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FELLOWSHIP & SUPPLIER INTERACTION |
Opportunities to meet with peers and associates to promote your company and develop a network of long lasting business relationships. Our various events during the year offer the opportunity to discuss mutual problems and concerns. Frequently, those discussions lead to changes in individual operations which improve profitability or increase efficiency.
The Winter Seminar - An educational opportunity traditionally held in a resort location. Topical subjects such as Cremation Merchandising, Pre-Need, Sales & Marketing, Succession Planning, and Federal Regulations are selected to meet the needs of the industry. Here you have the opportunity to network with industry colleagues, see old friends and meet new ones while you enjoy the educational programming in a resort atmosphere.
The Fall Conference & Trade Show - Held in early November, this "strictly business" event draws well over 300 members of the funeral supply industry to Indianapolis. It is the buy-sell opportunity of the funeral supply industry. Suppliers to casket manufacturers, casket distributors and funeral supply companies display their latest goods and services. In addition to tabletop exhibits, the Fall Conference presents the latest in topical education and the opportunity for you to network with your colleagues and suppliers. The Association's business is also conducted at the Fall Conference, including a review of Association activities during the year, financial reports and the election of officers.
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GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATION & LIAISON |
CFSA's Executive Directory and/or Officers attend key meetings where existing or proposed government regulations are planned and discussed. The association represents the interests of the funeral supply industry and offers its perspective to concerned agencies and officials. Through our Newsletter or special mailings we enable even small suppliers to keep up on changes that can make large impacts on all of us.
Testimony Before State or Federal Agencies - The Association has presented direct testimony to the Federal Trade Commission both voluntarily and under subpoena. Voluntary submissions have been related to the funeral industry trade regulation; definitions of caskets and alternative containers; and market information relevant to the potential impact of industry acquisitions.
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INDUSTRY CREDIT SERVICES |
With over 100 funeral supply participants, the Association compiles a record of industry payment patterns on funeral homes and suppliers. This service alone can save our dues investment by eliminating devastating Accounts Receivable write-offs. Participation is mandatory to receive this service.
Funeral Director Credit Guide - Based on participants' reports, this service to our members provides US and Canadian Funeral Home payment patterns. No other source of trade credit information is as valuable.
Quartly Past Due Survey - Part of the Credit Guide program, this service provides information on the amounts payable by funeral directors with past due accounts. The Quarterly Past Due Survey typically is published in March, June and September.
CST Company Collection Services - CST offers member participants a 20-25% discount on collection fees as the Association-sponsored collection agency.
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SUPPLY INDUSTRY LISTS & LABELS |
Specifically targeted, these lists help you reach the precise segment of the industry market that you want. Lists, available at no charge to Association members include:
- Cloth Covered Casket Manufacturers
- Hardwood Casket Manufacturers
- Metal Casket Manufacturers
- Industry List (All Casket Companies)
- K-D Parts Manufacturers
- Exterior (Decorative) Hardware Manufacturers
- Interior (Functional) Hardware Manufacturers
- Mattress Manufacturers
- Embalming Chemical Manufacturers
Most importantly, special sorts are available. You can select discount, net term, or other defined payment patterns to most suit your needs. You determine the risk level for your comfort!
- By payment pattern;
- Only the best;
- Only the worst;
- By average or numerical rating.
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INDUSTRY REPRESENTATION & LIAISON |
CFSA provides the only opportunity for a diverse and widespread supply industry to obtain first hand input with various funeral director groups across the country. CFSA's Executive Director and/or its officers give all suppliers a presence in those forums.
- National Funeral Directors Association
- NFDA Exhibit Advisory Committee
- Cremation Association of North America
- Funeral and Memorial Information Council
- International Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association
- National Concrete Burial Vault Association
- State Funeral Director Associations
- Independent Selected Funeral Homes
- Int'l. Order of the Golden Rule, and others
Testimony Before State or Federal Agencies - The Association has presented direct testimony to the Federal Trade Commission both voluntarily and under subpoena. Voluntary submissions have been related to the funeral industry trade regulation; definitions of caskets and alternative containers; and market information relevant to the potential impact of industry acquisitions.
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CFSA NEWSLETTER & WEB SITE |
A monthly publication, the Newsletter keeps members abreast of changing trends in the industry. You are better able to react to situations, modify your marketing plans and redefine your company's goals and objectives by being aware of continuing developments.
The Newsletter, also available online to Members, provides the latest available information about events within the industry and funeral service. Topics include financial data and projections, company news, upcoming conferences and seminars.
Topical Reports Included - These are some headlines from recent Newsletter stories. The Newsletter keeps you abreast of developments in the industry and of impending or adopted regulations or laws that impact you and your business!
- 2007 U.S. Casket Sales Slip 1 Percent
- How The Credit Crunch is Affecting Small Business
- Casket Imports Increase 51 Percent
- Batesville Announces Flat 1st Quarter Revenues
- Factories Closing in Southern China
- 37 Ways to Control Health Care Costs
- Actual State Deaths
- CDC Reports Decline in U.S. Deaths
CFSAA.ORG - The Casket & Funeral Supply Association of America's website (cfsaa.org) provides information for the consumer about the history of the industry and the products it provides.
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RESEARCH & STATISTICAL DATA |
The Association plays a solo role in providing data that the supply industry cannot obtain by themselves. This trend analysis can be exceedingly valuable in making strategic and tactical business decisions.
Attitudes Toward Death & Funerals - A research monograph prepared by the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management and co-sponsored by the Association in cooperation with the National Research & Information Center to identify public attitudes toward death, funeral directors, preneed, funerals and cremation. This study highlighted consumer demand for "simpler, no-frills" funerals!
Constant Dollar Analysis of Funeral Prices - First prepared in 1989 for the years 1968-1988, this research is periodically updated. It has demonstrated that funeral prices, in fact, declined in real terms from the late 1960's and early 1970's through the 1980's. More recent assessments indicate that prices are increasing in real terms, but have not yet reached levels of 25 years ago.
History of Casket Sales - A statistical overview of casket sales from 1950-2007. It demonstrates the changes in consumer demand and market penetration by product type over the years.
Market Projections - Periodic analysis of deaths and cremations to identify the future potential market for funeral directors and the funeral supply industry.
The Sales Statistics Program - A quarterly statistical summary available to casket companies which identifies market share for participants;
- Compares product mix with aggregate data for the market territory;
- Permits comparison of average index data by product category with aggregate information;
- Is available by company or sales person to permit definitive sales tracking;
- Lets you know the deaths and casketed deaths in your market territory and on a state-by-state basis.
Other Research - CFSA is in continual communication with other national associations in the funeral and memorialization industries. As opportunities and interests converge, additional research projects of benefit to the industry are discussed and, when approved by the respective organizations, funded to benefit all members of the industry.
CLICK HERE TO REQUEST MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
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