Is there any Funeral|Cemetery Regulation in Illinois?

Is there any Funeral|Cemetery Regulation in Illinois? Essentially there is NO to minimal  regulation in Illinois of Funerals and Cemeteries- Preneed  regulation exists but is in adequate by the regulator’s own admission(The Illinois Comptroller). License Regulation will get some teeth in 2010.

Other Reforms are on the way related to the Burr oak Cemetery Scandal.. But with the Illinois Funeral Directors Association Sandal reaching into the NFDA Executive Board with Randal L Earl(NFDA Executive Secretary) many Funeral Directors in Illinois feel it is too little too late.

Funeral Industry|Funeral Blog by Your Funeral Guy.

Part 2 |Response to IFDA Blogs by Your Funeral Guy

In the Illinois Funeral Directors Scandal many folks are involved.

Here is part 2 of the response from|on some of my blogs on the Illinois Funeral Directors  Association Scandal involving the IFDA Preneed Trust from
MarsellusM710. These are not the opinions of Your Funeral Guy

Funeral Industry|Funeral  Blog  by Your Funeral Guy

Dear Funeral Guy,
It has been along time since we’ve had a chat. With all of the “special events” going on here in the Land of Lincoln, IFDA Trust, NPS, Burr Oaks, Mr. Hynes running for Governor, (the man can’t run his own office and wants the run the entire State, what a hoot!), I have been busy taking care of families and trying to enjoy my own, that I just haven’t had time to talk………

I would be very careful about accusing IFDA of “stealing” millions of dollars. You should probably direct that to the Merrill-Lynch financial advisory team and those at involved on the IFDA Board(s) in the know at the time. Have you checked out the Wexler-Wallace website lately? One can find out a lot at that website.

Fourth, The press hasn’t forgotten about anything. There simply isn’t anything to report right now. Word has it that depositions are ongoing and Schainker & Co. have a date with the Secretary of State’s Office soon in regards to his securities license. Sources say that too will settled and resolved to the States satisfaction through negotiations as happened with the Illinois Dept. of Insurance recently.

While it may seem that I have grown soft on IFDA I do see an effort to change the association or at least give it a chance to. While IFDA has some health issues, it ain’t dead yet. It has a way to go to become the healthy and honorable institution it once was, the new guys are making an effort to reach out and communicate and listen to the members.

It has been a year now since the hatchet dropped on us with the write-down of the Trust accounts. To sit and read the ledger sheets of how each account was taken for 25% of its value, and an unknown 9% coming at the end of October, was gut-wrenching at best. Most of us just want to get on with life, we are dealing with the loss on accounts as they come. Some are trying to figure how to retire without losing too much and some will never see retirement and will work until they die or are forced to retire.

It took time for the problems at IFDA to come out. The obstructionists and charter members of the “secret society” as I have called the former Board(s), are gone for the most part. I predict that with careful planning and membership electing key people to Board seats, IFDA will emerge as an honorable and shining star for funeral service.

There are two lawsuits before IFDA that could be the death of the Association, should they lose.

I am still watching carefully as best I can what is happening and going on at IFDA. It belongs to us members. Even if it would collapse due to judgement in Court I feel it would simply reorganize and thrive.

Respectfully,
MarsellusM710

Rise of Indigent Funerals Sign of Funeral decline-YourFuneralGuy

Don't throw your money into the grave

The rise of indigent Funerals indicates a Funeral Industry decline. Many people simply cannot afford funerals or cremations according to ” indigent burials” from the  New York Times

Others can only afford a Lower Cost Funeral according to the AARP. The high cost of dying  is contributing to funeral directors turning themselves into low cost funeral providers.

The Bereaved Consumers Bill of Rights Act(AKA Bereaved Consumers Protection Act)  is moving the low cost funeral along.

Increasingly families are seeking to come in under the Average Cost of a Funeral and not through their money down the grave.

Funeral Industry| Funeral Blog by Your Funeral Guy.

Burr Oak Cemetery|current management-yourfuneralguy

The Illinois Burr Oak Cemetery Scandal has promoted federal cemetery reform in the Bereaved Consumers Bill of Rights Act(AkA Bereaved Consumers Protection Act.)

The Current management situation at Burr Oak Cemetery is a little confusing. According to a bankruptcy judge the current ” inependent  manager assigned is Howard Korenthal,a management consultant from the Morris Anderson Company in Chicago with experience in turning around troubled companies.

This seems somewhat unrealistic. the consultant has no apparent Funeral or Cemetery Experience. Perpetua, Inc is responsible for paying this individual. He cannot be removed without Court Permission.

A court appointed temporary, receiver from Catholic Charities in Chicago Roman Szabelski who was brought in to run Burr Oak Cemetery temporarily,  remains as a consultant.

Burr Cemetery remains closed.  What is going on now appears to be  in the best interest of Perpetua, Inc and not the families who where Victims of the grave desecration in the Burr Oak Cemetery Scandal.

Funeral Industry|Funeral Blog by Your Funeral guy

Part 1: Response to IFDA Blogs byYour Funeral Guy

Here is part 1 of the response from|on some of my blogs on the Illinois Funeral Directors  Association Scandal involving the IFDA Preneed Trust from
MarsellusM710. These are not the opinions of Your Funeral Guy

Funeral Industry|Funeral Blog by Your Funeral Guy.

Dear Funeral Guy,
It has been along time since we’ve had a chat. With all of the “special events” going on here in the Land of Lincoln, IFDA Trust, NPS, Burr Oaks, Mr. Hynes running for Governor, (the man can’t run his own office and wants the run the entire State, what a hoot!), I have been busy taking care of families and trying to enjoy my own, that I just haven’t had time to talk.

After reading today’s blog, I need to take issue with you on a few matters regarding IFDA. While IFDA may not be at the top of its game and an embarrassment to the funeral service community, there have been some important changes to the IFDA Board. There are some fresh faces and along with those come some minds to change things and set a course that hopes to rebuild the integrity of the Association for it’s membership and those in the funeral service community and the public that its members serve. If one is paying attention you will notice in comparing the past Board members names to those recently installed this past summer and the fact that most of them have no prior connection to the IFDA you have “fresh” people on board. The holdovers, are in the minority and the majority of them from what I am told is working with the newcomers to make positive changes. I am told that good things will be coming from this group.

Secondly, I have been extremely critical of the IFDA Trust mess. While it is true that a new Trustee is being sought, it will be difficult to find any entity to take over until the smoke clears and the dust settles on the lawsuits to see if there is recoupment of monies or not, if so what percent of recovery, etc. One can almost be assured that Merrill-Lynch(ed) as I like to call them, has been eager to dump this prior to merging with Bank of America. As I have said before hopefully the Courts will hold the investment arm of Merrill-Lynch accountable along with their commission earning poster child Mr. Schainker, et.al., in the recoupment of Trust monies. The regulators are learning it is wise for them to keep their noses out the matter in making back-room deals with ML while matters are in litigation.

Number three, you need to lay off the new Executive Director of IFDA, Mr. Duane Marsh. He is NOT the one you need to be slamming here. There are a few out there that you could slap around if you like. Mr. Marsh is reaching out to our membership to build relationships and regain the trust of individuals to rebuild IFDA. You have to remember that this man walked into a firestorm of problems some which occurred after he came on as the result of the actions of his predecessors. With all of the problems going on I don’t think the man has had a chance to focus on his job for having to deal with all of the little fires around him.

End Of Part 1

Respectfully,
MarsellusM710

7 Reasons Why IFDA-Executive Director must Go|Your Funeral Guy

Here are 7 reasons why the Executive Director of the Illinois Funeral Directors Association Must Leave.

1. He sided with the the Corrupt Illinois Funeral Director Lobbyist,  Illinois Senator Roland Burris defending the Lobbyist Efforts on behalf of the association in Statements.

2. He did not call out Former IFDA President Charles Childs Jr.(Reverend Jesse Jackson Protege) on his misappropriation( theft) of Management Fees out of the IFDA Preneed Trust Fund moved to IFDA Srvices

3. He did not recognize the threat of Merrill Lynch Bank and Trust (Trustee) to the IFDA Preneed Trust. MLBT was indeed a key player in the Wall Street Crash and corruption. MLBT wrote Down the value of the IFDA Preneed Trust in 2009

4. Instead of cooperating with the Regulator, The Illinois Comptroller, he fought the regulator, resulting in the Comptroller declaring the IFDA stole millions  from the Trust and fining the IFDA  Services, Inc almost 10 million Dollars(there is a lawsuit on this one.)

5. After years of Search  for a trustee, under Duane Marsh the Illinois Funeral Directors Association again has to find a trustee for the IFDA  Preneed Trust.

6. He Duane Marsh did not  call out Randall L. Earl(NFDA Executive Secretary, gasp, choke) in his acceptance of Preneed Trust Funds for the Museum of Funeral Customs. Marsh affectionately refers to Earl as Randy!

7. There is the same lack of integrity (arguably more )for the Illinois Funeral Directors Association as when Duane Marsh arrived as executive  director.

Funeral Industry|Funeral Blog by Your Funeral Guy

IFDA Logo From E- mails from the IFDA.

In Print: A Great Illinois Funeral Director Story-YourFuneralGuy

Driving down Rte 47 in Elburn, Illinois , there is a pretty good speed trap as in many small towns. Behind the doors of  homes in Elburn  there is a great funeral director story. The Story is about Bruce Conley and Conley Funeral Home.

Snippet From the Chicago Tribune:

The mother called Conley Funeral Home in Elburn to tell them her 17-year-old son was dead.

Michael had been found miles from his home, dumped frostbitten and bruised on Chicago’s West Side. Minutes after the phone call ended, funeral director Bruce Conley was at Cathy Reinert’s house.

With tears on her face, she told him, “Your kid is not supposed to die before you.”

“I know,” Conley whispered, hugging her.

If even a few Funeral directors behaved like this man, there would be no Funeral Scandal to report, and your funeral guy blog would not exist. There was a time when many Funeral Directors behaved like Bruce Conley.  A time when Funeral Directors were honest, and ripping people off in their grief was not considered.

Bruce Conley will continue to do what he does best as he battles terminal cancer.

Conley Funeral Home is a leader  in Funeral Aftercare. Read the Tribune Story. Be Inspired.

Funeral Industry| Funeral Blog-Your Funeral Guy.

Thanks to the Chicago Tribune For Printing this Story.

More on this Story

Illinois Funeral Directors Association-Are they gone? Your Funeral Guy

The Illinois Funeral Directors Association appears not do be doing so well. They have are searching for a new trustee, for their Scandal ridden trust fund, The IFDA Preneed Trust. They have not been updating their member website. (latest info has been from June 2009 ) After Losing and stealing up to 100 million dollars of  preneed trust funds(according to Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes and reports in the State Journal Register) one would think that would be the least they could do.

Instead The Executive Director Duane Marsh has been busy conducting tours of the Museum of Funeral Customs. directed by the embattled National Funeral Directors Association Executive Secretary Randall L Earl.( yes he is still listed as the Director of the Museum pf Funeral Customs at The NFDA website)

The press seems to have forgotten about the Illinois Funeral Directors Association and their great preneed insurance  swindle in the State of Illinois

Funeral industry| Funeral Blog by Your Funeral Guy.

The IFDA has received an important resignation, yours truly.

Patrick Swayze |Funeral|Memorial Service no pics-YourFuneralGuy

There  appears to be no pics from the Patrick Swayze Memorial service  from last Sunday. There are some interesting descriptions. The actors white horse greeted attendees. Professional Dancers performed extraordinary numbers.

Guests arriving for Patrick Swayze’s private memorial on Sunday were greeted by a lone white horse, which was owned and beloved by the late actor whose boots were facing backwards in the stirrups. “It’s an old horseman tradition,” a source tells PEOPLE of the gesture……Held on the Sony Studios lot in Culver City, Calif., the service – attended by several hundred friends and family, including Whoopi Goldberg – incorporated many photos of Swayze riding his horses, along with a video tribute to the star, who died from pancreatic cancer on Sept. 14. The memorial, planned by the actor’s wife Lisa Niemi, featured speeches celebrating Swayze’s life and a performance by professional dancers in honor of his talent. “A whole dance floor was built,” says another source. “The dancers did these amazing numbers.”

via www.people.com

Funeral industry|Funeral blog by Your Funeral Guy

Yet Another “SCI” World’s Largest Funeral Corporation Scandal|Your Funeral Guy

Many  of the Worlds Largest Funeral Corporations Scandals unreported by the press. Others are reported in the press and then forgotten. When Service Corporation Scandals make it into the National Press, the story get’s national attention. Often there is no follow up in the media. Bloggers follow up only upon occasion on NYSE(SCI) stories.

This time it is another case of corpse abuse.

Service Corporation Dignity Logo

Yet another Service Corporation International (SCI) scandal has been reported. Details are still sketchy.

While the pictures were allegedly taken several years before James Patton started working at Earthman Funeral Home, this latest incident of alleged corpse abuse may have happened as recently as September 2008. Today a spokesperson with Houston-based SCI, the company that owns Earthman, says when authorities first alerted them of the disturbing allegations, Patton was immediately removed from his position and the company.

via abclocal.go.com

Funeral Industry|Funeral Blog by Your Funeral Guy

Dignity Logo Pic on flickr under the creative commons licenset

Jeremy Brooks’ photostream