Broadcaster Summer 2000

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Changes to Permanent Maintenance Fund to Aide Inadequate Trust Funds
A Notice to all New York State Cemeteries from the Division of Cemeteries
Michael V. Itzo, Assistant Director, N.Y.S. Division of Cemeteries

The section of law pertaining to permanent maintenance fund allocations has been amended effective January 1, 2001. The amendment calls for an addition to the permanent maintenance fund of $35 for each interment or inurnment the cemetery performs. This is in addition to the 10% of lot sales currently required.

The New York State Cemetery Board will allow every cemetery to increase its interment and inurnment charges by $35 (or a lesser amount if the cemetery wishes) by returning a simple check-off form which will be mailed out before the end of the year. Cemeteries will have the option of absorbing the $35 allocation rather than increasing interment prices, BUT THE $35 ALLOCATION TO THE PERMANENT MAINTENANCE FUND IS NOT OPTIONAL.

Many cemeteries have no service charges and allow funeral directors to arrange grave-digging services directly. These cemeteries usually collect the $5.00 vandalism fee from the funeral director and remit it to the Division of Cemeteries. When the new law becomes effective, these cemeteries should collect $40 from the funeral director, place $35 of it in the permanent maintenance fund, and remit $5.00 to the Division of Cemeteries at the appropriate time.

We realize that many cemeteries may view this new law as a hardship, but keep in mind that when a cemetery is out of land the only income to maintain the grounds will be the income from the permanent maintenance and perpetual care funds. These trust funds are inadequate in most cemeteries and ways must be found to increase them or many cemeteries will become abandoned.

Message From The President
It is definitely an exciting time of year, as the hot summer sun beats down on us, in a short few months the cool grey autumn skies and beautiful fall foliage emerge as we prepare for our Annual Meeting in Atlantic City this September and the Turf and Grounds Exposition in Syracuse this November.

The annual meeting is being held in one of America’s most exciting cities, everyone should have a really good time. There are many events planned for this meeting, including an afternoon of golf and a tour of Victoriana and shopping. There will be various receptions and dinners where you can mingle and network with other New York State cemeterians and suppliers. There is also a trade show being offered to introduce you to some of the most advanced technology in the operations and upkeep of today’s cemeteries.

The Turf and Grounds Exposition will have tracks especially dedicated to cemeterians such as yourself. You are invited to attend the session held at Woodlawn Cemetery on November 14th. G. Richard Bruns will be the moderator and take you through many aspects of cemetery care. There are also other various sessions held throughout the three day event that pertain to maintenance of turf and grounds that might be of great use to you.

Well, enjoy the rest of your summer while it is still here. And I hope to see all of you this fall at one of our great conferences.
Dominick Tarantino

The following three bills have passed the Assembly and the Senate:

A.6556-C/S.4458-C The bill authorizes the repair or removal of monuments or other markers not owned by the cemetery corporation that have fallen into disrepair or are dilapidated; makes provisions for the replacement of such monuments or markers; provides notification provisions; provides for the funding of such replacement. This bill becomes effective 30 days after the Governor’s signing.

A.7638-B/S.3605-B This bill requires an additional $35 of the proceeds from the performance of an interment or inurnment to be deposited in the cemetery’s permanent maintenance fund. This bill is effective January 1, 2001.

A.1461/S.8223 Requires establishing uniform standards for a consumer pesticide use information sign in retail establishments and requires 48-hour advance notice to property owners within 150 feet of such commercial lawn application of pesticide through the air; establishes requirements for such notice; provides for one week’s written notice to schools and day care centers; requires residential and commercial applicants to affix markers prior to application; provides for penalties for violations. EXEMPTS CEMETERY CORPORATIONS. This bill is effective March 1, 2001.

These bills are also in process:

A.6554-A/S.4457-A has passed the Senate on 5/24/00 and has been referred to the Committee on Ways & Means in the Assembly. This bill would permit the Modified Return concept to be used on Permanent Maintenance and Perpetual Care funds.

A.6558-B/S.4460-B has been referred to the Committee on Ways & Means in the Assembly and reported to the Committee on Corporations in the Senate. This bill would permit cemetery corporations to reclaim graves under certain circumstances, upon application to and approval by the Attorney General.

We will continue our efforts to accomplish our legislative agenda.

Have a wonderful summer. See you in Atlantic City!
Frank F. Giglio
Chairman

Mount Olivet Cemetery Celebrates 150TH Year
On June 11th, Mount Olivet Cemetery hosted its Sesquicentennial Jubilee featuring a concert performed by the Brass Quintet of the Queens Symphony Orchestra.

Frank F. Giglio, President, and David C. Gigler, Superintendent, were presented with Commemorative Proclamations and congratulations from Congressman Joseph Crowley, State Senator Serphin Maltese, Assemblywoman Margaret Markey and New York City Council Representative Karen Koslowitz.

On June 17th, Mount Olivet Cemetery and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Oliver Tilden Camp #26, unveiled 25 replacement headstones at the gravesites of those who had died in America’s bloodiest war. About 100 people enjoyed a respectful afternoon beginning with a march to the Civil War Veterans Lot. The unveiling featured a field mass, musical entertainment, taps and a three-gun salute.

Ride for Life 2000 Starts at Kensico Cemetery
A Long Island schoolteacher battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) launched his third annual Ride for Life following ceremonies at the graveside of baseball great Lou Gehrig at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, NY on May 3 and a special ribbon-cutting by David Cone at Yankee Stadium on May 4. Traveling in his motorized wheelchair, and accompanied by a support team, Chris Pendergast made his 350-mile fund-raising trip to Washington, DC in fifteen days despite record-breaking spring temperatures. Monies raised during the Ride for Life campaign go to research for a cure for ALS which claims an estimated 6,000 people annually.

As of February 1, 1999, the earned premiums for the Group since inception were $20,547,260 with dividends totaling $7,278,504.

The insurance marketplace is changing and becoming “hard”. This means that less carriers are writing coverage and premiums tend to rise. While the Workers’ Comp rates are set by NYS, as of the February 1, 2000 renewal, our members saw the cemetery rate increase from $5.96 per $100 to $6.23 and the NY assessment from 9.4% to 13.6%, an overall increase of almost 9%. This does not factor in changes to those that qualify for experience rating, and many have seen this increase as well due to past rate decreases combined with rising medical costs.

The best protection you can get is through loss control programs and risk management control. The Treiber Group offers these services. For further information on our Safety Group, or questions regarding Workers’ Compensation or other insurance, please call us toll free at 1-800-234-8367. Ask for Valerie A. Geasor at extension 2402.

Officers were elected for a two-year term as follows: President – Andrew Nagle of The Woodlawn Cemetery; Vice President – David Gigler of Mount Olivet Cemetery; and Secretary/Treasurer – Chester Day of Kensico Cemetery.

For the sixth consecutive year, The Make-A-Wish Foundation was the beneficiary of the annual raffle. This year a check in the amount of $1,550.00 was presented to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

What’s New for Ground Burial?
Impact Memorials – Matthews recently expanded its IMPact Custom line to include 44” x 15” vase and non-vase memorials. They are designed with the same boss mounting and vase locations as Matthews’ 44’ x 14” memorials enabling them to be placed on bases that properties ordinarily stock.

Granite Products – Through its subsidiary, Granite Resources, Matthews stocks benches in eight granite colors. And, standard and custom styles are available. In addition, Matthews is now North America’s largest importer of granite monuments and flat markers in unique shapes and colors. Families can choose from standard styles or create custom memorial tributes with finely-detailed etchings.

What’s New for Mausoleums?
Community Mausoleums – The acquisition of Gibraltar Mausoleum Construction Company now makes Matthews the industry’s leading designer and builder of community mausoleums.
Fiber Optic Lighting – Customers can now illuminate crypt/niche fronts, features and fountains without electricity. Fiber optics allow for up to 1000% savings on electric bills as compared to low voltage lighting and is virtually maintenance-free since fixture bulbs never need to be replaced.

Impact Crypt Plates – Matthews’ 24” x 14” Custom IMPact memorials can be used as crypt plates. Cameo Ceramic™ Portraits, personal epitaphs, signatures and emblems can be added to the memorial to create meaningful, value-added memorialization.

Bronze Crypt/Niche Fronts – Cast bronze crypt/niche fronts illustrating biblical images or nature scenes are another new form of mausoleum memorialization. In addition to creating a beautiful feature for the mausoleum, these crypt/niche front walls can generate increased revenue for the property.

Private Mausoleum – Matthews expanded its line of private mausoleums to include the Millennium 2000-l companion-crypt mausoleum. Its unique design and construction elements include: lower corners reinforced with stainless steel angle irons; a 2” thick granite divider; 2” front and back notches to securely hold the granite divider in place; granite walls reinforced with stainless steel couplers; and the application of specialty steels for floor stability.

What’s New for Cremation?
Cremation Gardens – Matthews is taking the lead in the design and development of cremation gardens that appeal to people of all product preferences. The newest products for these gardens include: bronze entrance gates and pillars with Cremorials® that offer spaces for inurnment; granite curbing with areas for bronze memorialization plates or inscriptions; fountains that can become the focal point of the landscape and feature trees that offer stones with bronze cylinders to hold the cremated remains.

Modular Niche Systems – Through one of its recent acquisitions, Technogranit, Matthews now specializes in the design and production of modular columbarium niche systems for interior and exterior installation. Fabricated from natural marble, granite, glass and metal, the modules arrive pre-assembled. They can be installed free standing or mounted onto an existing wall or opening.

Cenotaphs – Free standing cenotaphs with fiber optic lighting are ideal for foyers and corridors in mausoleums and funeral homes. Available in custom styles and sizes, each unit consists of a natural wooden cabinet surrounding individual panels that include a niche lamp and a brass inscription plate. A fiber optic lighting box generates soft, radiant lighting for the entire unit.

For more information about Matthews’ diverse memorialization products and services, contact Tom Santillo at 800-628-8439, ext. 5246.

You Are Cordially Invited to the New York State Association of Cemeteries 72nd Annual Fall Conference

Dear Members;

The 72nd Annual Conference of The New York State Association of Cemeteries will be held on September 10 – 13, 2000 at Resorts - Atlantic City, 1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey 08401.

The theme of this year’s conference is Promoting Your Cemetery In the 21st Century. There will be a Government and Legal Affairs session and a supplier information session on new and innovative ideas and products. There will also be time to spend at the trade show with suppliers and fellow cemeterians.

Our keynote speaker will be Patricia Fripp - A Speaker For All Reasons. Patricia has been named one of the 10 most electrifying speakers in North America and is known as a speaker’s speaker. Patricia will talk on Promoting Your Cemetery In The 21st Century, a program she has geared specifically to our industry.

There is a tour of Historic Cape May scheduled for Monday where you will be transported by deluxe motor coach, tour Victoriana in Cap May, have lunch in a converted mansion, visit a street mall and returned to the hotel.

A golf outing has been planned at Harbor Pines Golf Club which is rated four stars by Golf Digest and has been named one the six best public courses in the country.

Resorts is a prime hotel located on the world’s most famous boardwalk. It offers delightful guest rooms, an exclusive health club and spa, indoor/outdoor pool and much more.

Tickets to the Faberge collection and 1000 years of Russian craftsmanship will be available to all attendees.

Hotel reservations must be made directly with the hotel by calling 1-800-438-7424. The cut off date is August 30, 2000. The room rate is $99.00 per room single or double occupancy.

The registration fee of $525.00 for members/exhibitors and $475.00 for spouse/guest includes the full conference program including meetings and all scheduled meals listed on program.

I look forward to seeing you in September at Resorts - Atlantic City for what will be an educational, enlightening and exciting conference.
Sincerely,
Robert J. Ilasi