2006 Pursuit of Excellence Idea Exchange

1. 2006Pursuit of ExcellenceIdea Exchange

2. Best of the Best A new award developed to recognize the innovative and creative ideas implemented by Pursuit of Excellence participants.

3. WhyBest of the Best? • Idea Exchange was always intended but not very effective • Our members need betterideas faster! • Size independent • Helps NFDA communicate with media and others

4. How were they chosen? • Taken from the essays • Requires additional documentation • Scoring system used • No more than 10 each year • No duplicate recognition thefollowing year

5. 2006 Best of the Best Recipient After attending the dedication ceremony for the World War II Memorial, a Connecticut firm decided to take over 250 veterans to Washington, D.C. - Carmon Community Funeral Homes Windsor, CT

6. Carmon Community Homes

8. 2006 Best of the Best Recipient • A firm in Louisiana created a three-day program for children and youth that was a “…hands-on approach to grief recovery through the medium of art.” Three professional counselors were on hand to answer questions and address issues. • Kilpatrick Funeral Homes • West Monroe, LA

9. 2006 Best of the Best Recipient • With help from a local historical society, a firm in Indiana organized a tribute to Lincoln and the Civil War. Volunteers dressed in period clothing and artifacts included tents, rifles, mess kits and portraits of local citizens that served in the war. • DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home • Columbia City, IN

10. DeMoney-Grimes

11. DeMoney-Grimes

12. DeMoney-Grimes

13. 2006 Best of the Best Recipient • A firm in New Jersey has a continually growing program that helps veterans with issues such as pre-need contracts, burial in a veterans cemetery and Veteran Service Cards, which lists vital information. • Patti Funeral Directors, Inc. • Fort Lee, NJ

14. 2006 Best of the Best Recipient • A firm in Washington typically holds an event on Memorial Day. This year they organized a “Tribute to Ulysses S. Grant and the Civil War.” Attendees enjoyed documentaries, displays and patriotic décor. • Heritage Funeral Home & Crematory • Spokane, WA

15. Heritage Funeral Home

16. Heritage Funeral Home

17. Heritage Funeral Home

18. Heritage Funeral Home

19. A firm in Illinois is accustomed to giving military funerals, but the staff also wants to give a “personal tribute” to the families of the veterans. One example of this personal touch is a postcard the firm sends to the family that is inscribed with the military flag being flown at the funeral home to honor the veteran. • Targhetta & Wooldridge Funeral Home • Brighton, IL 2006 Best of the Best Recipient

20. 2006 Best of the Best Recipient • A firm in Michigan celebrated their 73rd annual Easter Egg Hunt. With hundreds of children in attendance, all 8,000 eggs were full of goodies. The firm wanted to break down the fear and anxiety that is often associated with a funeral home. • Spencer Family Funeral Home • Athens, MI

21. Spencer Family F.H.

22. Spencer Family F.H.

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24. 2006 Best of the Best Recipient • A firm in Mississippi continually tries to “…maintain, adjust and extend…” their services to families. In order to recognize family members of the deceased, Waller Funeral Home has created embroidered red heart “stick-ons” that are provided during visitations and funeral services. • Waller Funeral Home • Oxford, MS

25. 2006 Best of the Best Recipient • A firm in Michigan celebrated a century in service by sponsoring a Holiday Magic Parade and receiving recognition in two Sunday-edition newspapers. Several local businesses placed advertisements in the newspapers that congratulated the firm on their anniversary. • Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Directors • Royal Oak, MI