Park Lawn Next Steps, Cremation Temps Lowered, Found Remains, and more

Funeral Service Insider: The Podcast

Park Lawn has set the record and meeting date for its special meeting of shareholders. This meeting is convened to consider the proposed going private transaction. Under the terms of the transaction, Viridian Acquisition of Homesteaders Life Company and Birch Hill Equity Partners Management Inc., will acquire all outstanding common shares of Park Lawn at a price of $26.50 per Share. The Special Meeting will be conducted virtually on July 29, 2024. Park Lawn will share more details about the Transaction and the Special Meeting in its management information circular. The circular will be sent to shareholders soon. Copies of the circular will be submitted to Canadian securities regulators and accessible on SEDAR+. Park Lawn has postponed its annual shareholders’ meeting. More information about the rescheduled annual meeting will be provided later.

Link: https://www.parklawncorp.com/park-lawn-provides-update-on-special-meeting-in-connection-with-going-private-transaction/

Pennsylvania crematories can officially lower standard operating temperatures to save money and reduce environmental emissions. Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the legislation, lowering the temperature to 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit. New law allows crematories established after 1989 to operate at or above 1,600°F. This will immediately lower fuel costs and ease strain on equipment for the 200 facilities in Pennsylvania, which is particularly beneficial as mortuary services handle an aging population. The aging Baby Boomer generation is causing a shift away from traditional burial. The decision is influenced by environmental impact, cost, and religious sentiments. More people are considering long-term end-of-life planning and eco-friendly burials. Link: https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_72627e2a-2d78-11ef-9809-375bc305e2b5.html

John C. Greco of Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home is the new president of the West Virginia Funeral Directors and Crematory Operators Association. Chris Christian, secretary of the NFDA board of directors installed Greco. He is the first person from Weirton and Hancock County in this position, In his inaugural address, Greco underscored the significance of member engagement, urging active participation in committees and events. "I am honored to lead the West Virginia Funeral Directors and Crematory Operators Association," Greco said, according to The Weirton Daily Times. "My objective is to support our members, ensuring they receive the necessary resources and guidance to deliver exceptional service to their communities. I encourage all members to join us in making a positive impact." Link: https://www.weirtondailytimes.com/news/business/2024/06/greco-elected-to-lead-funeral-directors-group/

Funeral director baffled by U.S. urn found in local river Police are asking the public for help to identify the owner of an urn containing ashes that was recovered from the St. Clair River near Sarnia, Onterio, Canada. Lambton County officials say the urn was pulled from the St. Clair River in January 2024. Police are asking the public for help to identify the owner of an urn containing ashes that was recovered from the St. Clair River near Sarnia. Officers with the Lambton County Ontario Provincial Police detachment were called in January to a home in the 600-block of St. Clair Parkway in St. Clair Township, south of Sarnia, and were handed a small urn that had been recovered from the water, police say. Attempts to locate and identify the owner of the urn have been unsuccessful, police said. Tyler Sylvester is a funeral director at Belton-Stroup in Fairborn, Ohio, said their standard practice of including a cremation number coin and laminated tag with identifying information. An exception to this practice is when ashes are split between multiple urns he said. Link: https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/funeral-director-baffled-urn-found-st-clair-river