Leaving
the medical field 33 years ago, I entered the Funeral industry.
After 3 years with SCI, I developed a vision that there had
to be a different way to handle death care. My search then landed
me with American Family Cremation Society and became a top producer
in the field with their direct cremation concept. Unfortunately
one of the fastest growing startups was found to have an office
that was pocketing pre need funding. Fast forward, after they
were being dissolved by the State of Florida, American Veritas,
Group, Inc. was formed . We stood in the gap for the thousands
of families left without coverage and honoring contracts “as
written”. We were named in the newspaper with providers
who would help families along with National Cremation and a
Funeral Home local to Polk County, Florida. As director in charge
I knew this mirrored venture had to run a squeaky clean ship.
In short our corporation was being covered statewide by myself,
wife (CFO), Ron Cottrell, LFD, his wife. With the exception
of an occasional gal Friday, our formula for death care yielded
as high as 27 calls in 1 month. Our pre need sold itself with
systems I designed. The CFO and I bought out the Cottrells and
then essentially ran operations on our own.
During
this time, we were raising 4 children and home schooling. The
State of Florida nullified the licensing of any direct disposer
to be “directors in charge” in any new capacities.
At that time, our CFO, then relinquished our Certificate of
Authority to sell pre-need as our business model was at risk
of leaving her no future in the event of my demise. Separation
from the corporation and marital divorce followed. Still a 5
star customer service company was maintained.
After nearly 30 years as Director in Charge on call, it's time
to pass the baton to the next generation.
Though
you may just want to absorb American Heritage Cremation Society
to add to you corporate portfolio, it specifically now caters
to the cremation customer from middle to above income. What
our customers have learned is that we can definitely keep our
promises and keep death care simple. Charging a deserving service
fee has never kept us worrying about giving the best service
possible due to expense. Our whole concept could be thought
of as the "Un funeral Home". Advertising the cheapest,
makes you just that, the cheapest. Not a business we cared to
be in or what our families have grown to know us for as our
philosophy.
The
Funeral Director with vision, will see a death care provider
catering to direct cremation. They will be poised and articulate,
understanding the value of the rendering service in abundance.
As the State of Florida corporate's would love nothing better
than to see the elimination of direct disposers, adding direct
burials and Funeral Home licensing would be prudent.
With
fresh leadership, you can hit the ground running with 30 years
of credibility and nothing but good impressions through out
Florida ~ well maybe less “competitors” who don't
understand us. We have burnt no bridges behind us and are debt
free. The State of Florida is for the taking and direct disposition
continues to grow. Most families ask to prearrange after a death
care arrangement.
$30K
