March 12, 2015– Austin, TX – The International Order of the Golden Rule’s (OGR) Director of Golden Services Group, Connie Haymes, attended The Foresight Companies’ Aftercare and Outreach Seminar on Feb. 26-27 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Ms. Haymes noted, “Families expect funeral professionals to provide a greater number of support resources long after the funeral. This seminar helped us identify ways OGR can help its members offer valuable ongoing assistance to families struggling with grief without straining their funeral homes’ budgets or adding staff.”
Seminar facilitator, Dan Isard, President, The Foresight Companies, said, “I have been working alongside funeral directors for a long time, and I know for many directors and owners, funeral service is their ministry. Aftercare and outreach programs are effective ways they can to turn their passion for caring into action.” Co-facilitator Erin Whitaker, Financial Business and Management, The Foresight Companies, added, “Being a licensed funeral director myself, I recognize the challenges of trying to provide the highest level of care for those who have experienced a death of a loved one. This seminar brings together the best ideas and proven strategies learned in practice on the most important issue in funeral service – care of the survivors.”
Because of Isard and Whitaker’s many years’ experience with training funeral professionals to provide aftercare and outreach resources, OGR has enlisted The Foresight Companies to create an exclusive OGR Aftercare Program. That program is expected to be launched mid-year.
“It was an information-packed two days in which we collaborated with The Foresight Companies and funeral service colleagues,” Ms. Haymes stated. “We learned new ways to better serve our communities, and that is always time well spent.” OGR members firms will have an opportunity to learn about the Golden Rule Aftercare Program at OGR’s Annual Conference and Supplier Showcase in Orlando, Florida, April 22-25.
About OGR
Founded in 1928, OGR is affiliated with independent funeral homes throughout North America and overseas that share the common goals of exemplary service, uncompromising care and compassion to families in their time of need. For more information, go to www.ogr.org.
