CFSA INSIDERDECEMBER 2019

Dixline Corporation Revamps Website and Invests in New Equipment, P. 2

Victoriaville & Co. and Legacy Tribute Inc Announce Partnership, P. 3

Thacker Awards Top Sales Performers, P. 4

CONFERENCE PHOTO COLLAGE, P. 6-7

Michael Mims,CFSA President 2019-20

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CFSA NEWSLETTERDECEMBER 2019

OFFICERS

Michael MimsCherokee Child Casket Co.

President

Jeanette HiemstraKeith M. Merrick Co.

Vice President

Justin ThackerThacker Casket Manufacturing

Treasurer

Christopher J. BootsC.J. Boots Casket Co.

Past President

DIRECTORS

Greg BeaversWise Products Inc.

Charles-Olivier DumontVictoriaville & Company

Lori EanesC & L Containers, Inc.

Matt HockettPrepainted Metals, LLC

Bill JonesTiedemann-Bevs Industries

Nicolas LacasseCercueils Magog Caskets

Wayne McIntireDixline Corporation

Shannon RobinsonMatthews Aurora Funeral Solutions

Jeanie TurnerAustral Industries, Inc.

STAFF

Timothy J. Murphy, CAEExecutive Director

Dixline Corporation Revamps Website and Invests in New EquipmentHere at Dixline we are always finding ways to improve our service to our customers. Most recently we have been working on a new website format that is easier to navigate and has more up-to-date information on the products we offer and the services we provide. Our hopes are that with new ways to filter our product lines and finishes we can save our customers time, and we know that time is money! Now our customers will have easy access to filtering by available finishes and materials, as well as by the type of hardware desired.

Please visit our new and improved website at www.dixline.com and check out its new look. If you enjoy the new look, we would love to hear from you on our contact page. If you have spare time and a few kind words, we’d really appreciate the feedback.

Recently, Dixline purchased a new piece of press equipment to expand on our services. With installation being completed later this year, Dixline will be able to produce an even higher level of quality pressed products with a quicker turnaround than ever before. Our Minster Model P2-200-60 straight side press operates at a speed of up to 100 spm making production a snap. We also gained the capability to press heavier materials than we previously could. Along with installing the new press, we will also be relocating our press room to a new warehouse. This will

allow for our flow of operations to become more streamlined and overall much more efficient.

If you are interested in seeing our new press, or just want to take a look around, schedule a tour of our facility. We would be more than glad to show you around Dixline Corporation.

Call us at 1(309)761-4335, or visit our website and contact us there!

A PUBLICATION OF THE CASKET & FUNERAL SUPPLY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, INC.3502 Woodview Trace, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46268-3181

Phone 847-295-6630 • Fax 847-295-6647 • Email: info@cfsaa.orgWeb: cfsaa.org • Facebook: FollowCFSA • Twitter: @cfsamembers • LinkedIn: Search GroupsThe Newsletter© is published monthly by the Casket & Funeral Supply Association of America.

For SUBSCRIPTION information, REPRINTS, and CUSTOMER SERVICE, please call 847-295-6630. No part of this publication may be printed or reproduced without prior written permission from CFSA.

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Victoriaville & Co. and Legacy Tribute Inc. are pleased to announce a new Strategic Partnership to build a distribution network to supply Funeral Homes across the Northeastern United States.

Victoriaville & Co., a fourth-generation family owned company, is the largest casket manufacturer and funeral products distributor in Canada. Their flagship manufacturing plant is one of the leading wood casket manufacturing facilities in North America, and with the recent acquisition of Alliance-St-Laurent Caskets, the group now employs over 500 people, providing caskets to funeral homes across Canada and through distributors around the world. «Victoriaville has been associated with Legacy Tribute in the UK and in Australia for the past five years. Based on our success in those markets, we are confident that this new partnership with Legacy Tribute in the United States will provide a long term foundation for us to support the ever-changing needs of funeral professionals in

New England and across the Northeast. As two forward thinking, family owned and operated businesses, Victoriaville and Legacy Tribute share the same values and focus on supporting the needs of funeral homes», said Alain Dumont, President of Victoriaville & Co. “Legacy Tribute provides funeral homes with the very best North American made caskets, as well as providing tailored business solutions to help deliver long term success for our customers”, said John Finlay, President of Legacy Tribute Inc. “We are very excited with this new partnership with Victoriaville which will enable us to further improve the service we provide to existing customers, expand our distribution network and make our successful, disposition-neutral merchandising solutions accessible to more funeral homes, in more states. Legacy Tribute, in partnership with Victoriaville & Co, now represents a strong, viable option for family-owned funeral homes who would prefer to deal with an independent alternative to large corporate-owned casket companies.”

About Victoriaville & Co - Founded in 1907 and committed exclusively to the funeral industry since 1948, Victoriaville & Co is a fourth-generation family business that employs hundreds of people in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Victoriaville & Co has become the third-largest manufacturer of hardwood caskets in North America and one of the most important distributors of funeral products.

About Legacy Tribute Inc - Based near Boston MA, Legacy Tribute brings a fresh new approach to funeral home merchandising and product supply, providing funeral homes across New England and beyond with a new level of product quality, choice and customer support. Legacy Tribute is an independent family owned and operated business and provides the finest selection of North American made caskets and commemorative products. The company is committed to helping Funeral Professionals adapt to the changing needs of today’s funeral market and together to building a long-term sustainable future.

Victoriaville & Co. and Legacy Tribute Inc Announce Partnership

CFSA NEWS

Starmark Cremation Products, a leading provider of innovative cremation products, has expanded its line of Viewing Containers with the new Chaise Bed Viewer. Available in Canyon Brown, Red Mahogany and Walnut finishes, the Starmark Chaise Bed Viewer is positioned as an affordable container for private identification as well as Private & Contemporary Gatherings. This bed-like product is designed with intuitive viewing in mind to provide families trending towards direct cremation with an option for a private, final goodbye or gathering with close friends and family.

“There are few times in the new product development process when a product is just intuitive from first glance by funeral professionals,” commented Gerald Davis. “With a product so intuitive by design and a funeral home cost per use well under $100, the value to funeral homes and families is compelling.”

One may ask, “Where’s the lid?”, but soon realize that the Chaise Bed Viewer is not a traditional casket designed for burial families, but a dignified viewing container for cremation. It uses a special cost-effective rental insert that features a patent-pending

Starmark® Introduces Another New Alternative Container ViewerSolid Wood Chaise Bed Viewer™ Increases Opportunities for ID Viewings & Family Gatherings

The Starmark Chaise Bed Viewer is designed as the starting point for all container discussions with families that choose cremation.

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CFSA NEWS

crepe interior with a pillow and overlapping blankets to create a modest and comfortable setting.

“A Private gathering or Contemporary gathering with close friends and family are options that many families choosing cremation don’t always understand are available to them,” added Davis. “We also see the importance of ID viewings, so funeral professionals may avoid costly litigation of incorrect identification, but also provide families with an additional closure opportunity. The Chaise Bed Viewer is designed and priced as the starting point for all container discussions with cremation families.”

The Chaise Bed Viewer is made from solid wood and is designed to last for years of use. The special low-cost rental inserts for the Chaise Bed Viewer are sold separately.

If you would like to learn more about the Chaise Bed Viewer™, visit www.starmarkcp.com or contact Starmark at 888-366-7335; all Starmark products sell through distributors, One Source Prime and directly from Starmark.

About Starmark Cremation Products: Starmark® Cremation Products, a division of Vandor Corporation, was founded in 2004 and manufactures in its more than 200,000 square feet of space in Richmond, IN with special distribution from its Lakeland, Florida warehouse. The company manufactures cremation products sold directly to funeral homes and crematories nationwide and through a growing network of distributors.

The Chaise Bed Viewer uses a cost-effective rental insert that features a crepe interior with a pillow and overlapping blankets as well as a lid that facilitates transportation of the insert after use.

Thacker Caskets, Inc. recently held its National Sales Meeting in Franklin, Tennessee. Every year during this meeting Thacker hosts an Honors Dinner in which Thacker recognizes its top performing Sales Consultants from the previous year.

At this year’s Honors Dinner, Chad Mitchell took home the top honor as Salesperson of the Year. “The impact that Chad has made on this company simply cannot be described in words,” remarked CEO, CJ Thacker. He added, “When I think of Chad, I think of someone who is incredibly honest, humble and caring and these are the key ingredients of Chad’s success with his funeral home customers.”

In acceptance of the award, Chad said, “Receiving this top award is an incredibly meaningful honor both professionally as a member of Team Thacker and personally. While striving for this award, my Dad was in the final stages of bladder cancer that took his life that August. He is as much a part of this award as my efforts. As my sports coach growing up, he always encouraged me to cross the finish line strong and ‘leave it all on the field’. He did the same from his hospital and hospice beds. So Dad, this one

is dedicated to you with great love, gratitude and respect.”

In addition to the Salesperson of the Year award, Thacker also honored Connie Azure for her 20 years of service. Based out of Bristol, Tennessee Connie has provided sales coverage to funeral homes in parts of five states since she started with Thacker. “Connie has a shining personality that her customers are simply drawn to. She has continued her path of success in this industry due to her infectious positive personality and her ‘customer-first’ focus. Connie has been and will always continue to be a part of the Thacker family.”

In acceptance of her 20-year award, Connie remarked, “I have been blessed over the past 20 years to have met so many wonderful funeral homes. My life has been enriched because of my customers. I’ve made friends that will last a lifetime and I thank Thacker Caskets for the opportunity they gave to my husband, Larry, and I to open the Bristol warehouse. God blessed us beyond anything we could have imagined.”

Two additional Sales Consultants were awarded for during the Honors Dinner for

their successes as well. Bucky Stevens, of Thacker’s Central Virginia market, took home a “Top Performer” award for the consistent growth in his territory. Steve Shipman took home Thacker’s “Rookie of the Year” award for his above and beyond performance during his initial year with the company.CJ Thacker concluded, “I am truly proud of everyone on our sales team as we had a wonderful year! I especially appreciate the efforts of all those who were honored during the dinner. The successes they realized don’t come without hard work and determination, and we recognize that.”

Thacker Caskets is the funeral industry’s leading family owned funeral supply company since 1939. Thacker was recently recognized as #1 in service by the Funeral Service Insider’s Casket Survey. For more information about the company, please contact 800.637.8891 or visit the website at www.thackercaskets.com.

Thacker Awards Top Sales PerformersFrom Connecting Directors Funeral News (connectingdirectors.com)

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The Casket and Funeral Supply Association (CFSA) has created a new compliance program addressing US Department of Transportation / Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requirements for the benefit of CFSA members employing ‘safety-sensitive’ drivers in their delivery/logistics operations.

The FMCSA requires employers who have CDL (‘safety-sensitive’) drivers to provide random testing pool data, perform quarterly random draws of the drivers, log the test

results, keep Driver Qualification Files, and fill out and file regular paperwork. So CFSA decided it could perform these tasks for its members, saving them hundreds of hours annually, as well as providing peace-of-mind knowing their company is in compliance.

“Government compliance can be a complex and tricky thing, even for seasoned professionals”, said Tim Murphy, CFSA Executive Director. “To offer a program that fills these needs and saves the members money at the same time is not only

responsible, but essential in keeping the Association’s tangible benefits meaningful and first-rate.”

The program offers not only the minimum driver random selection pool, but can also perform more comprehensive company and driver compliance programs. A complete overview of the program is available on the CFSA web site (www.cfsaa.org) under the “Member Programs” tab.

CFSA Board of Directors Announces Exciting New Member Service

2020 Membership Directory

2019 Membership Directory

ADVERTISING RATES & ORDER FORM

Take advantage of this NEW opportunity to showcase your company as a leader in the funeral supply industry by advertising in our annual

membership directory!

Distributed exclusively to CFSA members An invaluable, must-have desktop reference used throughout the year

Includes detailed contact information and over 100 business classifications Includes CFSA Leadership Directory and historical information

2019 CFSA Membership Directory Ad Rates CFSA-Member Rate Non-member Rate

Full Page – Outside Back Cover (1 available) $600 $750 Full Page – Inside Front or Back Cover (2 available) $500 $650 Full Page – Inside Placement $400 $550 Half Page – Inside Placement $300 $450 Quarter Page – Inside Placement $200 $350

(Order Deadline: January 15, 2019 – Artwork Deadline: by January 31, 2019)

Yes, please reserve my ad space marked above and invoice our company! Name: ____________________________________ Email: __________________________ Company: _________________________________ Phone: _________________________

Return this form to CFSA by scan / email, fax, or mail:

Casket & Funeral Supply Association of America I 49-Y Sherwood Terrace, Lake Bluff, IL 60044-2231 Phone: 847.295.6630 I Fax: 847.295.6647 I Email: info@cfsaa.org I Web: www.cfsaa.org

ADVERTISING RATES & ORDER FORMTake advantage of this NEW opportunity to showcase your company as a leader in the funeral supply industry by advertising in our annual membership directory!

• Distributed exclusively to CFSA members• An invaluable, must-have desktop reference used throughout the year• Includes detailed contact information and over 100 business classifications• Includes CFSA Leadership Directory and historical information

2020 CFSA Membership Directory Ad Rates

Full Page — Outside Back Cover (1 available) $600 $750

Full Page — Inside Front or Back Cover (2 available) $500 $650

Full Page — Inside Placement $400 $550

Half Page — Inside Placement $300 $450

Quarter Page — Inside Placement $200 $350

CFSA-Member Rate

Non-member Rate

(Order Deadline: February 1, 2020 — Artwork Deadline: by February 15, 2020)

Yes, please reserve my ad space marked above and invoice our company!

Name:

Company:

Email:

Phone:

Return this form to CFSA by scan / email, fax, or mail: Casket & Funeral Supply Association of America I 3502 Woodview Trace, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46268-3181 I

Phone: 847.295.6630 I Fax: 847.295.6647 I Email: info@cfsaa.org I Web: www.cfsaa.org

2020

Or reserve online: https://www.cfsaa.org/general/custom.asp?page=AdvertisingOrderForm

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PHOTO MONTAGENovember Fall Conference & Trade Show

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INDUSTRY CALENDAR

Listed below are dates of selected state and national conventions important to the death care industry. If you have additions to suggest, please send them to info@cfsaa.org. The most up-do-date calendar information can always be found at www.cfsaa.org.

January 11, 2020: New Hampshire Funeral Directors Association Annual Meeting – Meredith, NH nhfda.org/association-meetings

February 20-22, 2020: California Association of Public Cemeteries 62nd Annual Conference – Oxnard, CA capc.info

May 4-6, 2020: Kansas Funeral Directors Association Annual Convention – Wichita, KS ksfda.org

May 11-14, 2020: Indiana Funeral Directors Association Annual Convention & Trade Show – Noblesville, IN infda.org

May 19-21, 2020: 140th Iowa Funeral Directors Association Convention – Altoona, IA iafda.org

July 23-25, 2020: Florida Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association Annual Convention and Trade Show – Tampa, FL thefccfa.com

July 22-24, 2021: Florida Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association Annual Convention and Trade Show – Tampa, FL thefccfa.com

CFSA MISSION STATEMENTThe Casket & Funeral Supply Association of America,

Inc. (CFSA), whose members provide goods and services to death care professionals, shall promote

the well-being of funeral supply companies. The Association will promote communication and fellowship within the industry while providing services necessary to assist its members and to enhance their business so that the public may continue to receive the full benefit

of memorialization.