Service Corporation International, Dignity(R), NYSE:SCI has been changing the NAME of Preneed Recently to funeral insurance. Preneed has been really having a bad time lately. There has been a triad of historic Preneed Funeral Scandals: The NPS (National Prearranged Services), The Illinois Funeral Directors Association Preneed Funeral Scam, and the recent California Funeral Directors Association Scandal.
They have been doing it at their North Carolina Dignity(R) site.
Changing the name of Something that has a bad name does not change what it is or or it’s reputation.
Funeral Industry|Funeral News|Funeral Blog by Your Funeral Guy
The Commonwealth of Virginia has reacted to the Veterans Corpse abuse that was reported in April 2009 at National Funeral Home (a Service Corporation International, NYSE: SCI Funeral Home), in Falls Church, VA.
Mistreatment of Veterans bodies was reported at this SCI property in 2009 according to the Washington Post.
There is the imposition of a $50,000 Fine and six unannounced Inspections by the Virginia Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers.
This is nothing in light of how the bodies were mishandled at the National Funeral Home in Falls Church, VA.
The Virginia Legislature however did pass a new law that will help prevent abusing of the Dead by NYSE:SCI and others in that State.
“Del. Kenneth Cooper Alexander (D-Norfolk), the only licensed funeral director in the General Assembly, sponsored legislation that requires bodies to be refrigerated and requires a funeral home to tell family members where — and under what conditions — the deceased will be stored before burial or cremation. The House and Senate unanimously passed the bill, which takes effect July 1.
“We should honor and treat our dead with dignity,” Alexander said. “The conditions that are in the bill, I seriously believe that they are needed and are good for the industry. It was an effort by everyone to do the right thing.” via www.washingtonpost.com
Funeral Industry| Funeral News|Funeral Blog by Your Funeral Guy
National funeral Home is located on the grounds of National Cemetery.
Counting Down to Number 1 of the Top 100 Funeral News stories of 2009, the last count is 25-1. Several Last minute stories probably should be in the top 100.Some of those posts maybe, Batesville enters the cemetery (vault) business,the almost funerals of Flight 253, returning Iraq Veterans and the Funeral Business ,The Batesville Demise of 09, funerals from the Flight of AF 447, National memorial Services in 2009 , as well as SCI and their special Deals with the FTC.
The most important stories of 2009 are Walmart Selling caskets and the Facebook Memorial. The handling of Digital Assets in a funeral arrangement will be an Important Funeral News Story in the years ahead. I have received threats, threats of lawsuits, website hacks, and been booted out of forums because of my Funeral News stories written from the Consumers perspective.
Here ae the Top 25 Funeral Stories of 2009:2(5.25)
24 . Service Corporation International, mishandled the Kennedy Funeral From a funeral directors perspective Service corporation International totally mishandled the Kennedy Funeral in Front of 4 Living Presidents! They Nation watched and waited in wasted air time because Teddy did not get to the cemetery on time.
13. SCI Denies wrong doing in Veterans Corpse Abuse ScandalService Corporation International seems never to admit wrong doing and finds a way to pay themselves out of any scandal- EvenVeterans Corpse Abuse for those headed to Arlington National Cemetery from National Funeral Home.
11.Brittany Murphy Death and Funeral|has celebrity death gone too far n 2009?The death of this young star near the end of 2009 is the focus many, as the world focused on Celebrities and their funerals in 2009.
10.Service Corporation International’s Burr Oak Cem. ScandalThe Scandal at Service Corporation International outside Los Angeles at Eden Memorial Park. was worse than Burr Oak cemetery Scandal outside Chicago. This Scandal received little National Press.
4.Michael Jackson MemorialThe Michael Jackson Memorial Service may be the most viewed Funeral Of All Time.
3.Sadly|Pics,Places,Logo Virginia SCI Body Desecrations This World’s Largest Funeral Corporation, Service Corporation International is given the Nickname Big Death in 2009 by the company employees. In Houston SCI is known the Enron evil. The Funeral company’s reputation for scandal is known to most Americans.
2. When someone dies setup a Facebook MemorialThe Facebook memorial has awakened the Funeral Industry to the importance of the online obituary, Facebook participation and digital assets.
1 .Walmart Selling caskets online Walmart selling caskets has frightened the Funeral Industry. Industry leadership says no big deal but the fact that caskets are being sold at Walmart has opened the mind of consumers to funeral purchase options beyond the Funeral Director.
Did I miss your funeral story? Please let me know with a comment.
Disagree? Leave a comment.
Funeral Industry|Funeral Blog by Your Funeral Guy.
Latebreaking 09- Funeral and Cemetery Industry News- Batesville Casket is doing a test entrance into the Cemetery (Vault)Industry in 2010.
Batesville Casket Company Struck out in 2009
On the whole Funeral providers do not work both sides of the aisle. Sometimes funeral homes sell grave markers but mostly Big corporations like Service Corporation International, Stewart Enterprises and others are the ones capable of pulling this off. Batesville (Hillenbrand, Inc, HI), Service Corporation International -NYSE:SCI, And Stewart Enterprises Inc STEI Have all embraced financial disaster in 2009 .
Local Warehousing is key ingredient in making this work. Batesville has those facilities.
FOR THE FUNERAL CONSUMER THIS IS ALL GOOD. More competition on this level will help families have lower funeral expenses and come in Under the average cost of a funeral.
This is significant funeral news to report on the last day of the year in 2009.
It only confirms what I have thought all year. THERE IS NO JOY IN BATESVILLE, THE MIGHTY BATESVILLE CASKET COMPANY HAS STRUCK OUT.
Funeral Industry| Funeral News Blog by Your Funeral Guy.
The Countdown Of the top Funeral News Stories of 2009 is winding down.2009 saw the Funeral News dominated by Celebrity Deaths, the Burr Oak Cemetery Scandal outside Chicago, The Illinois Funeral Directors Association Preneed Ponzi Scheme, The World’s Largest Funeral Corporations continued abuse of the dead, and bad funeral corporation financial reports.