NYS Funeral Directors Association’s Annual Meeting Briefs Members On Military Honors;

BALLSTON SPA, NY (08/23/2007)(readMedia)-- Albany, NY -- August 23 -- “Military Forces Honors” was one of the informative sessions at the New York State Funeral Directors Association’s (NYSFDA) annual meeting which concluded yesterday in Saratoga Springs, New York. Donald E. Roy, director of the New York National Guard, reviewed the laws and procedures governing military funerals. The New York State Military Forces Honor Guard also presented a demonstration of funeral honors ceremonies for both veterans and killed-in-action soldiers. Honor guards are present at funeral services for those who have served in the U.S. armed forces as a very special tribute and recognition of their service to our nation.

Almost 400 licensed funeral directors from around the State attended the association's annual convention.

NYSFDA membership elected their 2007-2008 officers: President Scott B. Anthony, co-owner and operator of the Anthony Funeral Chapel in Webster and Brighton; President-Elect Gordon R. Terry, president and treasurer of the Houk-Johnston-Terry Funeral Home in Edmeston; Vice President Richard Hazzard, owner and president of the Beecher Funeral Home in Brewster and the Dwyer Funeral Home in Patterson, and Secretary/Treasurer S. Scott Mason, owner of the Mason Funeral Home in Westfield.

In addition, “Funeral Service in a New Century” was the theme of the keynote address given by Thomas Lynch, noted author cited by amazon.com as “the most celebrated funeral director in America.” Mr. Lynch is the author of several publications, most notably "The Undertaking", a collection of essays about funeral service. His most recent work, "Booking Passage", is a memoir. Following his address, Mr. Lynch presided at a signing of both of these works, as well as "Bodies in Motion and At Rest".

As part of NYSFDA’s continuing education program, the trade association offered a series of seminars on issues and topics current to the profession. These included a program by Deborah Orecki, director of the New York State Bureau of Funeral Directing, who spoke about various aspects of the detailed New York State laws and regulations that govern the practice of funeral directing.

Founded in 1889, NYSFDA’s mission is to promote the highest standards of funeral service to the public and to enhance the environment in which its members operate. Almost 800 member firms and 3000 licensed funeral directors who operate across the state belong to the New York State Funeral Directors Association. In addition to maintaining a Website at www.nysfda.org, NYSFDA also publishes a quarterly newspaper column “Transitions” and brochures which educate and inform consumers about end-of-life issues.

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Editor’s Note: For more information, or to schedule an interview with any of the new officers or NYSFDA Executive Director Bonnie McCullough, please call Vera Nuspliger at 518-882-9816; cell 518-424-8719 or Randy McCullough at 518-452-8230. Officers’ photos can be downloaded by visiting www.nysfda.org and clicking on “For the Media”. Vera Converse Nuspliger Nuspliger Associates 518-882-9816

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