ICCFA Cremation Coaching Center Goes Live!

The International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association will take its online Cremation Coaching Center (www.cremationcoach.com) Live! at the ICCFA 2011 Convention & Exposition, March 8-11 at Mandalay Bay.

ICCFA Cremation Coaches Julie A. Burn, CCrE, CSE, Poul Lemasters, Esq., Larry Stuart Jr. and Ron Salvatore will lead a variety of cremation-related breakout sessions at the convention:

The Cremation Customer?This special 3.5-hour session will provide dozens of proven tools and best practices for improving the cremation arrangement conference. Introduced and moderated by ICCFA Director of Cremation Services Julie Burn, its presenters will be:

? Kent Roduck, owner/manager of Island Funeral Service Ltd., Campbell River, British Columbia, sharing 12 secrets to growing and remaining profitable in a high-cremation market.

? Kara Gray Ludlum, owner of Lawton Ritter Gray Funeral Home in Lawton, Oklahoma, and Marty Ludlum, Ph.D., professor of legal studies at the University of Central Oklahoma, examining how to use today?s latest technology to make the cremation arrangement process more efficient, organized and error-free.

? Marty Strohofer, Aurora Casket Company director of creative marketing, discussing ways to handle common challenges to today?s cremation arrangement, including how to get information to families early, how to proceed when all decision makers cannot be present and how to adjust preneed plans when necessary.

? Nectar Ramirez, director of sales for Options by Batesville, providing up-to-date cremation consumer research and a five-step system for driving both increased revenues and greater family satisfaction.

Alkaline Hydrolysis Summit?This two-hour panel discussion will bring together top stakeholders to discuss this emerging, and in some cases controversial, form of disposition, including a wide range of legal, operational and marketing concerns.

Moderated by attorney and funeral director Poul Lemasters of Lemasters Consulting, Cincinnati, Ohio, its panelists will include: Bill McQueen, president and co-owner, Anderson-McQueen Family Tribute Centers, St., Petersburg, Florida; Bradley Carlson, president, Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Vancouver, Washington; Steve Schaal, president ? North America Region, Matthews International; Larry Stuart Jr., president, Crematory Manufacturing & Service; and Russ Cooper, director of business development, Water Resolution.

The Cremation Case: A Step-by-Step Guide to Avoiding Liability?This session will take you from the first call through the return of the cremation remains, with a look at the potential operational and legal pitfalls involved in each step of the cremation process.

Jim Starks, CFuE, CCrE, J. Starks Consulting, Lutz, Florida, will share his real-world perspective as a long-time operations and compliance officer, while attorney and funeral director Poul Lemasters will offer solutions for limiting liability.

Crematory Operator Tricks and Tips?This highly practical session led by Larry Stuart Jr., president of Crematory Manufacturing & Service, Tulsa, Oklahoma, will offer a look at specific cremation cases and how to most effectively, efficiently, safely and responsibly process each case within the crematory.

Improving the Efficiency of Your Pet Crematory?Jon Remkus, manager, Hinsdale Animal Cemetery & Crematory, Willowbrook, Illinois, and Ron Salvatore, Matthews International, will share their research into the body mass and makeup of specific pet breeds and the very practical ramifications of that research for your crematory.

In addition to the Cremation Coaching Center Live!, the ICCFA Convention & Exposition offers educational sessions on a wide variety of funeral and cemetery topics as well as networking receptions and a trade show with more than 400 booths.

The complete Convention program and registration information can be obtained by visting www.iccfaconvention.com or by calling 1.800.645.7700.

The ICCFA online Cremation Coaching Center offers resources, tools and support to help cemeteries, funeral homes and crematories better serve cremation families. Visit www.cremationcoach.com.