6 NCBVA BULLETIN October 1999

Fans Still Flock To Valentino's Grave HOLLYWOOD (Reuters) - It wasn't quite the 80,000 people who turned out for his 1926 funeral, but about 100 mourners kept with tradition by filling the mausoleum at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery for the 73rd anniversary of Rudolph Valentino's death.

Several of the women in the crowd came as "ladies in black," wearing black dresses similar to the one worn by a mysterious woman who started visiting Valentino's grave in the late 1930s.

Mark Wanamaker, a film archivist and leader of a memorial ceremony at the mausoleum, said, "Valentino's a symbol of the silent era, the era of the building of the film industry. It's very important for continuity, for the tradition of Hollywood to remember these original heroes. With so much of the industry leaving Hollywood, we need any tradition possible to keep it together."

It was the first time in five years that a memorial service for Valentino was held at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, which had canceled the event for lack of money during a period of bankruptcy.

But the cemetery was bought earlier this year by film historian Tyler Cassity, who said he plans to develop it into a Hollywood tourist attraction.

Among its other noted permanent "guests" are silent screen star Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and director John Huston.

VAULT DECORATION SPECIALISTS

P'st77:4!PLAQUE INC.

1635 Poplar St. P.O. Box 610964 Port Huron, MI 48601

810-982-9591 1-800-875-9591 FAX 810-982-1182

"Over 50 Years of Business"

Lease-Purchase Plan Now Available

The VAULT-MASTER has variable speed hydraulic drive, hydraulically raised and lowered front steering axle, roll-back CraneWay 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 a 5" I-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

October 1999 NCBVA BULLETIN

7

Funerals Provide Therapy for Grieving By Howard Raether (This article was first printed in Forethought Link, a publication of Forethought Insurance.).

T he tirade against funerals and funeral directors was at its height in 1963. During the annual NFDA convention

in October of that year in Dallas, CBS showed nationwide its documentary, "The Great American Funeral." Expecting this, the association (NFDA) had been working with one of the editors of a magazine with a large national circulation to run a middle of the road piece on the funeral.

In late November that year, after the funeral of President John F. Kennedy on the day the world stood still, the above referred to editor was called to see when the story would print. His response was that there would be no need for the article because millions of people watched the great American funeral for JFK on TV, many more than would read a magazine article. As it happened, other magazines covered the _ funeral. National Geographic printed a special issue, "The Last Full Measure." Redbook and U.S. News and World Report carried features in which there were positive and important statements about the value of the funeral.

The spirits of funeral directors, clergypersons and others who believe in the funeral were buoyed by the aftermath of the service for JFK. The worst the detractors of the funeral could say was that it was a "simple" service, whatever "simple" means.

The 1990s are times of concern about the future of the funeral as a rite/ceremony with the body present, as were the 1960s. A big difference between now and then is that times continue to change. There are more of the public now who question the social and economic utility of the funeral than there were 30 years ago. And, contrary to the 1960s, there are those within funeral service actively or by default promoting post-death activities without the body present by "marketing" other than the funeral seemingly unconcerned about what it could lead to.

The aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing has led to situations somewhat similar to the period immediately following the funeral for JFK. There have been much-publicized funerals for the victims where the body was found. In relation to one of them, Reverend Michael Potts, A United Minister and pastoral counselor, said: "The telling of the story, the ritualizing that happens at funerals is all part of the healing and is very necessary. . ." (Steve Weiberg, USA Today)

An article in the Los Angeles Times later focused on the two victims whose bodies had not been recovered for some time. Relating to them the piece said, "They could not be blessed with a funeral. . .There was no hearse. There was no coffin. There was nothing to bury except for the grisly image of their bodies still missing in a crypt of rubble." When their bodies were found, along with that of another victim, there were services with what littte remained of the bodies.

Two of the therapies of the funeral with

In Memoriam

Howard Raether, retired executive direc-tor of the National Funeral Directors As-sociation (NFDA) and one of the nation's leading authorities on funeral service, died October 6, 1999 at St. Luke's Medical Center in Milwaukee, WI. He was 83. •

"Howard Raether may be the father of modern funeral service," said Robert

•Harden, current NFDA executive diiec-tor. "For decades he was a vigorous ad-vocate and defender of traditional fu-neral services and he devoted his life to educating the public about the impor-tance of funeral rituals and. memorials in a rapidly changing society."

During the 1960s, he made scores of radio and television appearances vigor-ously defending America's funeral tra-ditions. During the early 1980s, he rep-resented funeral service during more than 50 days of public hearings and de-bate over the development of the Fed-eral Trade Commissions' Ftnieral Rule. He wrote a host of books and developed programs about death, dying, and fu-neral service options.

He is survived by his wife, Sylvia, a sister and two grandgons.

Contributions may be sent to the Howard C. Raether Library c/o Funeral Service Educational Foundation, 136225 Bishop's Dr., Brookfield, WI 53005

the body present are social support and confirmation of death. Both were obvious during and after the funerals for JFK and the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing. When discreet, funerals directors can refer to these while arrangements are made pre-need or at-need, especially if the values of the funeral are doubted. As Dr. Earl Grollman writes while reviewing his Oklahoma City experiences immediately following the disaster, "I think for the first time people realized, if only they could find the body, what a funeral is all about: We need to say good-bye, that's what people wanted, they needed to say good-bye. And this is what a funeral says."

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'Plus miscellaneous moulds

Original cost over $12,0000. Will sell all for $4,000 Contact Tony Cupo at (718) 720 2020, New York City

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NCBVA PROUDLY RECOGNIZES THE FOLLOWING

COMPANIES WHICH HAVE A CURRENT

toN4) STANDING IN THE

t$4) PLANT CERTIFICATION

PROGRAM

Abel Vault & Monument Co. Pekin, IL

American Concrete Industries Bangor, ME

American Vault &

Concrete Prod. Detroit, MI

American Wilbert Vault Corp. Forest Park, II,

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, Inc. Morris, MN

Brown Wilbert Vault, Inc. St. Paul, MN

Bruns Norwalk Vault Co. Saint Louis, MO

Brutsche Concrete Products Battle Creek, MI

Brutsche Concrete Products Benton Ilarbor, MI

C & M Precast

Kerrville, TX

Carolina-Doric, Inc. Florence, SC

Central Burial Vaults, Inc. Oklahoma City, OK

Central Burial Vaults, Inc. Tulsa, OK

Century Vault Co., Inc. Taunton, MA

Chandler Wilbert Vault, Inc. LaCrosse, WI

Childs Eagle Vault Co. Anderson, SC

Clinton Wilbert Vaults, Inc.

Clinton, IA

Cooper Wilbert Vault Co. Barrington, NI

Costello Vaults

Smith Falls, Ontario, Canada

Crummitt & Son Vault Corp. Martins Ferry, OH

D.C. Robertson, Inc. Williston, VT

Dardanelle Vault & Monument Dardanelle, AR

Deihl Vault & Precast Co. Orangeville, PA

Delaware Valley Vault Co. Inc. Chester, PA

Detroit Wilbert Vault Corp. Detroit, MI

Doody Burial Vaults, Inc. Winchendon, MA

Doric of Nashville, Inc. Nashville, TN

Doric of Northeast Arkansas Jonesboro, AR

Doric of South Texas Elsa TX

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

Doric Vault of Eastern NY Inc. Hudson, NY

Eagle Burial Vaults Perry, GA

Eagle Burial Vault Co. of LA Ruston, LA

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

Gettysburg Burial Vault Co. Gettysburg, PA

Grable Vault Co. Logansport, IN

Gross Vault & Monument Thomasville, GA

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

Hydraulic Dolly, Inc.

Altoona, PA

J.P. Vincent & Son, Inc. Galena, IL

Jacson, Inc. Henderson, TX

Jefferson Concrete Corp. Watertown, NY

L-D Vault Service Chattanooga. TN

Lakeshore Burial Vault Co. Brookfield, WI

Ludlow Burial Vault Co. Ludlow, MA

Marion Vault Works Marion. IN

Master Grave Service Athens, GA

Mercer Vault Company Fredericksburg, VA

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, II.

Phenix Vault

Phenix City, AL

Pioneer Vault, Inc. Doylestown, PA

Precast Concrete Products Inc. Blissfield, MI

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

Superior Vault Company LTD Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Swan's Concrete Products Westbrook, ME

Turner Vault Company Toledo, OH

Wayne Burial Vault Co., Inc. Indianapolis, IN

Welte Vault Co. Danbury, IA

West Plains Vault & Mfg. Co. Pomona, MO

Wieser Precast/Doric Vault Co. La Crescent, MN

Wieser Precast Stewartville, MN

Wilbert Burial Vault Co. Atlanta, GA

Willmar Precast Co. Willmar, MN

Winchester Building Supply Winchester, VA

Zeiser Wilbert Vault Elmira. NY

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8

NCBVA BULLETIN

October 1999

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October 1999 NCBVA BULLETIN 9

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.

10 NCBVA BULLETIN

October 1999

If You Have Employees, You Must Comply With OSHA

BY EARL J. BRUTSCRE

/ n my travels, I still find vault manufacturers who really don't know even the basics about OSHA. If you have one or more employees, you are an employer. If you are an employer, you are obligated to comply with the

Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act). It doesn't just apply to factories and construction

sites—or only to hazardous jobs. It applies to all employers. Office work is covered. Retail stores are covered. If you employ anyone to do any kind of work, you must observe the OSH Act.

Employers are cited even when the OSHA violation is en employee's fault, such as failure to wear a hard hat, safety shoes or goggles. OSHA places the onus on employers.

There is no small business exception. Employers with 10 or fewer employees don't have to keep injury/ illness records and are exempted from some OSHA inspections, but they must comply with all OSHA safety and health standards and requirements.

How OSHA Is Enforced There are approximately 2000 OSHA inspectors stationed in various places across the

country. They conduct unannounced inspections of places where people are at work. If they discover conditions or practices that they think are in violation of OSHA requirements—and they nearly always do—citations and penalties against the employer will soon follow.

About half the inspectors are federal employees. The others are state employees. The people that run the OSHA program where you work depends on the state that you are in. The federal government enforces OSHA in 29 of the 50 states. State government employees run the program in the other 21 states.

There are literally thousands of OSHA regulations. It's impossible to try to come up with an accurate count because many of them incorporate by reference privately-developed standards that have never been printed n the Federal Register and are not always accessible.

Many OSHA standards are so vague and ambiguous that they can be interpreted any way an OSHA inspector wants to interpret them. Some inspectors boast that they can find OSHA violations whenever and wherever they choose. No person with any experience in this field will dispute that.

To obtain additional information you can contact Moran Associates at 919 18th Street, NW. Suite 800, Washington, D.C. 20006, or any local OSHA office. In addition to information and assistance in understanding OSHA requirements, local offices can furnish you with the basic publications you need such as:

The OSHA workplace poster: "Job Safety and Health Protection." The OSHA record keeping requirements. Copies of OSHA standards. A large selection of publications concerned with safe work practices, control of hazardous substances, employer and employee rights and responsibilities, and other subjects.

You can contact the OSHA area office by telephone, by mail, or in person without fear of triggering an OSHA inspection. However, do not request OSHA to visit your workplace. Such a visit could trigger citations and fines if a violation existed. If you want advice or on-site consultation, contact the consultation service for your state for a courtesy inspection.

News and Notes Cemen Tech, Inc. has completed the

machinery directive of the CE Certification (Conformite Europeenne) that symbolizes that the product line has been reviewed and meets certain levels of safety standards required by European law. The certification is part of Cemen Tech's major expansion into the European market and other areas of the world. As a result of the CE process, the Cemen Tech product line has incorporated new safety features that will now be standard equipment on the entire product line.

Hardy Doric is pleased to announce that Sheila Hardy, has been elected executive director of the Northeast Concrete Producers Association.

—Succession planning consultant and former executive director of the International Order of the Golden Rule, Dale R. Rollings, has published Evit Laughing: What Every Business Owner Must Know Before Thinking a/ Selling, The book covers a variety of retirement and succession planning issues both for those interested in selling and for those who plan to pass their businesses on to the next generation.

Funeral and cemetery services giant, Stewart Enterprises decided to buy back up to 5 percent of its outstanding common stock , or approximately 5.6 million shares. Joseph Henican, Ill, vice chairman and CEO said, "...We believe that this repurchase program represents a prudent use of our capital and an effective way to reinvest in ourselves, while maintaining a strong balance sheet and sufficient financial resources to pursue other attractive investment opportunities that may become available."

—World of Concrete 2000 will feature the largest educational program in its 26 year history. A total of 83 sessions are slated for the five day program that runs Sunday through Thursday, February 20- 24, 2000 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.

October 1999

NCBVA BULLETIN

11

Water travels the path of least resistance. At Wilbert l we put everything we can in its path. We offer three levels of lined burial

vaults: premium, standard and basic protection. Bell vaults or concrete boxes

don't compare to the design and construction advances 89 years of research and development

have produced. What customers think of you is due in large part to what they think

of the products you recommend. And when you lose face, you lose business. Give us a

call, you'll see that integrity can't be imitated.

Odint Wilbert Funeral Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 147 Forest Park, IL 6030-0147 2913 Gardner Road Broadview, IL 60153-4488

708-865-1600 Fax 708-865-1646 1-888-WILBERT

12

NCBVA BULLETIN October 1999

Year 2000 Convention Cruise

June 11-16, 2000 Join the National Concrete Burial Vault Association

for its millennium year convention cruise aboard the "Majesty of the Seas"!

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE Saturday, June 10, 2000

Travel and Arrival at Biscayne Bay Marriott Hotel, Miami, Florida

Sunday, June 11, 2000 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. NCBVA Annual Membership Meeting - Biscayne Bay Marriott Hotel 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. NCBVA Program Featuring Prominent Speaker - Biscayne Bay Marriott Hotel 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Exhibitors Showcase Cocktail Reception

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 NCB VA friends to ports of call in Nassau and Coco Cay, Bahamas and Key West, Florida. Cabins are limited so make your reservation today!

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

Note: Saturday and Sunday night stay at Biscayne Bay Marriott Hotel will be an additional fee. All in-port tours are optional.

Mix Education With Pleasure-Just Add Water! For more information call NCBVA at (800) 538-1423

Monday, June 12, 2000 8:00 a.m. - Noon NCBVA Program Noon - 2:00 p.m. NCBVA Luncheon Featuring Guest Speaker 2:00 p.m. Busses Depart Hotel for Cruise Terminal 3:00 p.m. Royal Caribbean Cocktail Reception Welcoming NCBVA 5:00 p.m. Ship Sails for Bahamas

Tuesday, June 13, 2000 8:00 a.m. - 10 a.m. NCBVA Shipboard Educational Seminar 10:00 a.m. Ship arrives in Nassau, Bahamas

Wednesday, June 14, 2000 3:00 a.m. Ship leaves Nassau Bahamas 8:00 a.m. Ship arrives at CocoCay, Bahamas 5:00 p.m. Ship departs CocoCay, Bahamas

Thursday, June 15, 2000 10:00 a.m. Ship arrives Key West, Florida 5:30 p.m. Ship departs Key West, Florida

Friday, June 16, 2000 9:00 a.m. Ship returns to Miami

Registration fees are based on double occupancy per cabin and include accommodations, and meals per person. Reduced prices are offered for 3rd/4th guests, including infants and children, who share accommodations with two full-price paying adults. Single occupants must pay the full double occupancy rate (rate below x2) or contact NCBVA and we can try to match you up with a roommate.

Cabin Category: Category F Category H Category K Category N

Member x $749 x $699 x $649 x $599

Non Member x $849 x $799 x $749 x $699

3rd/4th Person in Same Cabin x $499 x $499 x $499 x $499

Port Service Fee x $85 x $85 x $85 x $85

Departure Tax x $3 x $3 x $3 x $3

Attendees! All attendees are re- quired to pay the Depar- ture and Port Service Fee.

Cabins are assigned on a first come, first served basis.

Gratuities are not in-cluded

October 1999

NCBVA BULLETIN

13

NCBVA Cruise 2000 - Convention Registration Form June 11-16, 2000 - Majesty of the Seas - Miami

Name of Company

Mailing Address

City, State, Zip Code

Telephone Number Fax Number

Registrants: (Please indicate which registrants are children.)

First Name Last Name Nickname (for name badge)

Registration fees per person (Indicate number of registrants per rate)

Total Registration Fees $

*Non-members who join NCBVA within 30 days of the convention may apply the $100 non-member difference toward their annual dues.

PAYMENT INFORMATION -- in order to process your registration, we need either a check for payment in full or credit card information. Refunds less a $100 administrative fee will be provided if cabin can be resold prior to sailing. I hereby authorize NCBVA to process my registration for the NCBVA Convention on the credit card listed below.

CI Check (Make check payable to NCBVA, mail with this completed form) CI MasterCard CI Visa CI American Express

Special Needs It is important to us that you enjoy NCBVA's conference. If you have any special needs, please contact us and we will do our best to assist you.

Card Number Expiration Date:

Print Name (As It Appears on Card)

Signature

Mail or fax (credit card registration only) this form to: NCBVA * 900 Fox Valley Drive Suite 204, Longwood, FL 32779-2552 * Phone: (407) 788-1996 * Fax: (407) 774-6751

THE LOGAN VAULT HANDLER By Axis Corporation

14

NCBVA BULLETIN

October 1999

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 axisabriqht net www.bright.netPwaxis CALL FOR INFORMATION ON OUR NEW OPTIONS LIST AND OUR

DISINTERMINT MODEL

T.

Plan now for the Year 2000 Convention Cruise

JUNE 11-16, 2000

October 1999

NCR VA BULLETIN 15

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!

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

FIRST CLASS Address Correction Requested

Quality's So Important It's A Part of Their Name BY J. C. CLIFTON

Director, District 5

I was first introduced to the vault business in 1975 in Goldsboro, NC where I worked for Mack Arnold who became NCBVA president in 1978. At that time, vaults were moved around the

cemetery on wooden rollers with brute strength and a pry bar. In 1981, Ileft North Carolina and went to work in Des Moines, Iowa for John Williams who also served as president of NCBVA.

I moved to Houston, Texas and started Quality Burial Vaults in July 1988. The plant occupies a 32,000 square foot clear-span building with a 24 ft. eave height. Quality manufactures a complete line of outside enclosures from a concrete rough box to a copper lined burial vault. Single and double depth lawn crypts are also produced. During a normal day of production at the plant a crew of five men will pour 18 to 20 yards of concrete. The delivery area that spans a 60-mile radius of Houston is handled with two trucks and two drivers. One reason this is possible is that most of the deliveries are drops only at the cemetery. Since the cemeteries do the vault setting and installation, there is no need for ABV to provide tents, chairs, grass, casket, or vault lowering devices, additional trucks, or extra manpower required to set the vault. This is a huge saving to the vault plant. Quality Burial Vault also has three distribution centers outside the 60-mile delivery radius.

The word "quality" means much more to us than just part of our name. The plant was first inspected by NCBVA in 1993 and received a Five Star rating. We were inspected again in March 1999, and were again certified. Producing a good quality product, selling at a fair price and providing prompt, courteous delivery will win you

J.C. Clifton, manager of Quality Burial Vaults, hands the keys to the new MCD-100-8 Mobile Concrete Unit to employee Marshall Billow who is in charge of the concrete vault production. The unit is made by Cemen-Tech and is mounted on a 1999 Freightliner cab and chassis.

customers and future business. You must be willing to meet change with an open mind, address the change and the needs of your customers and treat your customers with respect and dignity at all times.

There will always be a need for an outer enclosure at the cemetery. Whether it is one of yours or one of your competitors depends solely on you. I am reminded of a small vault plant a few years back that had their vault delivery/set up men wear clean shop coats and neckties when they stood at the end of the lowering device to assist the pall bearers in placing the casket on the lowering device—an added professional touch.

You control your own destiny in this business so take care of your customers, adapt to change and stay focused!