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NETWORKCanadian Cemetery Management March 2019
What’s Inside? Vol. 33 No. 2 • March 2019
2 Cover Story: Building a Community of Remembrance
7 OACFP Association Update
9 WCCA Association Update
11 Business Index
Mark Swa l low and Rob Ponce le t f rom Stewar t Monumenta l Works in f ront o f the C learwater cenotaph .
Stewart Monumental Works assists Clearwater Legion with cenotaph project
COMMUNITY OF REMEMBRANCE
Building a
Page 2 • NETWORK | March 2019
COVER | Building a Community of Remembrance
Stewart Monumental Works assists Clearwater Legion with cenotaph project
A memorial to soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting Canada’s freedom, cenotaphs have been built in towns and cities across the country.
Many are focal points in the community – a place for quiet recollection and the gathering spot for annual Remembrance Day services. Unfortunately, some are aging and in need of repair or replacement as was the case in the municipality of Clearwater, B.C.
Located 120 kilometres north of Kamloops with a population of 2,400, the district of Clearwater is in the midst of a large redevelopment which includes the building of a new memorial park along the river’s edge. The park is home to both the district’s new pump house and a towering cenotaph, recently installed with the help of Stewart Monumental Works.
“We were contacted in the beginning of 2017 by the president of the Clearwater Legion, Calvin Lutz, saying Clearwater was looking to construct a new cenotaph for placement in Reginald Small Park,” says Rob Poncelet, owner of Stewart Monumental Works Ltd. “Calvin had attended a function in Abbotsford and had seen their cenotaph. He was impressed with the structure and basically wanted us to duplicate and install a similar cenotaph in Clearwater.”
What sounded simple turned out to be a lengthy project that took two years to complete and required the assistance of hundreds of community donors and volunteers led by Poncelet and his team at Stewart Monumental Works.
“The first obstacle was a big one: they were underfunded,” says Poncelet reflecting on the experience. “They didn’t have a lot of money and the project was not just the cenotaph; they were creating a memorial park area along the river with a grassy area and lots of concrete work. The old monument was
in disrepair and due to the building of a new pump house it had to be moved. The consensus was it would not survive the move as it was constructed of stone and mortar.”
After journeying to Abbotsford to see the cenotaph located in that city, Poncelet contacted trusted supplier Rock of Ages, located in Quebec. A design was created and the budget presented – coming in substantially higher than what
BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF REMEMBRANCE
By L i sa Johnston
Cenotaph in C learwater, B .C .
March 2019 | NETWORK • Page 3
Building a Community of Remembrance | COVER
the Clearwater Legion could afford. However, that did not deter the town folk who were determined to get the project off the ground.
“Knowing how important this was to them, we offered suggestions on how they could proceed. We told them if they could get the community on board, we could substantially reduce the cost,” explains Poncelet. “We also suggested they could raise funds through the purchase of granite benches. We offered them the wholesale cost on three polished granite benches on which they could highlight their silver, gold and platinum sponsors. That way they could reach further into the community to raise more funds, and the benches would be
placed on foundations around the park in close proximity to the cenotaph.”
With funds from Veterans Affairs Canada and donations from the community, the project went ahead resulting in a design by Stewart Monumental Works followed by construction of the monument at Rock of Ages’ quarry in Quebec.
Constructed of Stanstead grey granite, the cenotaph is a towering structure weighing in excess of 16,000 pounds. It has a smooth sawn finish and is etched with a simple poppy design and the words “We Will Remember Them” in English and French on both sides of the monument.
Constructed of Stanstead grey granite, the cenotaph is a towering structure weighing in excess of 16,000 pounds. It has a smooth sawn finish and is etched with a simple poppy design and the words “We Will Remember Them” in English and French on both sides of the monument.
Page 4 • NETWORK | March 2019
“We were going to ship the granite from Quebec and create the monument in our shop in Victoria, but unfortunately due to the weight, it would not be possible to move it around as it was just too heavy,” says Poncelet. “Therefore, we had it created in Quebec and then shipped by a truck to Clearwater. It is a simple design due to the nature of the monument and it was very important to them that it was made completely with Canadian-only material.”
With construction of the monument underway, the community stepped up to the plate to help lay the foundation. “They were able to find a really great local company to donate the foundation work while another generous company did the loading work. All of that was donated from within the community and on top of that we waived our installation fee and reduced the cost of the monument in order to bring the cost down to meet their budget.”
I nsta l l a t ion o f the monument in C learwater, B .C .
COVER | Building a Community of Remembrance
Page 6 • NETWORK | March 2019
COVER | Building a Community of Remembrance
Making money is imperative to any business, but Poncelet says sometimes it is even more important to help a community with a project that pays homage to Canada’s war heroes.
“Any time we can take on a public project of this nature, it is good for our company,” says Poncelet. “It was a challenging job but that helps us grow. In this business, like other businesses, some jobs you make a little more money and some jobs you make a little less. At the end of the day, it all kind of works out.”
Poncelet adds, “We have been in business since 1896, and it is not every day we have the chance to work on a project as meaningful as this. The fact that it was a war memorial to remember all those who gave their lives was never far from our minds.”
Poncelet and his colleague, Mark Swallow, were on hand to assist with the installation of the cenotaph on October 16, 2018. Although work on the park is not yet complete, Poncelet says it was inspiring to see the monument rise as a result of contributions from Veterans Affairs and hundreds of volunteers and donors.
“So many people put in so much work to find the funding and the donors to make this project work,” concludes Poncelet. “Everyone in town knew what was happening and seemed involved in some way. Mark and I put in a lot of our own time as well. It was one of those projects that started off on shaky ground but resulted in the perfect finish.” N
Poncelet and his colleague, Mark Swallow, were on hand to assist with the installation of the cenotaph on October 16, 2018. Although work on the park is not yet complete, Poncelet says it was inspiring to see the monument rise as a result of contributions from Veterans Affairs and hundreds of volunteers and donors.
Gran i te memor ia l benches were used to he lp ra i se funds fo r the pro jec t .
March 2019 | NETWORK • Page 7
Article Title | SECTION
ASSOCIATION UPDATE
By J immy Card ina l , P res ident , Board o f D i rec torsJ immy Card ina l
Last fall, OACFP undertook a membership survey – our first comprehensive survey in five years. Thank you to the approximately 30 per cent of members who took
the time to complete it. The results are in and your board is using your input to build a multi-year strategic plan designed to strengthen our educational offerings, advance and leverage cross-sector partnerships and grow our membership while providing more opportunities for members to collaborate in new and innovative ways. Both the survey results and the strategic plan will be shared at the annual conference this fall.
One of the more interesting items the survey results did reveal – all survey respondents, save for one, answered this question – was a clear and strong desire on behalf of the membership that OACFP take on a more proactive advocacy role. Specifically, the need to present a more unified face of the sector provincewide, to create a sustained advocacy strategy in favour of taking on one-off issues, proactively working on pressing regulatory matters and ensuring high awareness of these activities while doing them.
Advocacy, in its most basic form, is an activity by an individual or group which aims to influence decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions. The goal is to facilitate change and, most often, the development, promotion or reinforcement of new or existing areas of policy, programs or legislation. Importantly, rather than providing support directly for clients or users of services, advocacy aims to win support from others by creating a supportive environment for initiatives. Ultimately, advocacy, in all its forms, seeks to ensure people are able to have their voice heard on issues that are important to them.
All of this cannot be accomplished without clarity of purpose. Clearly stated goals and objectives by which we
are able to demonstrate and measure our progress are key foundations. This is where we need some additional guidance from you. We are calling on all sector professionals to provide more specific direction on some of the broader comments we received so that we may build this into our strategic plan of activities.
For example: in the survey results you told us OACFP should be seeking partnership opportunities with other bereavement sector associations and stakeholders. In what areas should OACFP be seeking to partner? With which groups do you see the best partnership opportunities?
Certainly, building better awareness of the advocacy work the association is already doing on behalf of the sector appears to be an area where we can improve significantly. This is a key element of our priority setting.
Recognizing that all of our efforts will have little impact if we are not building the pipeline of future bereavement sector professionals, we need to consider our options. Promoting death care as a viable lifelong career is a key pillar we are also exploring. There will be more on this in a future article.
Association Update | OACFP
Amplifying the Voice of the Bereavement Sector
Certainly, building better awareness of the advocacy work the association is already doing on behalf of the sector appears to be an area where we can improve significantly. This is a key element of our priority setting.
Page 8 • NETWORK | March 2019
OACFP | Association Update
These are just some of the key items the survey results illuminated. We would like to obtain deeper understanding on what else specifically you would like to see in our future advocacy activities. Please email your input to [email protected] with the subject line Advocacy by March 31, 2019 so that the board may incorporate those ideas into the overall plan.
In other news, January marked the kickoff to our first-ever fully-digital membership renewal. This, of course, was a significant shift in our process. We’re pleased to report renewals are being completed in a smooth manner and extend our thanks to everyone for your enthusiasm for this environmentally-minded approach.
In the meantime, here’s a reminder of the key upcoming programs that could be of interest to you or your colleagues.
• Two-day Crematorium Operator Training Program (March 26 & 27, 2019).
• One-day hands-on Front-Line Cemetery Worker Training Program.
• Cemetery Administration Training Program.
• Bimonthly webinars and other eLearning opportunities which help to eliminate geographical and budgetary constraints.
• Marquee annual education conference and trade show being held at Blue Mountain (October 8-10, 2019).
Don’t forget the Unforgettables Fund golf tournament. Be sure to clear June 10, 2019 in your calendars for our annual fundraiser.
With so many terrific activities on the go, I’m confident you’ll find one that appeals directly to you and your passions and hope you’ll consider volunteering your time to at least one event this year.
I look forward to hearing from and seeing you soon. N
March 2019 | NETWORK • Page 9
Article Title | SECTION
The Western Canada Cemetery Association (WCCA) is an organization of municipal, private and religious cemeteries throughout Manitoba, Saskatchewan and
Alberta, including affiliate members. WCCA provides a forum for education and mutual exchange of ideas for its members. This allows you to keep on top of new developments and trends in the cemetery profession resulting in the best possible customer service.
As a member of WCCA we abide by the WCCA Code of Ethics:• Cemeterians observe the highest ethical standards and make the public interest their primary concern.
• Cemeterians are respectful in their demeanour when dealing with families, funeral directors or other workers.
• Cemeterians are aware of the rules and regulations of the cemetery and apply them fairly.
• Cemeterians are aware of the relevant acts, regulations and provincial legislation.
• Cemeterians do not accept any gift, commission or reward, nor grant special consideration that would not be offered to all.
• Cemeterians treat all private information they may have access to in a confidential manner.
• Cemeterians are familiar with all facets of cemetery operation, occupational health and safety regulations, and security measures as they apply to their environment.
• Cemeterians provide equal treatment to all people.
The WCCA’s website is a valuable resource to find out information about the Western Canada Cemetery Association, WCCA board members, upcoming events, industry information, member contact information and job postings. Check out the website at www.westerncemetery.com.
In 2017, WCCA started a Facebook page. It also contains great articles and event information. Check us out on Facebook Western Canada Cemetery Association.
In September 2004, I attended my first WCCA annual conference and trade show, which was held in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. The WCCA conference was so beneficial to me, that I encourage other individuals in this profession to attend the annual conference. WCCA conferences always have great speakers and informative educational sessions that will provide you with valuable knowledge about the cemetery/funeral profession. You will have the opportunity to network and speak with other employees who work in
ASSOCIATION UPDATE
Why Become a Member of the Western Canada Cemetery Association?
By Lor ra ine P i l l e r, WCCA Board Admin i s t ra tor
Association Update | WCCA
Lor ra ine P i l l e r
The WCCA’s website is a valuable resource to find out information about the Western Canada Cemetery Association, WCCA board members, upcoming events, industry information, member contact information and job postings. Check out the website at www.westerncemetery.com.
Page 10 • NETWORK | March 2019
this sector. As a WCCA member, you will be able to access the contact information of other WCCA members, so that you can reach out to these members to obtain information about their organizations. The trade show has a vast variety of cemetery, funeral products and services as well as government agencies. When I first started working in this sector, I never knew there were so many products and services available and it was so convenient to have them all in one room. During the conference, there is usually a tour of local cemeteries, equipment dealers, landscaping products and/or museums. This year, the conference will be held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan from September 10-12, 2019. WCCA also has an Award of Merit program. Members can nominate outstanding employees who work in their cemetery
going above and beyond on a regular basis. The purpose of this award is to honour and recognize the people who work and care for our cemeteries as much as we do. This award is given out at the annual conference held in September. Nomination forms are available on the WCCA website.
Every year, WCCA puts together a calendar filled with pictures of member cemeteries. We encourage you to submit photos to showcase your cemetery to other members. The calendar also contains advertisements from our supplier members.
In 2016, WCCA started a program to award a member with an ICCFA University scholarship. The scholarship funds are enough to pay for the tuition, meals, accommodations and travel. We encourage our members to apply for the ICCFA University scholarship to attend one of the eight colleges: 21st century services; cremation services; international studies; funeral home management; land management and grounds operations; leadership, administration and management; sales and marketing; and hospitality and event management. This five-day program is designed to offer intensive instruction and networking opportunities in a college-campus setting. After attending six of the colleges, I can personally attest that ICCFA University really helped give me a greater knowledge of all areas of cemetery and funeral service. It helped take my knowledge and career in cemetery services to the next level.
WCCA also provides members with our “Small Cemetery” presentation. This PowerPoint presentation provides an overview of the elements needed to successfully operate a small active cemetery in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta. The presentation covers topics such as financing, organization and fundraising, regulatory compliance obligations, record keeping and regulatory standards, operational standards and techniques, cemetery sustainability, and cemetery preservation and conservation.
The WCCA board is made up of members from the cemetery and funeral profession. I was the Alberta director from 2013-15, the supplier director from 2015-18 and now I am the WCCA administrator. It has been a wonderful and beneficial experience for me. If you are interested in becoming a board member, please contact any of the current board members or send an email to [email protected].
Have I convinced you to become a WCCA member? Membership applications are available on the WCCA website. N
WCCA | Association Update
HiltonlandmarksA DIVISION OF GSP GROUP
Every year, WCCA puts together a calendar filled with pictures of member cemeteries. We encourage you to submit photos to showcase your cemetery to other members. The calendar also contains advertisements from our supplier members.
N E T W O R K BUSINESS INDEX
NETWORK PagE BI - 1
Bronze
Call1 (800) 465-0322
or email
to book your listing
Marble Statues
GAWET MARBLE & GRANITEBusiness Route 4, PO Box 219Center Rutland, VT 05736
Tel: (802) 773-8868Fax: (802) 773-2763Toll-free: 1 (800) 323-6398
Quality-crafted Italian marble statues and custom designs per request. Inventory. Free brochure and price lists.
Mausoleum Developers
Memorial Portraits
Cemetery Supplies
H.S. ECKELS & CO. (CANADA) LTD.23 Admiral PlaceGuelph, On N1G 4N4Tel: (519) 824-8020Fax (519) 824-7161Toll-free: 1 (800) 265-8350www.eckelsandcompany.comemail: [email protected] to cemeteries across Canada with interment products.
Columbaria and Mausoleums
4 Rock of Ages StreetStanstead, Quebec J0B 3E2
Tel: (800) 567-2793 • Fax: (819) 876-2234Donald Labonté, President
Columbariums made entirely of granite, carefully chosen for high quality.Perpetual Warranty. Contact us torefer you to a dealer in your area.
Tell them you found it in NETWORK Call 1 (800) 465-0322 or email [email protected] to book your listing today!
Monument Suppliers
GAWET MARBLE & GRANITEBusiness Route 4, PO Box 219Center Rutland VT 05736(802) 773-8868 • Fax: (802) 773-2763Toll-free: 1 (800) 323-6398Custom-fabricated high-quality Vermont marble memorials, markers, cornerstones and statues.
MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS
NETWORK
works!Call (403) 264-3270
SUNSET MEMORIAL & STONE3300 - 8 St. SE, Calgary T2G 5S7Tel: 403.243.3393 • Fax: 403.243.7533Toll-free: 800.363.3393Web: www.sunsetstone.com
website: www.enduramemorials.com142 Deerglen Terrace, Aurora, ON L4G 6Y3
Dependable1 week delivery
tel: 905-726-8288fax: 905-726-8248
Largest Builders & Designers of Quality Memorialization Structures in the World
w w w . m i l n e c o n s t r u c t i o n . c o m
2601 Hwy #7 Suite 400, Markham, ONT L3R 0M3
1 • 8 0 0 • 5 4 7 • 4 9 0 9
J.C. MILNE CONSTRUCTION CO.(CANADA) INC.
David O. Dahl, CSE, President [email protected]
NETWORK PagE BI - 2
N E T W O R K BUSINESS INDEX
Quarries
ROCK OF AGES CANADA INC.4 Rock of Ages, Stanstead, QC J0B 1E0Tel: (819) 876-2745 • Fax: (819) 876-2234Donald Labonté, President
Vases
U.S. METALCRAFT, INC.P.O. Box 308, Delphos, OH 45833Toll-free: 1 (800) 633-1190Fax: 1 (888) 695-0235In business for over 30 years, the originalmanufacturer of the Metalflake granite-match finish. Die-cast aluminum vases. Trouble-free profit. No Canadian distributor, buy direct from manufacturer. Call Debra Altenburger for assistance.
Vaults & Grave Boxes
B.C. WILBERT VAULT(A division of Fraser Way Pre-Kast Ltd.)22765 Fraser Highway, Box 3294Langley, BC V3A 4R6Tel: (604) 534-2911 • Fax: (604) 533-3238
SUPERIOR VAULT CO. LIMITED‘Servicing Ontario for over 60 years’Box 42200, 128 Queen Street SouthMississauga, ON L5M 4Z0Tel: (905) 826-2870 or(905) 854-2688 (after hours)
MONUMENT RETAILERS
British Columbia
MORTIMER’S MONUMENTAL WORKS(in B.C. Since 1877)709 Kings Road., Victoria, B.C. V8T 1W4Tel: (250) 383-6421 • Fax: (250) 383-7770Toll-free: 1-800-788-0188www.mortimersmonuments.cominfo@mortimersmonuments.comContact Ken and Kerry MannWe service all of B.C. and the Yukon
Ontario
KINKAID AND LONEYMONUMENTS LTD.41 William Street EastSmith Falls, ON K7A 1C3Toll-free: 1 (800) 749-0807Contact: Chris LoneyComplete Monument Services Since 1947.Specialists in Cemetery Restoration. E-ZMasks Computer Graphics. Made-to-Orderfor Plastic, Bronze, Stone & Glass.Used Worldwide.
ST. JAMES CEMETERY/CREMATORIUM635 Parliment St.Toronto, ON M4X 1R1Tel: (416) 964-9194
WHOLESALE LETTERING & CARVING6215 Netherhart RoadMississauga, ON L5T 1G5Tel: (905) 564-5617 • Fax: (905) 564-8380
Please check your listing for
accuracy.
Should any changes be necessary, contact us at
Quebec
GRANITE LACROIX INC.1735, Boul. des LaurentidesVimont, Laval, QC H7M 2P5Tel: (450) 669-7467Manufacturer of Monuments.www.granitelacroix.com
CEMETERIES/CREMATORIUMS
Saskatchewan
WARREN & SON LTD.MEMORY GARDENS CEMETERYBox 37, 126 - 2nd Ave. N.E.Swift Current, SK S9H 3V5Tel: (306) 773-8831Dick and Jim Warren, Owners
LEN TRAUB – OWNER/PRESIDENT
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT OUR REPRESENTATIVES:
LARISA DAY – EDMONTON 780-447-2222
PAULA IERULLO – CALGARY 403-230-1666
FRANK BOZSO – WINNIPEG 204-694-4616
TOLL FREE 1-800-232-7385albertawilbert.ca
