Reliable Funeral Supply Offers the Products You Need to Serve Niche Cultures and Beliefs
Today’s U.S. population is more diverse than ever before, and chances are you’ll be serving families of varied ethnicities and backgrounds and with different cultural traditions or religious beliefs than you’ve encountered before. You’re no doubt nimble enough to provide personalized services to meet their needs, are you also equipped with the products these families would prefer? If the answer is no, don’t worry; Carlos George and his team at Reliable Funeral Supply are here to help.
“We believe there’s a place for funeral homes to have items that resonate with all loved ones from any cultural populations,” explains George, President and Owner of Reliable Funeral Supply. “Some funeral homes within a certain community will offer products for the people they serve most often, but others can call us and we’ll send specialty items in a certain language or design by the next or second day.”
New additions to an impressive collection
Reliable Funeral Supply has become known within the deathcare industry for their exclusive line of products featuring the breathtaking work of Italian painter Adolfo Simeone. The George family’s partnership with Milan’s Cromo N.B., the world’s leading producer of religious art, allows Reliable to offer Simeone’s creations on a variety of items, including register books, prayer and acknowledgement cards, and even casket panels. These Cromo N.B. designs, which are available in multiple languages, have resonated with and have become treasured keepsakes for Catholic families.
Recently, Reliable introduced four new product lines specifically designed by Cromo N.B. for Vietnamese, Filipino, Chinese, and Buddhist families. Each offers exquisite images that resonate with these particular beliefs as well as pages available in the community’s predominant languages:
- Our Lady of La Vang and Divine Mercy register books and cards tailored for Vietnamese Catholic families,
- Infant of Prague register book and prayer cards for Filipino families who follow the Catholic faith,
- Our Lady of China register book with Mandarin pages, and
- Buddha Funeral register book with a respectful image of Buddha and Buddhist pages.
“We understand that every family and every culture is unique,” George adds. “These new Funeral Register Books are a testament to our commitment to diversity and inclusivity. We strive to provide families with the tools they need to celebrate the lives of their loved ones in a way that reflects their cultural and religious backgrounds. Our aim is to ensure that every farewell is a heartfelt and meaningful tribute.”
Our Lady of La Vang
Our Lady of La Vang and her history hold significant cultural and historical importance in Vietnam. During the 18th century, the growing Catholic population in Vietnam were persecuted as they were considered a threat to the Nguyen dynasty rulers.
In 1798, a group of Catholics sought refuge in the jungle near La Vang to escape this oppression. As they prayed the rosary, the Virgin Mary appeared to them in the form of a beautiful woman dressed in traditional Vietnamese clothing. She comforted and encouraged them, and told them how to treat their illnesses using leaves from the surrounding trees. After Mary’s appearance, it is believed that a spring flowing with healing waters appeared at the site, drawing pilgrims seeking physical and spiritual healing. The site of the apparition received official recognition as a shrine from the Catholic Church in 1886.
Today, Our Lady of La Vang is considered the Patroness of Vietnam and is venerated by Vietnamese. Symbolizing faith, hope, and resilience in the face of adversity, she continues to inspire Catholics and others alike.
Reliable Funeral Supply’s Our Lady of La Vang register book is offered in both English and Vietnamese languages, with optional prayer cards available in the same design.
The Infant of Prague
The Infant of Prague image, depicting Jesus as a child, is held dear by Filipino families, particularly during funeral services. Filipino families often incorporate images or statues of the Infant of Prague into their funeral customs, and offer prayers and hymns dedicated to him during the service.
For people of Filipino culture, the Infant of Prague image resonates with their reverence for children and family. They see the image of Christ as both innocently vulnerable and protective, with his ornate clothing symbolizing royalty and divine care. This depiction encourages devotees to place their trust in Him with childlike faith, especially during times of sorrow. Loved ones believe that the Infant of Prague intercedes on behalf of the deceased and their own families.
Two versions of the Infant of Prague image, both exquisitely beautiful, are available as prayer cards and register books — including options in the Filipino Tagalo language.
More niche products
These four new products join Reliable Funeral Supply’s already vast and diverse lineup of niche products for a variety of beliefs and backgrounds. A great number of products are available in Spanish language versions to cater to the Hispanic market, and even more products are in development to serve Jewish and Christian families. Reliable even offers products featuring the Celtic cross, Masonic emblems, and Mormon images.
For those funeral directors who don’t often serve families of diverse beliefs, George is making it easier for you to find and present culture-specific products.
“We know there is a learning curve for funeral homes who aren’t familiar with the beliefs and customs of some of the populations our products serve,” says George. “But we know you want to be well-versed in what’s available to the families you serve. We’re working on some presentation pages you can show the family when you recognize they are part of a particular community. We hope to educate the funeral home staff on these items and how to present them to families.”
For more information about Reliable Funeral Supply’s new products, or any product in their extensive inventory, please visit www.reliablefuneralsupply.com or call 818-547-1390.
