In this issue. . . • New President’s Message ..........3• 2004 Board Installed ..................6• Great Customer Service ............8• Changing Selling Methods ........16• Certified Plants..........................20

Building a Strong FutureIs New President’s Goal

Continued on page 6

By Sylvia HeidemannNCBVA Staff Writer

Don’t miss the great photos

from the Las Vegas convention

on pages 12 - 13!

Vol. 19 ■■ No. 2 ■■ April 2004

The NCBVA’s new president, John (“J.C.”) Clifton, has a strong construction background, a plus for his leadership role in the association. Installed at the recent annual conference in Las Vegas, J.C. believes the NCBVA is definitely needed to promote consistency and performance

standards of burial vaults throughout the industry.“More needs to be done to educate consumers about the importance of burial vaults,”

he asserts. “One way to get to consumers in the proper atmosphere, where we’re actually welcome to provide the information peoplewant, is through the churches. More andmore today, churches are asking for ‘deathcare’ talks for their members. Weshould be ready to meet these opportunities and make use of thebrochures that have been recently developed by the Marketing Committee.”

J.C. has been a very active and proactiveindividual all his life. Born and raised inMobridge, SD, he left that state after highschool graduation and started working inthe mobile home construction industry—first in Washington, then California, andfinally North Carolina. He was manager ofconstruction for Fleetwood Enterprises,one of the largest mobile/modular home builders.

Concerning his responsibilities at Fleetwood, J.C. says he spent a lot of time catching planes and living out of suitcases, working on building six to seven construction plants at one time. He was getting tired of this routine, and then entered the burial vault industry about 30 years ago in an effort to minimize travel and time away from home. J.C. made one more move to Iowa, where he looked after six burial vault construction plants for John Williams Co.

Sixteen years ago, J.C. accepted an offer from Service Corporation International to move toHouston and start a burial vault plant there. He’s since been manager of their company, Quality Burial Vault. The company has 10 employees.

J.C. and his wife Lauren, recently retired from teaching, share an out-of-the-ordinary hobby/community service. Both are graduates of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Police Academy. They volunteer their time with some very worthwhile children’s programs, such

Lauren and J.C. Clifton at NCBVAinstallation banquet

as fingerprinting children at events (rodeos, ballgames and other outings). They are

2 NCBVA BULLETIN April 2004

April 2004 NCBVA BULLETIN 3

National Concrete Burial Vault Association, Inc.900 Fox Valley Drive, Suite 204Longwood, Florida 32779-2552

http://www.ncbva.org(800) 538-1423 Fax: (407) 774-6751

President’s MessageBy J.C. Clifton

PresidentJ.C. Clifton

Quality Burial Vault Co.Houston, TX

President-Elect Graham MacLeod

Detroit Wilbert Vault Co.Detroit, MI

Secretary/TreasurerDarren Baxter

Baxter Burial Vault ServiceCincinnati, OH

Immediate Past PresidentDan Hicks

Hicks IndustriesMiami, FL

DirectorsMartin Begun

Eagle Burial Vault AssociationDetroit, MI

Warren ChandlerMaster Grave Service, Inc.

Bogart, GA

Michael CrummittCrummitt and Son Vault Co.

Martins Ferry, OH

Linda Darby SempsrottTrigard Vaults / Greenwood Plastics

Danville, IL

Stephen HatfieldHicks Industries, Inc.

Mulberry, FL

Hubert McQuestionLakeshore Burial Vault Co.

Brookfield, WI

Todd SwihartSaginaw Wilbert Vault Corp.

Saginaw, MI

Steve VincentJ.P. Vincent & Son, Inc.

Galena, IL

Scott WattsWatts Vault & Monument Co.

Des Moines, IA

Curt ZamecWilbert Funeral Services, Inc.

Forest Park, IL

Executive DirectorThomas A. Monahan, CAE

Certified Association ManagementCompany

Longwood, FL

Legal CounselJ. Scott Calkins, Esq

Mar. 31-Apr. 3 OGR ConferenceGaylord Palms Resort, Orlando, FL

April 23-25 ICFSEB 100th Annual ConferenceSt. Louis, MO

August 18-21 CANA 86th Annual ConventionFairmont HotelVancouver, BC Canada

October 18-20 NFDA Annual ConventionNashville, TN

Calendar of Events

Another year has passed us by. I hope all who attended the NCBVAconvention in Las Vegas, NV returned home safely and gained a littleknowledge from our program speakers. It is always niceto see old friends and to make some new ones.

This past year we have had some great committees and lotsof work has been accomplished. Our Marketing Committee hasbeen very busy and I think they have come up with some excellent ideas and marketing pieces. The PerformanceStandards committee was also very busy updating the text in the Concrete Manual and also working to establish an A.S.T.M.Standard for concrete burial vaults. For all who served on thecommittees and were involved with their work, thank you foryour time and hard work.

As NCBVA members, vault plant owners, and vault businessmanagers, we need to become more involved in educating thepublic concerning what we produce and why our product is needed. This can be done through civic groups, churches, assisted living centers, and anywhere else you get an opportunity to talk about what you manufacture and how it’sused. Make use of the marketing brochures and videos produced by our MarketingCommittee.

Now we come to the big “C”-word and you all know what I am referring to. We cannotignore Cremation. We cannot turn our back on it and hope it will go away because, ladiesand gentlemen, it will not. Therefore, we need to really address it and do everything we can to market an urn vault. I don’t have all the answers on how to do this. However, we’dbetter get our foot in the door, so to speak, and get a piece of the action. You might entertain the idea of giving one or two urn vaults to show funeral homes how they couldbe set up at a memorial service to accept not only the cremains but a few personal mementos of the loved one as well.

I wish all members well and invite you to get involved with NCBVA. I am as closeas your telephone!

Tackling the “C” Word Head-on

Index of Advertisers

American Cemetery Supplies, Inc ......4Axis Corporation ..............................10B & L Cremation Systems, Inc...........7Cemetery Funeral Supply ................16Crescent Bronze Powder Co. ............11D & C Equipment ............................11Doric Inc. ............................................4Edgmont Metallic Pigment Co. ........19Holland Supply Inc. ............................5Long Machine Co. ............................18Matthews Cremation ..........................2Mixer Systems ..................................15Newline ............................................17Plastic Plaque, Inc.............................14T & J Manufacturing Corp. ..............19Trigard Vaults......................................9W. C. Cardinal ..................................14

4 NCBVA BULLETIN April 2004

BURIAL VAULTS

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Distributor of:Flags • Chairs

Frigid Lowering Devices

Special Thanks to Our2004 Conference

Sponsors & Exhibitors

PLATINUM SPONSORSWilbert Funeral Services, Inc.

GOLD SPONSORDoric Products, Inc.

Trigard Vaults/Greenwood Plastics

BRONZE SPONSORAcromix Systems

Adco Products, Inc. Edgmont Metallic Pigment, Inc.

Acromix/Elk River Machine Co.Adco Products, Inc.American Cemetery SuppliesAxis CorporationBekaert CorporationCargotecD & C Supply Co., Inc.Edgmont Metallic Pigment Co.

Forta CorporationFrigid Fluid Co.Long Machine Co.Mixer Systems, Inc.T & J Manufacturing Corp.Trigard Vaults/GreenwoodPlastics

EXHIBITORS

April 2004 NCBVA BULLETIN 5

VALUE VALUE VALUE Our commitment is to offer you the best value on the market.

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6 NCBVA BULLETIN April 2004

2004 Board of Directors:(Standing left to right) Scott Watts, Darren Baxter, Todd Swihart,Warren Chandler, Stephen Hatfield, Steve Vincent, Michael Crummitt, Graham MacLeod,Curt Zamec. Seated left to right: Hubert McQuestion, J.C. Clifton, Linda Darby Sempsrott,and Dan Hicks.

The National Concrete Burial Vault Asso-ciation installed new officers and directorsat its 2004 Annual Conference and Exposi-tion, Feb. 22-24 in Las Vegas, NV. J.C. Clifton,Quality Burial Vault of Houston, TX is thenew President. Graham MacLeod, DetroitWilbert Vault Co., Detroit, MI, is President-Elect. Darren Baxter, Baxter Burial Vault Ser-vice, Cincinnati, OH, is Secretary/Treasurer.New Directors include Michael Crummitt,Crummitt and Son Vault Co.; Martins Ferry,OH; Stephen Hatfield, Hick Industries, Mul-berry, FL; Hubert McQuestion, LakeshoreBurial Vault Co.,Brookfield, IL; Todd Swihart,Saginaw Wilbert Vault Corp., Saginaw, MI;and Scott Watts, Watts Vault & MonumentCo., Des Moines, IA. Returning to the boardto continue terms are Martin Begun, EagleBurial Vault Association, Detroit, MI; War-ren Chandler, Master Grave Service, Inc.,Bogart, GA; Linda Darby-Sempsrott, TrigardVaults/Greenwood Plastics, Danville, IL;Steve Vincent, J.P. Vincent & Son, Inc., Ga-lena IL; and Curt Zamec, Wilbert FuneralServices, Inc., Forest Park, IL. Past PresidentDan Hicks, Hicks Industries, Inc., also serveson the board of directors.

TEN PAST PRESIDENTS were in attendance at the recent NCBVA Conventionin Las Vegas. Standing left to right: Richard Wieser , Dan Hicks, Warren Chandler, DanWagner, Tim Brutsche, and Jim Wiens. Seated left to right, Hugh McQuestion, TomShank , William Maddox, Jr. and Earl Brutsche.

New Board Installed at 2004 Conference

also involved in RAD programs (RapeAggression Defense) for women and children and riding on patrol as extra eyesand ears for the officer.

Another pastime the Cliftons sharetogether is mule deer and wild hog hunting.They have getaway spots in East and WestTexas where they can enjoy the outdoorsand this sport.

The Clifton’s family includes threeadult children: Kim, an EMT educator inHouston who is now training to be a firefighter; Mike, who works at QualityBurial Vault with J.C.; and Tammy, a pediatrician in Ft. Worth, TX. Of course,there are five grandchildren, too, ranging in age from 18 months to 15 years old. Thecouple enjoys lavishing a lot of time andattention on them.

In looking forward to his term as president of NCBVA, J.C. says he wants tobe very open to new ideas to help the burialvault industry be more successful. Heencourages members to contact him directly to voice opinions and suggestions.

President, continued from page 1

April 2004 NCBVA BULLETIN 7

B & L Systems Inc, full pagead - on file

February page 7

8 NCBVA BULLETIN April 2004

“Raving fans” might be a bit of an exaggeration when it comes toconcrete burial vaults, but Jim Knight, trainer for the mega-successful Hard Rock Cafe restaurant chain, stresses that the principles for encouraging repeat business in the restaurant industryare equally important for the concrete burial vault industry.

Jim was the featured speaker for the second-day educational program held at the recent NCBVA Convention in Las Vegas. Theself-confident, hip, relaxed trainer for Hard Rock’s 35 training centers around the world expounded on three important points: (1) Decide what you want; (2) discover what your customer wants;and (3) deliver what your customer wants, plus one.

It’s difficult to argue against the strategies employed by a restaurant that started out as “The Great American Disaster” inLondon and which has evolved into a huge business that includes117 cafes and seven hotels in 42 countries.

“Successful companies have a shared mindset,” says Jim. “Forpoint #1 (decide what you want), make mission and vision statements, stress core values, create a five-year plan, then employannual tactics, weekly goals and a daily mindset.”

“Our vision at Hard Rock,” he reveals, “is that excellence is our standard. Nothing else will do. We want to create a memorableexperience for our guest, and, when we err, it’s always in favor of the guest.”

As far as staffing, certain fundamentals can’t be ignored, according to Jim. Only hire “rock stars” (the right people in the right place at the right time), properly schedule and staff, and make sure your staff is effectively trained.

For point #2, how can you determine what your customer wants? Ask. Burial vault companies can get feedback from funeraldirectors, for example. “This is not a guessing game,” says Jim. “Itwill be clear if you’re doing okay. The experiences your customer

Company President’s Job is Unique

See President, Page 8

A Three-Step PlanFor Creating “Raving Fans”

By Mike HenningAsk a business owner/president what hedoes to serve his company or to briefly outline his job description, and youranswer is likely to be something rangingfrom a blank stare or comments such asopen the mail, hire employees and whatev-er needs done. The point is this, most pres-idents of privately owned companies areunable to verbalize or identify how theyserve their company. However, they sureare busy and spend 60 to 70 hours per weekon the job.

The problem is when we approach management succession or contingencyplanning, if no one knows what the responsibilities are for the person in the

corner office, then how can potential successors know how to prepare them-selves for the top job? The purpose of thisarticle is to support private business ownersin their efforts to understand in concreteterms what it is they are responsible for andhow they serve their company. What makes each president’s job unique?Perhaps it’s the type of company and itsindustry, products, services and people. The president of a manufacturingcompany would tend to view the marketmore long-term than his/her counterpart inthe retail sector. The president of a construction business would be more intune with economic growth than the head

gets from you should be memorable, per-sonal, authentic andnatural.”

Why don’t cus-tomers come back forrepeat business? Jimsays 68 percent ofcustomers who don’treturn to a businesswere upset with the waythey were treated.

So, how can youdeliver, plus one? “Treat customers as if they were guests in yourhome,” Jim explains. He then asked attendees to think back on their first date or their first day on a new job, and the pains theytook to make everything just right.

Because one person can’t be responsible for all contact with customers, one must create an army of superstars. New training procedures emphasize mentor relationships. This means partneringnew employees with experienced colleagues to fill technical andleadership gaps. Recognize often and publicly when employees do well. Say “thank you” often. Rewards are very effective at keeping good employees. While not many companies can give Rolex watches for 10 years’ service (as Hard Rock Cafe does), suitable, affordable and appreciated rewards can be found.

Jim Knight’s “silver bullet” for repeat business is exemplified by (1) good employees who stick around; and (2) a positive customer experience (service and quality).

“Always keep in mind,” says Jim, “that values are what you say; methods are what you do. Values and methods have to match to create a culture for success.”

Jim Knight teaches service tips

of a restaurant operation or a computer salesand repair business. Primary focus seems to be the difference, but accountabilityremains the same.

Accountability is the one area that is moreintense at the top than any other position. It alone makes the president’s jobdifferent from all the others in the organization. Owner/presidents are accountable for setting goals, strategies toachieve the goals, human resource programs, external & internal key relationships, making key decisions, setting the standards and principles of operations, resource allocation,

April 2004 NCBVA BULLETIN 9

10 NCBVA BULLETIN April 2004

THE LOGAN VAULT HANDLERBy Axis Corporation

April 2004 NCBVA BULLETIN 11

Vault Master paints.The quality you demand,the speed you need.

Vault Master paints provide consistently beautiful finishes, job after job. And our new, improved water-based formula covers in one coat, saving you time and labor costs.

■ Metallics■ White and Black

Also available:■ Glitter■ Metallic Powders and Pastes■ Bronzing Liquids, Spray Cans

See for yourself. Call or write for our Metallic VaultMaster Color Card or samples. 1-800-445-6810

3400 N. Avondale Avenue Chicago, IL 60618Fax: 773-539-1131 www.crescentbronze.com

acquisitions and mergers, supervision, andfinance.Owner/presidents need to know about oper-ations, getting results, planning and organ-izing, commitment, communications, train-ing of subordinates, making sound judg-ments, delegating, developing a management team, being analytical, innovative and creative, and how to act in a crisis. Overall, they need to know how toproduce revenue via services or products,earn a profit, and conserve and protect theirproprietary knowledge, investment andpeople. Owners/presidents must be problem-solvers–hiring and firing, shifting suppliers,collections, cash flow shortage, personnel,key customer concern, retaining competitive market position, loose or tightcontrols, rules and regulations, gaining win-win solutions, labor relations, fittingthe right people to the right job and establishment of a professional com-pensation plan.

Typical Presidential Position DescriptionRelationships – Internally with owner(s),

board members, VPs, managers and keyemployees. Externally with customers,financial institutions, advisors, consultantsand suppliers.

The Job - The president must have effective skills in strategic planning, execution of value creation, product development, successful people develop-ment and team building. The presidentmust also be able to lead and motivate thecompany to capitalize on core strengths andcorrect weaknesses and to optimize thecompany’s reputation plus its human andfinancial resources. He also needs to workclosely with the board of directors and beresponsible for the agenda when outsidelegal counsel is required.

Job Domain - High-impact opportunitiesand projects will be formalized via projectmanagement or personal manager’s objectives with monitoring reviews ofresults. To lead direct reports to commitment and contributions company-wide and particularly in strategic planning.Hold managers accountable for developing

and fulfilling the vision/mission statementand resulting strategic business plans. Seeto it that the organization of each aspect ofthe company is sound, including: marketing/sales, customer service, operations efficiency, utilization of thephysical and financial resources and profitability. Presidents also make sure thata budgetary procedure is in place and isproperly administered; and that performance is measured.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities –Theseinclude qualities such as vision, assessmentof opportunities and risks, analytical, problem-solver, resourceful, self-starter,identifies problems and opportunities andacts upon them, communicator & good listener, delegator, uses modern businessmethods and information technology, andknows the value of the board.

Mike Henning is a consultant and speaker on family business issues. Thisarticle appeared in Mike Henning’s Family Firm Advisor newsletter.

President, con’t from page 8

12 NCBVA BULLETIN

Las Vagas ConferenceAttendees Were All

Winners!February 22-24,

2004The Venetian Hotel &

Casino

NCBVA BULLETIN 13

14 NCBVA BULLETIN April 2004

Since last summer, drivers along Highway 82 near the MississippiState University campus have been inquiring about the school’scemetery.

The rows of white, round-topped “tombstones” visible from the highway adjacent to MSU’s North Farm don’t mark final restingplaces. They are, instead, part of a turf grass research project.

“This is an economic-type study where we’re looking for grassthat can give us the best looking and performing turf for a cemeterywith the least amount of maintenance,” said Wayne Philley, aresearch associate with the Mississippi Agricultural and ForestryExperiment Station at MSU.

Last summer, six different turf grasses were installed as sod onthe North Farm. The tombstones are actually wood painted and cut to a size and shape to resemble markers in national cemeteries.

“Everything we’re doing simulates as much as possible whatyou would encounter in a cemetery,” Philley said. “The grassreceived just a minimum amount of fertilizer when it was sodded.Since then it’s been Mother Nature taking care of it. There’s beenno irrigation, no additional fertilization or anything else.”

At the end of the three-year study, the university’s Departmentof Plant and Soil Sciences will release its findings on which of thetested grasses offer the best quality turf and require the least mowing and other maintenance in a cemetery setting.Source: Mississippi State University

University Scientists Study Best Turf For Cemeteries

April 2004 NCBVA BULLETIN 15

Mixer Systems Econobatch plant is:Flexible – wide range of component choices and configurations to fit your EXACT need.

Accurate & Consistent – state-of-the-art load cells and computerized control means no more rejected batches.

Low Maintenance – few moving or mechanical parts to wear out and key parts are accessible for ease of service.Also, Mixer offers single-source responsibility. We design, manufacture and service all plant components and back them with a one-year product warranty.

To build your perfect plant just give us a call at 800 756-4937.Batch plants, mixers and related equipment, material handling and more – Mixer Systems is the

name

concrete product producers know and trust.

190 Simmons Avenue • P.O. Box 10 • Pewaukee, WI 53072-0010Phone: (262) 691-3100 • Fax: (262) 691-3184

email: info@mixersystems.com • www.mixersystems.com

NEWPerformanceProfitabilityAN

DDesigned for

16 NCBVA BULLETIN April 2004

As Population ChangesSo Must Selling Methods

AS OF JANUARY 1, 2003 THE # 1 TENT ON THEMARKET JUST GOT BETTER !!!

WE CAN NOW GUARANTEE ALL OUR CAST STEEL FIXTURES

FOR THE LIFE OF OUR FRAMES

15 x15 Steel Frame and Sunbrella Top - $1080.00 15 x15 Aluminum Frame and Sunbrella Top - $1160.00

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CEMETERY GRASS

P-6 Grass Set (2-6 x14, 2-6 x 8 & 2-T’s) - $270.00 P-6A Grass Set (4-6 x14, 2-6 x 8 & 2-T’s) - $410.00P-4 Grass Set (2-3 x 9, 2-3 x 8, 2-6 x 14)- $232.50

P-4A Grass Set (2-3 x 9, 2-3 x 8, 4-6 x 14) - $372.00

Samsonite 2200 Chairs Powder Coated Frames - $13.35

Samsonite 2200 Chairs Chrome Frames - $14.40

Hy-Lustre Chair Covers Plain - $14.95with monogramming or logos starting at $15.95

Frigid Lowering Devices All on Sale

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DO NOT BE FOOLED BY CHEAPER MODELSWITH PLASTIC OR WELDED FIXTURES

By Sylvia HeidemannNCBVA Staff Writer

“Substance in your industry equals peace of mind,” advertisingexpert Ann Bastianelli advised interested attendees at the AnnualConvention, held February 22 – 24 in Las Vegas. “Most of the time, you are dealing with people at the worst possible moments of their lives. You’ve got to make your product meaningful to them and give them peace of mind.”

As President of AnthologyConsulting, a marketing company in Indianapolis, IN, Ann understands the roles played by suppliers of services and productsin the deathcare industry. In doingresearch in order to advise a casketmanufacturer, she spent two days aweek with terminally ill patients andtheir families so she could relate ina very personal way to what it’s liketo be dying. As she says, “At thatpoint in your life, everything is colored with the fact that life as youknow it isn’t going to be that way much longer.”

“What matters most,” sheexplained, “is what they (your customers) think. To turn that to youradvantage, you’ve got to tell themwhat it meansto have a concreteburial vault—that they deserve thevery best.”

Ann gave some sobering demographics that belie the growth potential of the industry.Because our population is living longer (life expectancy is now 76 years old; up from 70 in 1960), there will be fewer deathsthrough 2010. Even a one percent growth in the death rate is unlikely.

Rapid Growth in Elder Age GroupHere are some more interesting facts related to this:• The most rapidly growing age group is 85+ (doubling by

2025 and five times by 2050);• Elders are 27 percent of the total population and 36 percent of

adults;• They account for 70 percent of the wealth;• They make up 66 percent of all stockholders;• They represent 32 million members of AARP, the top U.S.

lobbyist and the #2 non-profit association after the Catholic Church.

See Selling, page 19

April 2004 NCBVA BULLETIN 17

“LET’S SOLVE YOUR PROBLEM”

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$3,950.00 ............................Newkart from NLD & MStandard Equipment– 1 1/2 H.P. Motor, Gearbox,Disc-Brake, Constant Duty Solenoids, Lift Rollers,Disconnect Switch, Removable Tread-Plate, 2 Button Hoist, Switch, Onboard Battery Charger& Plug, Batteries Included.Call for more details: (636) 463-2062

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New Vault Turntable from NLD & M ..............................$650The Vault Turntable lets you hand turn a vault360 degrees in either direction for easier accessto tight spots.

18 NCBVA BULLETIN April 2004

Vault-Master VHV

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April 2004 NCBVA BULLETIN 19

VAULT LOWERING DEVICEby

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Selling, continued from page 16

Ann also highlighted that women are the key buyers for morethan 50 percent of the U.S. GDP, which means they make the crit-ical decisions on the details of the funeral ritual, as well as on theproducts and services purchased. In other words, don’t ignorewomen in your efforts to sell quality burial vaults.

Advice on New RealitiesThe advice Ann gave for dealing with the new realities on death

and dying was simple and straightforward:(1) Educate your customers. Elders will demand more attention

and knowledge. It’s up to you to partner with other funeral serviceproviders and teach your customers to make good decisions regard-ing end-of-life matters.

(2) Be the service authority that cares for its customers byadvising, packaging and choosing for them when they feel over-loaded.

(3) Promote awareness and champion end-of-life preparation.(4) Rethink your product and sell with emotional terms. Quality

is no longer the advantage it used to be. It’s expected. You mustappeal to the emotions and create desire for your products.

In summing up her presentation, one of the most unusual piecesof advice Ann gave to attendees was to become strategically for-getful. What does that mean? She pointed out that doing things dif-ferently is a way to access new learning. Act as if you had no cor-porate policies or procedures. Test new processes and differentapproaches. That one percent or less growth in the industry is goingto present some very big opportunities.

Ann left the audience with a quote from a rather unlikelysource: Jerry Garcia, founder of The Grateful Dead. He said: “Youdo not merely want to be considered the best of the best. You wantto be considered the ONLY ones who do what you do.”

20 NCBVA BULLETIN April 2004

NCBVA Certified Vault Manufacturing Plants

��Abel Vault & Monument Co.

Canton, ILAbel Vault & Monument Co.

Pekin, ILAmerican Concrete Industries

Bangor, MEAmerican Vault Co. Cleveland, OH

American Vault & Concrete Prod.Detroit, MI

Arnold-Wilbert Corp.Goldsboro, NC

Arrow Vault Co., Inc.Lafayette, IN

Atlas Concrete Products, Inc.Orlando, FL

Babylon Vault Co.New Windsor, MD

Baumgardner Products Co.Akron, OH

Baxter Burial VaultCincinnati, OH

Baxter Vault Co.Baxter Springs, KS

Beck Vault Co.Rome, NY

Beier Burial VaultsColumbus, WI

Brewster Vaults & MonumentsMillville, NJ

Brown-Wilbert, Inc.Morris, MN

Brown-Wilbert, Inc.St. Paul, MN

Bruns Norwalk Vault Co.Saint Louis, MO

Brutsche Concrete ProductsBattle Creek, MI

Brutsche Concrete ProductsBenton Harbor, MI

Buckeye Vault ServiceMansfield, OH

Bush Concrete Products, Inc.Muskegon, MI

C & M PrecastKerrville, TX

Calumet Wilbert Vault Co. Inc.Gary, IN

Carolina-Doric, Inc.Florence, SC

Central Burial Vaults, Inc.Marlow, OK

Central Burial Vaults, Inc.Oklahoma City, OK

Central Burial Vaults, Inc.Tulsa, OK

Central New York Vault Co.Cortland, NY

Century Vault Co., Inc.Barnstable, MA

Cheboygan Cement Products Co.Cheboygan, MI

Chesapeake Burial Vault Co.Ingleside, MD

Christy Vault Co., Inc.Colma, CA

Cooper Wilbert Vault Co.Middletown, DE

Cordeiro Vault Co., Inc.Vallejo, CA

Costello VaultsSmith Falls, Ontario, Canada

Creter Vault Corp.Flemington, NJ

Crummitt & Son Vault Corp.Martins Ferry, OH

D.G. Robertson, Inc.Williston, VT

Dardanelle Vault & Monument Dardanelle, AR

Delaware Valley Vault Co.,Philadelphia, PA

DePue Wilbert VaultSavannah, GA

Deihl Vault & Precast Co.Orangeville, PA

Detroit Wilbert Vault Corp.Detroit, MI

Doody Burial Vaults, Inc.Winchendon, MA

Doric Concrete Vaults Inc.Garden City, KS

Doric Concrete Vaults, Inc.Great Bend, KS

Doric Concrete Vaults Inc.Osage City, KS

Doric Huntingburg Vault Co.Huntingburg, IN

Doric of Kansas VaultIola, KS

Doric of Nashville, Inc.Nashville, TN

Doric of Northeast ArkansasJonesboro, AR

Doric of South TexasElsa, TX

Doric Concrete VaultsLimon, CO

Doric Concrete Vaults, Inc.Newton, KS

Doric Manufacturing Co.Boaz, AL

Doric Mississippi, Inc.Vicksburg, MS

Doric-South, Inc.Demopolis, AL

Doric Vault of Eastern NY, Inc.Hudson, NY

Doric Vault of Western NY, Inc.Depew, NY

Doric Vault Co.Griffin, GA

Dura VaultNorth Bend, OH

Eagle Burial Vault Co. of LARuston, LA

Eagle Burial VaultsPerry, GA

Esterly Burial Vault Co.West Reading, PA

Evans Eagle Vaults, Inc.Leola, PA

Everlasting Vault Co.Randallstown, MD

Florida Wilbert, Inc.Jacksonville, FL

Forsyth Bros.Fithian, IL

Forsyth Bros. Concrete Prod.Terre Haute, IN

Gettysburg Burial Vault Co.Gettysburg, PA

Grable Vault Co.Logansport, IN

Graffius Burial Vault Co.Sinking Springs, PA

Granite State DoricNewport, NH

Gray Bros., Inc.Kansas City, KS

Hairfield Vault Co.Hickory, NC

Hardy Doric, Inc.Chelmsford, MA

Harn Vault ServiceMassillon, OH

Harris PrecastLaporte, IN

Heilman – Wirtz, Inc.Cedar Hill, TX

Hicks Industries, Inc.Miami, FL

Hicks Industries, Inc.Mulberry, FL

Hydraulic Dolly, Inc.Altoona, PA

J.P. Vincent & Son, Inc.Galena, IL

Jacson, Inc.Henderson, TX

Jefferson Concrete Corp.Watertown, NY

Josten Wilbert Vault Co.Sioux Falls, SD

Lakeshore Burial Vault Co.Brookfield, WI

Lavaca Vault Co.Lavaca, AK

Louisell-Davis Vault ServiceChattanooga, TN

Ludlow Burial Vault Co.Ludlow, MA

Lycoming Burial Vault Co. Inc.Montoursville, PA

Marion Vault WorksMarion, IN

Markham Burial Vault ServicesRichmond, VA

Markham-Carter Vault ServiceSmithfield, VA

Master Grave ServiceAthens, GA

Memphis Burial Vault Co.Memphis, TN

Mercer Vault CompanyFredericksburg, VA

Milan Burial Vault, Inc.Milan, MI

Minnick Services Corp.Fort Wayne, IN

Moore Wilbert Vault Co.Evans, GA

Murray Vault Co.Austin, AR

Neher Burial Vault Co.Springfield, OH

Nor-Don Vault Co. Inc.Strafford, MO

North Central Mich. Vault Srvc.Cadillac, MI

Norwalk Vault Co.Johnstown, PA

Odon Vault Company, Inc.Odon, IN

Omaha Wilbert Vault, Inc.Omaha, NE

Ostwalt Vault Co.Concord, NC

Palm Vault Co.Ada, OK

Panhandle VaultsWellington, TX

Pennyslvania Concrete Vault Co.Greensburg, PA

Perfection VaultWoodson, IL

Phenix VaultPhenix City, AL

Pioneer Vault, Inc.Doylestown, PA

Poplar Bluff Doric Vaults, Inc.Poplar Bluff, MO

Precast Concrete Products, Inc.Blissfield, MI

Precision Precast Inc.Pittsfield, MA

Quality Burial Vault Co.Houston, TX

Rex Vault ServiceNewton, IL

Rocky Mountain Monument/VaultSandy, UT

Saginaw Wilbert Vault Corp.Saginaw, MI

Sam Green Vault Co.Lynchburg, VA

Saline Vault Co.Sweet Springs, MO

NCBVA proudly recognizes the following companieswhich have a current standing in the

Plant Certification Program

For information on NCBVA’s exclusive Plant Inspection and Certification Program, pleasecontact NCBVAHeadquarters at 1-800-538-1423 or use application form on adjacent page.

April 2004 NCBVA BULLETIN 21

National Concrete Burial Vault Association, Inc.Member Application for Plant Inspection

Name of Plant __________________________________________

Plant Mailing Address_____________________________________

Plant Street Address______________________________________

Plant Telephone__________________________________________

Fax Phone Number_______________________________________

Owner’s Name___________________________________________

Evening Telephone_______________________________________

Plant Manager/Contact Person_______________________________

Evening Phone__________________________________________

Types of Outer Burial Receptacles Produced❐ Top Seals ❐ Air Domes ❐ SectionalsOther________________________________________________

Please return this application with full payment to:

The National Concrete Burial Vault Association, Inc.900 Fox Valley Drive, Suite #204Longwood, FL 32779-2552(800) 538-1423Fax (407) 774-6751

As an NCBVA member in good standing, the total of yourPlant Certification Inspection will be $1295 (Recertification, $495). Full payment should be enclosed with your application.

Santeiu Vaults Inc.Livonia, MI

Shenandoah Valley Vaults, Inc.Dayton, VA

Shore Vault & Precast Co.Exmore, VA

Simerly Concrete Products, Inc.Bristol, TN

Simerly Vaults, Inc.Knoxville, TN

Southern Ohio Vault Co.Portsmouth, OH

Southern Vault ServiceBlakely, GA

Spoerr Precast ConcreteSandusky, OH

Sunnycrest, Inc.Auburn, NY

Suhor IndustriesCedar Hill, TX

Superior Burial Vaults, Inc.Salt Lake City, UT

Superior Vault Co.Bryantown, MD

Superior Vault Co. Charlestown, IN

Superior Vault Company LTDMississauga, Ontario, Canada

Swan’s Concrete ProductsWestbrook, ME

Tennessee Vault & Grave, Inc.Dechard, TN

Tucker Vault Co.Farmington, MO

Turner Vault CompanyToledo, OH

Vanden Boomen Burial Vaults Inc.Appleton, WI

Vanden Boomen Burial Vaults Inc.Wausau, WI

Vault ServiceGriffin, GA

Vincent and SonsGalena, IL

Washington Wilbert Vault Works Inc.Laurel, MD

Warga Concrete Products Inc.Fort Wayne, IN

Watts Vault & Monument Co.Montezuma, IA

Wayne Burial Vault Co., Inc.Indianapolis, INWelte Vault Co.

Danbury, IAWest Plains Vault & Mfg. Co.

Pomona, MOWhitman Vault Co.

Whitman, MAWicomico Vault Co., Inc.

Salisbury, MD Wieser Precast

Stewartville, MNWilbert Burial Vault Co.

Atlanta, GAWilbert Burial Vault (The James Co.)

Waycross, GAWilliams Vault Company

Emporia, VAWillmar Precast Co.

Willmar, MNZeiser Wilbert Vault Co.

Elmira, NY

22 NCBVA BULLETIN April 2004

VAULT MARKETING PROGRAM ORDER FORM

Company Name______________________________________________________

Billing Street Address or PO Box ________________________________________

City______________________ State _______________ Zip______________

Shipping Street Address________________________________________________

City _____________________ State _______________ Zip ______________

Phone # ____________________________________________________________

Contact Person_______________________________________________________

ADVERTISEMENT - “Three Reasons to Consider a Lined Concrete Burial Vault”

______ I would like a copy of the advertisement to run in my local publications

(NO CHARGE)

______ Please personalize the ad (NO CHARGE)

______ Use Company Name as listed above

Personalization address______________________________________

_______ Do not personalize

BROCHURE - Reasons to Consider a Lined Concrete Burial Vault

______ Quantity ($25 PER HUNDRED, MINIMUM OF 100)

______ Yes, personalize ($40 PERSONALIZATION FEE)

______ Use Company Name as listed above

Personalization address___________________________________

______ Do not personalize

Check is enclosed for $_______Credit Card: ______ VISA ______ MasterCard ______ American ExpressCard Number: ___________________________ Expiration: __________Signature: _______________________________

If paying by credit card, fax this order form to: (407) 774-6751.

Or mail along with payment to:National Concrete Burial Vault Association900 Fox Valley Drive, Ste 204 - Longwood, FL 32779-2552Phone: (407) 788-1996

National Concrete Burial Vault Association

Sears has decided it wants to offer shoppersproducts from the cradle to the grave —literally.

In February, Sears Canada Inc. quietlylaunched a test of a funeral insurance pack-age for its 50+ club members that coversthe costs of everything from cremations tofunerals, along with planning advice.

The move, the first by a departmentstore, provides some competition for funeral homes in Canada, which have a virtual lock on the funeral planning/arrangements business.

In a bid to boost its credit card business,Sears teamed with Everest Funeral PackageLLC of Houston, TX, to provide $5,000,$7,500 or $10,000 packages for Sears’400,000 Mature Outlook members whohave Sears credit cards.

The offer will be extended to all sevenmillion active Sears card holders if the pilotis successful.

Funeral home operators raised concernsthat they may lose business if Sears decidesto hook up with a small number of largerfuneral homes, squeezing out other operators and that consumers may not getthe full value for their funeral dollarsbecause of the middlemen pocketing ashare.

Suzanne Scott, executive director of theFuneral Service Association of Canada,which represents about 400 of the largerhomes, said Everest is U.S.-based and notfamiliar with Canadian funeral homes andtheir products and services, thereby questioning its ability to provide soundadvice to consumers.

Retail Giant SearsTiptoes Into FuneralPlanning In Canada

Houston-based Celestis has made a contractwith Taiwan’s biggest funeral home com-pany, Baushan Enterprise. They will beplanning and delivering “space burials” tothe Taiwanese.Taiwan is densely populatedand the island is running out of burial space.The “space burials” will cost no more thana normal burial in Taiwan. The ashes of thedeceased are shot into space in a lipsticksized aluminum tube. “It helps one fulfillthe instinctive desire to explore space,” thecompany’s chief executive said.

US Company Offering “Space Burial” To Taiwan

April 2004 NCBVA BULLETIN 23

National Concrete Burial Vault Association“Serving the death care industry with the very best”

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

Key Contact____________________________________Nickname_____________

Title ______________________________________________________________

Company Name _____________________________________________________

Street Address _______________________________________________________

City _____________________ State _______________ Zip __________________

Phone ___________________________ Fax ______________________________

E-mail ____________________________________________________________

Company Web Site ___________________________________________________

❐ Check here if you prefer to have your mail sent to your home.Home street Address _________________________________________City _____________________ State ______________ Zip ___________Home Phone _________________ Home Fax ______________________

COMPANY INFORMATION❐ Burial Vault Manufacturer ❐ Funeral Director

❐ Crematory ❐ Cemetery

❐ Doric ❐ Wilbert ❐ Eagle ❐ Trigard

❐ Con-O-lite ❐ Other ❐ Provide Graveside services

❐ Metal Vaults ❐ Plastic Vaults ❐ Fiberglass Vaults

Offer sizes for ❐ Children ❐ Adults ❐ Oversize

❐ Associate Member: Tell us in 25 words or less about your product/services

❐ Please enroll me in NCBVA today!Signature indicates that you have read and agree to abide by NCBVA’s Code of Ethicsand the rules which govern the National Concrete Burial Vault Association. Signa-ture is required before this application can be processed.

_________________________________________ ___________(Signature) (Date)

Dues Schedule

❐ Manufacturer MemberDues are based on total units sold forall locations of the company.

Please check appropriate level:❐ 1-999 Units ..............$170

❐ 1000 - 1999..............$260

❐ 2000 - 3499..............$350

❐ 3500 - 4999..............$435

❐ 5000 and more ........$525

❐ Associate Member ........$150

❐ Franchise Group............$600

Payment InformationInclude payment with this completedform. We accept Visa, MasterCard andAmerican Express

❐ Check is enclosed

Please charge my❐ Visa ❐ MasterCard ❐ Amex

Account #_____________________Expiration date _________________

Mailing Information

NCBVA900 Fox Valley Drive Suite 204

Longwood, FL 32779-2552(800) 538-1423

Fax: (407) 774-6751

www.ncbva.org

We believe that concrete is an ideal material for the construction of burial vaults for the interment of human remains and that aproperly constructed concrete burial vault is worthy of acceptance by the public. Our sales and advertising policies will be governed by standards acceptable by the public and the funeral profession and by principles advocated by the National Concrete BurialVault Association, Inc. We pledge fair trade practices to our competitor whose product we will not disparage. We shall conduct our business on sound business principles, striving to build a relationship of respect and confidence for the burial vaultindustry with the public, with the funeral director and with the cemeteries management. We will abide by the rules and regula-tions of the National Concrete Burial Vault Association, Inc., thereby contributing to a stronger and greater national industry.

CODE OF ETHICS

900 Fox Valley Drive, Suite 204, Longwood, FL 32779-2552

National Concrete Burial Vault Association, Inc.

FIRST CLASSAddress Correction Requested

Dear Readers,We at the National Concrete BurialVault Association Bulletin would loveto hear from you. Specifically we arelooking for press releases from you sothat we can continue to address issuesand topics that are directly facing you.

Do you have an idea for an articleof interest to other manufacturers?

Why don’t you take a few minutesand send us a press release about yourhappenings? We’re interested indetails about special events, individu-als who deserve recognition, awards,and new services you are providing.Suppliers: let us know about your newproducts and services. Color or blackand white photos are also welcome.

If you are unsure about how towrite your press release or article,don’t hesitate to give me a call at(407) 788-1996 or e-mail me at jmonahan@assnhdqtrs.com. It wouldbe my pleasure to assist you.

Looking forward to hearing fromyou,

Jan MonahanEditor

The NCBVA Board of Directors has approved plansto hold the 2005 Annual Convention and Expositionin beautiful Maui, Hawaii.

SAVE THE DATES! You won’t want to miss this exciting conference in this tropical paradise––a firstever for NCBVA.

Aloha!

February 20 - 23, 2005

Serving the death care industry since 1929

Watch the Web site for detailsas they unfold:

http://www.ncbva.org