The families of 147 fallen first responders were served in 2013 by Commemorating First Responders, a philanthropic program of Wilbert Funeral Services, Inc. (WFSI). The program, which was introduced in January 2012, donates burial vaults and urns and a graveside service to first responders who have died in the line of duty.
Families of firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency medical personnel receive, at no charge, a Wilbert Stainless Steel Triune® burial vault when traditional burial is chosen. If cremation is chosen, Wilbert offers families a choice from four high-quality urns; if the cremains are to be buried, a Stainless Steel Triune urn vault is also provided. Each vault comes with a Wilbert Legacy Custom® personalized carapace, donated by Legacy Prints, one of WFSI’s vendor partners.
The nearly 200-strong network of Wilbert Licensees shares in the contribution of the vault and urn, but also provide, where permitted, a WilbertWay™ graveside setup. The display of the personalized carapace on the vault cover at the graveside adds to the commemoration of the fallen hero. The final sealing and lowering of the vault is also part of the WilbertWay service.
In 2013, the program served a diverse range of fallen first responders across North America. The summary of service organizations and fallen heroes are as follows:
Fire 64
Law Enforcement 68
EMS 15
“The First Responder community has been extremely appreciative of the help the Wilbert network is providing to the families who are experiencing a line of duty death. Information about the program is spreading thanks to the assistance of Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS), National EMS Memorial Service and National Fallen Firefighters (NFFF) who have assisted families in their time of need and witnessed their reactions when told that Wilbert is donating a burial vault or cremation product. Since its inception in 2012, the program has served 260 first responders and their families,” said Terry Whitlock, WFSI executive vice president.
The Funeral Professionals who provide the service to the families also play a vital role in the success of the Commemorating First Responders program. WFSI invites funeral professionals and others to contact a Wilbert licensee or visit www.wilbert.hmsbox.com/responders to learn how to participate in this program commemorating heroic lives, sacrificed in valiant service to local communities.
Wilbert Funeral Service Incorporated is a licensor of Wilbert burial vaults and cremation urns, and is the industry leader with a network of nearly 200 Licensees serving funeral homes and cemeteries throughout North America. Visit www.wilbert.com and the Commemorating First Responders Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/WilbertFuneralServices for more information.
